Downloading large file over WiFi (via 'Dowload link') shows no progress (% completed) and often fails in Firefox for Android leaving no traces in the Firefox Downloads list
Hi! Have been using Firefox for Android for years. Cannot solve the following issue: trying to download a large file over (slow?) WiFi displays no signs of a download in progress (except for WiFi activity indicator in the top panel) and nothing happens (no files in the download folder, no records in the Firefox downloads list). If I retry it sometimes works. If I start another browser (Samsung Internet) the download works fine. The device is Samsung Note 8 with the latest updates installed (Android 9). The problem does not reproduce over mobile data connection (4G internet mostly, faster than the WiFi connection I use). Firefox is 92.1.1 but I have seen the issue with all previous versions in the last couple of years.
Sample scenario to reproduce: 1. open https://echo.msk.ru/programs/observation/2909078-echo/ 2. tap and hold the download tab above the video 3. a popup windows appears with the https://cdn.echo.msk.ru/snd/2021-09-25-observation-1210-3532210.mp3 title, select "Download link" (is there any other way in Firefox to download the link?) 4. the popup window disappears and nothing seems to be going on... If I go to "3 dots" menu > Downloads the file is not listed there. 5. Sometimes the download does succeed. In this case I see a notification from the Download manager in the top panel which reads 2021-09-25-observation-1210-3532210(3).mp3 was downloaded where the '(3)' suggests the previous 2 attempts to download the file did try to create the file on the device! The file is about 63 MB.
Thanks, Dmitry
Modified by dd_fire
Chosen solution
Seburo, thanks for your help! The problem with my device was Settings > Apps > Firefox > App settings > Notifications > 'Show notifications' was off. After I set this to 'on' I now see the download progress in the notification area (which pulls down if I swipe down from the top of the screen). There is also a blinking down-arrow icon in the top panel indicating a download is in progress.
Looks like when Firefox notifications are off the Download Manager app reports successful Firefox downloads and does not report failed Firefox downloads. It might be something for developers to check the code for. If Firefox UI design requires that the app notifications are enabled then Firefox should probably warn the user if the setting is 'off' (disabled).
And, if I go to Settings > Apps > (show system apps) > 'Download Manager' there are 'In progress', 'Done' and 'Queued' categories, all three enabled. Which implies one could still see download-in-progress notifications if Firefox used these (even with Firefox notifications off).
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If you select the Download link option, the file will download to your device.
If you hold your finger at the top of the screen on your device and then swipe down while touching the screen while the file is downloading, the notification area will open and will show the download notification.
I have done this in the latest copy of the Release version of Firefox for Android, an image of this is attached.
Chosen Solution
Seburo, thanks for your help! The problem with my device was Settings > Apps > Firefox > App settings > Notifications > 'Show notifications' was off. After I set this to 'on' I now see the download progress in the notification area (which pulls down if I swipe down from the top of the screen). There is also a blinking down-arrow icon in the top panel indicating a download is in progress.
Looks like when Firefox notifications are off the Download Manager app reports successful Firefox downloads and does not report failed Firefox downloads. It might be something for developers to check the code for. If Firefox UI design requires that the app notifications are enabled then Firefox should probably warn the user if the setting is 'off' (disabled).
And, if I go to Settings > Apps > (show system apps) > 'Download Manager' there are 'In progress', 'Done' and 'Queued' categories, all three enabled. Which implies one could still see download-in-progress notifications if Firefox used these (even with Firefox notifications off).
No problem, glad this is resolved.