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Re: Any link to a pdf file shows invalid format when trying to open it in smartphone

Any link to a pdf file shows invalid format when trying to open it in smartphone

trebit
Explorer | Level 3
Hello,
when i open any pdf link on smartphone (Android or iOS) it shows the "invalid format" error
One of the various links: [removed]
Opening it instead in a browser (both from PC and smartphone) works without problem.
Why?
7 Replies 7

Hannah
Dropbox Staff
Hey @trebit, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

I removed your link, to keep it from generating a large amount of traffic, which would result in your links being temporarily banned

Are you opening the link through the Dropbox app?

And can you also send me a screenshot of the error message you're getting?

Thanks.

Hannah
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


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trebit
Explorer | Level 3

Thanks for the answer.

If i have open that link in a smartphone with Dropbox app installed, it works, problem is when a user does not have it.

We don't want forcing users to install Dropbox....

Cannot take a screenshot, the only this that appears on video is a short message "cannot open PDF, invalid format"

Jay
Dropbox Staff
Hi @trebit, do those users have an app that can preview PDF files on their mobile device?

Jay
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


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trebit
Explorer | Level 3

Yes... in my device i have various apps to open pdf, i also have dropbox installed.

I tried to force the download of the file by adding dl=1 but as always it works in any browser and it fails in mobile.

Jay
Dropbox Staff
Are these PDF files created using the same app? Does it apply to PDFs created by different apps or services?

Jay
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


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trebit
Explorer | Level 3

Hello,

we tried different pdf created by different software.

Jay
Dropbox Staff
We're not experiencing this issue on our test devices when Dropbox isn't installed on it.

Which browsers are you using when attempting to preview the shared links?

Jay
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


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