Dropbox has confirmed it will shut down its password manager service, Dropbox Passwords, marking the end of a five-year run. The closure will roll out in stages, with full deactivation set for 28 October. Users have been given a limited window to access and extract their stored credentials before all data is deleted.
Phased shutdown begins in August
The discontinuation process begins on 28 August, when Dropbox Passwords will become a view-only service. Both the mobile app and browser extension will no longer allow users to add or edit passwords, and the autofill function will be turned off on that day.
Two weeks later, on 11 September, the mobile app will cease functioning altogether. At that point, customers will only be able to access their saved data through the browser extension. Finally, on 28 October, Dropbox will permanently delete all user data associated with the password manager. According to the company, all data will be “permanently and securely deleted”, meaning users will have no further way to retrieve any saved information after that date.
Dropbox has urged users to export their data well before the final shutdown. The company has not offered any additional data recovery options after the October deadline.
Lack of explanation leaves users speculating
Dropbox has not provided a detailed explanation for the decision to end support for Dropbox Passwords. In a brief statement, the company cited a broader strategy: “Part of our efforts to focus on enhancing other features in our core product.”
This vague rationale has led to speculation that the feature was not widely adopted, despite generally positive reviews. Initially launched for Dropbox Pro users, the password manager became available to all users as a free add-on in 2021. However, it may have struggled to compete in a crowded market of well-established password management tools.
The timing of the announcement and limited notice have raised concerns among users who rely on the service. Some have expressed frustration over the abrupt withdrawal and the short time frame to migrate sensitive data to an alternative platform.
Recommended alternatives and next steps
Dropbox is recommending that its current password manager users switch to 1Password, a third-party platform that it describes as a trusted and secure alternative. Notably, 1Password is widely regarded in the tech industry as one of the top options for password management, offering advanced encryption and cross-platform compatibility.
However, Dropbox acknowledges that users have various options. Other popular password managers include LastPass, Bitwarden, and Dashlane. Most of these services allow users to import exported password files, making the transition relatively straightforward for those moving away from Dropbox Passwords.
To export data, users can follow Dropbox’s official guidance through their account settings or support documentation. It is strongly recommended that this be done well in advance of the October cutoff to avoid any risk of data loss.
As the shutdown progresses, Dropbox has indicated it will keep users informed through email notifications and in-app messages, ensuring they are aware of each key date in the phase-out process.
