How to recover deleted Dropbox files
Losing important files from your Dropbox account can be a distressing experience. Whether it’s due to accidental deletion, system errors, or other unforeseen circumstances, it’s crucial to know how to recover deleted Dropbox files. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to retrieve your lost data and ensure that your Dropbox experience remains seamless and secure.
1. Check the Deleted Files Folder
The first step in recovering deleted Dropbox files is to check the Deleted Files folder. Dropbox automatically moves deleted files to this folder, giving you a chance to restore them before they are permanently deleted. To access the Deleted Files folder:
1. Log in to your Dropbox account on the web.
2. Click on the gear icon in the top right corner and select “Settings.”
3. Go to the “Advanced” tab and scroll down to the “Deleted files” section.
4. Enable the “Show deleted files” option.
5. Click “Save changes.”
6. Return to your Dropbox account and click on the “Deleted files” folder on the left-hand side.
If you find your deleted files here, you can restore them by clicking the “Restore” button next to each file. This will move the file back to its original location in your Dropbox account.
2. Use the Dropbox Paper History
If you have enabled the Dropbox Paper feature, you can use its history feature to recover deleted files. Dropbox Paper keeps a history of all changes made to your documents, including deleted files. To use this feature:
1. Open the Dropbox Paper document you want to recover.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner of the document.
3. Select “History” from the dropdown menu.
4. A timeline will appear, showing all the changes made to the document, including deleted files.
5. Click on the “Recover” button next to the deleted file you want to restore.
This will place the deleted file back into your Dropbox account.
3. Restore from the Dropbox Mobile App
If you’re using the Dropbox mobile app, you can also recover deleted files directly from the app. Here’s how:
1. Open the Dropbox app on your mobile device.
2. Tap the three lines in the top left corner to access the menu.
3. Select “Deleted files” from the list.
4. You will see a list of deleted files and folders.
5. Tap the “Restore” button next to the file or folder you want to recover.
The deleted file will be restored to its original location in your Dropbox account.
4. Contact Dropbox Support
If the above methods do not work, or if you have deleted files older than 30 days, you may need to contact Dropbox Support for assistance. Here’s how to do it:
1. Go to the Dropbox Help Center website.
2. Click on “Contact Support” at the bottom of the page.
3. Select “I have a problem with my files” from the list of issues.
4. Fill out the form with your contact information and a detailed description of the problem.
5. Submit the form and wait for a response from Dropbox Support.
Dropbox Support will do their best to help you recover your deleted files. However, keep in mind that files older than 30 days may not be recoverable.
5. Regularly Backup Your Dropbox Files
To prevent future data loss, it’s essential to regularly backup your Dropbox files. You can do this by:
1. Using a third-party backup service to create a duplicate of your Dropbox files.
2. Connecting an external hard drive to your computer and manually copying your Dropbox files to it.
3. Enabling Dropbox’s own backup feature, which allows you to sync your Dropbox files with another cloud storage service.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your Dropbox files are safe and recoverable in case of accidental deletion or other issues.
