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Why is my Dropbox link not giving people the option to Download on their iPads?

I have been testing a link for a folder in my Dropbox. I have a paid subscription. When I share the link with someone to download the file on their iPad, it only gives them the option to Save to Dropbox - which is not what it is supposed to do. I don't get this on my iPad when I use the link - and I am not signed into my Dropbox on my iPad. Also, because I have been troubleshooting it seems that if the recipient has the Dropbox app - this is occurring. I am not sure if this is what is causing this to happen, but I don't think so. Is there some glitch now that if someone has the Dropbox app on their iPad that if they get a Dropbox link they can only save to their Dropbox? If so, this needs to be changed. It does not allow them to download to their iPad - only Save to Dropbox - even if I force the link by using dl=1! Has anyone else had this issue? Dropbox, we need this issue fixed. I have seen others have written with similar issues and they have not been addressed. Clearing the cache and using another browser does not fix this issue.

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TreeHugger33

Hi. Having issues with linked files in Dropbox not showing the Download button on a tablet / iPad - only the Save to Dropbox, which is not where the files should be saved. Seems like a possibility the issues lie with the Dropbox App. Those that are not seeing the Download button have the Dropbox App on their iPads. Those without the Dropbox App on their iPad have the Download button. Cache clearing does not help - using another browser does not help - incognito mode does not help. Dropbox, please rectify this issue. From my testing it seems linked to your Dropbox App forcing the user to save to their Dropbox and not allowing them to Download as before. This needs to be fixed. Anyone else seeing this?

Walter

Hey @TreeHugger33, sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

Can you please let us know if this persists when you request the desktop site when accessing your shared link?

Have you maybe tried adjusting your shared links URL to have them force the browser to download the linked files instead of previewing them?

Keep me posted!

TreeHugger33

Hi Walter,

Yes the issue is persisting and I have provided the forced link for the recipients to use. So far, all recipients that have the Dropbox App on their iPads, did not have a download button. When they opened the forced link, it asked them if they wanted to download the link without seeing the files as expected. When they said Yes - it took them to the same screen in Dropbox where their only choice was to Save to Dropbox - no Download button. The people with no Download App installed on their iPad, had no issue. The regular link ending in dl=0 (I did not need to ask them to try the forced link), took them to the Dropbox screen on the web that showed both the blue Save in Dropbox button and the gray Download button. I tested this on a new iPad I just bought for myself - where i have never signed into Dropbox and did not have the Dropbox app installed and it opened seamlessly with the choice of Download. I asked those with no Download button to clear their cache as well, but this problem still appeared. Thanks for your help. Would love this to work (NEED this to work ) for those with the Dropbox app on their iPad/tablet. At the moment, I have not had someone with an Android try to download this link, so I don't know if it is a Dropbox app with the iPad, or one with the Dropbox app across all types of tablets but it is definitely a glitch with the Dropbox app and the iPad. Thanks. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and getting this fixed.

Jay

Hi @TreeHugger33, could you attach a screenshot showing the exact prompt that appears when users open a normal shared link on their devices, while hiding any personal info?

If they scroll down the page, does it give an option to open the link within the browser?

TreeHugger33

Hi Jay,

I have attached two screenshots. There was no option to go to the webpage. There is a link symbol at the top, but when that was clicked on it, if I am remembering correctly, it gave them an option to copy the link - but definitely not an option to Download or go to the webpage. I have had others test it, including myself, who do not have the Dropbox app on their iPad and the link worked as it should - showing both the Save to Dropbox button (blue) and Download button (gray). Looks like the app for iOS was updated about 2 weeks ago, so there likely is a bug in the app.

Thanks for your help,

Robbin

Screenshot 2022-12-29 at 8.00.01 PM.png

Jay

Which browser are they using to open the link? Could they try using a different browser to see if there is a different behavior in how the link opens when it is copied and pasted there directly?

TreeHugger33

Hi Jay,

It is my understanding Safari and or Chrome. Same thing. They are not copying and pasting anything - and they should not have to. The link is clicked - ti should go to my Dropbox where the files are housed, and there should be a Download button for them to download directly their iPad. For those with the Dropbox App on their iPad, there is no Download link - only Save to Dropbox. For those who do not have the Dropbox App on their iPad - they have the Download option. Seems like a bug in the newly released update to the app 2 weeks ago. This has result has been shown to be the same after many users have tried it. Please fix the bug. - Thanks

Jay

Thanks for the info. Could you try to ask them to copy and paste the link directly into the browser to see if they get the option to download the files via the browser?

TreeHugger33

Hi Jay,

Yes I will ask if they can do that.

Will let you know.

Thank you,

Robbin

TreeHugger33

Hi Jay,

I had someone who has the Dropbox App on their iPad, and when they clicked on the link that I had sent them before had no Download button, copy and paste a link (I did not send it live) into their Safari browser. When the link was copied and pasted into the Safari browser, it came up with the option of both Save to Dropbox and Download.

So...my concern still is that it has something to do with the Dropbox App installed on recipients' iPads. I need a seamless process as it has been in the past - I sent a link - the recipient clicks on it - and it gives them the option to either Save to Dropbox - or to Download. They need to Download to their iPad so they can use the files - not Save them to their Dropbox.

I appreciate your help in getting this working again for all iPad uses - with or without the Dropbox app. It does not seem right that Dropbox would force people with the app on their iPad to Save to their Dropbox, when it is not meant to be there and would use up their storage.

Please let me know if you have any questions. As I have stated before, I have tested with many recipients - those without the Dropbox app have no issue and have the Download button. Those who have the Dropbox App on their iPad, do not have a Download button, and should.

Thanks for your help in getting this bug in the app fixed,

Robbin

Jay

Thanks for the info, we appreciate all comments on how to improve the Dropbox app and services.