The Files app is the native file manager on the iPhone and iPad. It is user-friendly and keeps your storage organized. Moreover, it also supports third-party cloud storage apps like Google Drive, Dropbox, etc. So it’s convenient to use the Files app in iOS 14 on your iPhone and iPad to access all your photos, videos, PDFs, and documents in one place. Whether you are a beginner or a long-time user, check out this handy guide.
They can be copied over in iTunes still. Apple offers somewhat confusing instructions in this support document under “Manually add items from your computer.” You need to find the iOS app files. Manage files and media. Once you are connected, you will be able to manage media files, contacts, and messages; you can even back up your device. Click on the corresponding category you see on-screen. Click on the Add button on the top-left corner of your window. You will not be able to choose any file to include in your device.
Add Third-party Apps in Files App on iPhone. To enable third-party apps in the Files app, you first.
1. Add Third-party Apps in Files App on iPhone
To enable third-party apps in the Files app, you first have to download those apps from the App Store. After that,
Step #1. Open the Files app.
Step #2. Tap on Browse → Tap on three dots icon from the top right.
Step #3. Tap on Edit.
Step #4. Now, enable the option for a third-party app like Google Drive, Box, One Drive, Dropbox, Adobe Creative Cloud, etc. → Tap on Done.
2. Check Files Stored Locally on iPhone or iPad
Step #1. Open the Files app → Tap Browse → Tap on On My iPhone.
Here you will see all files that are stored locally on your iPhone or iPad. If you do not see the option for On My iPhone, follow the above tip and enable it.
3. Connect External Devices in Files App
You can connect external devices to your iPad and see it in the Files app. For this, just connect a compatible USB flash drive, SD card, or hard drive, and you will see it under Locations in the Files app.
4. Create New Folders in the Files App
Step #1. Under iCloud Drive or On My iPhone, touch and hold in an empty area.
Step #2. Tap on New Folder → Type a name and tap on Done.
5. Search for Files
In the Files app, you will see a search bar at the top. Tap on it and input the file name to search for a file. The search result will also display where the file is stored, like On My iPhone, iCloud Drive, etc. Tap on the file from the search result to view it.
6. Add a Favorite Folder
Step #1. Open the Files app → Tap on Browse and choose a location.
Step #2. When you see a folder, long-press it.
Step #3. Now, tap on Favorite → Tap on Browse from the bottom row and below Locations, you will see a heading titled Favorites. Your favorite folder will be shown below it.
7. View Recently Accessed Files
Step #1. Open the Files app → Tap on Recent from the bottom row.
Step #2. Now, view all recently opened files here.
8. Use Drag and Drop in Files App on iPad
To drag and drop in the Files app, touch and hold the file or folder until it lifts up. After that, simply drag it to another location within the app.
9. Move Multiple Docs at Once in Files App Manually
Step #1. Open the Files app → tap on the Browse tab → Go to the location where you have saved the document.
Step #2. Tap on Select from the upper right → Select multiple files.
Step #3. Now, tap on a single folder icon → Select a location and tap Copy.
10. Duplicate Multiple Docs at Once in Files App
Step #1. Open the Files app → Tap on the Browse tab → go to the location where you have saved the document.
Step #2. Tap on Select from the upper right. Next, select multiple files.
Step #3. Tap the icon with two squares with a plus.
Step #4. Duplicates of the selected files will be created. These files will have the word ‘2’ at the end of the file name.
11. Share Docs and Folders in Files App
Step #1. Open the Files app → Browse tab → