Decryption fails running iOS 14.2

[JohnK2]

Just updated iPhone and iPad to iOS 14.2. Now, trying to open an encrypted file, it tell me "Decryption Failed. Null" If I open with Excel, it works fine. Anyone else having this issue?

[Daphne]

Thanks for joining us here @bec3116 and @tflynn!

When you have the chance, please check out this post and let me know if you have any trouble with this.

[ITGuy]

Everyone,

I have found that it matters not the medium from which you download/upload/access the file(s) and/or have the file(s) stored.

We're running into the exact same issue using the Microsoft Teams App on an iPhone with version 14.2.

IOS version 14.2 has caused the issue to not be able to open *passworded* files (Word, Excel, etc.); non-passworded files open fine.

(NOTE: IOS devices prior to version 14.2 still works no matter the medium of download/upload/access).

[Chrisl1208]

Same issue since I updated my iPhone!

[ITGuy]

The Excel Workbook will not open if it is passworded. Receive the same "decryption failed <null>" error message.

[JohnK2]

Excel and Word both work for me. Just Dropbox won't open an encrypted file. So, I click on the "open" button after I get the "Decryption Failed" and it takes me to Microsoft Word or Excel.

[ltx]

Hello everyone, you will probably get better support from the Apple forums like: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252020203. Seems like someone was able to open a case for this exact issue from Apple. Another mention saving the file in the older 1997-2003 format works, but I have not tried this.

Hopefully a fix will be made sooner than later. The workaround right now is to install Microsoft Word/Excel apps on your iPhone so that you have the option to open those password protected files from dropbox when decryption fails. An blue “Open” button appears at the bottom of the file and clicking this will take you through to the Word/Excel apps. You will have to enter your password again in the apps, but this will allow you to access the file successfully.

I can assume from reading other posts here that the reason that we cannot open/create a ticket for dropbox to even investigate is because we have a basic plan and dropbox will not help us without a ticket. Thank you all for reporting having the same issue to try and help us make the case even though Dropbox seems to have not taken the next steps to investigate further due to lack of ticket. We did our job reporting it.

[marinad515]

Hi John. I have the same error message while opening Excel files with my IPhone 11 after installing new updates . How did you fix this problem?

[JohnK2]

Really don’t know what to tell you. In Excel or Word, I’ve always been able to open encrypted files. My problem, after upgrading to iOS 14.2, I can’t open them in Dropbox, where they are stored. I simply switch to Excel or Word and sign in my password.

[NicoQu]

Same problem, also with Excel files in Google Drive.
So I think this is a Apple problem.
Hopefully they get this fixed soon 🙂

[JohnK2]

Here's more breaking news for everyone. Just downloaded Big Sur to my Mac and guess what? Dropbox is gone! You have to re-download the Dropbox app, then it works again. I have the feeling that Apple and Dropbox hate each other!