Stressed for not being able to access the missed or deleted files in the Dropbox! Be relaxed; there are many different options to recover them successfully. It happens, at times, either knowingly or unknowingly, from the user’s end & due to some malicious activity.
Dropbox comes with certain Dropbox file recovery options to deal with such missing or deleted files. Here, our expert guidance will provide you with complete information about the issue covering its causes & different Dropbox recovery options.
Know the possible reasons for Dropbox’s missing files
Dropbox being the most preferred cloud storage service for millions of users due to its high-end security & ease of use, still there exists some instances which might lead to missing Dropbox files. Here, we have discussed some major ones:
- Accidentally deleted, moved, or renamed files or folders.
- The sync between the files and the device fails due to technical issues.
- An unstable internet connection may lead to synchronization issues with the files or folders.
- Interference with third-party software may hinder Dropbox from accessing the files or folders.
Note: Deleted files from Send & track are permanently removed. Any associated data cannot be recovered once the file is deleted.
Overview of Dropbox deleted file recovery plans
Dropbox data recovery can be executed if users recover them within a specific duration. The duration for recovering deleted files in Dropbox depends on the specific plans. Here, we will provide you with a list of different plans that Dropbox provides users as per their requirements:
Dropbox Plan | Recovery duration |
---|---|
Dropbox Basic, Plus, and Family Plan |
30 days |
Dropbox Professional, Essentials, Business, and Standard Plan |
180 days |
Dropbox Business Plus, Advanced, and Enterprise Plan |
365 days |
- Restoring shared files can be possible only when you have “Can edit access.”
- Sometimes, the restoration process can be time-consuming, especially for a large number of files.
- Permanently deleted versions of files & folders can’t be viewed or restored.
- Without the permission of viewing the target file, attempting to view the file’s history can lead to errors.
- For Web-based files, such as Google Docs/Sheets/Slides, Paper docs, or Microsoft Office Online files, version history does not apply.
Some tips to avoid Dropbox deleted file recovery situations
Dropbox contains all the necessary information of the organizations that need to be secure & safe for a long time. So, some preventive measures must be taken to avoid these situations further. Here are some recommended ones:
- Do not prefer to use the Smart sync feature to manage your Dropbox folders.
- Organizing the Dropbox folders in structured form removes lots of ambiguities.
- Taking offline backup will prevent you from unusual threats & save your data permanently for future purposes.
Note: Executing the Dropbox data recovery from its cache folder can’t be done as the information is stored in fragments, which is difficult for an average Dropbox user to restore.
Best approaches for recovering deleted files in Dropbox
Here, we have discussed some of the basic native solutions that you can easily utilize to execute the Dropbox file recovery. Follow the instructions carefully, otherwise you might lose your data permanently.
Solution 1. Using the Dropbox Deleted Files folder
The foremost method for Dropbox data recovery is to check the Deleted Files page that shows your deleted files or folders till the retention period. This method is helpful for recovering deleted files in Dropbox & can even fix the “Dropbox deleted files not showing” issue. Here, we will provide you with stepwise guidnance to restore the deleted files completely:
Step 1. Login to your Dropbox account with the required credentials.
Step 2. Tap on the All Files > Deleted Files option.
Step 3. Choose the desired file to recover and click on the Restore option.
Step 4. Tap on the Restore option to complete the restore process.
Solution 2. Using the Dropbox Version history
Version history is another Dropbox utility that helps users view and restore their last changed data, which is older versions of their files & folders. It keeps the version history of your files & folders from PDFs to Word Docs for a given period that you can restore as needed.
Let’s look at the steps to restore the data by using the version history:
Step 1. Access the Dropbox account again with the necessary credentials.
Step 2. Choose the required file, click on the three dots and tap on the Activity > Version history option.
Step 3. Hit the Restore option based on the different versions in the next page to get the desired data.
Solution 3. Try Dropbox rewind feature
Before moving with this method, it is recommended to go for the previous ones first for Dropbox recovery. If they are not in your favor, try Dropbox rewind utility that helps users to restore their folder or whole account at once. It comes as life saver in several situations, like Dropbox ransomware recovery and accidental movement & deletion of large numbers of files.
To execute the process successfully, follow the below steps:
Step 1. Sign into your Dropbox account with the required username & password.
Step 2. Choose the folder, click on the three dots & go to the Activity > Rewind this folder option.
Step 3. On the next page, click on the Try rewind option to access the whole folder in the original form.
Important to know: For users looking to synchronize multiple devices with Dropbox, there can be a chance to restore the deleted Dropbox file from the specific device that is not synchronized yet.
After the plan’s duration, data will delete permanently! How to avoid this situation in future?
Users can restore the data from the Dropbox account within the plan’s duration using its different built-in utilities. However, if the data retaining period exceeds their plan, it might become difficult for users to access them again.
Hence, users are always advised to regularly back up data of the platform that they are using. Considering the same concern, users should regularly back up their Dropbox accounts to save them from unusual or challenging situations.
Few manual workarounds are there to execute the task, but they don’t provide complete control on the backup process & can also make data vulnerable to permanent loss. So, considering the automated Dropbox backup tool can be the best approach to encounter these constraints with full data security effectively.
Among others, Recoveryfix Dropbox backup tool is the most recommended tool by professionals due to its user-friendly interface & versatile features. It allows you to select all the files, including documents, videos, photos, CAD files, PPTs, and other data from members & Team folders to extract them from your Dropbox account to the local system. Its smart integrated filters, like selective backup, provide users complete control over data backup & provide structured data at the desired locations.
Final thoughts
Dropbox deleted file recovery becomes difficult until you are unaware of the several aspects behind facing the issue. So, we have tried to provide all the sufficient information to deal with the issue & provide solutions accordingly. You can also go for Dropbox utility when you are looking to restore them within the Plan’s retention period.
Otherwise, you can opt for the recommended advanced solution, Recoveryfix Dropbox backup tool, to access the data conveniently, even after permanent deletion. Seek maximum benefits of the tool now.
FAQs
Q1- Does Dropbox support users to recover recently Dropbox deleted files?
Ans- Dropbox has deleted files in the Deleted Files folder. Users can recover their recently deleted Dropbox files by accessing this path : Go to the All Files section & click on the Deleted Files option.
Q2- What are Dropbox’s different retention period plans?
Ans- Users get a retention period as per their Dropbox plan. Dropbox Basic, Plus, and Family customers have 30 days, and Dropbox Professional, Essentials, Business, and Standard customers have 180 days.
Q3- Can Dropbox file recovery be executed if it is deleted permanently?
Ans- If Dropbox recovery is not executed within the retention period, it will be permanently deleted and it can’t be restored or recovered.