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Dropbox is a great platform for storing data for personal and work use. However, there may come a time when you want to clean up the interface. Whether it’s to free up storage space or get rid of unnecessary stuff, deleting folders from your Dropbox account is the best way to do it.
But how exactly is it done?
If you’re looking for ways to delete a Dropbox folder, you’ve come to the right place. We will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to delete your Dropbox folder on PC, iPhone, and Android.
How to delete a folder in Dropbox on PC
Dropbox allows you to permanently delete any folder from your account. Freeing up your storage is a good idea if you no longer use a folder or are running out of space. You can delete all Dropbox folders as long as you are the owner.
Follow the steps below to delete a regular folder from your Dropbox account on a PC using the online app:
- Log in to your mailbox account.
- Select “All Files” in the left sidebar.
- Hover over the folder you want to delete and click the ellipsis.
- Select “Delete.”
- Click “Delete” to confirm your action.
Folders deleted with the steps above will end up in the Dropbox trash. You can delete all the folders you own permanently by following the steps below:
- Log in to your mailbox account.
- Follow the steps above to delete a folder.
- Open the “Deleted Files” section in the left sidebar.
- Check the box next to the folder you want to delete.
- Select “Permanently Delete.”
- Click “Permanently Delete” again to verify your action.
You can permanently delete any folder you own without the possibility of restoring it. The only exception to this rule is if you are the administrator of a Dropbox Business team account and you are the only person who has performed actions on a folder without being an administrator.
In some cases, Dropbox Business team users can’t permanently delete folders if the administrator has limited their privileges. Additionally, permanently deleting files in the “Deleted Files” section does not affect the storage quota.
In addition to deleting a Dropbox folder using the web app, you can also delete a local folder on your computer.
Doing so will also delete the folder from your online Dropbox account. So, if you use a desktop Dropbox app on your PC, follow the steps below:
- Open your Dropbox folder on your PC.
- Right click on the folder you want to delete.
- Select “Delete” for Windows or “Move to Trash” for Mac computers.
Alternatively, you can drag any Dropbox folder you want to delete to the Trash for both Windows and Mac computers.
Delete shared folders in Dropbox on PC
When it comes to shared folders, you can delete them temporarily or permanently. To permanently delete a shared folder, follow the steps below:
- Login in dropbox.com.
- Navigate to “All Files” in the left sidebar.
- Hover over the folder you want to delete and click the ellipsis.
- Select “Delete.”
To temporarily delete a shared folder, follow the steps below:
- Log in to your mailbox account.
- Select “All Files” in the left sidebar.
- Hover over the folder and select the share with a person icon in it.
- Select “[x] “People have access.”
- Search for your name and select the dropdown menu next to it.
- Select “Delete my access.”
Be careful not to delete Dropbox folders by accident. If you do, the owner will have to invite you to that folder again.
You may not be able to see the shared folder options when you try to delete a folder. If this happens, disable any browser extensions or add-ons that are currently running. After that, proceed to delete the shared folder and re-enable extensions.
You can also continue using the extensions and make Dropbox an exception. Just keep in mind that some extensions do not support this functionality.
How to delete a folder in Dropbox in the iPhone app
The Dropbox app for iPhone is packed with features. You don’t need to use the desktop version to delete files or folders; everything can be done through your phone. Follow the steps below to delete a folder in Dropbox on the iPhone app:
- Start the mailbox app on your iPhone.
- Access the list of all your folders and files.
- Tap the ellipsis next to the name of the folder you want to delete.
- Tap “Folder Settings.”
- Select “Delete Folder.”
This will remove that folder from your iPhone, the website, and all devices linked to that Dropbox account. When you delete a folder, it will be stored in the “Deleted Files” section. However, it will no longer affect your storage space. To permanently delete a folder, open the “Deleted Files” section and delete the folder from there.
Delete a shared folder in the iPhone app
If you want to delete a shared folder from your Dropbox account using an iPhone, follow the steps below:
- Sign in on your iPhone mailbox application.
- Open the list of all files and folders in your account.
- Tap the ellipsis next to the name of the shared folder you want to delete.
- Select “Shared Folder Settings” at the bottom of the menu.
- Tap “Remove from My Dropbox.”
- Select “Remove from My Dropbox” again to verify.
You will no longer see that shared folder in your Dropbox. You can add it once again by following the instructions shared by Dropbox while deleting the folder.
How to delete a folder in Dropbox in the Android app
Android users can delete folders in two ways: from their local memory or from their Dropbox account.
To delete a folder from your Android phone’s local memory, you need to clear its cache folder. The files in your Dropbox account are saved to your phone’s cache every time you open them from the app. You can delete these files by following the steps below:
- Start the mailbox app and tap the “Menu” button on the left side of the screen. It is an icon with three horizontal lines.
- Navigate to “Settings” and tap “Clear cache.”
To delete a folder from your Dropbox account, follow the steps below:
- Start the mailbox app on your Android device and locate the folder you want to delete.
- Tap the blue arrow next to the folder.
- Select “Delete” to remove the file from your Dropbox account, your phone, and all devices connected to the account.
When you delete a folder from your Dropbox, it will be stored in the “Deleted Files” section. To permanently delete a folder, open the section and delete the folder from there.
Delete a shared folder in Android app
Android users can also delete a shared folder using their Android app. To delete a folder that someone else shared, follow the steps below:
- open your mailbox app and log in.
- Locate the shared folder you want to delete and bring it into view.
- Tap “Shared Folder Settings.”
- Press the gray “Remove from my Dropbox” button.
- Select “Delete from my Dropbox” to confirm.
If you want to delete a folder that you shared, follow the steps below:
- Log in to your mailbox application.
- Locate the folder you want to delete and tap “Shared Folder Settings.”
- Tap “Stop Sharing” at the bottom of the screen.
- Confirm the action.
- Now that the folder is not shared, you can delete it from Dropbox by following the steps provided earlier in this section.
Additional FAQs
How do I delete a folder from Dropbox but not from my computer?
Dropbox does not allow you to delete folders from a Dropbox account and simultaneously keep them on your local computer storage. The two folders automatically sync, and deleting any file from a Dropbox account will also delete it from your computer’s local storage. However, there is a solution.
To keep a file on your computer after deleting it online, simply move it from the local Dropbox folder to another folder on your computer. You can move it to My Documents, Desktop, or anywhere else. Once you do this, you will be able to delete the folder from your Dropbox account without losing the files on your computer.
Tidy up your Dropbox account
Dropbox offers users a lot of freedom when it comes to managing folders. You can delete regular and shared folders temporarily or permanently, whether you access the app from your PC or smartphone. Remember that you can delete any folder from your Dropbox account only if you own it. The two exceptions are Business Dropbox team account holders and the only active person in a folder.
This article gives you detailed steps on how to delete a Dropbox folder from your account on all devices. If you have any questions, feel free to send us a comment below.
