The Files app on iPad makes it easy to manage your documents, folders, and cloud storage the way you want. In addition to the standard icon view, there is also a list view. This is useful if you want to quickly see more details, such as the file format, creation date or location. This makes it more organized, especially if you have a lot of files or large folders.
What makes this list view extra nice is that you can quickly sort, filter and navigate between different storage locations, such as iCloud Drive or external drives. In addition, the List View works well with iPadOS’ multitasking capabilities, so you can easily drag, open, or organize documents while using other apps.
List view in Files for iPad
The list view in the Files app is similar to Finder on Mac. You can add, modify and move columns such as Name, File Type, Size, etc. Folders can be collapsed for a better overview, and sorting settings are remembered per folder, making navigating large folders easier.
- Open Files
- Next to the magnifying glass, tap the ‘View button’
- Choose ‘List’
- Tap the ‘View button’ again to change the sorting options
On an iPhone, tap the three dots to select the list view and also immediately adjust the sorting options, for example sorting by name, type, date, etc.
On an iPad you can further customize the display. Tap the three dots below the search field and check the desired items. These are then shown in the list view. You can use the divider between the components to change the column size.
Tasks in background
Did you know that from now on you no longer have to keep the Files app open to download or upload files? These tasks happen in the background while you use other apps. This includes copying and transferring files within the app or to external devices. You can see the progress of the operation as a Live Activity at the top of the screen, similar to AirDrop or notifications. This way you stay informed of the status without having to have the Files app active.