You might see that the Dropbox Community team have been busy working on some major updates to the Community itself! So, here is some info on what’s changed, what’s staying the same and what you can expect from the Dropbox Community overall.
Forum Discussion
Allow files to open without preview in the mobile app, like they used to.
Drop Dropbox used to open files with default apps without the preview function. That functionality has since been removed. That functionality was very helpful to those of us using atypical files ...
I have the same problem with another application on an android phone.
I got on chat and explained the situation to the CSR.
He has escalated the case to the Advanced Mobile team.
The two issues are:
1. If a default app is specified, when selecting a file to be launched, with the default app configured, Dropbox should skip the preview, if not supported by Dropbox and open the file. Currently, user needs to open the menu for the file and select "Open with.."
2. For a given file, when selecting the "Open with.." for the file, code should always open the currently configured list of available apps and the currently selected app for default. Currently, if there is no default for the file the "Open with.." list is presented. Once a default is chosen, when selecting the menu for the file and choosing " Open with..." it opens the file with the default app previously selected. There does not appear to be a way to deselect the default app other than uninstall and reinstall Dropbox.
I had another problem a few weeks ago with an xlsx file and MS 365. Got on chat, explained the problem, CSR escalated the issue and there was a fix in the next release of Dropbox!
Initial chat was on July 3, new Dropbox app with the fix was available on July 6!!!!!
Hannah
Dropbox Staff
Dropbox StaffHey markm4663, thanks for your reply here and sorry to see you're having this issue.
I'm happy to see that your previous issue was resolved so quickly.
Can you give us the ticket number for the current one, so we can investigate further?
I have the same issue. Trying to open a file of type *.KDB and it will only attempt a preview. I do have the proper app on my phone configured to open that type of file but apparently DropBox intercedes and won't do anything but attempt a preview. If DropBox app cannot preview it should proceed on to open in associated app automatically. This is a 'convenience' feature that is actually very inconvenient for users. Stop overthinking it, DropBox.
Hey all!
Looks like our voices have been heard.
There was a new release on Oct 17 for Android!
Now, on the preview screen, there is a link to "Open with..." so now we don't need to navigate to the 3 dots etc.
Interesting. I just set up a new phone yesterday afternoon and that update was released after that. I did just update and try it and it isn't really much progress. Instead of clicking the 3 dot menu and choosing 'Open with' now we click the file name and choose 'Open with' button. Still two clicks.
What I'd expect is an option to eliminate the preview attempt entirely, at least after the first failed preview open. The system should be smart enough (or configurable enough) to stop doing something that can never work. Setting: "Always open files associated with an app in the native app"
- Hi Hannah!
The ticket # is 22691958.
Thanks!- Hannah
Thanks for the ticket number, Mark!
I've passed your comments along and raised the priority of the ticket for you.
If you need anything else, please let us know.
I'm having the same issue with KeePass, which is extremely frustrating, since I use it so frequently. The workaround of using Open With from the 3 dot menu works, but is a hassle and is not how we should have to access it. I hope Dropbox resolves this issue soon. Thanks!
