Hello I am having issues using Dropbox with the Files App. * When trying to attach a file to an email I can browse and select the file but when I select the file the round 'downloading' icon appears but it never completes. The square 'cancel' icon at the centre of the circle is unresponsive. * When browsing Dropbox within the Files App some (but not all) folders display "To view the items in this folder, you need to authenticate". When I click the button to authenticate the screen briefly flickers but nothing happens. * I cannot browse Dropbox within Files unless I disable my Dropbox pass-code/touch ID. A few days ago this was working. * The search feature within Files does not return any of the Dropbox files. I have tried the following steps to remedy the situation: * Cleared Dropbox cache. * Deleted the Dropbox App and then restored it to the latest version (64.3) * Rebooted my iPhone 7. * Tried another device (iPad Mini 2). None of these actions have made any difference. I would appreciate any help that you can offer. Thank you.

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Dropbox and Files App Issues (iOS 11)

Neil K.

Hello

I am having issues using Dropbox with the Files App.

When trying to attach a file to an email I can browse and select the file but when I select the file the round 'downloading' icon appears but it never completes. The square 'cancel' icon at the centre of the circle is unresponsive.
When browsing Dropbox within the Files App some (but not all) folders display "To view the items in this folder, you need to authenticate". When I click the button to authenticate the screen briefly flickers but nothing happens.
I cannot browse Dropbox within Files unless I disable my Dropbox pass-code/touch ID. A few days ago this was working.
The search feature within Files does not return any of the Dropbox files.

I have tried the following steps to remedy the situation:

Cleared Dropbox cache.
Deleted the Dropbox App and then restored it to the latest version (64.3)
Rebooted my iPhone 7.
Tried another device (iPad Mini 2).

None of these actions have made any difference. I would appreciate any help that you can offer.

Thank you.

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Accepted answers

DavidZ

We know about the issue where navigating into a folder whose name contains a period causes an authentication required screen to be displayed. It will be fixed in an upcoming update. Thanks for reporting!

DavidZ

Neil K. wrote:

I installed iOS11 within minutes of it being released. Files definitely could access Dropbox at this point just by using TouchID. Shortly after this Dropbox made a new version of their app available. It was at this point that it stopped working and displayed the message saying to disable the passcode.

You're correct: from iOS 8 up until the latest version of Dropbox for iOS 11, it had the "Doc Picker" and did support passcode/Touch ID. OneDrive still uses the older Doc Picker. You'll notice it's not as seamlessly integrated into the Files app though, for example, in the Files app you can't copy files between OneDrive and e.g. iCloud or Dropbox, but you can between iCloud and Dropbox.

There are some technical limitations relating to the passcode lock in the Files app and we're looking into solutions.

All comments

jpharrin

I just uploaded the newest version of the app. It’s 64.3.4. If this isn’t what you have try uploading again. I haven’t experienced all of the issues you mentioned. I was able to authenticate and open files by opening the Dropbox app.

Neil K.

Thanks for your reply. 64.3.4 is the version I have but am still having all the same issues.

From another forum thread I have seen folder names containing a period (.) are causing some issues and indeed many of the folders I cannot view have a . in their filename. Suppose I will just have to wait until a new version is released.

Still can't attach files to email or see dropbox files in Siri search etc.

jpharrin

Just to make sure is Dropbox turned on for Siri?

Settings->Sire & Seaerch->Dropbox

Neil K.

Yes it is turned on. As I said I think it may be to do with the authentication issue with folders containing a . in their filename. I can't remember if it was the Dropbox forum or the Apple Communities forum where I read a thread with other people having similar issues with such filenames.

Just tested: I renamed a folder from "1.ComputerScience" to "1ComputerScience" and now the Files App will browse to it fine, but going to any folder with a . still gives "To view the items in this folder, you need to authenticate". Clicking 'Authenticate' just makes the screen flicker and nothing happens.

jpharrin

Other responses.

1. I successfully attached one file and couldn’t another (due to authorization require). The latter was a Pages file copied from either iCloud or directly from my MacBook. I don’t remember which. I downloaded the document from Dropbox and found it was saved as a zip file.

2. This might be a similar issue to #1. I think I read that iOS 11 (or Dropbox?) has issues dealing with zip files that will be corrected in a later revision?

3. I can’t duplicate this issue.

TacoSmith

Neil, I'm experiencing the same issue that you mentioned in #2 on my wife's new iPad Pro with iOS 11 and Dropbox. She extracted some brushes to use in an app and stored them in a folder on Dropbox via her PC. When she tries to import them via the iPad app, it opens up the Files app. She tries to navigate to the brushes but gets an error that says "To view the items in this folder, you need to authenticate". I click the authenticate link, and a gray box pops up but then disappears. She can't proceed past this screen.

jpharrin

The following is from a Dropbox document describing features currently not available.

***
Previewing "bundle" files, like Garageband, Ominoutliner, and iWork '09 documents (you may see Authentication error when trying to open these files)
***

https://help.dropbox.com/mobile/ios-files-app

TS what you describe might be the same file type issue and something to be resolved in future updates. Can your wife open the files in Dropbox using her PC?

TacoSmith

Thanks for the heads up regarding this jpharrin. My wife can open the files from her computer and also from her iPad Pro directly from the Dropbox app. The problem does seem to be with opening the folder through the Files app.

Neil K.

Still can't navigate to folders where the name contains a full stop (.)

Other people I know are having this problem too.

DavidZ

Neil K.

Thank you. I will look forward to the update.

