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Forum Discussion

Courtney945's avatar
Courtney945
Explorer | Level 4
10 months ago

I would like to change the default app for opening PDF files via the Dropbox mobile app.

As a longtime Dropbox user, I am annoyed that the only PDF program that's given as an option to view PDFs is Adobe.  I don't use or like Adobe PDF products.  I use PDF Expert and would like to be abl...
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Jay's avatar
Jay
Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
5 months ago

Hi Pencilcaseman, as of yet, there are no updates to any changes in relation to the default PDF app on mobile devices. 

Pencilcaseman's avatar
Pencilcaseman
Explorer | Level 4
5 months ago

Alright thank you. If it is not possible to provide alternative PDF editor options, would it at least be possible to have a button to show a file in the iOS file explorer app? That way you can get all the benefits of the Dropbox app without having use the current approach of “Share > Export Copy > Export > [app of choice]”. 

The other issue with the current approach is that, given it’s a copy of the original file, it will not sync back to Dropbox, which defeats the whole purpose of it.

  • Nancy's avatar
    Nancy
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    5 months ago

    Hi from me too, Pencilcaseman! When referring to the iOS file explorer app, you mean your iOS File manager, where all of your local files are saved and accessed on your mobile device, correct? 

    In general, the purpose of the mobile app is to sync files you’ve uploaded to it with your Dropbox account online and the Dropbox apps on the rest of your devices. So, there’s no direct communication between the Dropbox mobile app and your local device.

    I’ve also passed this as feedback to our team though, in case they'd consider adding this feature in the future.

  • Pencilcaseman's avatar
    Pencilcaseman
    Explorer | Level 4
    5 months ago

    Yeah the Files app on iOS/iPadOS — you can link it to Dropbox and see all your files from there and opening them opens in the default app (e.g. a PDF would open in PDF Expert). Editing files opened this way will sync the changes back to Dropbox.

    Thanks for the response and for passing this on.

    Best,

    Toby

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