IPhones and iPads natively integrate a file manager, compatible with cloud storage services. Here is how to use it.
Since iOS 11, Apple has integrated a file explorer on iPhones and iPads. Simply called Files, the application provides access to all documents stored locally by the applications installed on your iPhone, but also on various online storage services, including iCloud Drive.
Files simplifies the management of your documents by offering a search engine as well as a classification system by color tags. You will also have the possibility to save the attachments received by email for easier access.
The interface of the application is structured around two tabs: the first offers access to recently viewed files, while the second offers to explore the different storage locations.
1. Add new locations
Depending on the applications installed on your device, it is possible to manage more or less storage locations from Files. The application natively offers to manage documents stored on your iPhone, but also those stored on iCloud Drive. However, it is possible to add other online storage services, such as Dropbox, Google Drive or OneDrive.
To take advantage of them, you must first activate them. Open Files, go to the Explore tab, and press Edit. Activate each storage service that you want to be able to view from Files.
2. Add tags
Apple’s Document Manager helps you organize your files so they can be found faster using one or more tags. Enter the directory containing the files you want to tag, press Select, at the top right, then select the different items.
Then press the share button at the bottom left and then, in the pane that appears, select + Tag. Choose an already existing tag or create a new one by tapping Add new tag. Confirm your choice by pressing OK. To access your files by tags, go to the Explore tab, scroll through the items and tap your tag.
3. Move your files
If you have configured several different locations to store your files on your iPhone or iPad, you may want to organize your documents by storing them on a dedicated storage space: office documents on iCloud drive, PDF documents on Dropbox, etc. Files provides the ability to move your files.
To do this, navigate to the directory of the file to move, press Select. and choose one or more files. Then tap on the folder icon at the bottom of the application interface and choose the new location to save the file.
Confirm the file move by pressing Move (for moving to iCloud Drive) or Copy (for files stored in third-party application locations).
4. Save email attachments
The attachments you receive via emails can be easily saved so that you no longer have to manually search for the message in your inbox to find a received document.
Launch Mail and open the message containing the attachment you want to save. Long press on the file, then in the sharing window that appears, tap Save to Files. Choose a backup directory and validate the saving of the file by pressing Add.
5. Send a file as an email attachment
Need to share a file with a loved one? From the body of your message, bring up the options bubble by tapping once next to the cursor. Then tap the arrow for more options and select Add Attachment.
The file explorer opens, you just have to select your document to attach it as an attachment to your email.
Note that it is also possible to send a file as an email attachment directly from the Files application. Access the directory containing the document, press Select. and choose your file. Then tap the share button, then select Mail.
The document will automatically be added as an attachment in the body of the message.