Direct download link isn't working on mobile

[AVP]

All my Dropbox direct download links (ending in dl=1) won't automatically open/download on mobile any more. It was working yesterday but today, any of the links I test take me to the screen below. It used to start playing the audio clip from that screen.

Here is an example link:

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

What changed? Your help would be greatly appreciated!

[Sanchez]

Hey @AVP, welcome to our forum! 

Sorry for the tardy reply. Are you still experiencing this issue? I have just tested changing the dl=0 to a dl=1, in different browsers, and everything has gone to direct download just fine. 

If you’re still getting the same result, can you try using a different browser and see how it works out? 

Let me know when you can. 

Thanks!

[AVP]

Thanks for your reply @Sanchez however the issue only occurs on mobile phones. To make it easier for you to test on your phone, here is a QR code of the link, scan it with the dl=1 and let me know if you get a different screen than the one I had above. It use to automatically play the recording.

This process is part of my business and I have all my customers experiencing the same issue! I send them a QR code with a file they can download/listen to. They have all downloaded several different QR code readers and have tried multiple browsers on various phones. This change happened overnight!

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I have since found that raw=1 works fine butit does not solve the issue for all the links I've shared with dl=1!

Please help! Thank you!

[Sanchez]

Hey @AVP, 

Thanks for the great example! I have just used Lightning QR to scan the code. I got the options to Copy content or Open link. When I open the link, it is shown in the Dropbox app, and I have the option to Open with or Save to my Dropbox.  

I never saw anything like your screenshot. I must note that when I opened the link, it opened with my Dropbox app. 

Are the links you’re using older, perhaps created with the use of the Public folder? 

Let me know!

[AVP]

Thank you @Sanchez!

That is interesting! I think that narrows the issue down to just an iOS one. I don't have an Andriod phone and was not able to test it.

But I still need a solution for iPhones. It was working a few days ago, what could have changed that would stop rendering on an iPhone?

The files are not an old ones and were not created within the Public folder.

I really appreciate your help!

[Sanchez]

@AVP, sorry about that… I completely missed that your screenie was from an iPhone 😕 

I have just replicated your issue with an iPhone, using two different bar code readers, and I got the same result you did. The blank screen was preceded by: 

Error

Plug-in handled load

I tried Safari and Chrome on the iPhone, and both failed with the same link. 

Indeed, it does seem like an OS issue. I have done a quick search online for this error message, and see that iPhone users have been seen this for years, with various apps and media file types. QR codes were mentioned a couple of times too. 

I don’t think that our guys can do anything about this, but if you’d like, go ahead and submit a support ticket here, so one of our agents can forward your case to our devs, just so they’re aware.  

Thanks! 

[AVP · Accepted solution]

Thanks for confirming @Sanchez, I have now submitted a support ticket. Will update the post if there is a resolution.

[Sanchez]

Hi @AVP

Would you mind taking a minute of your time to fill out a survey sharing your experience using our Dropbox Community? You can access the survey here: http://bit.ly/2lNKIxT

Thank you!