Are you a newcomer and struggling to find your way around the iOS universe? Are iCloud, Memoji, and Safari terms unfamiliar to you? Explorer Files , even less so? Of course, when we hear " File" , we realize it's a document manager and more.
However, do you actually know where it is on your iPhone? Do you know how to use it? Are there any alternatives? Hesitant or unsure? We'll shed some light on this in this article!
iPhone File Explorer: What is it really?
Since iOS 11, Apple has natively integrated a file explorer into iPhones and iPads. Simply named " Files, " it allows you to organize, structure, search, read, edit, or delete all the files (documents, photos, videos, etc.) on your iPhone.
Having trouble accessing files downloaded locally by certain apps on your iPhone? Can't access some online storage services like iCloud Drive? It's simple… Search for and find Files , and your problem will be solved!
As for its location, it can be found just like any other application in the menu. You unlock your phone and look for the application whose icon looks somewhat like a file manager .
Still can't find it? It's possible it was deleted without you knowing. After all, when you get a new iPhone, everyone wants to see it, touch it, and handle it… You never know 😅. Follow these steps to restore your iPhone Explorer file if it was deleted:
- Go to the App Store on your iOS device
- In the search bar, type " Files "
- Once it appears, tap to restore it
- Please wait until the restoration is complete, then access it.
Related article: How to recover a permanently deleted file?
How to use File Explorer on iPhone or iPad?
The application is very easy to use thanks to its user-friendly interface, which is structured around two tabs. The first tab allows you to access recently viewed files, and the second provides access to different storage locations. You can use iPhone File Explorer to:
Create or add one or more other locations
Depending on the apps you have on your device, you can manage one or more storage locations from Files. This makes it easy to manage documents stored on your device's internal memory, as well as those stored on iCloud Drive.
If you wish, you can add other online storage services such as Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox. To do so:
- Go to Files and then to the " Explore "
- Next, click on the " Edit " option located in the upper right corner of the interface.
- Next, activate the services you want by pressing the buttons next to each service
Add tags or move certain files
iPhone File Explorer simplifies your tasks by using tags. These tags allow you to quickly find your files or folders. To add one or more tags:
- Access the directory containing the files to be tagged
- Next, tap the " Select " option located in the upper right corner.
- Next, select the different elements you want to tag
- After making your selection, look in the bottom left corner of your screen. You'll see a share button. Click on it and wait
- In the window that appears, select the " +Tag "
- Choose a tag that already exists, or if you've never created one, create a new one by pressing the " Add a new tag "
- Click OK to confirm your choice.
Besides tags, you can move files within the iPhone File Explorer, especially if you've set up multiple locations. Whether you're sending office documents (Word, Excel, etc.) to iCloud Drive or uploading PDFs to Dropbox, the Files app will remain your best ally. If you want to better organize your files by placing each item in its category, follow these steps:
Step 1: Go to the directories of the file you want to move and then press the " Select "
Step 2: After selecting the files, click on the folder-like icon at the bottom of the screen and choose the new storage location for the selected file(s).
Step 3: Confirm the operation by clicking on the " Move " or "Copy" depending on the location.
Read also: How to send large files?
What are the alternatives to iPhone File Explorer?
If you're having trouble using Files or simply don't like this native Apple app, you can choose to delete it and install a new one that might suit you better. We've therefore compiled a list of the three best file explorers for iPhone or iPad:
iExplorer
This is an iPhone file explorer developed by Macroplant, which is highly regarded by Windowsusers. It's very lightweight and easy to use, which is precisely why it's the top choice on this list.
iMazing
This iPhone file manager app features a user-friendly interface with multiple storage categories. The app allows you to back up and manage your contacts and apps. You can even import or export them to another iOS device.
iFunbox
This file explorer has an advanced "App Sandbox" feature that allows you to quickly access your device's directories at the root level. You can even use it as a USB drive for data transfer.
