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Forum Discussion
Account inactive for years but still received 6-digit code when I tried to sign in
Hello,
I have looked at several threads on here and have not found a good answer. I have an old Dropbox account that I lost access to back in the beginning of 2019. I lost access to it because the email associated with it no longer exists. I also know for a fact that any device that was once logged into it also does not exist. Any of those devices would be long gone.
There is no way any activity could be associated with the account, however today I went to enter the email and password, and it still proceeded to send the 6 digit code to the email that no longer exists.
Is this a thing with inactive accounts where sometimes it will still give you the option to sign in? I’m asking because at this point I just want the files to be deleted on the account, and I am not sure if that would be the case in this situation. I am not interested in gaining access to the account. I’m just concerned about my privacy because I had sensitive documents and personal information on there, and I’m hoping that maybe Dropbox still ended up deleting files, even though the option to sign in is still there.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Hey Trey3, thanks for reaching out about this.
So, basically, you're getting a prompt that a 6 digit code was sent to your email, but have no access to the email, to check whether it's been sent or not, right?
In that case, can I send you an email to the address associated with your Community profile here, so we can take a deeper look into this?
Let me know.
- Hannah
Dropbox Staff
Hey Trey3, thanks for reaching out about this.
So, basically, you're getting a prompt that a 6 digit code was sent to your email, but have no access to the email, to check whether it's been sent or not, right?
In that case, can I send you an email to the address associated with your Community profile here, so we can take a deeper look into this?
Let me know.
- Yes that works
- Hannah
Thanks, Trey, I just sent you an email, so we can continue there. 🙂
hello, same thing with me... I am not able to log in and change email as it sends a 6 digit code to an email I no longer have access too, is there any way to go around that? my old email is literally my name
- Megan
Hi draxsynsmommy, I hope you're doing well!
Without access to the email address, I am afraid that there's not much you can do. It wouldn't be possible to read this code, therefore access the account.
Is it not feasible to recreate the email address and attempt to login again?
Let me know more!
My Dropbox account has been active and my computer stayed signed in, but my computer recently died. When I got new computer, I had to resign to Dropbox, which I did, but it asks for the 6 digit code it is sending to my "old" email address, that I signed into dropbox with over 10 years ago. That email address has not been used or been accessible for at least 7 years.
Doesn't dropbox have my phone number that it can send a code to?? PLEASE, I must get access to my documents that I have saved in Dropbox.
I know my user name and password, but I can't access that 6 digit code it is sending to my old email
- Rich
Super User II
kwatkins08 wrote:
Doesn't dropbox have my phone number that it can send a code to?? PLEASE, I must get access to my documents that I have saved in Dropbox.
I know my user name and password, but I can't access that 6 digit code it is sending to my old email
No, they don't. If you had another active device already signed in to the account you could receive the code there. If you don't, then the only option is to have access to the email address associated with your account. Without access to the email, there's no way to sign in to your account if it's asking for a one-time security code.
Your best option is to try getting the old email address reactivated. so you can receive the code.
I have same problem can you help me pls
- Rich
cuki wrote:
I have same problem can you help me pls
If you're trying to sign in to your Dropbox account and it's sending a one-time security code to an email address that you no longer have, it won't be possible to gain access to the account without access to the email associated with it. Your best option is to contact the mail provider and see if they can help you get the email address back.
Hi,
same problem here, I do remember my password (it is a good long strong one!), but I have no longer access to the email I used years ago when I registered with Dropbox. I cannot sign in and immediately change my details as the help page suggests because I am forced to go through this additional security step with the 6 digit code that is sent to my inaccessible email.
What's more I do still have access to my files through an API token I generated so can still list, read & write files in my Dropbox - but am unable to log in and update my details (like email!!) or just use the web interface.
Does the fact that I can still access my files go some way to prove that I am the original/legitimate user and am just trying to update my email details? Anyone able to work with me/help out, please?
- New update of dropbox is very bad because in login dropbox required email security 6-digit code. But my email is inactive in longer time I don't receive code I have only email or password
Please reply me and help me to open my dropbox account. In this account my personal data and personal information- Login dropbox required email security 6-digit code but my email is inactive please help me to open my dropbox account without security code
- Walter
Hey Amitkumar1, I can see that my colleague Megan has already sent you an email to the email address that's connected to your profile here, on our Community about this issue.
Have you had the chance to check it out by the way? If you can't find it in your inbox, you can also check your email's spam/junk folder to see if it ended up there somehow.
- Not working
- Nancy
Amitkumar1, can you clarify what’s not working exactly? Are you unable to see the email Megan sent you to this email address?
mairiclaire76, can you please send me your ticket number to have a look, as well?
