Dropbox Backup copies the files and folders in your computer's home folder to the cloud, where you can reach them at dropbox.com/backup/all under Mac or PC. It's available on all Dropbox plans as of October 2026, and it makes copies rather than freeing up space on your computer.
Here's the catch. Backup keeps the two sides linked, so deleting a file from your computer or from Dropbox deletes it from the other place too. What protects you is the restore window: deleted files can be brought back for 30 or 180 days depending on your plan. After that, they're gone.
Backup isn't the same as cloud storage
Dropbox draws this line itself. Backup makes copies and doesn't free space on your computer or add storage. Cloud storage, the normal Dropbox folder, lets you set files to online-only so they stop taking up room on your drive.
| Question | Dropbox Backup | Dropbox cloud storage |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Copies your home folder and chosen drives | Holds files you put in your Dropbox |
| Frees space on your computer | No | Yes, with online-only files |
| Where you see it | dropbox.com/backup/all, under Mac or PC | Your Dropbox folder |
So if your laptop's full, Backup won't fix it. If you want a copy of your computer in case it's lost or dies, that's what Backup is for. If you're comparing it with backup-only services, my Backblaze vs IDrive comparison covers the two best known.
How often it backs up
| What's backed up | How it updates, as of October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Your computer | Some backups sync changes instantly, others every 15 minutes. You can schedule every 15 minutes (recommended), daily, weekly or custom |
| An external drive | Every hour while it's plugged in |
| Restore window | 30 or 180 days for deleted files, depending on plan |
External drive backups come with a rule that surprises people. Files backed up from an external drive can't be edited, added, shared or moved in Dropbox. They're read-only there, and any change has to happen on the drive itself.
Which computers and drives it covers
You can only back up the drive that holds the Dropbox desktop app, which is usually your operating system drive. Other internal drives aren't included, so if you keep your photo library on a second internal drive, Backup won't pick it up.
The Dropbox Backup plan covers one computer and one external drive. Other plans are limited by their storage, and Standard, Advanced and Enterprise teams get external drive backups equal to their licence count, so a team with 15 licences gets 15 drive backups.
For external drives, these formats work as of October 2026.
| Computer | Supported drive formats |
|---|---|
| Windows | NTFS, exFAT, FAT32 |
| macOS | HFS+, APFS, exFAT, FAT32 |
Encrypted APFS drives aren't supported, which catches out a lot of Mac users who encrypted their backup drive. Check that before you plug it in and wonder why nothing happens.
If you already use iCloud, Google Drive or OneDrive
The updated Backup can back up folders that are also backed up by iCloud, Google Drive and OneDrive, but Dropbox recommends turning those off first. If you're moving your backup over to Dropbox, switch the old one off before you click Set up, so you're not running two backups of the same folders.
Three setups and what Backup does for each
- A freelancer with one Mac and one external drive. The Dropbox Backup plan covers exactly that. The drive updates every hour while it's plugged in, as long as it isn't an encrypted APFS drive.
- A team of 15 on Standard. Each person backs up their own computer, and the team gets 15 external drive backups, one per licence.
- Someone switching from iCloud or OneDrive backup. Turn the old backup off first, as Dropbox recommends, then set up Dropbox Backup on the same folders.
Want the full picture? Start with my Dropbox Shared Link Settings breakdown.
How to set up Dropbox Backup
- Open the Dropbox desktop app preferences.
- Click Backups, then Set up.
- Choose the folders you want backed up, and plug in any external drive you want included.
- Pick your schedule, with every 15 minutes as Dropbox's recommendation.
- Check dropbox.com/backup/all to make sure your computer appears under Mac or PC.
Before you decide, have a look at Dropbox Dash.
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Getting your files back
You've got two restore routes. Download the backup as a .zip, or download everything back to the same locations on a new computer, which is the one you'd use after replacing a laptop. For a single file you deleted by mistake, the 30 or 180 day window is your safety net, and my guide on recovering deleted Dropbox files walks through that side.
My verdict on Dropbox Backup
I'd switch it on if you already use Dropbox and your work lives in your home folder, because it's included on every plan and it'll restore a whole computer to a new machine. I'd add a separate backup if your files sit on a second internal drive or an encrypted APFS drive, since Backup won't cover either. And I wouldn't treat it as an archive. Delete something and you've got 30 or 180 days to change your mind.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Dropbox Backup free?
It's available on all Dropbox plans, as of October 2026.
Does Dropbox Backup free up space on my computer?
No. Backup makes copies and doesn't free space or add storage. Cloud storage with online-only files is what frees space.
How long can I restore deleted files from Dropbox Backup?
For 30 or 180 days, depending on your plan.
Can Dropbox Backup back up a second internal drive?
No. It only backs up the drive that holds the Dropbox desktop app, usually the operating system drive.
Does Dropbox Backup work with encrypted Mac drives?
Encrypted APFS drives aren't supported. HFS+, APFS, exFAT and FAT32 work on macOS.
Can I edit files from an external drive backup in Dropbox?
No. Files backed up from an external drive can't be edited, added, shared or moved in Dropbox. Change them on the drive itself.
