- How to download a file or folder from dropbox.com
- The catch: big folders won't download from the website
- How to download with the Dropbox desktop app
- How to download on your phone
- Downloading from a shared link
- If your download doesn't work
- Downloading everything before you leave Dropbox
- Unzipping what you've downloaded
- My verdict
- Frequently asked questions
To download from Dropbox, log in at dropbox.com, hover over the file or folder, tick its checkbox and click Download. Folders arrive as a .zip file, and they must be under 250 GB with fewer than 10,000 files. For large downloads, Dropbox recommends using the desktop app instead.
Downloading from Dropbox is simple for a single file. It gets trickier with big folders, which come down as zip files with strict limits, and with the desktop app, where files can look like they're on your computer when they're really still in the cloud. Here's how to handle each case.
How to download a file or folder from dropbox.com
- Log in at dropbox.com.
- Hover over the file or folder you want.
- Click the checkbox next to it. Tick more checkboxes to download several items at once.
- Click Download.
A single file downloads unchanged. A folder, or several items together, downloads as one .zip file that you'll need to unzip on your computer.
The catch: big folders won't download from the website
Dropbox sets two hard limits on folder downloads from dropbox.com. The folder has to be smaller than 250 GB uncompressed, and contain fewer than 10,000 files in total, counting everything in the folders inside it. A project folder full of small images can hit the file limit long before it gets anywhere near the size limit.
| What you're downloading | Limit on dropbox.com | Better option if you hit it |
|---|---|---|
| A single file | No file size limit | Desktop app for very large files |
| A folder | Under 250 GB and fewer than 10,000 files | Download subfolders separately |
| Several items at once | Same folder limits, as one zip | Smaller selections |
Even for single files, Dropbox recommends the desktop app for large downloads, because browsers and networks can drop long downloads part-way through.
How to download with the Dropbox desktop app
If the Dropbox app is installed, your files already show in the Dropbox folder in File Explorer or Finder. But they may be online-only, which means they're listed on your computer without being stored there. Dropbox says online-only files don't take up space on your device, and they need an internet connection to open.
- Open your Dropbox folder.
- Right-click the file or folder you want stored on your computer.
- Choose the option to make it available offline (the opposite of Make online-only).
- Wait for the sync icon to show it's downloaded.
This is the most reliable way to download big folders, because there's no zip and no 10,000-file limit.
How to download on your phone
In the Dropbox app, open the file's more options menu and switch on Make available offline. The toggle turns grey again if you switch it off and the file goes back to being online-only. You can also export a file to save it into another app, such as your phone's Files app or photo library.
Downloading from a shared link
If someone sends you a Dropbox link, open it in your browser and click Download. You don't need a Dropbox account to download from most shared links. If the link points to a big folder, the same zip limits apply, so ask the sender to share smaller folders if the download fails.
If your download doesn't work
- Check the folder is under the 250 GB and 10,000-file limits.
- Try downloading smaller subfolders instead of the whole folder.
- Use the desktop app for very large files.
- Check you've got enough free space on your computer.
- Try a different browser, or turn off download-blocking extensions.
If you're downloading photos from Dropbox to tidy up an iPhone afterwards, my guide to deleting iPhone photos in bulk is a useful next step.
Downloading everything before you leave Dropbox
If you're moving to another service, don't try to download your whole Dropbox as one zip. Install the desktop app, make every folder available offline, let it finish, then copy the Dropbox folder to an external drive or your new service. It's slower to set up but far less likely to fail than a giant browser download.
Unzipping what you've downloaded
Folders from Dropbox arrive zipped. On Windows, right-click the zip file and choose Extract All, then pick where the files should go. On a Mac, double-click the zip and the folder appears next to it. Delete the zip afterwards so you don't keep two copies of everything, and check a few files open before you delete anything from Dropbox itself.
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If the zip won't open, the download may not have finished. Check the file size against what you expected, and download it again, ideally on a wired or stronger Wi-Fi connection, or switch to the desktop app.
My verdict
For a file or a small folder, tick it on dropbox.com and click Download. For anything big, use the desktop app and make the folder available offline, because the website won't zip folders over 250 GB or with 10,000 files or more, and long browser downloads are fragile. Remember that files in your Dropbox folder may be online-only until you choose otherwise. If you're weighing up a move, see my Dropbox alternatives guide.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my Dropbox download stop part-way?
Long browser downloads can drop. Try again on a stronger connection or use the desktop app.
Can I download from Dropbox on my phone?
Yes. Switch on Make available offline for a file, or export it to another app.
How do I open a zip file from Dropbox?
On Windows, right-click it and choose Extract All. On a Mac, double-click it.
How do I download a whole folder from Dropbox?
Tick the folder on dropbox.com and click Download. It comes as a zip if it's under 250 GB with fewer than 10,000 files.
Why won't my Dropbox folder download?
It's probably over the 250 GB or 10,000-file limit. Download smaller subfolders or use the desktop app.
Is there a size limit for downloading single files from Dropbox?
No, but Dropbox recommends the desktop app for large files.
Why can't I open Dropbox files offline?
They're online-only. Make them available offline in the desktop or mobile app first.
Do I need an account to download from a Dropbox link?
Usually not. Open the link and click Download.
