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mlindner's avatar
mlindner
Explorer | Level 4
2 years ago

Most recent Dropbox data disappeared, how can I recover it?

When a new operating system was installed to my Macbook Air laptop, I reinstalled the DB program in the Finder.  I discovered that all the data from fall 2023-present was gone. I would like to know how I can recover the Drop Box data for the last 9 months.

The problem is that I have seem to have two DB accounts, one with the [Removed as per Community Guidelines] which is apparently linked to the University of Michigan Dropbox account. 

When I logon on to the [Removed as per Community Guidelines] account, I get a screen that asks me if I want to change my umich.edu account to another email. When I type in [Removed as per Community Guidelines] I get an error message that this account name is already in my DropBox account. I cannot log on using the [Removed as per Community Guidelines] and get stuck in a loop.

Please advise,

Thank you.

Molly Lindner

10 Replies

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  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    2 years ago

    Hi mlindner, thanks for messaging the Community!

     

    Just for clarification, are you able to access the account itself? When was the last time you logged into the account and saw those files?

     

    This will help me to assist further!

  • mlindner's avatar
    mlindner
    Explorer | Level 4
    2 years ago
    Thank you, Jay, for replying to my message.
    The last time I accessed DB was Tuesday, May 7. I opened DB in the Finder. The DB files were erased, probably when the Apple Store technician was diagnosing why my lap top was in a repetitive shut down/restart loop that may be a kernel panic mode. The technician got my computer up and running.
    My DB app on my laptop was empty. I could only copy older files(pre October 21, 2023. All files on my laptop dated after October 2023 are gone.
    Now, I cannot access my DB account at all. I am hoping that the missing files are stored in the DB Cloud storage.

    The last time I saw those missing files was March 2024.
    Thank you for your assistance.
    Molly L
  • Nancy's avatar
    Nancy
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    2 years ago

    Hey Molly, just to clarify, can you see your Dropbox files when accessing your Dropbox account online? Are you logged in to the correct Dropbox account, when checking your email address here?

     

    Is that email the same as the one you see in your desktop app preferences?

  • mlindner's avatar
    mlindner
    Explorer | Level 4
    2 years ago
    Thank you for answering my question, Nancy. My Mac laptop crashed and when The technician at the Apple Store was able to reboot it, all DB files after October 2023 were gone
    That laptop is being repaired with a new motherboard and I will not be able to logon onto to DB until I get out of the University control of my DB account.
    So, these two technical issues need to be addressed first.
    Then I will write again to find out if I have two DB accounts and which one might have a DB cloud backup.
    Molly L
  • mlindner's avatar
    mlindner
    Explorer | Level 4
    2 years ago
    My goal is to recover as many files in my DB account (s) for 2024 because DB was my only back up system.
    Molly L
  • mlindner's avatar
    mlindner
    Explorer | Level 4
    2 years ago
    No, I cannot. I am unable logon to DB because DB only recognizes my university of Michigan email and I can get no further in the command to create another
    Email for DB. The error message says “You already have an account in this name. It’s a loop

    Are you able to verify the two accounts and two emails.?
    Thank you, Jay.
    Molly L
  • Hannah's avatar
    Hannah
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    2 years ago

    Hey mlindner, sorry for jumping in here as well and happy Monday.

     

    Are you able to login to your account using a web browser, instead of the Dropbox application?

     

    If your main browser is already logged in to a different account, try using a private browsing/incognito window, to login to the preferred account and let us know what you see.

  • mlindner's avatar
    mlindner
    Explorer | Level 4
    2 years ago
    Thank you, Hannah, for your reply and suggestion.
    I was almost into my DB account yesterday using the app on my cell phone. A message said that a code to complete log on was sent to me via email, but it never arrived.
    Can you please explain what an “unknown” user name will be possible when logging onto Safari, my second browser?
    Molly L
  • Megan's avatar
    Megan
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    2 years ago

    Hey mlindner, have you already tried adding no-reply@dropbox.com to your contacts list, in order to ensure that email goes through?

     

    As for your second question, would you mind elaborating a bit more? When you say "unknown username" are you referring to your account? 

     

    And did you come across this? 

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