NyxBackup

Dropbox

Dropbox uses a one-time sign-in - there are no keys to create.

Not recommended for most people. If you run the Dropbox desktop app on your computers, Dropbox downloads every encrypted backup pack onto each of them, and stopping that takes a per-device Selective Sync step (below) - easy to get wrong, and its “ignore” feature can even delete your backup. For a hands-off destination, prefer Google Drive (its backup folder is hidden and never syncs) or object storage such as Backblaze B2 or Cloudflare R2 (no desktop sync at all). Use Dropbox only if it is the storage you specifically want.

1. Set up the storage

Nothing to prepare in advance. You only need your Dropbox account.

2. Connect it in Nyx Backup

  1. New backup set > destination Dropbox.
  2. Choose Connect with Dropbox and approve access.
  3. Save the set.

Nyx Backup is scoped to its own app folder and stores only the access token, never your Dropbox password.

Once Test connection succeeds, set a schedule and retention, save the set, and choose Run now. Nyx Backup encrypts everything on your machine before upload, so this destination only ever holds encrypted blobs. Give each machine its own bucket or folder - see Connecting storage.

Tip: the app-folder scope means Nyx Backup only touches its own folder, not the rest of your Dropbox.

3. Important: keep backups off your computers

Your first backup creates the Apps/Nyx Backup folder in Dropbox. Any computer running the Dropbox desktop app then downloads every encrypted pack to that computer - which can grow to hundreds of GB. So right after your first backup, exclude the folder on each computer that has the Dropbox app:

  1. Dropbox tray / menu-bar icon > your avatar > Preferences.
  2. Sync tab > Selective Sync (macOS) or Choose folders (Windows).
  3. Expand Apps and uncheck Nyx Backup.
  4. Click Update.

Dropbox removes the local copy and keeps the cloud copy. Repeat on every computer that has the Dropbox app. Phones and tablets need nothing.

Do not delete anything inside the folder, and do not use Dropbox’s Ignore / .dropboxignore on it - either one deletes your backup from the cloud.