Hi There, In mobiles, I couldn't able to open the downloaded file, which I have downloaded from Dropbox using the direct download link (here is the dummy link for your test - https://www.dropbox.com/s/zsfyc5tulg13630/AVP81355.mp3?dl=1). But the same file can able to access through Dropbox mobile app.

Hey raech, welcome to our community! I’m not able to recommend specific third-party apps, but I can give you some pointers. It sounds like your device doesn’t have the capability to open/play the file you’ve downloaded. So, you need to see what king of file it is, and then look for an app that can handle it. If you are uploading music files to your Dropbox, you can open/preview/play them on our website only if they are listed on this page. In short, .aac .m4a .mp3 .oga and .wav files are compatible on our site. I hope this helps. Cheers!

Can't open file, which i have download from Dropbox using direct download link.

15 Replies

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Mark
Super User II
9 years ago
I've downloaded it and its opened fine here.

Do you have something on your machine or device that will open MP3's? All Dropbox does is get the files to the device, it doesnt manage the opening of them.
Sanchez
Dropbox Community Moderator
9 years ago
Hey Alexandar, welcome to our forum!

I just want to make sure I understand the issue…

- You download a file using a Dropbox link, modified to dl=1, on a mobile device.

You can open this file using the Dropbox mobile app, but not the downloaded file on your mobile.

If this is correct, what may be happening is that these files can be previewed (opened) by our app, because they are supported file types. In order to view/open/listen to/etc. on your mobile, you must have an app that can handle these file types.

For example, our app and website, have the ability to preview (open) .mp3 files. If you want to play the .mp3 on your mobile device, you must have an app that can play .mp3s.

I hope this helps! Let me know.

Thanks :slight_smile:
Alexandar
New member | Level 2
9 years ago
Hi

I have Google Play music on my mobile and also the problem not only for mp3 file. Let us assume there is an APK file, while I click the downloaded APK file from other sources like Google Drive or mail etc.,

Mark wrote:
I've downloaded it and its opened fine here.

Do you have something on your machine or device that will open MP3's? All Dropbox does is get the files to the device, it doesnt manage the opening of them.

it asking me to install or not in Android devices. But in our case, it shows "can't open file".
Sanchez
Dropbox Community Moderator
9 years ago
Alexandar,

Can you tell me what device you’re using, and what version of Android you’re on? Is this an official release from your mobile’s manufacturer? Also, are you using the latest version of our mobile app, 60.2?

Thanks
Jane
Dropbox Staff
9 years ago
Hey Alexandar

I’m just following-up on that,since I was able to reproduce on my end and it seems that your device can’t open mp3 file formats natively, since Dropbox can't find an application capable of viewing your file type (when downloaded from the shared link), so as Mark had previously mentioned, you'll need to install an app that can open your file.

Additionally, should you opt to put your mp3 file on your Dropbox account on your phone, it won’t preview there either, though it’ll preview normally on your account online.

That being said, the workaround for the recipient to listen to your message would be to force the file to render on the browsing window that they’ve received the shared link on their phone. What they’ll need to do is add raw=1 at the end of the shared link URL, that will cause an HTTP redirect. Therefore, instead of:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/zsfyc5tulg13630/AVP81355.mp3?dl=1

You may use:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/zsfyc5tulg13630/AVP81355.mp3?raw=1

Hope you this helps, please keep us updated if you need more assistance.

Happy anniversary!

Warm regards,

JaneA
PenguinRivo
Helpful | Level 6
9 years ago
Hello Alexandar!!!

Random guess, try to update Google Play Services and Google Music:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.gms&hl=en

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.music&hl=en

Weirdly, I dunno if external google links are allowed :D

In case my post gets modified, just open your Google Play app and search for the 2 apps by name. Then click on UPDATE if the option is available.

Rivo, your friendly dropboxing penguin :penguin:
raech
New member | Level 2
8 years ago
Drop box music can'tplay it. I save my music to drop box, now i want to hear it again but can't play
raech
New member | Level 2
8 years ago
Which apps please help me here
Sanchez
Dropbox Community Moderator
8 years ago
Hey raech, welcome to our community!

I’m not able to recommend specific third-party apps, but I can give you some pointers.

It sounds like your device doesn’t have the capability to open/play the file you’ve downloaded. So, you need to see what king of file it is, and then look for an app that can handle it.

If you are uploading music files to your Dropbox, you can open/preview/play them on our website only if they are listed on this page. In short, .aac .m4a .mp3 .oga and .wav files are compatible on our site.

I hope this helps.

Cheers!
fstotz
Explorer | Level 4
8 years ago
Hey,

it is still the same bug which was reported in august, which dropbox refuses to fix.

The issue is, that if you use ?dl=1 to download a file, the content type is changed to application/binary for all files instead of mp3 or something else.

If ?raw=1 is used, it works.

But because Dropbox refuses to fix it, some software, like Download with all android devices, can not open the file, because it could not be correctly recognized.

Regards Felix