Dropbox FAQ

Getting Started

Why is Dropbox asking me to accept a Business Agreement? Do I accept?

When you first log in to the U-M Dropbox domain, you may be asked to accept one of the agreements below:

  • "U-M Agreement: U-M has an institutional agreement with Dropbox, this includes the U-M data protection addendum, and a business associate agreement which allows for its use with Protected Health Information regulated by HIPAA. The U-M agreement specifically states that U-M owns our data, and Dropbox will not share it in an unauthorized manner or use it to serve ads."
  • Or "I agree to the Dropbox Business Agreement."

You can proceed with accepting these agreements.

Any click-through agreements that Dropbox shows to users will always be superseded by our contract with Dropbox.
How can I tell the difference between my personal Dropbox account and my U-M Dropbox account?

When you log in to your Dropbox account through U-M Weblogin at dropbox.umich.edu, click your icon/initials in the top right corner and select Settings from the drop-down menu. You should find University of Michigan account at the top of the page if you are in U-M Dropbox.

How do I migrate my personal Dropbox account using an @umich.edu email address into U-M Dropbox?
Can I merge my @med.umich.edu personal Dropbox account with my U-M Dropbox account?

There is no way for you to merge your personal Dropbox account with the U-M Dropbox instance if you are using an @med.umich.edu email address. To transfer ownership of your personal Dropbox account files/folders to your U-M Dropbox account, refer to Changing Data Ownership from a Personal / External Dropbox Account to U-M Dropbox.

What if I’ve already paid for a Dropbox account using my @umich.edu email?

If you have paid for a personal Dropbox account that is connected to your @umich.edu email address, your credit card will be automatically reimbursed once you migrate your account to the U-M domain. Dropbox will prorate the refund based on the number of days remaining in your agreement.

However, if you have paid for a personal Dropbox account that is connected to an @med.umich.edu email address, you cannot be reimbursed.

What is my storage limit in U-M Dropbox?

Individual U-M Dropbox accounts have a 5TB storage limit. Team Folders currently have no storage limit.

How do I find how much storage I'm using in Dropbox?

You can find how much storage you're using in the Account section of your Dropbox settings. Refer to Check the storage space on a Dropbox account for further instructions.

Can I use Dropbox with Canvas?

Yes, refer to Dropbox: Using the Dropbox App in a Canvas Course for more information.

Why am I seeing a red notification with an exclamation mark in my file?

If you and another user are editing a file simultaneously and you both have unsaved changes, you will see a red Dropbox badge with an exclamation mark in your file. You can create a conflicted copy of only your edits to keep your edits and merge them later. Refer to the Dropbox Help Center for more information.

Is there a limit to the number of devices I can connect to my U-M Dropbox account?

Yes. In a U-M Dropbox account, there is a limit of five connected computers (e.g., Mac, Windows, Linux, etc.) and five mobile devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, iOS, Android, etc.) These limits cannot be exceeded. 

Why can't I locate a Paper document that I created in Dropbox before migrating my personal Dropbox account to my Dropbox UMICH account?

If you created your personal Dropbox account before September 2019, any existing Paper docs will no longer be located under paper.dropbox.com when you migrate to U-M Dropbox. Instead, you will need to search for the documents using the search function within Dropbox after migration. We also recommend creating shortcut links to the files before the migration. Instructions for making a shortcut are at https://help.dropbox.com/files-folders/share/shortcuts.

Can I associate my U-M Dropbox account with my @med.umich.edu email address?

No, it is not possible to associate your @med.umich.edu email address with U-M Dropbox. If someone would like to share something with you via Dropbox, it will have to be via your @umich.edu email address.

Can I use Dropbox Sign?

No, Dropbox Sign is not available for U-M Dropbox.

How to determine if someone has a U-M Dropbox account?

You can open a sharing dialog on a file, type the user's name in, and if they don’t populate they likely don’t have an account.

Always wait about 30 to 60 seconds. Refer to Dropbox: Unable To Share Files or Folders via the Web for more information

How do I turn on notifications for Dropbox Paper?

Refer to Turn on Dropbox Paper Notifications for more information.

How much of my local hard drive space is used when I use the Dropbox desktop app?

Smart Sync for Dropbox makes an online connection that allows you to view the file on the Desktop with a network connection, but it is stored in the cloud. Refer to Dropbox Smart Sync for more information.

Michigan Medicine: Is the Dropbox desktop app pushed to Core Imaged machines or will we have to install it ourselves?

Michigan Medicine users on Core Imaged machines can install the Dropbox desktop app from the Software Center.

File Management

Can I store personal or private information in my U-M Dropbox account?

