How do I remove Dropbox from my stolen computer?

Dropbox's cross-platform support allows you to access data and add files to Dropbox from any Internet-connected device. But what if your phone/computer is lost, or you have reached the Dropbox device limit (up to three devices at a time for Basic users) and want to let Dropbox remove device?

Follow this complete guide and learn how to make Dropbox remove mobile devices and computers remotely and how to unlink Dropbox from Mac, Windows, and mobile phones.

How to let Dropbox remove device remotely

Removing device from Dropbox remotely can help you protect your files when your phone or computer is lost or sold. When you unlink a device from your Dropbox account, it will stop Dropbox from syncing folders and files from cloud to the device immediately, so your new files will not be updated to it anymore.

One important thing is that when you remotely log out of a computer, the Dropbox files synced to that computer will still remain and be accessible. However, if you're a Dropbox user on a Plus, Family, Professional, or Business plan, you can rely on "Dropbox remote wipe" to delete all of your Dropbox files from that computer, even if they're accessible offline.

Now, follow the guides below to figure out how to remove devices from Dropbox account remotely:

Step 1. Open the Dropbox web interface on a browser and log in.

Step 2. Click your avatar in the upper right corner and select Settings.

Step 3. Go to Security, where you could let Dropbox manage devices, passwords, web browsers, etc.

Step 4. Tap on the trash can button next to the device you want to remove, then click Unlink.

Other methods to remove device from Dropbox

If you do not need to unlink Dropbox from computer/phone remotely, but need a way to let Dropbox remove device when you have reached Dropbox free account device limit or Dropbox is taking up space on Mac/Windows, pick a suitable method below and follow how to unlink Dropbox from computer and phone.

Way 1. Unlink Dropbox from Windows

Step 1. Run the Dropbox app, click on the Dropbox cloud icon from taskbar, and click on your initials or profile picture. Then, select Preferences.

Step 2. Under the Account tab, press Sign out > OK.

Way 2. Unlink Dropbox from Mac

Step 1. Go to Dropbox Preferences likewise.

Step 2. Tap on Unlink This Computer on the Account tab.

Step 3. Click on Unlink to confirm it.

Way 3. Remove Dropbox from iPhone

Step 1. Open Dropbox app on your iPhone.

Step 2. Touch the Settings icon at the bottom right of the screen.

Step 3. Hit the Unlink iPhone from Dropbox button, and then click Unlink iPhone to let Dropbox unlink device.

Way 4. Disconnect Dropbox from Android

Step 1. Run the Dropbox mobile app.

Step 2. Tap the Menu button at the top-left corner of the screen and choose Settings on the pop-up screen.

Step 3. Then, click on Sign out of Dropbox and hit Sign out.

How to remove Dropbox files from computer only

Since Dropbox is using a two-way sync method to sync files between dropbox.com and your computer, when you delete files in the Dropbox folder from your computer, they will be removed from your Dropbox account as well.

If the reason for you to let Dropbox remove device (computer) is that Dropbox files eating up too much local space, there are two ways for you to remove Dropbox files from File Explorer to free up space.

Way 1. Use Dropbox Selective Sync

The Selective Sync feature on Dropbox, which can make Dropbox files online only, is helpful to remove files from your computer but save them in the cloud.

Step 1. Open Dropbox Preferences on desktop.

Step 2. Select Sync and click Select Folders.

Step 3. Untick folders you want to keep accessible on Dropbox only and press Update.

Way 2. Turn to CBackup to sync files to Dropbox without syncing locally

If you use CBackup, a professional yet free cloud backup service, to upload files to Dropbox, you could completely remove Dropbox from File Explorer.

As an all-in-one backup software, this tool supports you to auto upload to Dropbox without local copy, and sync files to Dropbox, OneDrive, and more mainstream cloud drives on a single interface. It also gives you the ability to backup Dropbox files to Google Drive and other clouds.

Next, let’s take a look at how to use CBackup to upload files to Dropbox:

Step 1. Create a CBackup account for free. Download and install the CBackup desktop client, then sign in to it.

Step 2. Click Storage > Dropbox > Authorize Now in turn to connect CBackup with your Dropbox files.

Step 3. In the Sync tab, click on Sync PC to Public Cloud.

Step 4. Choose the files/folders you wish to sync and select a Dropbox folder as the backup destination. Then, hit Start Sync to begin the sync task.

Conclusion

Go forward with the full guide in this article, you are able to let Dropbox remove device remotely or from your computer/phone easily. If you need a method to sync files to Dropbox without taking up local space, just launch CBackup to get it done hassle-free.