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How do I open PDF files from Dropbox on Android devices?

Giannis F.

Hello :-)

There is a problem with PDF files. They do not open when downloading in android devices :-(

The dropbox link is ?dl=1

There isn't any problem when downloading in Desktop PC and Apple iOS, there is problem only in Android.

Look here for the PDF file as an example: https://www.openbook.gr/se-mia-olympia-traveller-79/

There is nothing wrong with tha PDF files. If I download the same files from e.g. Gmail to my Android devices they open normally !

Can you please check it?

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Accepted answers

Walter

Thanks for the reply @Giannis F. and sorry to hear this persists.

Do you notice the same behavior on other browsers other than the one you used so far?

Remember the "dl=1" parameter at the end of shared links should tell the browser to download the file(s) instead of attempting to display it so this seems to be an issue caused by the browser you use (as you say, the files and links are working fine).

Let me know what you find.

All comments

Walter

Sorry to hear about this @Giannis F. - could you please let me know how are you generating those shared links to begin with?

Could you try replacing the "?dl=1" parameter to "?dl=0" (or to "?raw=1" if you'd like these files to render on other websites) and let me know if the issue persists?

Thanks!

Giannis F.

Thanx for the immediate answer.

I generate them through the "Share" button > "Create a link" into Drobox.

When I use ?dl=0 file opens normally

When I use "?raw=1" it downloads normally and opens the PDF file !

>> But please don't tell me to chance the urls to ?raw=1 in my 5.000 files :-( I did that again in previous year when you changed the share method > It took me 2 months, not againg please.

Please help me :-(

and fix the ?dl=1 link

Walter

Thanks for the reply @Giannis F.!

When I click on the "Share" button on my end, the shared links that are generated end in "?dl=0" by default - are you seeing this behavior on shared links you created in the past or new ones?

If this is not too much of a problem for you, could you please share a link that's giving you this problem here with me so I can investigate further?

Giannis F.

Thanx again for the interesting Walter :-)

No, the old links were Ok, only the new links have that problem.

I change manually the ?dl=0 to ?dl=1 because I want the files to download in user's device, not just to open.

This is an example link that downloads the file in android smartphons, but the file does not open:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xgncoaff8as540c/OlympiaTraveller.pdf?dl=1

:-)

Walter

Sorry to hear about this @Giannis F. - what app are you using to open those files to begin with?

I can see no problem with the link you provided me with - I was able to download and open the file normally.

Also, I couldn't help but notice that your PDF is in Greek - do you use Greek characters for your PDF files' names maybe?

Moreover, as per the difference between the "dl=0" and "dl=1" parameters, take a look at this thread where Rich has provided some additional information about it.

Note that, as you say you're able to open those links normally and download as well, the issue you're experiencing might be caused by something outside our scope; the mobile app you'd be opening your PDF files maybe? Your mobile itself perhaps?

In any case, please keep me posted on your progress Giannis. Oh, and happy Monday!

Giannis F.

Thanx again Walter.

It has nothing to do with my personal mobile device. A lot of users of my website and friends complain that they can't open pdf files on android devices.

I dont' t use any app in my mobile, just Google Chrome to visit my site.

The pdf files open normally when using ?dl=0 or ?raw=1 but they don't when using ?dl=1. So that is the problem. I have checked it many times in different android devices, it has nothing to do with greek characters or anything else. Everything is OK with ?dl=1 links in my desktopo computer, or in iPhone iOS, but there is problem with android devices.

Please look for a solution with your team. Help us :-)

Walter

Thanks for the reply @Giannis F. and sorry to hear this persists.

Do you notice the same behavior on other browsers other than the one you used so far?

Let me know what you find.

Giannis F.

I just downloaded 2 other browsers apps in my android mobile: Mozilla + Opera

Everything is working fine in both browsers. PDF files now open!

There is problem only in Google Chrome, the default browser of my android mobile.

:-)

Walter

Glad to hear this worked out well after all @Giannis F. - I appreciate you taking the time to update me on this matter too!

Should you ever stumble upon a Dropbox issue or you come up with a question, feel free to reach out again; we'll be happy to assist.

Thanks again for using Dropbox and enjoy the rest of your day.

Cheers!

Giannis F.

I really apreciate your help Walter.

Is there anything that we can do for users that have Chrome in their devices?

:-)

Walter

Well, at this point, as this issue seems to be affecting only Chrome, I would suggest using a different browser whatsoever.

Another thing you could try is clearing your browser's cache, running an incognito instance or even restoring the browser to its default settings.

Obviously switching browsers is the best course of action here yet this would be up to them.

If you have any more Dropbox questions, please let me know Giannis.

FrustratedTeach

This problem happens with opening a shared PDF link from Gmail on an Android device as well. It is incredibly frustrating that Dropbox doesn't seem to be compatible with Google and Androids. Works perfectly fine on a desktop, but try to open it on an Android through the Gmail app or a browser is impossible. Both my students and I have the problem. Instead of walking them through the tech of this all, I'm learning that it's just easier to share their course material through another sharing site. It's unfortunate that Dropbox's suggested solution is to just "use a different browser" when there is a need for Dropbox to update the coding in their shared files, especially since I like Dropbox otherwise.

kiralyanda

I have a similar problem, but I'm using the official Dropbox addon for Gmail, so modifying the URL parameter isn't an option. The shared files can not be opened in Gmail for Android. Tested in various devices and the message is the same: "Cannot display PDF (filename.pdf is of invalid format)". The file itself is OK, can be opened on all devices if sending as attachment and also OK on a desktop computer. (BTW what grammar is this "something is of invalid"? Why not just "something is invalid"? Or is it a different meaning?)

