.mov files download from dropbox as text files and won't play

[poppysrain]

I have very large .mov files shot in 4K that I uploaded to dropbox.

When I download them to my external hard drive and then try to play them on my mac, the mac reads them as text files and they won't open in quicktime or imovie. I tried adding the .mov extension back (i uploaded them as .mov and they show up as such in dropbox), but i still cannot open them.

[anonymous]

@poppysrain, what is the average size of the .mov files? Are downloading them from dropbox.com? Or syncing them down and then moving?

[Lusil]

Hey @poppysrain, 

I just wanted to add to what @anonymous mentions: if you’re downloading these files from the website, double-check the browser’s settings regarding downloads in general, and try downloading them from another browser - maybe that will do the trick. 

In any case, let us know of any updates!

[poppysrain]

I’m uploading from iPhone to Dropbox and then downloading to an external hard drive (my laptop doesn’t have sufficient room to sync). Files 5-50gb, 4K film so very large.

[Rich · Accepted solution]

Dropbox can't change your files in such a way. If the files are downloading as text files, then it's probably your browser that's doing it. Dropbox simply isn't capable of that.

As @Lusil suggests, check your browser's settings. Check the Save As type when you're downloading (also a browser-driven function). If that doesn't work, try another browser, preferrably one without extensions or addons enabled.

[This thread is now closed by moderators due to inactivity. If you're experiencing a similar behavior, feel free to start a new discussion in the Dropbox Community here.]