'Can not upload the file' error when attaching from Dropbox to Gmail on Android

[erlend w.]

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 , with the same dropbox and google account, on an other android phone (android 11 )or an android tablet, there is no problem. Both phones have the same app version of gmail

[EvilParrot]

Thankyou this was driving me insane. No idea why this workaround works!

[Karen106]

I'm using Samsung Email, have repeatedly tried to attach several PDFs from Dropbox, unsuccessfully. In the past, no problems.
How do I rectify this?

[Jay]

HI @Karen106, this thread is related to the Gmail app specifically, if you're experiencing this issue in Samsung Mail, then this would be a separate issue. 

Have you tried any of the above steps to resolve it to see if this helps in that app?

[Sedg]

I had already figured this out, but it's a "work around" at best.
It still doesn't resolve the issue when you can't attach documents from Dropbox to replies or forwarded emails.
I just experienced it again so I know it hasn't been fixed.

I understand the change to the Storage Access Framework is preventing attaching of files.
I would also believe that Dropbox programmers, in conjunction with Android programmers, should be able to resolve this in some type of coding update, on either or both platforms.
Currently, I keep my business files on another platform that doesn't have this problem.
My other solution, and quite frankly a smoother work around, is to simply "save to device" any Dropbox files you need to attach. They attach fine to Gmail from my Android devices this way.
Is this known issue something the Dropbox team is actively working on to resolve?

[Nancy]

Hi @Sedg, hope it’s OK to jump in. 

At the moment, there’s not something else we can share on this, I’m afraid, other than the info provided here.

I've passed your feedback to our team though, so that they can also see your comments.

[Firecrkr73]

Thank you! That workaround worked for me too! The developers need to pin this response to the top of this thread for all to see!!!

[jpp995]

That didn't work.

[MichelleB2]

Hi, this solution no longer works either.  As a real estate agent I spend a lot of time on the road, and the ability to quickly send a file from my phone is a game changer.  The inability to send one is a game ender.

[Pete08]

Why can I no longer attach a file to an existing gmail feed. I can compose a file with an attachment, but this is no good if im replying to an email and trying to add a file. The only way im getting round this is by transferring files to my downloads and then attaching them. This kind of makes my dropbox account irrelevant.

[nycregoddess]

I think that's what Google wants - for you to move everything to GDrive.