Child Item

The sign up screen loses focus and the keyboard closes when changing to landscape mode on Android.

Application Affected Dropbox: Secure Cloud Storage

Device Pixel 6

Operating System Android 12L

Dropbox App Version 454.2.2

Question or Issue

Issue Description: When typing in the email field on the Sign up screen, rotating the device (changing orientation from portrait to landscape) causes the input field to lose focus and the keyboard to close automatically.

Steps to Reproduce:

Open the Dropbox app.
Go to the Sign up screen.
Tap the email field to open the keyboard and start typing.
Rotate the device while the keyboard is open.

Expected Behavior: The input field should keep focus and the keyboard should remain open so I can continue typing immediately.

Actual Behavior: The keyboard closes and the input focus is lost. I have to tap the field again to bring the keyboard back.

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Account Access

Android

Comments

Walter

Hey @dim2333 - thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Can you please clarify if this persists after restarting your device and/or after reinstalling the Dropbox mobile app?

Thank you.

dim2333

Thank you for your response.

I can confirm that the issue persists even after restarting my device and reinstalling the Dropbox app.

Nancy

Hi from me too, @dim2333! Are you experiencing a similar behavior, if you open another app on your mobile device and try to type something, after switching to landscape mode?

dim2333

Hello,

No, this is not expected behavior.

For example, when using the system File Manager app, the keyboard remains open and the input field retains focus after switching to landscape mode.

dim2333

Hi @Nancy,

Just to clarify a bit more:

I don’t see this behavior in most well-designed apps (for example, the system File Manager and several mainstream apps handle rotation correctly and keep the input focus and keyboard open). Please see my previous reply for details: https://www.dropboxforum.com/discussions/101001016/the-sign-up-screen-loses-focus-and-the-keyboard-closes-when-changing-to-landscap/855111/replies/855227

However, I have noticed similar behavior in a few other apps that also seem to lose focus on orientation change, so this appears to be related to how the app handles configuration changes rather than an Android system issue.

From a user perspective, it feels like a UI state / focus handling issue on the sign-up screen.

Hope this helps with the investigation.

Hannah

Hi from me as well, @dim2333.

Do you have any pending Android OS updates? I see you're on 12 at the moment, but if you're having this issue with other apps as well, it could point to an outdated OS issue.

dim2333

Hello @Hannah ,

I would like to clarify my previous comment to avoid any misunderstanding.

When I mentioned that I saw this behavior in a few other apps, I intended to point out that this is a specific development oversight regarding configuration changes that occurs in some apps. I did not mean to imply that it is a system wide issue. Most standard applications like the system File Manager work perfectly on my device.

To address your concern about the operating system, I have updated my device to Android 16 which is API Level 36. The issue still persists after this update.

Since the OS handles rotation correctly for other well designed apps on this same version, this confirms that the issue lies within the app code itself rather than an outdated OS.

Hannah

I see, thanks for clarifying, @dim2333.

Can I send you an email to investigate this further?

dim2333

Hello @Hannah ，

Yes, that works for me. I look forward to your email.

travisparker9173

The sign-up screen loses focus and the keyboard closes when switching to landscape mode on Android, making it difficult for users to enter information smoothly.

Hannah

Awesome, I just emailed you and I'll see you there!

Hannah

Hey @travisparker9173, are you also having this issue?

Have you tried any of the troubleshooting steps in this thread?