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Karima Peerzada's avatar
Karima Peerzada
New member | Level 2
26 days ago

Need access to a shared folder, but the folder's owner is deceased.

In 2018, a family member sent me an email to some folders he had set up on Dropbox. When I now try to access it, I get the message "Request access." "You do not have access to this content."

I can no longer request access, because the family member in question died later that year. Is there some way I can still have access? Thanks for any help. 

4 Replies

  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    25 days ago

    Hi Karima Peerzada, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

    I'm sorry to hear about your loss and these circumstances.

    In general, if you need to request access to a shared folder, then it would need to be authorized by the owner of the shared folder, or possibly another member in that shared folder.

    If a family member does have access to their Dropbox account, then it might be possible for them to accept the request on their end.

    If you need any further assistance, please let me know!

  • karbox's avatar
    karbox
    Helpful | Level 5
    25 days ago

    Hi Jay, thanks for the clarification. I'm in a similar situation, trying to access files that were shared with me by a relative who has since passed away. Unfortunately, no one else in the family has access to their Dropbox account, so we can't approve any new access requests. Is there a process Dropbox has in place for these kinds of cases, like account recovery or data access for next of kin? Any guidance would be appreciated.

  • Megan's avatar
    Megan
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    25 days ago

    Hey karbox​, let me jump in here! 

    Keep in mind that if you and the owner are the only members of the shared folder, or link then there's not much that we can do on our end. 

    Take a look at this relevant Help Center article, that'd help us guide you into accessing their Dropbox account. 

    Thanks a bunch, keep me posted!

     

  • Mark's avatar
    Mark
    Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
    25 days ago
    karbox wrote:

    Is there a process Dropbox has in place for these kinds of cases, like account recovery or data access for next of kin?

    Sorry for your loss :( 

    What I'd also say to add to Megan's post is that if the account hasnt been used in 12 + months the data will have been removed from the Dropbox servers I'm afraid and so arent recoverable. 

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