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I haven't accessed my account for a while and all my files are missing

I haven't accessed my account for a while and all my files are missing

blings
New member | Level 2

I have saved document on the dropbox free account since 2015, returning to it last week to check for a document I needed do badly and I realize all my files are missing. it's no where to be found. Please how can I retreive all my files back to include pictures. 

20 Replies 20

LaurenB120
Explorer | Level 3

I let my account go dormant in 2019. It had photos from 2013-2019 or so. 

I am pretty sure Dropbox moved to memberships and my account has been erased of all photos. 

I had a friend pass which prompted the sign on. Is there any way to pay to restore it?

Hannah
Dropbox Staff

Hey @LaurenB120, thanks for taking the time to post to the Dropbox Community.

 

If I understand correctly, you hadn't accessed your Dropbox account since 2019, is that right?

 

After 12 months of inactivity, your account probably got disabled, which is something you would have received an email about, prior to the deletion.

 

If that's the case, then the account and its contents cannot be recovered.

 

Are you being prompted to create a new account, when you try to sign in?


Hannah
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


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LaurenB120
Explorer | Level 3
This also happened to me from 2019. I was wondering if after adding the plan someone here might know where the “add-on” upgrades are after signing up for a plan?

LaurenB120
Explorer | Level 3
Hi Hannah,

No, it still accepted my google email and login. Had no trouble there. I did just sign up for the “Plus” account and it says there are some package add ins to go back 10 years but I don’t see it on mine…is this still an option for retrieval?

Jay
Dropbox Staff

HI @LaurenB120, just to confirm, are there any files on your account in the events page or the deleted files page?

 

Note that purchasing paid plans or add-ons are not retroactive, so you wouldn't be able to recover files deleted outside of 30 days ago.


Jay
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


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LaurenB120
Explorer | Level 3
Hi Jay,

No, nothing is there. That’s too bad. Where did Dropbox put it all of the deleted stuff?
Lauren

Jay
Dropbox Staff

If you're not seeing the missing files on the deleted files page, then there's a few possibilities as to why this might be the case:

 

  • The files are on another Dropbox account
  • They were on a shared folder you don't have access to any more
  • The files were deleted outside of the 30 day period
  • The files were permanently deleted

However, from what you described, it sounds like you created a new account using your Google login. Since the old account hasn't been accessed since 2019, it was most likely deactivated, meaning it wouldn't be possible to recover those files.

 

I'm sorry I can't be more helpful on this matter.


Jay
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


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RohanDT
New member | Level 2

I have had drop box for quite a few years and just recently signed in and noticed all my photos are missing. These files were never deleted or moved my me. Does drop box have the right to delete a customers file without there knowledge and or approval? Yet for awhile they were always messaging me that my storage is full and needed to purchase additional space.

Hannah
Dropbox Staff

Sorry to hear that your files are missing, @RohanDT.

 

How long has it been since you last accessed your Dropbox account?

 

Now that you've accessed it, did it allow you to just sign in, or were you perhaps prompted to create a new account instead?


Hannah
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


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RohanDT
New member | Level 2

Thanks Hannah. I haven't accessed my account in a few years well and no I didn't sign into a new account. I signed in via my Google email.

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    Hannah Dropbox Staff
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    RohanDT New member | Level 2
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    Jay Dropbox Staff
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