I need to work with two different Dropbox accounts for my job and personal files, but I can only link one account in the Dropbox app on my computer. Is there any way to add multiple Dropbox accounts on one computer or switch between them easily? Any help or step-by-step guides would be appreciated.
How I Managed Several Dropbox Profiles on My Mac with CloudMounter
Ever tried to juggle more than one Dropbox account on one computer and felt like you were trying to keep three plates spinning while blindfolded? Yeah, me too. Turns out, you don’t have to live like that. Here’s how I brought every Dropbox login I’ve got—work, personal, that old side project nobody asked for—under one roof, using CloudMounter. Spoiler: No file chaos, no switching between browsers, no weird hacks.
Step-by-Step - Adding Your Dropbox Accounts (Even the Extra Secret Ones)
Let’s get real: Dropbox’s own app will not let you add multiple personal accounts at once unless you pony up for their pricey business plan. Here’s what I did instead.
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Install the app.
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Launch CloudMounter.
It’ll pop up looking like any other utility—nothing too fancy, just what you need. -
Add Your First Dropbox Account
There’s a big plus button (“+”)—poke that. Select “Dropbox” from the options.
A browser window will open so you can log into your first Dropbox account. Authenticate, allow permissions, and confirm. -
Rinse and Repeat for Every Other Account
Here’s where most other apps would throw up all over themselves. Not CloudMounter. Click the plus again for every extra Dropbox you want. Each time, log in with a different account.
It keeps each login separate on the back end—no trickery. -
Now All Your Dropbox Files Show Up Like External Drives
They appear right in Finder. Each account comes up as its own mounted drive, with whatever name you gave it. No mixing up the boss’s files with your memes folder.
The Perks (or: Why Didn’t I Do This Sooner?)
- You don’t have to constantly sign in and out.
- Your Mac treats all Dropbox accounts like regular folders or drives.
- Zero local copy unless you actually drag a file over—huge if you’re low on disk space.
- Can do the same with Google Drive, OneDrive, and more, but let’s stay focused.
Worth It?
Look, if you only use one Dropbox, maybe don’t bother. But if you’re bouncing between gigs, freelance jobs, and personal stuff, CloudMounter has your back.
No more browser tabs everywhere, no accidental “did I just upload my desktop background to the HR folder” panic.
If you get stuck, holler—happy to help someone else avoid the file-juggling circus.
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Total honesty: Dropbox is RIDICULOUS when it comes to supporting multiple accounts unless you get into their business/teams nonsense (which, ahem, aint cheap). You’re not alone—everybody’s been stuck with the “one personal, one work” rule in the standard Dropbox app. It’s annoying.
Now, I saw what @mikeappsreviewer said about CloudMounter and, while I get the hype, let’s put some cards on the table. If you want something absolutely free, you’re better off running the second Dropbox in a separate user account on your Mac/Windows (Switch Users, log in, install Dropbox app there, boom). The catch? You gotta flip users and filesharing between profiles is a pain. Not ideal, but it doesn’t cost a penny.
Here’s another not-so-glamorous trick: you can use Dropbox’s web interface for one account and the app for another. Fast? Nope. Slick? Also nope. Does it work? Sometimes.
But yeah, if you want ACTUAL integration—seeing both Dropboxes in Finder/Explorer, opening files like they’re just part of your computer, and not wanting two million browser tabs, CloudMounter’s basically made for your exact pain. Just be ready to pay a little for that kind of magic (still way less than a Dropbox business sub). Worth it if you’re juggling files all day.
Bottom line: Dropbox’s own tools are locked down, free hacks are annoying and half-baked, and third-party stuff like CloudMounter gives you what Dropbox weirdly refuses to. Just depends how much you value your sanity vs your wallet. Anyone got better ideas? Throw ‘em out—I’d love a solution that doesn’t cost me another monthly sub, but right now? Not seeing it.
So here’s the bottom line: Dropbox seriously dropped the ball for folks needing more than one account local on the same machine. I’ve seen what @mikeappsreviewer and @kakeru suggested (CloudMounter, separate user accounts, web+app split), all of which work in a pinch, but none really hit that seamless sweet spot—unless you want to drop more cash on the monthly (I mean, we all just have money trees, right?).
Let me just point out, that second user account trick? Yeah, it’s free—but it’s clunky as hell. Having two desktop environments and flipping users feels like a hack straight outta 2003. Plus, trying to pass files back and forth is like sending smoke signals in the age of 5G. And don’t even get me started on the “web for one, app for the other.” If tab roulette is your jam, have at it, but you’re not winning any productivity awards.
Honestly, CloudMounter is the only solution I’ve used that lets me treat each Dropbox like an external drive WITHOUT all the Dropbox bloatware eating my local storage. Not perfect (price tag—ouch), but at least you see both accounts in Finder, don’t accidentally upload memes to the work folder, and don’t lose your mind signing in and out every five minutes.
But hey—hot take: I still think it’s NUTS there’s no official, sane way to do this unless you pay for Dropbox Business. One personal and one work account per app? That’s basically what they let you do. Want more? Pony up. So if you want to keep your sanity and don’t mind shelling out a bit, CloudMounter’s legit. Otherwise, it’s weird workarounds and browser juggling until Dropbox decides to treat us like real grownups.
If anyone out there has actually found a magic trick to enable truly free, seamless multi-account integration without hacks or third-party apps—spill. I’m dying to be proven wrong. Til then, looks like we’re living that CloudMounter life.
Let’s peel back the curtain on this multiple Dropbox account chaos. The reality is, unless you’re forking over cash for Business, Dropbox just slams the door on true multi-account support. CloudMounter definitely nails convenience—seeing each Dropbox pop up in Finder is as close as you’ll get to “native” without having Dropbox’s team working in your kitchen. Huge win: no repetitive re-logins and you save tons of SSD space because files are streamed, not dumped on your drive.
But is it flawless? Not really. You’re adding yet another paid app (see: subscription fatigue), and sometimes the file transfer speed can take a hit compared to full local sync. If you’re uploading giant project folders daily, expect some patience-testing bottlenecks. Plus, if you’re allergic to third-party file managers, having another utility in your workflow may bug you.
Still, having tried what others suggested—split user accounts (clunky and old-school), web/app combo (tab mayhem), or even sketchy terminal hacks—CloudMounter lands at the top for user experience. To be fair, folks on this thread aren’t wrong. Every workaround has speed bumps, and you always give up something: disk space, time, sanity, or privacy.
Pros for CloudMounter: super clean integration, zero local storage waste, supports tons of clouds (not just Dropbox).
Cons: costs money, can be a little sluggish, and if you need offline access, you’re out of luck.
If Dropbox ever opens up multi-account for free, this will all be moot. Until then, CloudMounter is about as painless as it gets. Unless you prefer the nostalgia of flipping users and juggling browser windows, give it a look.