Can’t Upload or Play Custom Audio Files in My Glide App

Ask for Help
1

Hello everyone,

I’m trying to build a digital dictionary app in Glide and I want to add playable audio files for my words. Unfortunately, despite many attempts, I can’t get my own audio files to play inside the app. Here’s what I have tried so far:

  1. Google Drive: Uploaded my MP3 files, set sharing to “Anyone with the link,” and pasted the sharing link (and direct link) into my Glide table (column type is Audio or URL). The player does not appear in the app, or the audio won’t play.
  2. Dropbox: Uploaded audio, turned the link into a direct download URL (dl=1), but Glide still doesn’t play the audio.
  3. SoundCloud: Tried embedding or sharing links, but Glide does not recognize them as playable audio sources.
  4. Direct MP3 Links: When I use a sample public MP3 (e.g. from SoundHelix), it works—but I can’t make Glide accept or play MY audio this way.
  5. Glide Table File Upload: I want to upload my MP3 files directly through Glide. However, in the Data Editor, I DON’T see any column type for “File” or “Audio”—only “Image”. Image fields don’t allow MP3 uploads.

Has anyone had the same problem?
Is there a way to directly upload and play my own audio files (MP3) in a Glide app?
Is there a trick or a certain type of table or plan required?
I just want users to be able to tap and listen to word pronunciations I provide.

Thanks for any advice!

2

I would upload the files into glide. Google drive is not a reliable source for serving media into websites. It’s just for file storage and sharing. Or you could find a service that is actually designed for serving up media like that. The services you listed are not really designed to be used the way you are trying to use them.

You don’t need a special type of table column. Files are stored in separate storage and it’s only the url that is stored in the table. You could use a url column or a text column. Really doesn’t matter because you are just storing the text for a url in the column.

To upload, I’d probably just add a file upload component to your detail screen or form, or set visibility on it so only you can see the component.