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Android app defaults apps to preview files
I've noticed that the Android App (Android 12) appears to ignore the default app configured in it and always opens text files and images in Dropbox and not my preferred app, I've tried removing/reset...
If you are experiencing an issue where the Android app (running on Android 12) ignores the default app configuration and always opens text files and images in Dropbox instead of your preferred app, you can try the following troubleshooting steps:
Clear App Defaults: Go to your device's Settings and search for "Apps" or "Applications." Find the Dropbox app in the list of installed apps and tap on it. Look for the "Open by default" or "Default apps" option and tap on it. From there, choose "Clear defaults" or a similar option. This will reset any default app associations for Dropbox.
Clear Cache and Data: While still in the Dropbox app settings, you can try clearing the app's cache and data. Look for the "Storage" or "Storage & cache" option and tap on it. Then, tap on "Clear cache" and "Clear data." This will remove any temporary data and potentially resolve any conflicting settings.
Reinstall the App: If clearing defaults, cache, and data didn't resolve the issue, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling the Dropbox app. Go to your device's Settings, find the "Apps" or "Applications" section, locate Dropbox, and choose the "Uninstall" option. Once uninstalled, reinstall the app from the Google Play Store. This will give you a fresh installation and may fix any lingering issues.
Check App Permissions: Ensure that the preferred app you want to use for opening text files and images has the necessary permissions on your Android device. Go to your device's Settings, find the "Apps" or "Applications" section, locate the preferred app, and check if the required permissions (such as accessing storage or opening files) are granted.
Check File Associations: If the issue persists, it's possible that the file associations for text files and images have been set specifically within Dropbox. Open the Dropbox app, go to its settings, and look for any options related to file associations or default apps. Make sure that there are no conflicting settings within the Dropbox app that override the system's default app configuration.
Report the Issue: If none of the above steps resolve the problem, consider reporting the issue to Dropbox support or posting on relevant community forums. Provide details about your Android version, Dropbox app version, and the specific behavior you are experiencing. Other users may have encountered a similar issue or Dropbox support may be able to provide further assistance.
Remember to keep your Android device and apps up to date with the latest software versions, as updates often include bug fixes and improvements.
Thanks for your troubleshooting tips Chris, I have unfortunately tried them all without success (for #6 I reported it here rather than raise a support ticket).
I am inclined to leave it for a short while as I'm planning on purchasing a new phone very soon, this will have Android 13 (as opposed to 12) and so I'll see if the problem persists with a new device, O/S version and fresh install. I'll report back here on the outcome.
Quick update. I bought a brand new phone which is running Android 13 and the issue still persists, Dropbox will always try to use its internal viewers even when another app is specified (within the DropBox app) and if the file format is not supported by DropBox it will throw an error, eg: .kdb files which should be opened by KeePass which I have installed. Selecting Open With will allow you to open the file with an app of your choosing but this does question why DropBox has the option to specify an app and then ignores it.
- I have an Samsung A71 running Android 13 and Dropbox keeps trying to preview the KeePass file instead of opening the default app set. I have to select "open with" and without needing to select it, KeePass opens the file. This did not used to happen. Dropbox did an update and it screwed it up.
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