The addon generates a "?dl=0" URL and because I'm curious I tested the link without the addon. The result is same: can't open. Tried with "?dl=1", same result with a little different error message: "Cannot display PDF (filename.pdf cannot be opened)"

Obviously I doesn't open my emails and also usually doesn't receive Dropbox files this way, so I'm not sure if this method is broken all the time or it's a new bug.

What do you think about this?

Thanks in advance,
András.

FrustratedTeach

Dropbox never replied to my inquiry, so I ended up moving all my files to Google Drive and sharing through there. I just have a floating account here now.

Daphne

Hey @kiralyanda,

To look into this a bit further, would you mind if I reached out to the email address associated with your Community profile? Otherwise, if you already have a ticket open with our Support team for this, then please let me know the ticket reference number (eg. #1234567) so that I can follow up there.

Let me know - Thanks!

tondija

same problem here, drobox link...
?dl=0
wont open in chrome
... I am moving to Drive, its a shame

Daphne

Thanks for joining us here @tondija!

Would you mind letting us know if you have the same issue if you try and open the links within another web browser on your mobile?

You can download another web browser for free from the app store if you don't already have one.

Let me know what you find!

tondija

oppening dropbox link by pressing on it from gmail... link to Chrome... wont work,
but copying url and pasting it to chrome works fine
?
https://www.dropbox.com/s/j1u2rqaoldn0e95/BBBB-Kern-Buch17x24-10.pdf?dl=0

Daphne

Hmmm, that's interesting @tondija. :thinking:

When you simply tap the link in the email, do you get an error message when trying to open it in Chrome? If so, can you send a screenshot of the error?

Also, when you open the link, can you choose the "desktop version" of the website to see if this helps when opening the link again directly from the email?

Keep me posted!

tondija

thanx for response.
- as in some other posts at this thread i get error massage:... "pdf is of invalid format", it shuts off in a second
- when i copy paste url in android chrome it offers me app or continue, there isno desktop option as you were mentioning.

Daphne

Thanks for clarifying that for me @tondija.

When you open the link within Chrome, choose to continue and then tap the 3 dots in the top right corner.

I hope this helps!

tondija

it does not help it only changes the format at that specific oppenig of the file in dropbox.
so:
- copying dropbox url link to chrome android browser works
- clicking dropbox url from gmail link to open in chrome results in error of reading of pdf
...
this is unusable for me and my clients as they might think pdf is corrupt, rearly have cluent "the mind of a hacker" to try a workaround...

Daphne

Thanks for your patience @tondija.

So we can have a better look into this, I've sent you an email to the address linked with your Community profile.

If you'd like, please just check your inbox when you have a moment.

Cheers!

FloMan

Same problem. There are different people accessing my pdf links and I can't control who is opening it with which browser from which device, it should just work for android/chrome/firefox whatever usual constellation. Can't manually change links all the time. Please fix it, Dropbox or I have to move to a different provider. Thanks!

Daphne

Hey @FloMan, thanks for joining us here!

Just out of curiosity, could you just let me know if you still get the error when you copy and paste the link into your browser, rather than just tapping on the link?

Keep me posted - thanks!

desi2p

my issue is fixed now. I have LG G8 Android phone.

I used to get same message when I tried opening a dropbox link in Gmail. I think I found my issue and it is fixed now.

Every time I clicked the dropbox link, it used to open via Google Drive as default (not asking my for any options)

I went to Settings - Apps & Notifications - App Info - Dropbox - Open by default

try changing the settings to Open in this app OR Ask Every Time (switch to what is not select from these two)

When I played with these options, and tried to open the link... it asked me if I want to open in Chrome, Dropbox, Drive PDF Viewer.

When I chose Dropbox or Chrome, no issue

when I chose Drive PDF Viewer, I got same error, so I learned what was causing it.

tondija

Exactly same as below works with my Mate 20 PRO

desi2p
"my issue is fixed now. I have LG G8 Android phone.

I used to get same message when I tried opening a dropbox link in Gmail. I think I found my issue and it is fixed now.

Every time I clicked the dropbox link, it used to open via Google Drive as default (not asking my for any options)

I went to Settings - Apps & Notifications - App Info - Dropbox - Open by default

try changing the settings to Open in this app OR Ask Every Time (switch to what is not select from these two)

When I played with these options, and tried to open the link... it asked me if I want to open in Chrome, Dropbox, Drive PDF Viewer.

When I chose Dropbox or Chrome, no issue

when I chose Drive PDF Viewer, I got same error, so I learned what was causing it."

kiralyanda

This does not solve the problem, because I have no influence what happens on the receiver's side and would be ridiculous to attach a user manual to every shared pdf file.