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Forum Discussion
Access to more than 3 devices with the Basic plan.
This is a personal Basic account. I am the only user. I have never shared files. I had 3 devices on Dropbox for many years and now would like to add a new device. Projects for which I need to use files that are stored on Dropbox are located on the 4 different devices, but I only need to be able to access files on one device at a time. Just need to clarify that I can still have access to all 4 devices and can keep the files synced as long as I am signed in to no more than 3 devices at any one time.
In other words, when I sign out of Device (A) in order to be able to add and edit files on the 4th Device (D), will I be able to sync the files on Device (A) after I sign out of Device (B), (C), or (D) and sign back in to (A)? This would allow me to keep files on all 4 devices in a rotating state of being synced by signing in and out of devices until all are synced.
Hi Nancy F.1, let's jump right into this!
The limit for a Basic account is 3 devices, not 4. So, essentially you wouldn't be able to do what you mentioned, no.
To add a new device, you'd need to unlink some of your current devices, not simply sign out of them.
Unlinking a device from your Dropbox account means that Dropbox will no longer sync changes to the files and folders in the Dropbox folder on that computer, tablet or mobile. Basically Dropbox is turned off for that device. Rest assured that no files or folders will be deleted from your Dropbox account.
Let me know if you have any questions!
- Megan
Dropbox Staff
Hi Nancy F.1, let's jump right into this!
The limit for a Basic account is 3 devices, not 4. So, essentially you wouldn't be able to do what you mentioned, no.
To add a new device, you'd need to unlink some of your current devices, not simply sign out of them.
Unlinking a device from your Dropbox account means that Dropbox will no longer sync changes to the files and folders in the Dropbox folder on that computer, tablet or mobile. Basically Dropbox is turned off for that device. Rest assured that no files or folders will be deleted from your Dropbox account.
Let me know if you have any questions!
Thanks for clarifying. I never saw the word 'linked' mentioned, only that you need to 'sign out' of one of the other devices.
I was almost ready to do that when I decided I'd better clarify. I still have the 'Select devices to sign out of' window open. No boxes are checked, so if I just click on 'back' {the only option) will that end the process? Or is there something else needed to end the process??
Thanks!
Hi Nancy F.1,
You can do what you want, don't worry. Yes unlinked application cannot keep Dropbox files in sync, but as soon as you link particular application back, the Dropbox folder will get in sync. Till then the status gonna be like net is missing.
About termins clarification: Device cannot be linked to Dropbox, only application installed on that device can. Link, as a term, means the application keep connected to selected account; unlink means destroying this connection. Sign in (sign out) is a process used for assurance of your identity (stop identity confirmation); it, byself, doesn't mean link! Even more when you sign out, unlink is NOT supposed. Unfortunately, there are lot of mistakes in application labeling and documentation. Of course, for application link you need to sign in. The opposite is not true, when you unlink your application (labeled as sign out) you have signed out long time ago (immediately after application linking); just a stupid mistake (made very often, not only by Dropbox). Anyway, the correct term representing application connection to account is linked/unlinked.
Good luck.
l installed the dropbox app for my macbook pro, but I'm not able to log in. I'm being told that I have more than 3 devices accessing dropbox. I'm not sure how that's possible or how to see and remove devices accessing my plan. Would someone tell me where to find that in the settings?
- Megan
Hi gsperry1975, welcome to our Community!
It seems you're referring to our device limit. Would you mind checking the connected devices section in the security page in your account settings, to double-check if you have 3 devices linked to your account already?
If you only see two devices, please send me a screenshot, while hiding the device names and also a screenshot of the error message you're getting.
Thanks so much!
Thank you for the reply. I managed to remove multiple devices that were connected, so now I will try connecting my computer again.
Hi
The basic account needs to be for (4) devices, as everyone has a home PC, laptop, phone and iPad. Is Dropbox considering doing this, and what is the timeline? Thanks.
- Rich
Super User II
gmalette wrote:
The basic account needs to be for (4) devices, as everyone has a home PC, laptop, phone and iPad. Is Dropbox considering doing this, and what is the timeline?
Not everyone has a desktop, laptop, phone and tablet. In fact I'd wager very few, comparatively speaking, have all of those devices.
It's doubtful that Dropbox will be increasing the limit of linked devices on a Basic (i.e. free) account. If you need to link more than three devices, upgrade to Plus for a month ($9.99), link your extra devices and then downgrade back to Basic. The extra devices will remain linked to your account as long as you don't unlink them or reinstall the software.
