Decryption failure

I also have the same problem on my iPhone XS Max after updating iOS 14.2. Just after reading Gopher1984's comment on Nov 15, I saved my Excel book(.xlsx) file with password in iCloud as an Excel 97-2004 book(.xls) file by my MacBook Pro 2016 using Microsoft Excel for Mac(ver. 16.43). Then I can open and read that Excel file in iCloud from my iPhone. So, I understand there is something wrong between iOS 14.2 and current Microsoft Excel.

I have exactly the same issue when trying to decrypt a Word file stored in Onedrive. Since updating to iOS 14.2, I get the same „null“ failure message reported here. The same file can be decrypted on a W10 PC without problem.

Deleting and reinstalling Word App on iPhone made no difference, problem persists.

It is not enough to have the Word app on the phone. The document has to be in the app before it is opened, rather than being opened directly on the phone. The first time you click on the document on the phone, before putting in the password and getting the failure message, try moving the document into the app by clicking on the arrow at the top of the screen.

i have the same issue and it only started when i downloaded and installed the latest 14.2 software, contacted Apple help and they are useless so lets hope that Apple see that there is an issue and release an update to solve the problem.... i can still open the files on my laptop but not on my I phone which cases me a lot of problems

I've had the same issue and brought it to Apple's attention when 14.2 came out. The work around isn't the best. You can download Word and it will open files on your phone. Files sent via email will not. My iPad is also impacted so it's clearly a software error. I'm not convinced Apple is going to fix this. I didn't get the opinion from support that it was being passed to the next level.

Try to click on the document in the email, and then, instead of putting in the password and getting the error message, click on the “up arrow” at the top of the screen and move the document into the Word app. You should then be able to put in the password and open the document.

I contacted Apple support and was told to download the Word app (another app!). It decrypted fine on that although when asked the agent said the issue MAY be fixed in the update after 14.2. Rather disappointing.

I have same problem on i phone 12 pro albeit was fine untill i installed ios 14.3 last night

file is password protected in dropbox which opens (wanting p/w) but then get decryption fail message as above query

I have this same issue. It just started recently. Did Apple release an update that is causing this problem? I’ve always been able to open this password protected file from both my IPhone and IPad until just recently. ?????

For me it started with update 14.2. I use a password protected MS Word file for various reasons. It always decrypted before. Apple support suggested it could be fixed in 14.3 but it’s reported as not fixing it. I downloaded the Word app which works.

Exactly. It is still a problem. The only solution is the clunky 'open it in the original app' workaround. Dropbox don't appear to be interested in fixing it and their 'community support' blames Apple. Apple obviously aren't interested either - it looks like no-one from Apple reads the stuff here.

Have you gotten any response on your case? I am having the same problem. It only started about a week ago. Prior to then my .docx would open with the password no problem.