Child Item

Can't open pdf on first generation ipad

I occasionally use my 1st gen iPad for display purposes. I transferred a pdf via Dropbox, and when I clicked on the file to open it I got a gray page. And seemingly no way back to the file list.

I tried closing Dropbox app but it reopens with same gray page. I restarted the iPad but same happens.

My next step would be to delete and reinstall the app, but I'm not sure I could download a version for Ipad OS 5.1.1 - the latest for this ipad.

Any ideas of how to get back to a functioning Dropbox welcome - preferable without re-installing

Find more posts tagged with

View

Preview

OffTopic

Accepted answers

elfrock

Hi @Megan Yes I have wifi and have transferred the pdf via iMessage and it opens fine on the old iPad.

So I have a viable workaround. But it seems I will have to live without a functioning DropBox there. No big problem as I rarely use the old iPad. Just needed it for this one job.

All comments

Walter

Hi there @elfrock, sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

Can you please let me know if this happens with only a specific file or if others are affected as well?

Have you tried clearing the app's cache since you first noticed this?

Also, are you able to preview this file normally on the website via a web browser?

Keep me posted!

elfrock

Hi Walter

I do not know if this would happen with other files since I cannot get back to the Dropbox file list to try. I'm stuck with the gray screen that appeared when I tried to open the pdf.

And yes the file opens normally in other apps or in a web browser. So nothing appears odd about the file itself.

How would I clear the cache of the dropbox app on an 1st gen iPad, running iPadOS 5.1.1?

Walter

To clear your cache, please follow the steps listed below @elfrock

- Navigate to the “Personal” tab

- Tap the gear icon in the upper-left corner of the screen

- Select “Clear Cache”

If the issue persists, please send us a screenshot of the last screen you can get to so that we can have a visual as well.

Thanks!

Krabut

Are you actually saying that I could use the DB app on my own iPad gen 1? I thought you had ceased support years ago?!

Megan

Hi @Krabut, feel free to have a look at Rich's response here, since he described everything greatly.

If you have any questions, I'm always at your service!

Krabut

re Rich's response: That's exactly what I am saying.

So, why is Walter (dropboxer) advicing the user of a 1st gen iPad to delete cache, if the problem is really that DB does not support iOS v.5.xx?!

elfrock

Thanks Walter

I can't clear Dropbox cache on iPad because i can't get out of the gray screen - screen shot attached.

I tried clearing Dropbox cache on my iPhone, thinking it might sync, but that didn't help.

elfrock

@Krabut I have an old version of DB that has worked fine till now on my 1st gen iPad

elfrock

P.S. I just sent the same pdf to DB via iMessage and it opens fine.

elfrock

Whops! i meant sent it to iPad via iMessage

Megan

Hi @Krabut, in regards to your concerns: keep in mind that if someone installed that version of the app at the time that it was released before the OS version was deprecated, then it's possible to still have access to the app. However, it's indeed it's not expected to work 100%.

Do you have WiFi on at the moment, @elfrock? How about trying to access the .pdf using cellular data?

elfrock

Hi @Megan Yes I have wifi and have transferred the pdf via iMessage and it opens fine on the old iPad.

So I have a viable workaround. But it seems I will have to live without a functioning DropBox there. No big problem as I rarely use the old iPad. Just needed it for this one job.