How to Move Files from Dropbox to iCloud Drive: 4 Practical Methods (2025)

Method 2: Transfer Using Your iPhone or iPad

On your iPhone or iPad, launch the Dropbox app and sign in with your account. Browse through your folders and locate the files you want to move. Tap the three-dot menu next to a file or folder, then select “Export” or “Send a Copy”. This option lets you either save a copy locally or pass it directly into Apple’s Files app.

When the iOS share sheet pops up, choose “Save to Files”. From there, pick iCloud Drive as the storage location. You can drop the file into the root folder or select an existing subfolder to keep your documents organized. Once saved, the file uploads to iCloud Drive and syncs automatically across all your Apple devices.

This workflow is perfect for small-scale moves—like shifting a few photos, PDFs, or work documents when you’re away from your desk. Since it uses Apple’s native Files app, there’s no need for extra software. Keep in mind, however, that transferring large folders or thousands of files over mobile can be slow and tedious. For bigger jobs, a desktop tool or an automated service such as CloudsLinker will save you time and ensure the process completes smoothly in the background.

Method 3: Transfer with Rclone (Command Line)

For users who are comfortable working in a terminal, Rclone provides one of the most versatile ways to move files between clouds. It supports a wide range of services, including Dropbox and iCloud Drive.

Start by downloading Rclone from the official release page. Once installed, launch your terminal (or Command Prompt if you’re on Windows) and type: rclone config. This will bring up Rclone’s configuration wizard.

• Dropbox Remote: Select dropbox as the backend. You’ll be prompted to log in through a browser window, where you grant Rclone access to your Dropbox files. Once complete, you’ll have a remote (e.g., dropbox:) pointing to your storage.
• iCloud Remote: Choose icloud when adding your second remote. Rclone will generate an authentication token that gives it access to your iCloud Drive. Detailed steps are outlined in the iCloud backend documentation.
• macOS Local Option: If you already have iCloud syncing on your Mac, you can also point Rclone at the local folder: ~/Library/Mobile Documents/com~apple~CloudDocs.

Once both remotes are set up, you can start moving files. For example:

rclone copy dropbox:/Projects icloud:/ProjectsBackup --progress

rclone sync dropbox:/Photos icloud:/Photos --progress --exclude "*.tmp"

The first command copies everything from your Projects folder in Dropbox to a new folder named ProjectsBackup in iCloud Drive. The second command keeps your Dropbox photo library synchronized with iCloud, skipping temporary files. If you want to test before committing, add --dry-run to preview what will happen.

Rclone is best suited for users who want full control over the migration process. You can adjust bandwidth usage, apply filters, or schedule recurring jobs with cron (Linux/macOS) or Task Scheduler (Windows). The only downside: initial setup with iCloud authentication may require a bit of patience. Once configured, however, it’s one of the most efficient ways to handle bulk transfers.

Method 4: Cloud-to-Cloud Migration with CloudsLinker

Head over to app.cloudslinker.com and sign in with your account (or create a free one if you’re new). From your dashboard, click “Add Cloud” and select Dropbox. You’ll be redirected to Dropbox’s official OAuth login page—just confirm the connection to grant access securely.

Once authorized, your Dropbox account will appear in CloudsLinker’s interface as a ready-to-use storage source.

Next, add iCloud Drive from the list of supported clouds. Enter your Apple ID and, if prompted, provide the two-factor authentication code sent to your device. After a successful login, iCloud Drive will show up in your dashboard alongside Dropbox.

Go to the Transfer tab. On the left, pick Dropbox as your source and select the files or folders you want to migrate. On the right, choose iCloud Drive as the destination. You can preview the folder structures before starting the migration to make sure everything is mapped correctly.

CloudsLinker also provides filters—so you can skip specific file types (like .tmp), exclude very large videos, or only migrate files modified within the last 30 days. These options give you flexibility and help streamline the transfer.

If you’d like your Dropbox and iCloud to stay in sync, open the Schedule tab. Here you can create automated jobs—daily, weekly, or at custom intervals. This way, any new changes in Dropbox will be reflected in iCloud without extra effort. For more details, check the CloudsLinker scheduling guide.

Once you hit start, the task will appear in the Task List. From there, you can monitor live progress, view transfer speeds, or pause and resume if necessary. Any issues, such as permission problems or unsupported file types, are clearly flagged for review.

When the transfer finishes, CloudsLinker generates a summary report showing which files succeeded and which (if any) failed. By this point, your Dropbox files should be safely stored in iCloud Drive and ready to access from all your Apple devices.

For anyone who prefers a no-fuss, reliable solution, CloudsLinker is one of the best choices. It automates the heavy lifting, keeps your files secure, and ensures your transfer finishes even if your device goes offline.