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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 tr...
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!
Love your ability to insert the screens-shots. Could you share how you add them. I can only add a link - your method is so much cleaner. Thanks
- 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?
You're quite right - I should've scrolled down! The "Open With" option is at the bottom as you rightly said - thanks. After that, things are basically as before but the "File type not supported" message really does need to go.
Thanks again.
Thanks, I tried but still get error "Can't open this document" password protected file ae not supported.
- Megan
Hi llayen0314, could you send me a screenshot of the error you mentioned?
The picture to your right is the first error message. The picture on your left error message after I click on the 3 dots right hand corner to open with ...
