Allow files to open without preview in the mobile app, like they used to.

[Slangword]

Drop Dropbox used to open files with default apps without the preview function. That functionality has since been removed. That functionality was very helpful to those of us using atypical files such as the CBR files consisting of zipped images that can be opened with a specific viewer.  The current version of Dropbox does not allow that and takes me to a "preview can't be opened" screen.  I then need to go to several other screens to actually open the file. I would like the functionality to be restored.  I know this problem affects users of other file types as well.

[markm4663]

This was in my inbox this morning:

"Thank you for contacting Dropbox. My name is Sheldon. I am a specialist from the Advanced support team at Dropbox, and I'll be helping you today.
From my understanding, you are reporting an issue with opening .xxx files on Android via the mobile app. I will certainly do my best to assist you. 
 Please note that the Dropbox engineering have advised that this is currently expected behaviour. 
 It is not possible to preview .xxx files in Dropbox, and in order to open/access them in a 3rd party application, users will need to click the three dots and then use "Open with". 
 Selecting a default application, will open the file in the prefered application, once the "Open with" button is used. 
 However it will still be necessary to use the "Open with" button, each time you wish to access the file. 
 This may change again in future, as we are constantly working to improve the mobile experience. 
 However as it currently stands, you will need to open such files using the "Open with" button. "

Unfortunate.   Hopefully, Dropbox is planning something better for a future release.  This is a loss of functionality.

[Hotspur8]

I am experiencing the same problem.  However, it automatically opens on my phone (skipping preview), but not on my tablet.

[markm4663]

Does the same thing on both phone and tablet. Flip 5 and Tab S9.
Gonna play with Google drive, once again.

[markm4663]

I was just poking around on the Dropbox website for my account. Looks like there some changes coming.

When viewing a file, there is a banner at the top of the page indicating changes coming on 10/1 with a preview option for the new "view".

When on the "Home" page for your account there is a banner indicating that the "Home" page is going away 9/30 and to access file using the "All files" link.

Maybe there will be changes coming to the phone apps also.

[kev909]

Thanks fellow community folks for jumping in.
Not to get involved in semantics, but it seems that we are not asking to do something with a "preview" feature, we are trying to have Dropbox unbreak the prior standard feature of opening the file type in an outside application. I.e. if "preview" means that Dropbox software is going to give us a peek into our password database, they shouldn't and can't anyway in my opinion. Previews for OTHER types of unencrypted documents? Fine, but not relevant to password databases.

That's my interpretation, anyhow.

[markm4663]

Hopefully there will be some better surprises coming up with a new release, considering what they are doing to the website at the end of the month.

[Hotspur8]

Dropbox updated the problem.  Now I have the same issue with my Android phone as I do on my tablet.

[markm4663]

I have not seen an update since 9/21.
Both my tablet and phone have the same issue.
I've switched over to Google Drive and will continue to use it until the next version of Dropbox is released. If the problem continues after the next release, I'll probably stick with Google Drive.

[SusieSarasota]

I'm having the same issue with KeePass, which is extremely frustrating, since I use it so frequently.  The workaround of using Open With from the 3 dot menu works, but is a hassle and is not how we should have to access it.  I hope Dropbox resolves this issue soon.  Thanks!

[markm4663]

I don't have that problem with Google drive.
If Dropbox doesn't fix the inside with they're next android release. I'm doing with Google drive.