Why can iOS users no longer view my shared files without installing the Dropbox app?

[stmarysbythesea]

We have relied on Dropbox since the beginning of the pandemic to get information to our parishioners.  But apparently starting this week, iOS users cannot view our PDF files by clicking on a link to the shared file unless they install the Dropbox app.

As wonderful a product as Dropbox is, some of our parishioners are strongly opposed to installing apps on their devices.  In the past, they were able to cancel when the dialog box appeared that offered to get the app, as Windows users can still do today.

What can we do to get our files to iOS users who will not install the app?

[Jay]

Hi @stmarysbythesea, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Could you clarify in more detail what they're experiencing when trying to view the shared file? A screenshot of this would help greatly.

Is this a shared link to a PDF, created using these steps?

This will help me to assist further!

[stmarysbythesea]

Hi Jay!

Thanks for your help.  Yes, the files are PDFs shared with view access as described in your link above.  One example is 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6vnqxpwlwmdlvvb/Early%20Service%20Bulletin.pdf?dl=0 

This is what iOS users without the Dropbox app see:

[Jay]

If you scroll down this page, do you see the option to view the file on the website directly?

[stmarysbythesea]

There's nothing else to scroll to.

[Megan · Accepted solution]

Hi @stmarysbythesea, how are you today?

I will pass on your comments to the relevant departments so that we can further improve our product. 

Now, as a workaround let's try one more thing: Can you try tapping the "Aa" to the left top part of the URL bar and select "request desktop website"? 

That should do the trick, but keep me updated if it doesn't. 

[stmarysbythesea]

Thanks Megan!

That works perfectly.

[Megan]

Awesome, @stmarysbythesea! 

Let me know if you need anything else, and enjoy the rest of your week. 😎