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To uninstall Dropbox, you can use Finder to delete it from the Applications folder and remove leftover Dropbox-related files and folders from the Library directory. Alternatively, you can unlink associated accounts and deselect some online Dropbox folders via Dropbox’s account and sync preferences, respectively.
But first, here’s a quick look at common issues you can run into while uninstalling Dropbox on Mac and the ways you can fix them easily:
| What’s going wrong? | Fix it this way |
| Dropbox won’t quit | Use Force Quit from the Apple menu or close it via Activity Monitor |
| Can’t delete the app | Make sure Dropbox is fully closed before trying to delete it |
| Leftover files remain | Manually delete files from Library folders or use CleanMyMac from Setapp to remove residual data |
| Don’t want to lose files | Sign out or disable sync to keep local files intact, or use CloudMounter from Setapp to access cloud storage without syncing |
| Dropbox opens at startup | Remove it from Login Items in System Settings or uncheck the auto-launch option in Dropbox Preferences |
| Finder sidebar still shows Dropbox | Right-click the Dropbox shortcut and choose Remove from Sidebar |
*Setapp is a subscription service that gives you access to 300+ macOS, iOS, and web apps for one flat monthly fee.
Or get CleanMyMac as a standalone app on Setapp Marketplace.
macOS makes it easy to manually uninstall any third-party app if you prefer to manage your apps yourself. The same applies to Dropbox.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to delete Dropbox from a Mac.
To quit Dropbox:
If Dropbox is stubborn and won't close, close it using the Force Quit option from the Apple menu or close it using Activity Monitor (open it in Applications > Utilities).
After closing Dropbox, you can now remove the application. Here’s how to delete Dropbox from Mac devices:
Keep in mind that this will delete only the Dropbox application, not your Dropbox folder.
When you delete an application, it often leaves behind some files and folders. To remove any leftover Dropbox files and folders:
Always double-check filenames to avoid deleting non-related files that might be vital for other apps and system features.
If you're removing Dropbox because you're switching to another cloud provider, you’ll likely want to keep your local files intact. Just keep in mind that any future changes in your online Dropbox won’t sync with the unlinked local folder.
To safely disconnect Dropbox while keeping your files:
Alternatively, you can disable synchronization. This will sever the link between your local folder and online storage without removing your account or deleting the app. To do this:
Even when you finally learn how to remove Dropbox from Mac systems, you might still experience some of the behavior it had caused on your Mac. From longer startup times to slow Finder actions, many issues could persist.
To completely rid your Mac of this behavior, you need to remove Dropbox from your Login Items using the following methods.
You can remove Dropbox from your Login Items using native macOS features with these steps:
Finding an uninstalled app still in your Login Items isn’t rare. It can happen if the app still has scripts or processes in your LaunchAgents and LaunchDaemons directories.
For tricky cases, here’s a full guide on how to remove apps from a Mac that won't delete.
Read also:
If you still have Dropbox on your Mac, you can remove it from your Login Items with these steps:
This method will automatically change your System Preferences behind the scenes, and you can even see the change as you switch the setting on and off.
Or get CloudMounter as a standalone app from $7.99 USD/mo.
Removing Dropbox manually gets the job done, but it takes several steps — quitting the app, deleting it from Applications, hunting through Library folders for leftover files, and disabling startup behavior. Miss any one of them, and Dropbox isn't fully gone.
If you'd rather skip the digging, CleanMyMac handles the whole cleanup in one scan, removing the app, cache, preferences, and hidden support files. And if you're moving away from Dropbox because managing cloud storage has become a hassle, CloudMounter lets you mount Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, and others as local drives on your Mac — no bulk syncing, no clutter.
Both apps are available on Setapp, a single subscription that gives you access to a curated library of Mac and iOS apps. Start your 7-day free trial now.
Most of the time, Dropbox won't uninstall because the app is still running. Click the Dropbox icon in the menu bar, click your avatar > Quit. Then drag the Dropbox app from Applications to the Trash. Empty the Trash to finish.
Simply drag Dropbox.app to Trash from your Applications folder. This removes only the desktop app. Your Dropbox folder stays in your home directory, and all files remain accessible at dropbox.com. The uninstall process never touches your actual data.
First, quit Dropbox and trash the app. Then delete ~/Library/Application Support/Dropbox and the Dropbox folder from your home directory. For automated cleanup, CleanMyMac finds all related files instantly. Remember to back up important files before removing it completely.
Your account stays active, and files remain stored online at dropbox.com. Local copies in your Dropbox folder persist until you delete them manually. You can reinstall the desktop app anytime to resume syncing. Uninstalling affects only the app, not your subscription or cloud storage.
Open System Settings > Extensions. Click Finder extensions and untick the Dropbox checkbox. If it doesn't appear, the extension was removed successfully. On macOS Tahoe, you might need to restart Finder: press Option while right-clicking the Finder icon, then choose Relaunch.
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