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Downloads on Android

  • 24 replies
  • 12 have this problem
  • 104 views
  • Last reply by Baobab

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When trying to download anything the download apparently begins, since a notification appears on the notification panel, but it just does not properly start. It keeps trying but no progress is shown. After a while a failure message replaces the progress notification.

This isn't a network problem, since I've tried it with different connections. There used to be no problem before.

Anybody else experiencing a similar issue?

When trying to download anything the download apparently begins, since a notification appears on the notification panel, but it just does not properly start. It keeps trying but no progress is shown. After a while a failure message replaces the progress notification. This isn't a network problem, since I've tried it with different connections. There used to be no problem before. Anybody else experiencing a similar issue?

Chosen solution

Baobab said

Solved as of 83.1.0


Just an update, in case it may be useful to somebody. On another device (tablet) experiencing the same issue, it was impossible to download any file even with the update installed and running the same Android version (10). This device didn't have a Download folder on the Internal Storage directory. Creating it manually with the stock folder manager solved the problem and all downloads have been successful after that.

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All Replies (20)

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Hi!

I want to try to answer this question, I tried to download on Mozilla Firefox, and its normal, but I have some solutions that I used when I failed to download on Mozilla Firefox

1. Clear Browser Cache (Your Cookies, Browsing Data, History Will Deleted) On Mozilla Firefox Android, you can clear cache with this way 1. Open Mozilla Firefox apps 2. Click 3 Point Button (Look at the picture) 3. Click Settings 4. Scroll to down and click Delete Browsing Data 5. Click Delete Browsing Data button

2. Your Phone Storage is Full It could be that your phone storage is full, check your phone storage in My Files apps, and if your storage is full, delete some apps, photo, video, files, etc.

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Regarding the first potential solution I had already tried a more drastic approach: uninstalling/clearing cache/rebooting device/reinstalling app. I just did as you suggested. On both cases to no avail.

As far as storage goes, that doesn't seem to be the problem, since 60Gb are available.

On one hand I'm glad others aren't experiencing this problem. On the other I'm troubled since I can't think of an update, related either to the OS or the app itself, that may be responsible, because prior to November 2nd I hadn't experienced any problems. After reinstalling, permission to access storage was again allowed, but the result is the same as before.

Anyway, thanks for taking some time to answer and give some constructive insight samskomsel. Even if it didn't work for me the effort is much appreciated.

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Hi

What type of file are you trying to download?

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Hello there!

The problem occurs, as far as I've noticed, with *.docx and *.pdf files, which I used to be able to download. Images seem fine, just tried a random picture from a google search and was able to download it.

Modified by Baobab

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your problem sounds like a match for mine:

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1310823

Mine was on 82.1.1 but was replicated on 82.1.0 too

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Hi gazzawazza

It seems indeed like a good match. I had previously searched and found this thread:

https://support.mozilla.org/ca/questions/1297466

Problem seems, at the very least, quite similar.

Regarding your post, I'm running Firefox on a Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro, and read (I think in reddit) a similar problem on another Xiaomi, so I was worried it may be something regarding the OS, which doesn't seem to be the case if it affects Samsung devices too.

Modified by Baobab

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Apologies, I should have asked...do you have a link to a .pdf that is not downloading for you?

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Baobab said

Hi gazzawazza It seems indeed like a good match. I had previously searched and found this thread: https://support.mozilla.org/ca/questions/1297466 Problem seems, at the very least, quite similar. Regarding your post, I'm running Firefox on a Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro, and read (I think in reddit) a similar problem on another Xiaomi, so I was worried it may be something regarding the OS, which doesn't seem to be the case if it affects Samsung devices too.

i too had found that other question (you linked to) but had ignored it as the chosen answer didn't make sense, the thread was closed and it didn't apply to the version i was having issues with. Having said that, Gman's response matches.

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Seburo said

Apologies, I should have asked...do you have a link to a .pdf that is not downloading for you?

i suspect you were asking Baobab but just for reference, i was trying to download an APK

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Seburo said

Apologies, I should have asked...do you have a link to a .pdf that is not downloading for you?

The problem appeared first while trying to download the aforementioned file types from an educational platform, so there's no point sharing a link since it won't work without credentials to access it.

But, since I first encountered the problem on said platform and had been downloading files after installation without trouble, I guessed the issue might be caused by the platform itself.

Now, this doesn't seem to be the case, since: a) Other persons with android devices and different browsers were able to download those files. b) I tried downloading a random .pdf file from the web, to no avail.

Of the later a link can, of course, be provided:

https://www.boe.es/buscar/pdf/1995/BOE-A-1995-25444-consolidado.pdf

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Sorry, the previous post was duplicated. Up until now the posts were uploaded instantly but with this one a moderator had to review it (I guess because of the links) and I sent it twice in a row.

Modified by Baobab

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Okay, thank you.

We are aware of this issue and a fix is due to be released very soon, possibly within a few weeks.

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Seburo said

Okay, thank you. We are aware of this issue and a fix is due to be released very soon, possibly within a few weeks.

is there a link to the bug please?

I can then update my question

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Seburo said

Okay, thank you. We are aware of this issue and a fix is due to be released very soon, possibly within a few weeks.

That is great news and so good to know. Honestly, I'm enjoying using Firefox, not only for the reasons that got me into it on desktop so many years ago, but mainly for the tab synch function between platforms and devices.

If it is soon fixed it'd be very welcomed. A note on the update release would be much appreciated.

Thanks for the feedback!

Modified by Baobab

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If it helps, the issue does appear to be fixed in Beta, and the next update should be due on or close to the 17th of November.

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I'm facing the same issue. Version 82.1.1 on a Pixel 3a with Android 11.

The first tip on top of this thread was helpful until today. Clearing Firefox' cache won't help anymore. Clearing cache and data won't help. Deletion and fresh installation won't help.

But - strangely - if open a private tab I'm able to download files. I often do this on GitHub for testing Android app releases before they hit the store.

tl;dr downloads only possible in a private tab.

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Seburo said

If it helps, the issue does appear to be fixed in Beta, and the next update should be due on or close to the 17th of November.

Amazing news. Thank you!


plausibel said

I'm facing the same issue. Version 82.1.1 on a Pixel 3a with Android 11. The first tip on top of this thread was helpful until today. Clearing Firefox' cache won't help anymore. Clearing cache and data won't help. Deletion and fresh installation won't help. But - strangely - if open a private tab I'm able to download files. I often do this on GitHub for testing Android app releases before they hit the store. tl;dr downloads only possible in a private tab.

I can confirm this (which honestly I hadn't thought of before). Just tried the pdf file on the previous posts and it worked like a charm on a private tab.

EDIT: oddly enough it only works on one device, on another (same Firefox version, 82.1.1, same Android one, 10) when trying to download from a private tab the download directly fails, while on a regular tab it tries to download for a while before a fail message prompts (as per the original problem).

Modified by Baobab

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No problem, glad we could help.

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Seburo said

If it helps, the issue does appear to be fixed in Beta, and the next update should be due on or close to the 17th of November.

got a firefox mobile update 10th Nov - sadly doesn't resolve issue (build 82.1.3)

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gazzawazza said

Got a firefox mobile update 10th Nov - sadly doesn't resolve issue (build 82.1.3)

Same issue on the exact same Firefox version here. Samsung Android 10. Download shows up as notification but doesn't properly start. Regards.

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