Dropbox Two-Step Verification: Setup and Recovery

Turn on Dropbox two-step verification in Settings › Security. Choose an authenticator app, text messages or a security key, and save the backup codes.

Set it up

1. Sign in at dropbox.com and click your avatar.
2. Open Settings › Security.
3. Turn on Two-step verification.
4. Choose a method and confirm with a code.
5. Save the 10 backup codes Dropbox shows.

Methods

You can add a backup phone number as well, so codes can reach a second phone if the first is lost.

Backup codes

Each backup code works once. Keep them in a password manager or printed in a safe place, not inside your Dropbox, which you would not be able to open without them.

Trusted devices

When you sign in, you can tick the option to trust the computer. Dropbox then asks for a code less often on that device. Remove trusted devices in Security settings if you lose a laptop.

Lost your phone

• Use a backup code to sign in.
• Use the backup phone number if you added one.
• Then turn two-step off and on again to set up the new phone.
• Without any of these, follow Dropbox's help steps for lost two-step access; it may take time to verify you.

Linked apps

Apps connected to Dropbox keep working after you turn on two-step verification. Review them in Settings › Connected apps and remove any you do not use.

Business accounts

On Dropbox teams, admins can require two-step verification for all members and see who has it on. Ask your admin if you lose access to a work account.

Sign-in limits

Repeated wrong codes can pause sign-in for a while. See Dropbox too many attempts.

Codes not arriving by text

Text codes can be delayed by carriers, especially abroad. Switch to an authenticator app before you travel, or add a backup phone number. If a text is late, wait a minute before asking again rather than requesting several codes, since only the newest one works.

FAQ

How do I turn on Dropbox two-step verification?

Settings › Security › Two-step verification.

What if I lose my phone?

Use a backup code or the backup phone number.

Do linked apps stop working?

No, they keep working.

Related: Dropbox too many attempts · authenticator apps · passkeys.