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Forum Discussion
'Can not upload the file' error when attaching from Dropbox to Gmail on Android
When I try to add an attachment from dropbox to a mail in gmail, I receive a message in gmail "can not upload the file". This error occurs only on one smartphone with android 12. If I do the same , w...
Hi Everybody,
I've spoken with our Engineering team about this, who have confirmed that the 'Attach from Dropbox' option no longer being available is the result of an update to the Android OS and Gmail app, specifically Storage Access Framework. This means that the option to Attach from Dropbox will no longer be available.
As others have stated, to attach files, you will need to
I've been using Dropbox for years and this recently we could not attach a file on a mobile phone using Gmail. This started about a month ago and we went through the troubleshooting steps with Adobe and Google and they were unsuccessful. They're saying it is the Dropbox that is on error for not letting us attach a simple PDF to our mobile email.
- Calvin2DBX
Dropbox Staff
Hi Me420,
Thanks for reaching out on the Community!
It sounds like you already tried steps to resolve the issue with Adobe and Google for the PDF files, but I'm sure we can get to the bottom of it.
Let's be sure you can find the file in the Dropbox mobile app — if it's not installed, you can find it at the app store on your phone.
Tap the three dots to the right of the file in the Dropbox app, choose "Share", then "Send a copy of the file", and choose the Gmail app, to add it as a regular file attachment.
Also, does the file open correctly in the Adobe Acrobat Reader, if you choose "Open with.." from the Dropbox app?
Email apps have a size limit for attachments, so if you find you're hitting that, you can send a link to it, on Dropbox, from the "Share" menu, instead.
Keep me posted with what you find!
I can leave an Gmail conversation and open the Dropbox app and email the file starting a new thread. However, I am unable to attach the file using Gmail on the Pixel phone.
When it comes to "Open with" I still am choosing and I choose Adobe Acrobat App. However, I have not made Adobe the default app yet.
- Calvin2DBX
Hi Me420,
Thanks for confirming!
So, you can interact with the file inside Dropbox, like "Open with.." or export from the app's Share menu, but reaching the file from outside Dropbox, from your Gmail app is the issue.
I can troubleshoot more with you if it's something going on in the Dropbox mobile app side, or the Dropbox web page, but for the Gmail app, the best I can do is suggest you reach back out to them.
Please check if there's something you're missing from their workflow on how to do that here, or at which step it's going wrong.
- The files work great using Dropbox and Adobe or Microsoft apps. However, when I'm in my gmail application, it's the Gmail app that's not letting me attach the files from Dropbox on this pixel phone.
- Calvin2DBX
Hi Me420,
Thanks for confirming!
OK, so, even though there's no way for Dropbox to control anything that's happening from within the Gmail app side, there's one more thing I'd like to rule out.
If you go to your Dropbox account settings, you can check the "Apps" section, here: https://www.dropbox.com/account/connected_apps
Also, be sure to check the Dropbox App Centre in case you need to connect our Google account there, too: https://www.dropbox.com/apps/gmail
Let me know if you don't have the Gmail account showing up as connected there.
Calvin, it sounds to me as though you are suggesting that he attach to Gmail by having Dropbox download the file to our phones and then attach from there. The original system using the paperclip in a Gmail app I understood to take the file directly from Dropbox to Gmail servers. That meant the files were not stored on our phones. Besides the possibility of clogging up our phones with these attachments, why does the original system not work anymore?
- On Gmail app, not able to attach files from Dropbox app. Get error message saying not able to attach.
These are my files on Dropbox not shared files with restricted access etc. Facing this issue recently only.
OS and apps are all updated to the latest version. Tried uninstalling and reinstalling Dropbox too. Still doesn't work.
Mobile : Samsung S21 Ultra- Jay
Hi gogettervj, I've merged you to this post, please could you try the troubleshooting above to see if this issue persists in other apps or different file types?
I usually attach pdf files from gmail. It used to work in the past but not now.
On the other hand, I open a pdf file or select few files from one folder on dropbox, then click share, it works perfectly.
