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Kuben_Tech's avatar
Kuben_Tech
Copper Contributor
Jul 30, 2021

Problem that attached encrypted zip of Outlook for Android cannot be decompressed can be dealt with

From around April 2021, the number of inquiries from our customers has increased rapidly. The users are unable to decompress the attached encrypted Zip file in Outlook on Android devices. Previously, if the attached Zip is clicked, it leads to a third-party unzip app using which the files can be viewed or shared. But now that function is not working. The files could not be shared or saved it to OneDrive too.

This issue had been reported to Microsoft Support. For the customers who have contacted Microsoft directly, the technical team of Microsoft had responded that they would consider a fix for the problem. But its more than a month now, and the problem hasn't been fixed yet. Customers are asking us about the progress and resolution to the problem. Companies using Intune are the one most affected by this issue. They are in great trouble if the compressed organizational data sent to mobile could not be opened safely. Please tell us know the progress of the countermeasures.

  • Kuben_Tech's avatar
    Kuben_Tech
    Copper Contributor
    This is the BUG in Outlook for Android while handling the encrypted ZIP files
    Reporting the bug in the outlook for android devices.

    When password Encrypted compressed ZIP files are sent in mail, previously outlook supported OneDrive and 3rd party vendor to open those files in android phones without allowing the user to save the official data to their local storage.
    After the recent release, the functionality is not working and no more supports the opening and viewing of password Encrypted ZIP files.
    Due to the bug, password Encrypted ZIP file but outlook does not handle those files to OneDrive and 3rd party software now.

    Also, to report this bug we do not have a proper point of contact.
    We have tried various ways to contact Microsoft but now landed in a deadlock situation.
    A point of contact to the technical support team to report the bug would be appreciated.
    • Kuben_Tech's avatar
      Kuben_Tech
      Copper Contributor

      Insight about us and our problem

       

      Previously the compressed files cannot be opened from the outlook in android/IOS phones.
      In 2016 Microsoft Office 365 sales team requested us to develop an 3rd party app for opening the compressed files.
      Now the sales team is currently not in contact, hence we couldn’t report this problem via a proper channel.
      So we are the owner of the app responsible to open the compressed files.
      Our app is listed as an partner productivity app to support the core Intune App Protection Policy settings in Microsoft Intune protected apps.
      Now there are more than 1 Lakh customers with our app.

      These are some of the comments we receive without understanding about Intune and Microsoft .

       

      1.Can outlook app open ZIP files by itself
      Till the current outlook version 4.2127.3, Microsoft outlook does not open the compressed files.
      Outlook handles files to Ondrive/Sharepoint/Third-party(Our App) 

       

      2.Suggesting customers to save it to local

      According to the intune policy of Microsoft, the enterprises can choose to allow their users to allow/disallow the organizational data to Local/OneDrive/SharePoint. Our customer base is mostly based on Japan and all the Japanese organization restrict data to be saved in local. So suggesting to save in local is an severe intune policy violation according to Microsoft and the customers. Please check the attached screen shot for your reference.

       

      3.Problem might be in ZIP file.

      The same password protected ZIP file is opening until outlook 4.2041.3 version but not in the current version 4.2127.3. So according to our understanding it is a bug in Microsoft rather than ZIP file as It is working fine even if you downgrade your Outlook now.

       

      4.Letting our customers not to use ZIP

      There are 1 Lakh customers invested in our app. Having problem with the Microsoft app and telling the customers to save in local would be a strong Intune violation. Also ZIP is a widely used app for compressing and sharing files in Japan. The customers are receiving emails out of their organization too. Informing 1 lakh customers and their customers(unknown) who are all sending mails to our customers about not to send a zip file is practically not possible

       

      5.Contact the mobile Support team

      For more then a month we have been reporting this problem, but all tickets are closed without further information.

       

      6.Support Phone numbers

      It is automatic voice which advice to try contacting online support.

      Any valid contact to Technical support team would be appreciated.

  • Kuben_Tech's avatar
    Kuben_Tech
    Copper Contributor
    Hello All

    We are happy to inform you that, the issue is resolved after 3 months of struggles.
    Finally Microsoft has made corrections to adhere Microsoft Intune policy!

    Microsoft Intune support team was of great help in resolving this issue.

    We are so much thankful for the persons who had helped or given any piece of lead which drove us to the right path.

    Now we are able to access all the encrypted files from Outlook for Android without any issues.

    Thank you

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