Losing access to your Dropbox account can be a stressful experience, but don't worry, it's a relatively common issue. Fortunately, Dropbox provides a robust recovery process to help you regain control of your account.
If you've deleted files or folders by mistake, don't panic, you can recover them using Dropbox's file recovery feature. This feature allows you to restore deleted files and folders for up to 30 days after deletion.
Dropbox's file recovery feature is available for both personal and business accounts, and it's a great way to recover lost data without having to contact customer support.
Recovering Your Dropbox Account
Recovering your Dropbox account can be a daunting task, but it's not impossible. You can recover an entire deleted Dropbox account using Dropbox Rewind.
Dropbox Rewind allows you to recover an entire deleted Dropbox account or a folder. You can use it to restore Dropbox files that have been deleted during the retention period.
To use Dropbox Rewind, you need to follow the instructions carefully. Note that it only works to restore Dropbox files that have been deleted during the retention period.
Deleting Files and Folders
Deleting files and folders is a common occurrence, especially when working with large amounts of data. You can recover deleted Dropbox files within 30 days, or 180 days if you have a paid account.
To recover deleted files, navigate to the Dropbox website and log in to your account. Click on "Files" in the left sidebar to access your deleted files.
The easiest way to recover deleted files is by using the "Deleted files" folder. You can browse through the deleted files and folders to find the one you want to recover, and then click on the "Restore" option to retrieve it.
Dropbox Rewind is another option for recovering deleted files, but it's only available for paid accounts and can restore entire folders or accounts. However, it may overwrite recent changes.
If you've deleted files more than 30 days ago, they're no longer available through Dropbox's built-in recovery options. In this case, you can use specialized data recovery software, such as Recoverit Data Recovery Software.
Here are the key points to remember when recovering deleted Dropbox files:
Syncing and Backup
You can recover deleted Dropbox files from other devices if you've synced your files across multiple devices and the device hasn't synced yet. This is because the Dropbox app will start syncing data once it connects with the central server.
To prevent data loss, it's essential to use a backup service that supports comprehensive backup and recovery of all major SaaS platforms, including Dropbox. CloudAlly Backup secures Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce, Dropbox, and Box, including Groups, Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint, Public folders, shared Drives, and Archives.
CloudAlly's pricing is significantly lower than Dropbox's paid backup option, setting you back almost six times less.
Using Third-Party Backup
Using Third-Party Backup is a great way to ensure your Dropbox files are safe. CloudAlly's Backup for Dropbox provides enterprise-grade automated backup and recovery for all your Dropbox files and folders.
CloudAlly's Backup is stringently secure and certified with OAuth and MFA/2FA support. It's also ISO 27001, HIPAA, and GDPR compliant, with global data centers and Amazon AWS S3 Encryption.
Compared to Dropbox's paid backup option, CloudAlly's pricing is significantly lower. In fact, it's almost six times cheaper than Dropbox's paid backup option. Plus, CloudAlly supports comprehensive backup and recovery of all major SaaS platforms, including Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce, and Box.
Here are some key features of CloudAlly's Backup:
With CloudAlly's Backup, you can recover deleted Dropbox files with just a few clicks. It's a great option for those who want to ensure their Dropbox files are safe and easily recoverable.
Batch Folder Operations
Batch Folder Operations are a lifesaver when you accidentally delete multiple files or folders. You can recover them all at once using Dropbox's feature.
To do this, log in to your Dropbox account on the website. Your deleted files list will appear on the right side, where you can find the files or folder you want to recover.
Select the files by clicking the checkbox icon next to each file, then click the Restore button in the right sidebar. This will save you time and effort compared to recovering each file individually.
Troubleshooting and Tips
If you've accidentally deleted a file from your Dropbox account, don't worry, there are ways to recover it within 30 days or 120 days.
You can use the search bar on the "deleted files" page in Dropbox to find your lost file. Simply type the file name or a related keyword, and a list of options will appear. Choose your file and press the restore button to get it back.
Dropbox's events page is another place to find your deleted files. It keeps an activity log of all changes, including deletions. You can select your required files and restore them from here.
To avoid losing files in the future, enable Dropbox's version history feature to keep multiple versions of your files. This way, even if you delete a file, you'll still have previous versions available.
Regularly back up your Dropbox folder to an external drive or another cloud service to ensure your files are safe. This is especially important for shared folders, where accidental deletions can be disastrous.
Here are some additional tips to help you recover Dropbox files and avoid data loss:
- Enable Dropbox's selective sync feature to ensure important folders are always synced across devices.
- Consider upgrading to a paid Dropbox account for extended file retention and additional features.
- Familiarize yourself with Dropbox's recovery options before you need them.
- Use descriptive file names and organize your folders to easily locate files.
Recovery Methods
Dropbox Rewind allows you to recover an entire deleted Dropbox account or a folder, but it only works to restore Dropbox files that have been deleted during the retention period.
To recover Dropbox files using Dropbox Rewind, log in to your Dropbox, locate the Rewind Dropbox option on the right, and click on it. You can then open a specific folder and click Rewind this folder to recover it.
You can also use Recoverit, a powerful data recovery tool, to retrieve files from Dropbox even after they've been permanently deleted. Recoverit has a high recovery rate of up to 99.5% and supports various file types, including documents, photos, and videos.
To use Recoverit, install the software on your computer, select the drive where your Dropbox folder is located, and click Start. Wait for the scan to complete, browse through the recovered files, and use the file preview feature to ensure you're recovering the correct files.
If you miss the Dropbox retention period deadlines, your data will be permanently deleted, and you can no longer use Dropbox Business to recover it. In this case, you need a third-party backup solution, such as CloudAlly's Dropbox Backup, to recover deleted Dropbox files.
You can also recover deleted Dropbox files by restoring them from the Trash folder on the Dropbox website. Dropbox preserves all deleted files in the Trash folder for 30 days or longer if you have a Dropbox Business account or a Pro account with Extended Version History.
To restore a deleted file or folder, click the Trash can symbol near the search box, select the file or folder you want to recover, and click Restore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Dropbox accounts get deleted?
Dropbox may delete inactive accounts, but you'll receive a notification before it happens. To avoid account deletion, simply log in to your account periodically to keep it active.
Do old Dropbox accounts get deleted?
Yes, old Dropbox accounts can be deleted if they remain inactive for 90 days. This means you should regularly log in to prevent account closure and file deletion.
Can I restore my Dropbox to a previous date?
Restore a previous version of your Dropbox file within 30 days with Basic, Plus, or Family plans, or within 180 days with Professional, Essentials, Standard, or Business plans
Sources
- https://www.cloudally.com/blog/how-to-recover-permanently-deleted-files-in-dropbox-business/
- https://recoverit.wondershare.com/file-recovery/dropbox-recover-deleted-files-older-than-30-days.html
- https://4ddig.tenorshare.com/windows-recovery-solutions/dropbox-recover-deleted-files.html
- https://recoverit.wondershare.com/deleted-files-recovery/recover-dropbox-deleted-files-windows-mac.html
- https://www.cbackup.com/articles/dropbox-recover-deleted-files-6688.html
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