FAQs
Browse files and folders
Why can't i find the files app on my iPhone? ›
Don't see the blue Files app icon on your Home Screen? Just swipe down, then search for the Files app. In the Files app, search or browse for the file that you want.
How do I access my iPad files from my iPhone? ›
Ensure that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Launch the Documents app on both your iPhone and iPad. Go to Control Center > Start WebDAV Server. Enter any username and password you like and tap Start WebDAV Server to enable file transfer via WebDAV.
What is the files app on iPad? ›
The Files app is a centralized hub for available cloud-based storage options such as Dropbox, Google Drive, and iCloud Drive. It also contains documents stored on iOS devices that were created in other apps.
Why can't I open files on my iPhone? ›
Older or specialized formats might not work as expected if your device, its operating system, or the app you're using to view or play the file doesn't support the file's format. Install all available Apple software updates for your device, such as updates for your Mac or updates for your iPhone or iPad.
How do I find my files on my phone? ›
Find & open files
- Open your device's Files app . Learn where to find your apps.
- Your file categories will show.
- To sort by name, date, or size, tap a file category More. Sort by. If you can't find "Sort by," tap Modified or Sort .
- To open a file, tap it.
Navigate to the "File Sharing" section, which is typically located towards the bottom of the left sidebar. Under the "File Sharing" section, you will find a list of apps installed on your iPhone. Select the app whose files you want to access. Now, you can view, add, or delete files associated with the selected app.
How do I find downloaded files on my iPhone or iPad? ›
Where to find downloads on your iPhone or iPad
- Open the Files app. Don't have the blue Files app icon on your Home Screen? Swipe down from the centre of your Home Screen, then search for the Files app.
- Tap the Browse tab.
- Tap iCloud Drive.
- Tap the Downloads folder to see your downloaded files.
Mark the folders you want to sync across your iOS devices, then tap the three dots (...) at the bottom right of the screen, and then tap Sync. Once the sync is set up, you will find a new orange-colored folder in My Files called Synced Folders.
How do I retrieve files on my iPad? ›
Recover files that you deleted on your iPhone or iPad
- Open the Files app and tap the Browse tab.
- Under Locations, tap Recently Deleted.
- Tap the More button. , then tap Select.
- Select the files that you want to keep, then tap Recover. To recover a single file, you can also touch and hold the file, then tap Recover.
"My Files" manages all the files on your smartphone, just like a file explorer on your computer. You can also manage files stored on SD cards, USB drives and files in the cloud storage connected with your smartphone at the same time.
How to transfer files to iPhone files app? ›
Transfer files between your PC and devices with iTunes
- Connect your device to your computer. ...
- In the iTunes app on your PC, click the Device button near the top left of the iTunes window.
- Click File Sharing.
- In the list on the left, select the app on your device that you want to transfer a file to or from.
Whenever you delete files on your iPhone, they first go to the "Recently Deleted" folder, where they stay for a specific period depending on your data type.
What files can an iPhone open? ›
Document file
- PDF (.pdf)
- Text (.txt)
- Rich text (.rtf)
- Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx)
- Microsoft Excel (.xls, .xlsx)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt, .pptx)
- Pages (.pages)
- Numbers (.numbers)
If you can't open a file, It could be because:
You don't have permission. You're signed in to a Google Account that doesn't have access. The correct app isn't installed on your iPhone or iPad.
Why don't I have a files app on my iPhone? ›
Files app basics
The Files app is preinstalled on your iPhone or iPad. If you don't see it on the home screen, just swipe down and search for Files in the Spotlight search bar. If nothing appears, go to the App Store, search Files and download it.
Where have my iPhone files gone? ›
Open the Files app and tap the Browse tab. Under Locations, tap Recently Deleted. , then tap Select. Select the files that you want to keep, then tap Recover.
Why can't I download files on my phone iPhone? ›
This could be due to a number of factors but firstly, head to Settings > Mobile and under mobile data ensure that mobile data is enabled for "Files". Alternatively, the following may help: Log out of iCloud from settings, then log back in. Turn Aeroplane Mode on, wait for 30 then turn it off.
Why isn't my iPhone showing up in files? ›
Why Is iPhone Not Showing Up in File Explorer. Most of the time, this problem is brought on by older drivers set into place on the PCs. The issue can be resolved with a quick update and a safe restart. There are situations, though, where updating drivers isn't enough.
