Box Quota FAQs

  1. How much storage am I allowed on Box? 
    For all Berkeley faculty, staff, and students, starting Oct. 27, 2021 the following quotas will apply: 
    Individual Accounts: 50GB 
    Special Purpose Accounts (SPAs): 500GB 
    If your Box storage exceeds these values, your quota will be established at 10% above your current usage. Learn more

  2. How do I check how much storage I’m using in Box?
    To see the usage in your Box account, go to https://berkeley.app.box.com/account, then scroll down to "Account Details" and look for "Storage Used". To see the usage in a SPA, log into Google or Box as that SPA, and then follow the links above.

  3. What is a SPA and how do I know if I have one? 
    Special Purpose Accounts, or SPAs, are CalNet IDs that can be shared by multiple users for collaborative purposes. To view a list of SPAs you belong to, visit https://spa.berkeley.edu/spa

  4. How do I create a SPA-owned Box account?
    To create a SPA owned Box account, you will first need to create a SPA and then use that account to create the associated Box account. Create a SPA first, then create a Box account while logged in with the SPA.

  5. My Box account is over the new quota. Will my data be deleted?
    No data will be deleted during the process of implementing quotas, however, once you reach your quota you will no longer be able to add more data to your Box account.

    Please follow the recommended action steps to reduce your storage consumption, but your data will not be systematically deleted at any time.
    However, if you store files in your trash, those files will be deleted when they expire, which will be 11/26 or later, depending on when they were placed in the trash.
    If you’ve followed the recommended action steps but still need more storage, please fill out the this storage increase request form and we’ll be in touch after October 27th.

  6. What kind of data is appropriate to be stored in Box?
    Box is approved for active files and content. Box should not be used for the purposes of backing up or archiving your data. Please follow the recommended action steps to reduce your storage consumption. We are continuing to work on large storage options, but for now please visit the storage options page for more information. 

  7. My data is appropriate to be stored in Box. How can I request a storage quota increase - both individual accounts and SPAs?
    We want to work with you if you have needs for storage in Box beyond the quota limits. First, please make sure you’ve followed the storage recommendations found here. If you are a researcher storing backup or archival data, please fill out our Box storage usage questionnaire so that we can gather your requirements, and we will reach out to you. In the meantime, please visit the storage options page for more information. 

    If you are not a researcher and you’ve followed the recommended action steps but still need more storage, please fill out the storage increase request form and we’ll be in touch after October 27th.

  8. I use Box to store large amounts of backup and/or archive data for research. What are the alternative options for large volumes of storage?
    Please fill out our Box storage usage questionnaire so that we can gather your requirements, and we will reach out to you. In the meantime, please visit the storage options page for recommendations on how to adapt to the quota and find information about other storage options.
  9. How do I transfer data from one Box account to another?
    You can transfer files/folder ownership between Box accounts by following these instructions.
    Scroll down to the section "In Box, how do I transfer ownership of content to an organizational or group Box account?" and follow those steps to transfer files in your individual Box account into either SPA accounts.
    The top level account will be the owner of all the folders and files that are nested below, where usage is calculated against the owner account’s quota.

  10. Box seems to be miscalculating my total storage used. It looks like I’m using more storage than I really am and it’s putting me over my quota. What should I do? 
    Box is aware of this issue. For now, please submit a support ticket with the Service Desk so we can ask Box to recalculate your storage on your behalf. Call 510-664-9000 or email boxsupport@berkeley.edu.