ChrisLawyer

Hi David,

I had another experience. Almost of my folders having name contains a period (.) with a blank-space, e.g. “1. A”, but I still can open them when navigating into. However, I have some folders name like “folder1.10.2017” that “authentication required” is displayed when navigating into it. Then I changed folder name to “folder1. 10. 2017”, added blank-space after period (.) then instantly it’s opened normally.

I tried another tests. I created a new folder name “1.1.1” in Dropbox, then I rename by adding blank-space one by one, I have results as follows:

1/ when changing folder name to “1. 1.1” or “1.1. 1”: cannot be opened.

2/ when folder name is changed to “1. 1. 1”: can be opened.

My conclusion: either period is not contained in folder name, or period is followed by a blank-space in a folder name, then such folder can be opened without “authentication required” screen.

So, it can be an alternative solution for those who wants to keep their folder name whose contains a period until having an official update of Dropbox fixes this issue completely.

Note: When making this test the Passcode fuction in my Dropbox is off. I have not yet tried when Passcode is on.

ChrisLawyer

Hi Neil,

Try to add a blank-space after the period, e.g. “1. A” then this folder can be opened in Files App. I tried and it’s workable for me.

Irwin

I am having similar problem. But I totally could not access to Dropbox unless I disable the passcode lock in Dropbox

Rich

Irwin wrote:
But I totally could not access to Dropbox unless I disable the passcode lock in Dropbox

That is expected behavior. If your Dropbox app is passcode protected, then you can not use the Files app to access Dropbox. You'll need to remove the passcode from the Dropbox app.

Look at it this way. You've locked down the app so it can't be used, but you're trying to use it from another app that has no way to enter the passcode. It's like trying to use a remote garage door opener when you've put a padlock on the door.

Neil K.

@Rich wrote:
@Irwin wrote:
But I totally could not access to Dropbox unless I disable the passcode lock in Dropbox

That is expected behavior. If your Dropbox app is passcode protected, then you can not use the Files app to access Dropbox. You'll need to remove the passcode from the Dropbox app.

Look at it this way. You've locked down the app so it can't be used, but you're trying to use it from another app that has no way to enter the passcode. It's like trying to use a remote garage door opener when you've put a padlock on the door.

But the Files app CAN access Onedrive when it's passcode lock is enabled, so why can't it do it with Dropbox? Before the last update Files COULD access Dropbox, you just needed to enter the passcode or use touch ID, like it does when accessing Onedrive.

Rich

Neil K. wrote:
But the Files app CAN access Onedrive when it's passcode lock is enabled, so why can't it do it with Dropbox?

Because at the moment, it can't. It will likely be able to in a later update. There are many iOS 11-specific items that are still being worked on. Have patience...

Before the last update Files COULD access Dropbox, you just needed to enter the passcode or use touch ID

None of the versions I've tested have been able to access Dropbox when a passcode existed. Initially it just kept prompting for authentication even if you were already authenticated, and later it actually displayed a message within Files explaining that passcode lock needed to be disabled.

Neil K.

@Rich wrote:

None of the versions I've tested have been able to access Dropbox when a passcode existed.

I installed iOS11 within minutes of it being released. Files definitely could access Dropbox at this point just by using TouchID. Shortly after this Dropbox made a new version of their app available. It was at this point that it stopped working and displayed the message saying to disable the passcode.

It's not a big deal for me. I can wait. It's just when you mentioned it is like this 'by design' that it made me wonder why it could do it, then it was taken away with the update. Maybe it wasn't working correctly or is something to do with the other authentication problems people are having, such as filenames containing a period.

I'm sure a future update will fix all ...

Thanks for everyone's replies to this thread.

DavidZ

Neil K. wrote:

I installed iOS11 within minutes of it being released. Files definitely could access Dropbox at this point just by using TouchID. Shortly after this Dropbox made a new version of their app available. It was at this point that it stopped working and displayed the message saying to disable the passcode.

There are some technical limitations relating to the passcode lock in the Files app and we're looking into solutions.

Neil K.

Thank you for that detailed response, much appreciated.

dantaylr

Definitely experiencing #4 here. Can’t search for anything in my Dropbox even when I am in the Dropbox folder itself within files.

despot82

Same happens to me. It does not work. Simple as that. Just flickers a bit and than hangs.

MBU71

The problem I had was : after the iOS 11.1 update the "authentication required" poped up in the file-app when trying to access dropbox from that app. It stated that you should authenticate in the dropbox app - which I did but had no effect but the file app hanging.

The solution described as "Removing dropbox app, Rebooting iPhone, Installing dropbox app again, logging on in dropbox and then opening the file app and accessing dropbox" solved the problem.

Dwhite

When is this update ??

DavidZ

@Dwhite, many updates have gone out since that post. Are you still having the issues that were described earlier in this thread? If so, what specific issue are you encountering?

Dwhite

Yes still same issues deleted the app re installed it on my ipad same same

@David Z.6 wrote:
@Dwhite, many updates have gone out since that post. Are you still having the issues that were described earlier in this thread? If so, what specific issue are you encountering?

DavidZ

@Dwhite, can you help us understand the issue you're having by being more specific and describing exactly what you're seeing? There are at least five different issues in this thread, and as I don't see any previous posts from you in this thread, I'm not sure which one(s) you're encountering.

Neil K.

I still cannot search Dropbox from the files App. It will find files that have previously been opened, but nothing else.

Worshond

Seriously???? I had the same issue, Googled and came across this. An app, in 2017, that is still being bouled over by a fullstop???? Come on. This is embarassing.

Worshond

Just to be clear, I'm being negative towards Apple and its new crappy Files app, not Dropbox. The Dropbox app works perfectly! I was trying to make files available Offline. Works perfectly in the Dropbox app, but the Apple Files app just gives me spinning circles if I attempt the same thing. Apple is really going backwards.