How to delete a folder in Dropbox

Dropbox is an excellent platform for storing data for business and personal purposes. However, there may come a time when you want to clean up the interface. Whether it's freeing up storage space or deleting unnecessary items, deleting folders from your Dropbox account is the best solution.

But how exactly?

If you are looking for ways to delete Dropbox folder then you have come to the right place. We will provide step by step instructions on how to delete your Dropbox folder on PC, iPhone and Android.

How to Delete a Folder in Dropbox on PC

Dropbox lets you permanently delete any folder in your account. Freeing up your storage space is a good idea if you've finished using a folder or are running out of space. You can delete all Dropbox folders as long as you own them.

Follow the steps below to delete a normal folder from your Dropbox account on a PC using the online application:

1. Log in to your Dropbox Account.
2. Select "All Files" from the left sidebar.
   
3. Hover over the folder you want to delete and click the ellipsis.
   
4. Select “Remove”.
   
5. Click "Delete" to confirm your action.
   

Folders deleted with the above steps will end up in your Dropbox Trash. You can permanently delete any folders you have by following the steps below:

1. Log in to your Dropbox Account.
2. Follow the steps above to delete a folder.
3. Open the "Deleted Files" section in the left sidebar.
   
4. Check the box next to a folder you want to delete.
   
5. Select "Permanently delete".
   
6. Click "Permanently Delete" again to verify your action.
   

You can permanently delete any folder you own without the ability to restore it. The only exception to this rule is if you're the admin of a Dropbox Business team account and you're the only person who has acted on a case without being an admin.

In some cases, Dropbox Business team users cannot permanently delete folders if the administrator has limited their privileges. Also, permanently deleting files in the "Deleted Files" section does not affect the storage quota.

Besides deleting a Dropbox folder using the web app, you can also delete a local folder from your computer.

This will also remove the folder from your online Dropbox account. So, if you are using a desktop Dropbox app on your PC, follow the steps below:

1. Open your Dropbox folder on your PC.
   
2. Right click on the folder you want to delete.
3. Select "Delete" for Windows or "Move to Trash" for Mac computers.
   

Alternatively, you can drag any Dropbox folder you want to delete to the Trash for Windows and Mac computers.

Delete shared folders on Dropbox on PC

As for shared folders, you can delete them temporarily or permanently. To permanently delete a shared folder, follow these steps:

1. Sign in to dropbox.com.
2. Navigate to "All Files" in the left sidebar.
   
3. Hover over the folder you want to delete and click the ellipsis.
   
4. Select “Remove”.
   

To temporarily delete a shared folder, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Dropbox Account.
2. Select "All Files" from the left sidebar.
3. Hover over the folder and select the share icon with a person on it.
4. Select "[x] people have access."
5. Find your name and select the drop-down list next to it.
6. Select "Delete my access".

Be careful not to delete Dropbox folders by accident. If you do, the owner will have to invite you back to that folder.

Sometimes you can't see the shared folder options when you try to delete a folder. If this happens, disable any browser extensions or add-ons that are running. After that, delete the shared folder and re-enable extensions.

You can also continue to use extensions and make Dropbox an exception. Just note that some extensions do not support this feature.

How to Delete a Folder in Dropbox on the iPhone App

The Dropbox iPhone app is packed with features. You don't need to use the desktop version to delete files or folders – it can all be done through your phone. Follow the steps below to delete a folder in Dropbox on the iPhone app:

1. Launch the Dropbox app on your iPhone.
   
2. Access the list of all your folders and files.
3. Tap the ellipsis next to the name of the folder you want to delete.
   
4. Tap "Folder Settings".
5. Select "Delete Folder".
   

This will remove this folder from your iPhone, the website, and all devices linked to this Dropbox account. When you delete a folder, it will be stored in the "Deleted Files" section. However, this will no longer affect your storage space. To permanently delete a folder, open the "Deleted Files" section and delete the folder from there.

Delete shared folder on iPhone app

If you want to remove a shared folder from your Dropbox account using an iPhone, follow the steps below:

1. Log in to your iPhone Dropbox application.
   
2. Open the list of all files and folders in your account.
3. Tap the ellipsis next to the name of the shared folder you want to remove.
   
4. Select "Shared Folder Settings" at the bottom of the menu.
   
5. Tap "Remove from My Dropbox".
   
6. Select "Remove from My Dropbox" again to verify.
   

You will no longer see this shared folder on your Dropbox. You can add it back by following the instructions shared by Dropbox when you delete the folder.

How to Delete a Folder in Dropbox on Android App

Android users can delete folders in two ways: from their local storage or from their Dropbox account.

To delete a folder from your Android phone's local storage, you need to clear your cache folder. Files in your Dropbox account are saved in your phone's cache every time you open them from the app. You can delete these files by following the steps below:

1. Start the Dropbox app and tap the “Menu” button on the left of the screen. It is an icon with three horizontal lines.
   
2. Go to "Settings" and tap on "Clear cache".
   

To delete a folder from your Dropbox account, follow these steps:

1. Start the Dropbox app on your Android device and find the folder you want to delete.
   
2. Tap the blue arrow next to the folder.
   
3. Select "Delete" to remove the file from your Dropbox account, phone, and all devices connected to the account.
   

When you delete a folder from your Dropbox, it will be stored in the "Deleted Files" section. To permanently delete a folder, open the section and delete the folder from there.

Delete shared folder on Android app

Android users can also delete a shared folder using their Android app. To delete a folder shared by someone else, follow these steps:

1. Open your Dropbox app and sign in.
   
2. Locate the shared folder you want to delete and view it.
3. Tap "Shared Folder Settings".
4. Tap the gray "Remove from my Dropbox" button.
5. Select "Remove from my Dropbox" to confirm.

If you want to delete a folder you shared, follow the steps below:

1. Log in to your Dropbox app.
   
2. Locate the folder you want to delete and tap "Shared Folder Settings".
3. Tap "Unshare" at the bottom of the screen.
   
4. Confirm the action.
   
5. Now that the folder is unshared, you can remove it from Dropbox by following the steps described earlier in this section.

Additional FAQ

How do I delete a folder from Dropbox but not from my computer?

Dropbox does not support deleting folders from a Dropbox account and simultaneously keeping them on local computer storage. The two folders sync automatically, and deleting all files from a Dropbox account will also delete them from local computer storage. However, there is a workaround.

To keep a file on your computer after you delete it online, simply move it from the local Dropbox folder to another folder on your computer. You can move it to My Documents, Desktop or anywhere else. Once done, you can delete the folder from your Dropbox account without losing the files on your computer.

Storage of your Dropbox account

Dropbox gives users great freedom in managing folders. You can temporarily or permanently delete regular and shared folders, whether you're accessing the app from your PC or smartphone. Remember that you can only delete any folder from your Dropbox account if you own it. The two exceptions are Dropbox Business team account holders and the only active person in a folder.

This article has told you in detail how to delete a Dropbox folder from your account on all devices. If you have any questions, feel free to leave us a comment below.