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Audio files are compressed/downgraded in quality when exported to iMessage.

I've noticed an issue with exporting/sharing audio files over the last few months, from Dropbox into iMessage.

I often share audio files for work, and I go into the app, click share, then export file.

Recently when I do this my audio files are getting compressed and severely downgraded in quality. I've also noticed file size going from 8-9mb to 2-3mb. The degrading of quality is a major problem.

this bug seems to be continuing and would love to have it reported to the team!

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Megan

Hi @hw213nw, let's jump right into this!

Does this only happen when with your exported audio files or with other file types too?

Would you mind clarifying your device's OS, along with the Dropbox version that you're using on your end?

Keep me posted, and we'll take it from there!

hw213nw

Hi, thanks for addressing this. It's been a real pain the last while.

Dropbox iOS v 404.2.2

iPhone iOS 18.2 (iPhone 15 Pro)

It seems to also be doing this when I export (as a copy) video files (cut a 20mb down to 10mb). ZIP are preserved.

My messages settings should be fine, I have it selected to show images in high quality, etc.

Thanks again

Hannah

Hey @hw213nw, just as a test, if you choose the "save to device" option instead, and then play the audio file locally on the device, what do you see?

hw213nw

Hi looks like it saves to iPhone Files and plays normally with no degradation

Jay

Hi @hw213nw, does this issue with the compression only occur when sending files via iMessage, since it appears downloading them normally works fine?

hw213nw

Hi, I believe so, it's something about that sharing function via iMessage.

Nancy

Hi from me too, @hw213nw! It sounds then that this has something to do with iMessage specifically. Is it possible to reinstall the app on your device? Do you see any difference after that?

hw213nw

You'd like me to delete and reinstall Dropbox completely?

Nancy

Yes, please. Before trying that though, can you also test one more thing with me (if you haven’t done this already)? Can you create a shared link to one of your files instead, send it via iMessage, and tell me if there’s an issue then, as well?

hw213nw

Ok, i've deleted and reinstalled the app. Still the same issue - my mp3 files are getting downgraded. It's says mp3 but my computer is saying they are converted to Apple MPEG-4 audio.

The sharing of web links to files works fine and downloads fine.

This is really strange, your help is appreciated! Thanks

Megan

Hey @hw213nw!

Would you mind trying one more thing, if you haven't already? My apologies if you have.

Can you try exporting the file, and then send it to someone using iMessage? I'd like for us to check if the file quality remains the same when you do that.

hw213nw

yes, i just exported a copy of an mp3 and unfortunately it is still converting it to mp4 and halving the file size

Megan

Does that happen both when you export, and when you send the file @hw213nw?

hw213nw

i'm sorry i'm not sure I understand the difference. I usually click Share -> Export File (instead of send link)

Jay

Could you try saving the file to your device first to see if you're then able to share it to iMessage?

hw213nw

It seems to save normally/full file size there, then when I send from there it downgrades considerably from 6mb to 400kb. Even more than sharing straight from Dropbox

Walter

In that case, could it be that iMessage is somehow compressing the file @hw213nw?

Maybe there's a limitation that they need to abide by?

Jay

Hi @hw213nw, after some brief research on the internet, it appears that iMessage does compress images, audio and video when being sent.

You can read up in this Apple discussion thread on a possible solution to their restriction, though bear in mind this was back in 2021 so the steps may be different today.

hw213nw

possibly yes but I thought there must be something about the dropbox export - when I drag and drop from Finder on a Mac into iMessage the audio file remains intact.