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Forum Discussion
Dropbox on Android suddenly unable to open protected Word document
Hello. I've had the same password protected Word doc in my dropbox for years now.
On the same Android device I've been using for years as well, I am suddenly unable to open that file. When I try, I get a "File type not supported" error.
- There is no "open with" option. There used to be one.
- I have tried reinstalling, wiping cache and data, etc - Dropbox app as well as Office and Word apps.
- I have tried unlinking and linking Office and Word to Dropbox. On my device as well as on the web.
- I have tried saving the file to device.
There is nothing wrong with the file.
- I can open it just fine from Dropbox PC.
- I can also open it on my phone from the Word app.
When I try to open a non-protected Word doc, I get a preview. And only then does an "open with" option appear.
Solutions desired:
- Setting Dropbox Android to open Word docs in the Word app by default rather than trying to give me a preview.
- Also, reinstatement of the "open with" option outside of doc preview. (This has completely disappeared for all my Dropbox files, not just this one.)
After struggling to figure out what I would do since Dropbox was now saying that one of my very essential files could no longer be opened on my Android phone because this Word document was encrypted in Microsoft Word, I accidentally discovered that the problem can easily be solved if you simply ignore the message "File type not supported" and click on the vertical three-dot-menu at the top right of the screen and then select "Open with..." Then choose Word to open the document and all is exactly as it used to be. The message "File type not supported" should definitely be changed to avoid this confusions.
After struggling to figure out what I would do since Dropbox was now saying that one of my very essential files could no longer be opened on my Android phone because this Word document was encrypted in Microsoft Word, I accidentally discovered that the problem can easily be solved if you simply ignore the message "File type not supported" and click on the vertical three-dot-menu at the top right of the screen and then select "Open with..." Then choose Word to open the document and all is exactly as it used to be. The message "File type not supported" should definitely be changed to avoid this confusions.
So it was a bad UI problem all this while.
The kebab menu on the "file type not supported" screen visually appears to have only 3 options because of a poorly placed horizontal line. But it's actually possible to scroll down to reveal more options.
Be assured I am face-palming repeatedly right now.
Thank you, jereunderwood , for finding the solution.
- Exactly right, Eastpaw!
- Hannah
Dropbox Staff
Hey jereunderwood, we appreciate your feedback here.
And thanks for sharing this, it's really helpful.
Unfortunately the 3 vertical dot menu only seems to come up with 2 options - "Share" & "Manage Access" - no "Open With" on the 306.2.2 version of Dropbox I'm using which I believe is the latest for Android 13.
Where are you accessing that menu?
And did you try scrolling down?
If I try to access a write-protected word document in Dropbox web, the system says the password is incorrect (and it's not true). If I log in from the app no problem, apart from the one, reported a few days ago, for which a password-protected word document is not even opened in Android app: https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Integrations/Dropbox-on-Android-suddenly-unable-to-open-protected-Word/m-p/636207#M7819 ).
Thanks
- Hannah
Hey Franco52, thanks for bringing this to our attention.
Are you having this issue only with MS Office files or other types of password protected files as well?
Have you tried through a different browser or a private browsing window, to see if that helps?
Let me know what you find.
Thank you. I tried to log in with Firefox or Chrome, but it is the same thing. I tried with a protected .pdf document, and there is no problem!
Best regards.
- Megan
Hey eastpaw, thanks for posting here!
Which Dropbox version do you use on your mobile? Have you taken a look into this Help Center article, that explains how you can set your Office app as the default app for opening files?
As for your "open with" request, is it still missing from all of your files? Can you send me some screenshots, in order for me to have visual too?
Keep me posted!
I am having exactly the same problem, Like Megan, I have been able to do this in the past for years.
I meant to say I am having the same problem as Eastpaw. I must find a solution for this problem or I will have to stop using Dropbox as I depend on it to house many Microsoft Word encrypted files.
Hi, Megan, thanks for replying.
My Dropbox version is 304.2.4.
This Help Center article (set Office app as default) - yes I already did read this before posting, but it was of no help. The Word app does not show in the dropdown list.
"Open with" missing screenshots:
Here are some files in my Dropbox.
When I tap one of the kebab buttons, I get only these options:
If I long-press the item instead, it gets selected. And the selection kebab gives me only these.
If I open the file in preview mode by directly tapping the file, then an "open with" button becomes available (on the preview screen).
This is unhelpful here because the protected Word doc I am trying to open doesn't open in preview, and the error window does not have an "open with" button.
- Walter
Hey jereunderwood, sorry to hear about this.
Could you please let us know the exact OS version of your device and the version of the Dropbox mobile app installed there too?
If you could also send us a screenshot of the exact error you're getting, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks!
Dropbox mobile Android APP version 304.2.4 now fails to open protected word doc files. Default app is set to word.
Unprotected doc file opens without issue, but the same password protected file fails to opens with error: "File Type no supported".
The desktop version 161.4.4923 works correctly.
- Thanks Walter for reply. Hope this helps to solve the problem..
Here is the Dropbox error display when failing to open a protected doc..
https://www.dropbox.com/s/eyqttqcfypm7kdt/Screenshot_20221115-194851_Dropbox.jpg?raw=1
My OS is Android version 13
I noticed recently that word password protected files can no longer open via drobox on my android. The files open on my desktop but not on my android.
Please help!
- Walter
Hey llayen0314, sorry to hear you're having issues with this.
Could you check if what's described here helps in your case as well?
