What Are Dropbox Conflicted Copies?
Dropbox conflicted copies are extra files Dropbox creates when the same file changes in two places before sync finishes. Dropbox keeps both versions and renames one with the editor’s name, the words “conflicted copy” and the date. Nothing is lost. To fix it, compare the two files, merge the changes into one, and delete the extra copy.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Example name | Plan (Sam's conflicted copy 2026-10-12).docx |
| Which copy gets renamed | Dropbox says the last saved version appears as the conflicted copy |
| Where it appears | In the same folder as the original |
| Common causes | Offline edits, two people editing at once, slow uploads |
| How to fix | Compare, merge by hand, delete the extra copy |
| Safety net | Version history: 30 days on Basic and Plus, longer on some plans |
What You Need Before You Start
- Access to both copies, on your computer or dropbox.com.
- The app that opens the file, such as Word or Excel.
- Ideally, a quick word with the person who made the other edit.
Step 1: Find All Conflicted Copies
- Open your Dropbox folder.
- Search for conflicted copy.
- List each pair: the original file and its conflicted copy.
On dropbox.com, the same search works across your whole account, including shared folders.
Step 2: Compare the Two Versions
Check the modified time on each file first. Then open both.
- Word: use Review > Compare to highlight differences.
- Excel: open both files with View > View Side by Side.
- Images and other files: open both and decide which one is correct.
If someone else made the other edit, ask them what they changed. In my experience, a two-minute conversation saves a lot of guessing.
Step 3: Merge and Keep One File
- Copy the changes you need into the original file.
- Save the original.
- Delete the conflicted copy.
- Check that Dropbox shows the folder as up to date.
Dropbox’s own advice is the same: compare the versions and merge the changes manually into the one you want to keep.
Still stuck after these steps?
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Step 4: Use Version History if You Delete the Wrong File
If you delete or overwrite the wrong copy, restore it.
- On dropbox.com, right-click the file.
- Choose Activity or Version history.
- Pick an earlier version and restore it.
Deleted files can be restored from Deleted files within your plan’s recovery window. Dropbox Basic and Plus keep 30 days of history; some paid plans keep longer.
Step 5: Prevent New Conflicted Copies
- Let Dropbox finish syncing before closing a laptop or going offline.
- Avoid editing the same file at the same time unless the app supports co-authoring.
- Open Microsoft Office files with co-authoring where available, or edit in the browser.
- Do not open the same file on two of your own devices at once.
- Keep device clocks automatic.
- Keep app databases out of Dropbox. Files that change constantly cause repeated conflicts.
Why Dropbox Conflicted Copies Keep Coming Back
If new copies appear every day, something edits the file in the background. Look for:
- An app that autosaves to the file from two computers.
- A second sync tool watching the Dropbox folder.
- A shared folder where a colleague keeps the file open all day.
Move the file out of Dropbox, or agree a single editor.
How to Verify the Conflict Is Resolved
- Only one copy of the file remains, locally and on dropbox.com.
- The file contains all the changes you need.
- No new conflicted copy appears after the next edit.
Common Mistakes
- Deleting both copies by accident when cleaning up.
- Assuming the conflicted copy is the older one. Dropbox renames the last saved version, so check dates.
- Ignoring conflicts for months. The longer you wait, the harder merging becomes.
For how all major apps handle conflicts, read our sync conflicts guide. If Dropbox stops syncing completely, see Dropbox not syncing. To understand the engine behind it, see Dropbox sync explained.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to delete a Dropbox conflicted copy?
Yes, after you have compared it with the original and moved any changes you need. Dropbox keeps both files so you can choose. If you delete the wrong one, restore it from Deleted files or version history on dropbox.com within your plan’s recovery window, which is 30 days on Basic and Plus.
Which file is the newest, the original or the conflicted copy?
Dropbox says the last saved version appears as the conflicted copy. So the conflicted copy is often the more recent edit, not the older one. Always check the modified date and time of both files before deciding which one to keep or delete.
Why do I get Dropbox conflicted copies when working alone?
Usually because the same file was open or edited on two of your devices, one of them offline. Background autosave from apps on two computers also causes it. Close files on one device before editing on another, and let Dropbox finish syncing before you shut a laptop.
Can Dropbox merge conflicting files automatically?
No, Dropbox does not merge the contents of conflicting files. It keeps both and lets you decide. Some apps can merge for you, such as Microsoft Word’s Compare tool, and co-authoring in Microsoft 365 avoids conflicts by merging edits live when used with supported Dropbox integrations.
How do I find all conflicted copies in my Dropbox?
Search for conflicted copy in your Dropbox folder on your computer or in the search bar on dropbox.com. The website search covers your whole account, including shared folders. Work through the results one pair at a time, comparing and merging before deleting.
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