A locked Dropbox account usually means Dropbox wants extra verification. A hacked Dropbox account means someone else may have viewed, shared, changed, or deleted files. Recovery should cover both account access and file safety.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Dropbox personal and Dropbox Business accounts on the website, desktop app, or mobile app.
Reset your password to get back into a locked account
A password reset clears many ordinary security locks.
- Go to dropbox.com/login and enter the account email.
- Choose Forgot your password.
- Open the reset email from Dropbox and follow the link.
- If you cannot access the email but a phone number is linked, look for an SMS or phone-number reset option.
- Set a new unique password and sign in.
- If Dropbox says the account is under review or the lock stays after reset, contact Dropbox support with the requested identity proof.
Your account was actually hacked
Move quickly because shared files and connected apps may still expose data.
- If you can sign in, change the password immediately.
- Open Settings > Security and remove unfamiliar devices, browsers, and sessions.
- Review connected apps and revoke anything you do not use or recognize.
- Check shared folders and shared links for people or email addresses you did not add.
- If the email or password was changed and you cannot sign in, contact Dropbox support and report the account as compromised.
More control
Check file damage
If files were deleted or changed, paid Dropbox plans may offer Rewind to restore a folder or account to an earlier point. Free accounts may still have a shorter file-history recovery window.
Enable two-step verification
Turn on two-step verification under Settings > Security using an authenticator app or SMS. This helps prevent another takeover if your password leaks elsewhere.
Use a unique Dropbox password
Many cloud account takeovers start with credential stuffing, where attackers try passwords leaked from unrelated sites. A unique password blocks that path.
Sources
- Dropbox Help – What should I do if I think my account was hacked? (2025)
- Dropbox Help – How to change or reset your Dropbox password (2025)
- Dropbox Help – Why has my Dropbox account been disabled? (2025)