We are aware of the issue with the badge emails resending to everyone, we apologise for the inconvenience - learn more here.

Forum Discussion

jdt34's avatar
jdt34
Explorer | Level 3
3 years ago

Can't open any files from my Android phone

I got a new Android phone about three weeks ago. When I accessed my Dropbox files, I was able to open some and not others. Now I am unable to open any files on the phone. Instead, I receive this message: "This file can't be previewed. To open this file, try a computer or another app." They will not download, export, or be made available offline. However, I can open all the same files on my desktop computer with no problems. I also tried connecting to my Android Dropbox to my desktop Dropbox and starred the item to see if that would help. Still no success. Why can't I open the files on my phone? Thank you for your help.

  • It seems like the device itself isn't allowing the Dropbox app to access the internet to download files. 

    There is a possibility that a proxy, VPN, firewall, security software, or even ISP/router issues could be restricting traffic to the following Dropbox domains.

    I'd recommend checking all of these possibilities, and try connecting to a different WiFi network, or use cellular data, to see if there is any difference.

  • Mark's avatar
    Mark
    Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II

    Do you have an appropriate application on your phone to open them? 

    • jdt34's avatar
      jdt34
      Explorer | Level 3
      I have Microsoft Office on my phone, and it opens Word files outside of Dropbox just fine. My phone also opens PDFs outside of Dropbox with no problem. But within the Dropbox app, nothing opens.
    • jdt34's avatar
      jdt34
      Explorer | Level 3
      One more thing. On the Dropbox website I can open the same files with my phone that won't open in the app.
  • Megan's avatar
    Megan
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    Hi jdt34, let's see what we can find on this! 

    May I ask what OS and Dropbox app are installed on your device? 

    Can you check it and get back to me? 

    Thanks a lot!
    • jdt34's avatar
      jdt34
      Explorer | Level 3
      I have Android 12 and Dropbox app version 260.2.2.
      • Megan's avatar
        Megan
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
        Great. Thanks for the update, jdt34!

        Can you also send us a screenshot of what you see when trying to preview your Microsoft files? 
  • Ben 's avatar
    Ben
    Explorer | Level 3
    Can't open .txt files created before by my smartphone of Samsung Note 10.

    Even updated my dropbox but the problem still exists.
    Needed to select account to open the txt files and spent much much time to open.
    • Megan's avatar
      Megan
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
      Hey Ben, how are you today?

      Do you have an app on your phone that you can use to open them?

      Also, do you get any errors when trying to open them, and if so, can you send us a screenshot? 

      Keep me posted!
      • Ben 's avatar
        Ben
        Explorer | Level 3
        I'm using app. Will try to offline mode and see anythings becoming normal. Thx

About View, download, and export

Need support with viewing, downloading, and exporting files and folders from your Dropbox account? Find help from the Dropbox Community.

Need more support

If you need more help you can view your support options (expected response time for an email or ticket is 24 hours), or contact us on X or Facebook.

For more info on available support options for your Dropbox plan, see this article.

If you found the answer to your question in this Community thread, please 'like' the post to say thanks and to let us know it was useful!