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Forum Discussion

Alexandar's avatar
Alexandar
New member | Level 2
8 years ago

Can't open file, which i have download from Dropbox using direct download link.

Hi There, In mobiles, I couldn't able to open the downloaded file, which I have downloaded from Dropbox using the direct download link (here is the dummy link for your test - https://www.dropbox.co...
Mobile
Setting up the apps
  • Sanchez's avatar
    Sanchez
    7 years ago
    Hey raech, welcome to our community! 

    I’m not able to recommend specific third-party apps, but I can give you some pointers. 

    It sounds like your device doesn’t have the capability to open/play the file you’ve downloaded. So, you need to see what king of file it is, and then look for an app that can handle it. 
     
    If you are uploading music files to your Dropbox, you can open/preview/play them on our website only if they are listed on this page. In short, .aac .m4a .mp3 .oga and .wav files are compatible on our site. 

    I hope this helps. 
    Cheers! 
Mark's avatar
Mark
Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
8 years ago
I've downloaded it and its opened fine here.

Do you have something on your machine or device that will open MP3's? All Dropbox does is get the files to the device, it doesnt manage the opening of them.
  • Alexandar's avatar
    Alexandar
    New member | Level 2
    8 years ago

    Hi 

    I have Google Play music on my mobile and also the problem not only for mp3 file. Let us assume there is an APK file, while I click the downloaded APK file from other sources like Google Drive or mail etc.,

    Mark wrote:
    I've downloaded it and its opened fine here.

    Do you have something on your machine or device that will open MP3's? All Dropbox does is get the files to the device, it doesnt manage the opening of them.

    it asking me to install or not in Android devices. But in our case, it shows "can't open file".

    • PenguinRivo's avatar
      PenguinRivo
      Helpful | Level 6
      8 years ago

      Hello Alexandar!!!

      Random guess, try to update Google Play Services and Google Music:

      https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.gms&hl=en

      https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.music&hl=en

      Weirdly, I dunno if external google links are allowed :D

      In case my post gets modified, just open your Google Play app and search for the 2 apps by name. Then click on UPDATE if the option is available.

      Rivo, your friendly dropboxing penguin :penguin:

    • Jane's avatar
      Jane
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
      8 years ago
       
      I’m just following-up on that,since I was able to reproduce on my end and it seems that your device can’t open mp3 file formats natively, since Dropbox can't find an application capable of viewing your file type (when downloaded from the shared link), so as Mark had previously mentioned, you'll need to install an app that can open your file. 
       
      Additionally, should you opt to put your mp3 file on your Dropbox account on your phone, it won’t preview there either, though it’ll preview normally on your account online. 
       
      That being said, the workaround for the recipient to listen to your message would be to force the file to render on the browsing window that they’ve received the shared link on their phone. What they’ll need to do is add raw=1 at the end of the shared link URL, that will cause an HTTP redirect. Therefore, instead of:
       
       
      You may use: 
       

      https://www.dropbox.com/s/zsfyc5tulg13630/AVP81355.mp3?raw=1 

       

      Hope you this helps, please keep us updated if you need more assistance. 
       
      Happy anniversary!
       
      Warm regards, 
      JaneA
      • raech's avatar
        raech
        New member | Level 2
        7 years ago
        Drop box music can'tplay it. I save my music to drop box, now i want to hear it again but can't play
    • Sanchez's avatar
      Sanchez
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
      8 years ago
      Can you tell me what device you’re using, and what version of Android you’re on? Is this an official release from your mobile’s manufacturer? Also, are you using the latest version of our mobile app, 60.2?
      Thanks

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