Dropbox on Android suddenly unable to open protected Word document

[eastpaw]

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.

1. There is no "open with" option. There used to be one.
2. I have tried reinstalling, wiping cache and data, etc - Dropbox app as well as Office and Word apps.
3. I have tried unlinking and linking Office and Word to Dropbox. On my device as well as on the web.
4. I have tried saving the file to device.

There is nothing wrong with the file.

1. I can open it just fine from Dropbox PC.
2. 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:

1. Setting Dropbox Android to open Word docs in the Word app by default rather than trying to give me a preview.
2. Also, reinstatement of the "open with" option outside of doc preview. (This has completely disappeared for all my Dropbox files, not just this one.)

[eastpaw]

@RetiredEE it's this button right here.

[jima999]

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.

[eastpaw]

Where are you accessing that menu?

And did you try scrolling down?

[jima999]

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.

[eastpaw]

No problem - not scrolling down was exactly my mistake as well.

And yes one reason why we're all struggling with this is bad UI.

[llayen0314]

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?

[llayen0314]

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? 

[llayen0314]

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 ...