# Can I delete the ~/Dropbox folder to free up space?

- URL: https://moreroom.app/folders/cloud-dropbox-legacy
- Item: Dropbox folder (local copies)
- Location: `~/Dropbox`
- Verdict: Keep — your data — Your data. Shrink it from its app; don’t delete the folder.
- Comes back on its own: no
- From the app: Dropbox: right-click files or folders > Make online-only.
- Source: MoreRoom rules catalogue (2026-10-17), by Yando Pte. Ltd.

## What is it?

The classic Dropbox folder in your home folder, used by Dropbox installations that have not moved to macOS’s File Provider location in `~/Library/CloudStorage`. It holds local copies of your synced files.

## What happens if you delete it?

Deleting files here deletes them from Dropbox and your other devices (they can be restored from Deleted files on dropbox.com for a limited time). Online-only files stay in Dropbox and download again when opened.

## How to remove it properly

Never delete the folder. In Finder, right-click files or folders and choose Make online-only, or use Selective Sync in the Dropbox app to stop syncing folders you do not need on this Mac.

## Before you delete it

Files that have not finished uploading cannot be made online-only: wait for sync to complete.