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Re: 'Can not upload the file' error when attaching from Dropbox to Gmail on Android
I've been using Dropbox for years and this recently we could not attach a file on a mobile phone using Gmail. This started about a month ago and we went through the troubleshooting steps with Adobe and Google and they were unsuccessful. They're saying it is the Dropbox that is on error for not letting us attach a simple PDF to our mobile email.
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- Calvin2DBX
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hi Me420,
Thanks for reaching out on the Community!
It sounds like you already tried steps to resolve the issue with Adobe and Google for the PDF files, but I'm sure we can get to the bottom of it.
Let's be sure you can find the file in the Dropbox mobile app — if it's not installed, you can find it at the app store on your phone.
Tap the three dots to the right of the file in the Dropbox app, choose "Share", then "Send a copy of the file", and choose the Gmail app, to add it as a regular file attachment.
Also, does the file open correctly in the Adobe Acrobat Reader, if you choose "Open with.." from the Dropbox app?
Email apps have a size limit for attachments, so if you find you're hitting that, you can send a link to it, on Dropbox, from the "Share" menu, instead.
Keep me posted with what you find!
I can leave an Gmail conversation and open the Dropbox app and email the file starting a new thread. However, I am unable to attach the file using Gmail on the Pixel phone.
When it comes to "Open with" I still am choosing and I choose Adobe Acrobat App. However, I have not made Adobe the default app yet.
- Calvin2DBX
Hi Me420,
Thanks for confirming!
So, you can interact with the file inside Dropbox, like "Open with.." or export from the app's Share menu, but reaching the file from outside Dropbox, from your Gmail app is the issue.
I can troubleshoot more with you if it's something going on in the Dropbox mobile app side, or the Dropbox web page, but for the Gmail app, the best I can do is suggest you reach back out to them.
Please check if there's something you're missing from their workflow on how to do that here, or at which step it's going wrong.
- The files work great using Dropbox and Adobe or Microsoft apps. However, when I'm in my gmail application, it's the Gmail app that's not letting me attach the files from Dropbox on this pixel phone.
- Calvin2DBX
Hi Me420,
Thanks for confirming!
OK, so, even though there's no way for Dropbox to control anything that's happening from within the Gmail app side, there's one more thing I'd like to rule out.
If you go to your Dropbox account settings, you can check the "Apps" section, here: https://www.dropbox.com/account/connected_apps
Also, be sure to check the Dropbox App Centre in case you need to connect our Google account there, too: https://www.dropbox.com/apps/gmail
Let me know if you don't have the Gmail account showing up as connected there.
- Yes, Microsoft Integration Dropbox has permissions there.
- On Gmail app, not able to attach files from Dropbox app. Get error message saying not able to attach.
These are my files on Dropbox not shared files with restricted access etc. Facing this issue recently only.
OS and apps are all updated to the latest version. Tried uninstalling and reinstalling Dropbox too. Still doesn't work.
Mobile : Samsung S21 Ultra - Jay
Hi gogettervj, I've merged you to this post, please could you try the troubleshooting above to see if this issue persists in other apps or different file types?
I usually attach pdf files from gmail. It used to work in the past but not now.
On the other hand, I open a pdf file or select few files from one folder on dropbox, then click share, it works perfectly.
- Yes, we can attach files sharing from Dropbox or other folders. Just not Gmail.
- Hannah
Hey gogettervj and Me420, thanks for the additional info.
Can we send you an email, so we can look further into this?
- Sure. Google's special team look into it, however they're never gave me a solution either. I'm about ready just to get rid of this Google Pixel.. Don't get me wrong, this Google pixel 6a and all the ones previous were able to attach files just recently started having a couple months ago and nobody at Google has a solution.
Having same issue on S23 Ultra and Tab S7 FE. Just started today. Fully updated on Playstore on both devices. Please advise.
- I cannot attach any files to my emails from dropbox. I'm using a pixel 6 pro and Gmail.
- Hannah
Hey SM119, sorry to hear about this.
Have you tried clearing your Dropbox cache, to see if that helps?
- Yes I have. This occured after a phone update. Now I cannot upload to any app directly from Dropbox. I have to save files and images to my phone and then upload.
- Yes and yes
- I using the Gmail app on my Pixel 6A phone. I hit the little paper clip in the email and go to the drop box option, search for a folder and then find the file and click on it. The file briefly shows up underneath the body of the text in the Gmail app and then says "cannot attach file". I can go to the Dropbox folder and share to the Gmail app. However, I cannot keep the same thread in the Gmail going because I cannot attach files from Dropbox when needed. I hope this helps. Thank you.
- What this person said. It's the Gmail app.
