Dropbox: Link/Unlink U-M Account and Personal Account

This article explains how to link your U-M Dropbox and personal (non-UM) Dropbox accounts on the web and connect them to the Dropbox desktop app.

Environment

U-M Dropbox, personal (non-UM) Dropbox account

Issue

• How do I link my personal (non-UM) Dropbox account with my U-M Dropbox account?
• Can I have more than one account linked in the Dropbox desktop app? If so, how do I do that?
• How do I unlink my personal (non-UM) Dropbox account from my U-M Dropbox account?

Resolution

• You can link your U-M Dropbox with one personal Dropbox account.
  • If your personal account is part of a Dropbox Team, you can't link it to your U-M account. Because U-M Dropbox is considered a "Team," you must leave the Dropbox Team connected to your personal account before you can link the two.
• You must link the two accounts before you can view them both in the Dropbox desktop app.
• Do not link the accounts using the Dropbox desktop app. You should log in to U-M Dropbox in your web browser and link the accounts using the settings there.
  • If you link the accounts using the desktop app first, you may need to relink your personal account every time you restart your computer.

Link a personal account to your U-M account

Do this while logged in to your U-M account, not the personal account.

1. Log in to U-M Dropbox.
2. Click your icon/initials in the top right corner and select Add personal account.
3. Enter your personal email address and password to log in to your personal account.

Once you are logged in successfully, you will notice your personal account icon/initials in the top right corner. Click your icon/initials and select your U-M Dropbox account under "Switch account" in the drop-down menu to switch back. You will do the same thing whenever you want to switch to your personal account.

Log in to the Dropbox desktop app with both accounts

Important: Before proceeding, ensure you are logged in to your U-M Dropbox account in your browser.

If you are already logged in to the desktop app with your personal account, log out:

1. Open the desktop app.
2. Click your icon/initials in the top right and select Preferences. 
3. Click the Account tab.
4. Click the Sign out button beside your personal account.

Log in to the app with your U-M account (If you are already logged in, skip to the end of these steps):

1. Open the desktop app.
2. Click Sign in with Dropbox.
3. Select your University of Michigan account under "Select a Dropbox account to link to" in the browser tab that opens.
   • If you didn't log in before starting, enter your credentials to log in to U-M Dropbox.
4. You should be automatically redirected back to the desktop app. If you aren't, click Open Dropbox in the browser tab.
5. Click Open Dropbox in the desktop app pop-up to finish connecting your account.

Log in to the app with your personal account:

1. Open the desktop app.
2. Click Add in the "Add your personal Dropbox" notice at the top of the app.
   • If you do not have this notice, click your icon/initials in the top right, select Preferences, click the Account tab, and click Sign into this account beside your personal account.
3. Enter the password for your personal account in the setup window and click Sign in.
4. Dropbox has emailed a security code to your personal account's email address. Open your email and copy the code.
   • The email subject line will be similar to: "Hi [Name], finish login with your Dropbox security code."
5. Return to the Dropbox setup window and enter the security code. Click Submit code.

You should now see two Dropbox folders on your computer (in Windows File Explorer or Mac Finder):

• Dropbox (Personal)
• Dropbox (University of Michigan) 

Unlink your personal account from U-M Dropbox

You can only unlink your accounts on the web at dropbox.umich.edu. Unlinking your accounts unlinks them everywhere, and you’ll be logged out of the last account you added but stay logged into the first account.

To unlink your accounts:

1. Log in to U-M Dropbox.
2. Click your icon/initials in the top right and select Settings. 
3. Click Unlink next to "Linked accounts" under the General tab.
4. Click Yes, unlink to confirm.

Additional Information

Dropbox Help Center article

Need additional information or assistance? Contact the ITS Service Center.