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Forum Discussion
Dropbox and Files App Issues (iOS 11)
Hello
I am having issues using Dropbox with the Files App.
- When trying to attach a file to an email I can browse and select the file but when I select the file the round 'downloading' icon appears but it never completes. The square 'cancel' icon at the centre of the circle is unresponsive.
- When browsing Dropbox within the Files App some (but not all) folders display "To view the items in this folder, you need to authenticate". When I click the button to authenticate the screen briefly flickers but nothing happens.
- I cannot browse Dropbox within Files unless I disable my Dropbox pass-code/touch ID. A few days ago this was working.
- The search feature within Files does not return any of the Dropbox files.
I have tried the following steps to remedy the situation:
- Cleared Dropbox cache.
- Deleted the Dropbox App and then restored it to the latest version (64.3)
- Rebooted my iPhone 7.
- Tried another device (iPad Mini 2).
None of these actions have made any difference. I would appreciate any help that you can offer.
Thank you.
We know about the issue where navigating into a folder whose name contains a period causes an authentication required screen to be displayed. It will be fixed in an upcoming update. Thanks for reporting!
Neil K. wrote:
I installed iOS11 within minutes of it being released. Files definitely could access Dropbox at this point just by using TouchID. Shortly after this Dropbox made a new version of their app available. It was at this point that it stopped working and displayed the message saying to disable the passcode.You're correct: from iOS 8 up until the latest version of Dropbox for iOS 11, it had the "Doc Picker" and did support passcode/Touch ID. OneDrive still uses the older Doc Picker. You'll notice it's not as seamlessly integrated into the Files app though, for example, in the Files app you can't copy files between OneDrive and e.g. iCloud or Dropbox, but you can between iCloud and Dropbox.
There are some technical limitations relating to the passcode lock in the Files app and we're looking into solutions.
- Other responses.
1. I successfully attached one file and couldn’t another (due to authorization require). The latter was a Pages file copied from either iCloud or directly from my MacBook. I don’t remember which. I downloaded the document from Dropbox and found it was saved as a zip file.
2. This might be a similar issue to #1. I think I read that iOS 11 (or Dropbox?) has issues dealing with zip files that will be corrected in a later revision?
3. I can’t duplicate this issue. - I am having similar problem. But I totally could not access to Dropbox unless I disable the passcode lock in Dropbox
- Rich
Super User II
Irwin wrote:
But I totally could not access to Dropbox unless I disable the passcode lock in DropboxThat is expected behavior. If your Dropbox app is passcode protected, then you can not use the Files app to access Dropbox. You'll need to remove the passcode from the Dropbox app.
Look at it this way. You've locked down the app so it can't be used, but you're trying to use it from another app that has no way to enter the passcode. It's like trying to use a remote garage door opener when you've put a padlock on the door.
Rich wrote:
Irwin wrote:
But I totally could not access to Dropbox unless I disable the passcode lock in DropboxThat is expected behavior. If your Dropbox app is passcode protected, then you can not use the Files app to access Dropbox. You'll need to remove the passcode from the Dropbox app.
Look at it this way. You've locked down the app so it can't be used, but you're trying to use it from another app that has no way to enter the passcode. It's like trying to use a remote garage door opener when you've put a padlock on the door.
But the Files app CAN access Onedrive when it's passcode lock is enabled, so why can't it do it with Dropbox? Before the last update Files COULD access Dropbox, you just needed to enter the passcode or use touch ID, like it does when accessing Onedrive.
I just uploaded the newest version of the app. It’s 64.3.4. If this isn’t what you have try uploading again. I haven’t experienced all of the issues you mentioned. I was able to authenticate and open files by opening the Dropbox app.
Thanks for your reply. 64.3.4 is the version I have but am still having all the same issues.
From another forum thread I have seen folder names containing a period (.) are causing some issues and indeed many of the folders I cannot view have a . in their filename. Suppose I will just have to wait until a new version is released.
Still can't attach files to email or see dropbox files in Siri search etc.
Just to make sure is Dropbox turned on for Siri?
Settings->Sire & Seaerch->Dropbox
- Neil, I'm experiencing the same issue that you mentioned in #2 on my wife's new iPad Pro with iOS 11 and Dropbox. She extracted some brushes to use in an app and stored them in a folder on Dropbox via her PC. When she tries to import them via the iPad app, it opens up the Files app. She tries to navigate to the brushes but gets an error that says "To view the items in this folder, you need to authenticate". I click the authenticate link, and a gray box pops up but then disappears. She can't proceed past this screen.
The following is from a Dropbox document describing features currently not available.
***
Previewing "bundle" files, like Garageband, Ominoutliner, and iWork '09 documents (you may see Authentication error when trying to open these files)
***
https://help.dropbox.com/mobile/ios-files-app
TS what you describe might be the same file type issue and something to be resolved in future updates. Can your wife open the files in Dropbox using her PC?Thanks for the heads up regarding this jpharrin. My wife can open the files from her computer and also from her iPad Pro directly from the Dropbox app. The problem does seem to be with opening the folder through the Files app.
- Definitely experiencing #4 here. Can’t search for anything in my Dropbox even when I am in the Dropbox folder itself within files.
The problem I had was : after the iOS 11.1 update the "authentication required" poped up in the file-app when trying to access dropbox from that app. It stated that you should authenticate in the dropbox app - which I did but had no effect but the file app hanging.
The solution described as "Removing dropbox app, Rebooting iPhone, Installing dropbox app again, logging on in dropbox and then opening the file app and accessing dropbox" solved the problem.
- I was having the same issue on my iPhone X. I had Face ID enabled for Dropbox and that was conflicting with “files” because it couldn’t verify. Once I disabled Face ID (settings ➡️ Dropbox ➡️ Face ID off), started working again. I’m guessing if you have any security passcode, Touch ID or Face ID enabled for the main Dropbox app, “files” will have issues.
- Have you tried to email Dropbox help desk?
- I contacted the help desk. they asked some questions about the files. now they routed the email to "subject matter expert" who is helping. after the recent iOS update to 11.2.2 now I am able to attach files, but first I must disable the Passcode lock which i'm not happy about. I've already tried to uninstall the dropbox app. , cleared the cache, made sure the time zone is updated automatically, and siri is turned on and the issue is the same whether the files have a "period" in the name or not.
i'm fresh out of ideas. :(
- I have to report other issues
You can’t download to the device files if they are saved in folder with long names. Can’t say exactly the length but I tried to rename the folder with a shorter name and I downloaded the files flawlessly
I stopped sharing a folder and it disappeared from Files App. But it’s still there on dropbox app. - Other problems... in Files App can’t browse Dropbox folder if the device is not online