Yes, you can store personal or private information in Dropbox. While the University cannot guarantee the privacy of faculty-owned scholarly or personal records, employees should take reasonable measures to safeguard against inappropriate or inadvertent access to their records. Employees should create a folder and indicate as “private” or “personal” all personal records or as “scholarship” or “research” all faculty-owned scholarly records maintained on University-controlled premises or property. Employees should maintain this information in an identifiable separate location (e.g., folder or file) from their business records.

Also, as stated in the U-M Standard Practice Guide 601.07: Responsible Use of Information Resources, "Do not use information resources for personal commercial purposes or for personal financial or other gain, except as permitted by Conflicts of Interest and Conflict of Commitment (SPG 201.65-1)."

Can I upload new versions of the same file in Dropbox?

Yes, you can upload new versions of the same file to Dropbox on the web. You need to ensure that the name of the updated file matches exactly the existing file name in Dropbox. You also need to ensure that you are uploading the new version to the same location as the existing file.

Any shared links or additional collaborators will still be able to access the file the same way they have been.

How do I move my Dropbox files to a Team Folder?

The owner of the files or folders can either drag and drop the content into the Team Folder from their individual account OR they can use the Move functionality located in the three-dot icon drop-down menu of the folder.

What happened to my Google files in Dropbox?

Dropbox has removed the ability to create, edit, and store Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides in Dropbox. Learn more about the change.

As of January 12, 2024:

  • You can no longer create Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides in Dropbox.
  • You can no longer use the Google editor to open/edit non-Google files in Dropbox.

As of January 22, 2024, all existing Google files (.gdoc, .gsheet, .gslides) have been converted to their equivalent Microsoft file formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).

Can I backup my computer/hard drive/NAS to Dropbox?

No, this is not an appropriate use of your U-M Dropbox account (SPG 601.07). Additionally, Dropbox Backup is unavailable in U-M Dropbox.

If you need to back up your computer or store institutional data for archival purposes, refer to the U-M Data Storage Finder for an overview of storage services available to you.

What happens to my Dropbox files if I leave U-M?

Refer to Dropbox: Accounts for People Who Leave U-M for more information.

Note: If you lost access to content in Dropbox because someone left the university, you have 90 days to contact the ITS Service Center and ask if they can recover the shared data.

Can I create and edit Google Drive files in U-M Dropbox?

No, you cannot create and edit Google files within Dropbox.

As of January 12, 2024:

  • You can no longer create Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides in Dropbox.
  • You can no longer use the Google editor to open/edit non-Google files in Dropbox.

As of January 22, 2024, all existing Google files (.gdoc, .gsheet, .gslides) have been converted to their equivalent Microsoft file formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).

Can I create and edit Microsoft 365 files in U-M Dropbox?

Yes, you can create and edit Microsoft 365 Word documents, Excel sheets, and PowerPoint presentations from within U-M Dropbox.

Caution: Although storing and collaborating on documents containing PHI/HIPAA data in U-M Dropbox is allowed, caution needs to be taken when using the U-M Microsoft 365 integration. Learn how to appropriately use this integration if you are handling PHI, as U-M Microsoft 365 is not approved for use with PHI.
Who can request a Dropbox Team Folder?

Owners of MCommunity groups are the only individuals who can request to create a Dropbox Team Folder. Members of an MCommunity group cannot.

Also, owners must be faculty or regular staff. Students, temporary staff, and sponsored affiliates cannot request a Dropbox Team Folder.

Can I sync my Dropbox files with my computer?

Yes. Once you have installed the Dropbox desktop app, any changes you make to the Dropbox application are automatically synced to your account at dropbox.umich.edu.

Important: You must log in to U-M Dropbox and create your U-M Dropbox account prior to installing the desktop application.
Why aren't my Team Folders showing up in the Dropbox desktop app?

Automatic, local desktop syncing for Team Folders is turned off by default. You will have to use selective sync in the desktop app to add it to your desktop sync.

Sharing & Permissions

Can I share sensitive data in Dropbox?

U-M's agreement with Dropbox includes a Business Associate Agreement (BAA), which means you may use it to maintain Protected Health Information (PHI) regulated by HIPAA. HIPAA compliance is a shared responsibility. You are expected to comply with HIPAA requirements in your use of Dropbox at U-M. For details and a list of sensitive data types permitted for use with Dropbox, refer to Sensitive Data Guide: Dropbox at U-M.

How do I add external users to Dropbox Team Folders?

Create a subfolder in the Team Folder and add the external users individually at the level.

Do external users need to create a Dropbox account to open a shared link?

It depends. If you invited the user via Dropbox sharing to view the file/folder, they will be asked to create a Dropbox account before viewing. If you do not explicitly invite the user via Dropbox sharing and only share the shared link, they will not need to create a Dropbox account to view it. Refer to Share Dropbox Files Using Shared Links for more information.

Can I view the shares and permissions on a folder in Dropbox?

Yes. Anyone who has access to the folder can view who it is shared with and their permission levels.