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I can't open a file, which I have downloaded from Dropbox using the direct download link

Hi There,

In mobiles, I couldn't able to open the downloaded file, which I have downloaded from Dropbox using the direct download link (here is the dummy link for your test - https://www.dropbox.com/s/zsfyc5tulg13630/AVP81355.mp3?dl=1).

But the same file can able to access through Dropbox mobile app.

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Sanchez

Hey @raech, welcome to our community!

I’m not able to recommend specific third-party apps, but I can give you some pointers.

It sounds like your device doesn’t have the capability to open/play the file you’ve downloaded. So, you need to see what king of file it is, and then look for an app that can handle it.

If you are uploading music files to your Dropbox, you can open/preview/play them on our website only if they are listed on this page. In short, .aac .m4a .mp3 .oga and .wav files are compatible on our site.

I hope this helps.

Cheers!

All comments

Mark

I've downloaded it and its opened fine here.

Do you have something on your machine or device that will open MP3's? All Dropbox does is get the files to the device, it doesnt manage the opening of them.

Sanchez

Hey @Alexandar, welcome to our forum!

I just want to make sure I understand the issue…

- You download a file using a Dropbox link, modified to dl=1, on a mobile device.

You can open this file using the Dropbox mobile app, but not the downloaded file on your mobile.

If this is correct, what may be happening is that these files can be previewed (opened) by our app, because they are supported file types. In order to view/open/listen to/etc. on your mobile, you must have an app that can handle these file types.

For example, our app and website, have the ability to preview (open) .mp3 files. If you want to play the .mp3 on your mobile device, you must have an app that can play .mp3s.

I hope this helps! Let me know.

Thanks :slight_smile:

Alexandar

I have Google Play music on my mobile and also the problem not only for mp3 file. Let us assume there is an APK file, while I click the downloaded APK file from other sources like Google Drive or mail etc.,

@Mark wrote:
I've downloaded it and its opened fine here.

Do you have something on your machine or device that will open MP3's? All Dropbox does is get the files to the device, it doesnt manage the opening of them.

it asking me to install or not in Android devices. But in our case, it shows "can't open file".

Sanchez

@Alexandar,

Can you tell me what device you’re using, and what version of Android you’re on? Is this an official release from your mobile’s manufacturer? Also, are you using the latest version of our mobile app, 60.2?

Thanks

Jane

Hey @Alexandar

I’m just following-up on that,since I was able to reproduce on my end and it seems that your device can’t open mp3 file formats natively, since Dropbox can't find an application capable of viewing your file type (when downloaded from the shared link), so as @Mark had previously mentioned, you'll need to install an app that can open your file.

Additionally, should you opt to put your mp3 file on your Dropbox account on your phone, it won’t preview there either, though it’ll preview normally on your account online.

That being said, the workaround for the recipient to listen to your message would be to force the file to render on the browsing window that they’ve received the shared link on their phone. What they’ll need to do is add raw=1 at the end of the shared link URL, that will cause an HTTP redirect. Therefore, instead of:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/zsfyc5tulg13630/AVP81355.mp3?dl=1

You may use:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/zsfyc5tulg13630/AVP81355.mp3?raw=1

Hope you this helps, please keep us updated if you need more assistance.

Happy anniversary!

Warm regards,

JaneA

PenguinRivo

Hello Alexandar!!!

Random guess, try to update Google Play Services and Google Music:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.gms&hl=en

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.music&hl=en

Weirdly, I dunno if external google links are allowed

In case my post gets modified, just open your Google Play app and search for the 2 apps by name. Then click on UPDATE if the option is available.

Rivo, your friendly dropboxing penguin :penguin:

raech

Drop box music can'tplay it. I save my music to drop box, now i want to hear it again but can't play

raech

Which apps please help me here

Sanchez

Hey @raech, welcome to our community!

I’m not able to recommend specific third-party apps, but I can give you some pointers.

It sounds like your device doesn’t have the capability to open/play the file you’ve downloaded. So, you need to see what king of file it is, and then look for an app that can handle it.

I hope this helps.

Cheers!

fstotz

Hey,

it is still the same bug which was reported in august, which dropbox refuses to fix.

The issue is, that if you use ?dl=1 to download a file, the content type is changed to application/binary for all files instead of mp3 or something else.

If ?raw=1 is used, it works.

But because Dropbox refuses to fix it, some software, like Download with all android devices, can not open the file, because it could not be correctly recognized.

Regards Felix

pc2k

Use X-Plore file manager and get over it. Same applies to anybody who has the same issue.

Raffix R.

I have this same issue. MP3 files are in dropbox, I try to play or download in browser and it wont play. Error says your browser supports mp3, but something went wrong.

I download direct, and the mp3 files have an extension of .mp3.mhtml

I tried just removing the added extension, but the player says it doesn't support this type of audio.

I'm running a stock LG with latest Android 8 and using stock app. Not using dropbox app.app. I checked and my other apps are upto date.

Jane

Hey @Raffix R., for starters can you clarify if you’re facing a similar issue to what the OP has been describing us loading the .mp3 on a mobile browser or you're experiencing a discrepancy completing this action on your browser on your computer?

As you mentioned that you’re getting an “.mp3.mhtml” file upon downloading the audio, can you please check if that’s happening because you’re saving the file with the right-click options instead of following the steps on this resource?

Once I have these details, I'll further advise accordingly!

Raffix R.

Hi Jane, thanks for a response...

This being android related, all my comments are based on a android 8.0 device.

I was sent a drobbox link from someones device(iPhone) to mine. Being a link, the platform should have no barring. Even if I copy and paste the link, first thing it says is "Get a better view our mobile app" . I dont want another app. So, I select "Or continue to website". Even at the website, I am hit AGAIN with View in App banner with option of an X to close this. Oddly, today it worked to play in browser. BUT, cannot download without added extensions and play....Go figure?

Lusil

Thanks for getting back to us @Raffix R.!

Just checking in to see if the issue was in the end resolved.

If not, can you send us a screenshot (without any personal information) of what you see?

Thanks!