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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
need help with attaching document to gmail from dropbox, they are adobe pdf documents and they wont attach, says couldnt attach file. they are not shared files..i do not share files
- Hannah
Dropbox Staff
Hey Spcookie, sorry to hear about this issue.
Does this happen only with PDF files or other types of files as well?
Have you restarted the device at all, to see if it helps?
Come on, Hannah!! You know better then this...
- I'm surprised that you are not aware of this well-documented issue between Gmail and Dropbox. To answer your question, the problem happens with all file types (not just PDFs). There is a work around that is explained several times throughout this thread.
Since everyone knows there are issues, rather than presuming its NOT the current issue, why don't you just alleviate the stress and give them the work around right from the go. We are all paying for this services which is current not working correctly
- Agree, but I am peppered as to why we don't have a single update from the company on when this will be fixed.
Has it even been formally acknowledged as an issue?
- Scroll through this thread. The workaround is described several times.
Yes there are actually 3 workarounds.
One is to start from Dropbox and share it to Gmail. That's bass-akwards because most of us start our correspondence from Gmail and then want to attach a file as we have done with Dropbox and Gmail on our phones for years. So that one doesn't even count.
Another option is of course to download your file from Dropbox to your phone and then choose it through Gmail from your phone. This works but clutters up your phone with those downloaded files and Is even more cumbersome.
The third and preferred solution is to use the paper clip from Gmail but instead of choosing a directory or file from within Dropbox immediately by clicking on Dropbox, you go to the hamburger in the top left corner and THEN choose the arrow to the right of your Dropbox from which you can then navigate through Dropbox and select file or files by checking the boxes on the right and then the check mark at the top. Yes this works and it's less cumbersome than the other two, but it's still way more cumbersome than the original elegant solution. I have no idea why Dropbox can't restore that arrangement unless perhaps Gmail has made it difficult wanting this all to switch from Dropbox to Google Drive!!
Sigh!!!!
- Agreed!!
From email on your phone click on attach/paperclip, click hamburg on top left, don't click Dropbox but instead plus sign to the right of icon, checkmark files you want to attach then checkmark at the top right. Easy once you get used to it
