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How to Fix Gmail Not Downloading Attachments on Android

No more head-scratching! Ensure those valuable attachment files reach your fingertips with ease.

Emails carry a myriad of personal and professional possibilities. Did you get an important email with a crucial attachment and in an unfortunate circumstance, Gmail decided to play hard to get? Frustrating, right? We’ll help you resolve the issue of Gmail not downloading attachments on Android. Let’s get started.

gmail not downloading attachments on android

How to Fix Gmail Not Downloading Attachments on Android

Google’s user-friendly email platform has made managing emails a breeze. Users can easily share photos, audio, video, and documents in the form of attachments directly from the device or Google Drive. However, there are occasional instances where Gmail becomes problematic and hinders recipients from downloading attachments.

Tip: If you’re using the Gmail app, log in to your account using a browser. If you’ve already logged in to Gmail on a browser and are still facing the issue, change it.

Quick Answer

To fix this issue, ensure proper Internet connectivity and restart Gmail. If that does not help, clear cache data.

1. Open Settings and tap on Apps.

2. Select Gmail and tap on Storage.

3. Tap on Clear cache.

Why Can’t I Download Attachments from My Email

Here are a few reasons that could be causing why you’re facing issues in downloading attachments from your email in Gmail:

  • Internet connectivity issues
  • Lack of storage
  • Corrupt cache data
  • Software bugs

Method 1: Basic Troubleshooting

These are some basic things which you should try at first. If they work for you then that’s amazing. If not, then there are other methods that might need some extra work, and you can follow them.

Method 1A: Restart Device, then Gmail

Sometimes such errors are a result of temporary glitches. You can easily fix them by restarting the device and then the Gmail app.

Method 1B: Relogin on Gmail

When you log out of Gmail and log in back to it, it refreshes the account settings and establishes a connection with the server once more, which resolves such minor issues. Follow our guide on How to Sign Out or Log Out Of Gmail?

Log out of Gmail app | gmail not downloading attachments on android

Method 1C: Ask Sender to Send Email Again

You can ask the sender to resend the email with the particular attachment. If the issue was with the previous mail or the attached file itself, it will be resolved.

Method 2: Troubleshoot Internet Connectivity

A slow and unstable internet connection can lead to issues in downloading attachments on Gmail. Henceforth, to fix this, improve the network connectivity. Refer to our guide on How to Boost Internet Speed on Your Android Phone.

Troubleshoot the Network Connectivity

Method 3: Allow Uninterrupted Data Transfer

If you still can’t download attachments on Gmail even after connecting the device to a better internet source, there are a few settings that you need to ensure such as Data Saver or Background usage.

Method 3A: Disable Data Saver and Battery Saver

Battery Saver or Power Saving restricts the usage of resources from the background which would lead to such issues. Follow the steps to disable it:

1. Open Settings.

2. Tap on Battery and device care, followed by Battery.

3. Toggle off Power saving.

Toggle off Power saving | gmail not downloading attachments on android

Similarly, data saver limits the speed of data usage. Follow the steps to disable it:

1. In Settings, tap on Connections followed by Data usage.

2. Tap on Data saver and toggle off Turn on now.

toggle off the Turn on now option.

Also Read: How to Restore Deleted Draft in Gmail

Method 3B: Allow Background Data

If you are connected to the internet using mobile data, make sure background data usage is not restricted to Gmail as it might interrupt downloading attachments.

1. Open Settings and tap on Apps.

2. Scroll down to Gmail and tap on it.

3. Now tap on Mobile data and toggle on Allow background data usage.

tap on Mobile data and toggle on Allow background data usage.

Method 4: Update Gmail

Outdated apps are prone to bugs and glitches that can cause such errors in their functionality. You can update the app to fix them.

1. In Google Play Store, search for Gmail.

2. Tap on Update.

Tap on Update | gmail not downloading attachments on android

Method 5: Clear Gmail App Cache

Sometimes cache data stored by apps gets corrupt which causes issues in the app’s working. It might be why Gmail is not downloading attachments on the Android device.

1. Follow the path: Settings > Apps > Gmail.

2. Tap on Storage, followed by Clear cache.

Tap on Clear cache

Method 6: Fix Basic App Glitch

Sometimes the app faces unusual glitches that can be resolved from the user’s end. You can Force-stop the app and start it again or disable it and then re-enable it. 

Method 6A: Use Force Stop

Usually when an app is unresponsive or misbehaving, force stopping manually ends its running processes and gives it a fresh start.

1. Follow the path: Settings > Apps > Gmail.

2. Tap on Force stop.

Tap on Force stop. | gmail not downloading attachments on android

3. Now Restart the device, and then open Gmail. Check if you are able to download the attachments now.

Also Read: How to Know If Someone Blocked You on Gmail

Method 6B: Disable, then Enable Gmail App

When you disable the app, it prevents it from using the device’s system resources. Once enabled, it refreshes the app and the process fixes minor software glitches. Follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Follow the path: Settings > Apps > Gmail.

2. Now tap on Disable.

Tap on Disable

3. Now to enable it, in the Apps menu in Settings, tap the filter and sort icon.

tap the filter and sort icon. | gmail not downloading attachments on android

4. Under Filter by, choose Disabled and tap on OK.

Under Filter by, choose Disabled and tap on OK

5. Select Gmail from the list and tap on Enable.

Method 7: Reinstall the App

Lastly, if the error still persists, we suggest you reinstall the Gmail app. It would replace corrupt or missing files and ensure bug fixes. Follow the steps:

1. Open the Google Play Store and search for Gmail.

2. Tap on Uninstall.

Tap on Uninstall | gmail not downloading attachments on android

3. Once done, Install it and log in to your account.

Now check if you are successfully able to download the required attachments.

Where Does Gmail Download Attachments on Android

Gmail attachments on Android are typically downloaded to the Downloads folder or a similar location in the device’s internal storage. That makes it easier for you to access and manage files after downloading them.

Recommended: 14 Best Free Gmail Alternatives

We hope our guide helped you resolve the Gmail not download attachments on Android issue. If you have any queries or suggestions for us, do let us know in the comments box below. To fix such app-related issues, stay connected to TechCult.

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