Files app suddenly won’t preview content!

Question

Level 1

8 points

Files app suddenly won’t preview content!

So, for my online college/TAFE studies, they send my feedback in a zip folder.

Up until about 3 or so weeks ago, once downloaded into the Files app and the ‘on my phone’ storage location, I could preview the documents inside.

Now, I can’t. It automatically opens with Dropbox (which I’ve had on this phone prior to the Files app release) and there is no way to change this. I haven’t changed anything on my phone at all.

Instead of saying ‘preview in Files’ it says ‘preview in Dropbox’ and it cannot be changed. This app is now useless to me. It says zip files can be previewed, or so I thought.

Any thoughts?

iPhone 8, iOS 12

Posted on Apr 10, 2019 11:09 PM

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Answer 1

Apr 11, 2019 2:28 AM in response to AussieJess

I presume the followings...

It was sent to your email ID or via iMessage
It is a .zip format file created in Mac
It was not encrypted
You are opening a Zip File for the first time on your iPhone's File App. (You said: "It says zip files can be previewed, or so I thought")
You downloaded the email attachment to your iPhone's File App "On my iPhone" section
When you tap on the file which is in the "On my iPhone" section, it says ‘preview in Dropbox’

Very strange, Can you please send a screen shot. as given below

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Answer 2

AussieJess Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 11, 2019 2:52 AM in response to SravanKrA

No, all zip files have been downloaded from my TAFE Online account, and they had been working for almost a month, then overnight, instead of saying ‘open in files’ it’s Dropbox instead.

I can’t open it from the Files app because it automatically opens in Dropbox, so no preview content option comes up.

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Answer 3

AussieJess Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 16, 2019 8:43 PM in response to AussieJess

Still happening and unable to contact Apple due to technical support being expired, and I’m getting hung up on.

zip Files will open on browser version of Dropbox, but it’s ridiculous to have to save to Dropbox, open browser etc, when saving to Files app used to work fine! This app is useless now.

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Answer 4

AussieJess Author

Level 1

8 points

May 29, 2019 4:40 PM in response to rugi00

I just don’t know why no-one can give an answer! It was literally fine one night then all messed up! Still says on every site I visit about the Files app that they support ZIP files! (Well, previewing/viewing content)

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Answer 5

AussieJess Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 30, 2019 10:48 PM in response to AussieJess

Still having this issue. Can someone advice why this is happening? I can’t find any info anywhere as to why it changed to ‘open with Dropbox’ instead of ‘preview content’

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Answer 6

rugi00

Level 1

4 points

May 29, 2019 4:37 PM in response to AussieJess

I am having the same issue but with Notability. Trying to preview a zip font file! This is insane. I can't do anything if it is not in Notability.

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Answer 7

rugi00

Level 1

4 points

May 29, 2019 4:42 PM in response to AussieJess

Not sure. I am installing an update and also posted the question to Reddit. I shall report back!

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Answer 8

AussieJess Author

Level 1

8 points

May 29, 2019 4:44 PM in response to rugi00

Awesome! I didn’t even think to post on reddit hahaha

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Answer 9

rugi00

Level 1

4 points

May 29, 2019 4:48 PM in response to rugi00

No one has answered yet: https://www.reddit.com/r/ipad/comments/buls4z/font_files_insist_on_opening_with_notability_will/

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Answer 10

AussieJess Author

Level 1

8 points

May 29, 2019 5:16 PM in response to rugi00

Yep, just commented. We’ll keep in on reddit now. I’ve also asked whirlpool (I’m aussie so this is my go to hahaha)

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Answer 11

Jun 15, 2019 5:28 PM in response to AussieJess

This just started happening with my ipad. When I click on the file I’m being redirected to my google drive to save the file. So frustrating. This was literally working properly an hour ago.

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Answer 12

Cam_ji

Level 1

4 points

Jul 23, 2019 4:06 PM in response to Lhrc_angela

Did anyone get a solution to the problem? I also can’t preview files anymore; it’s making me save the folder to Dropbox.

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Files app suddenly won’t preview content!

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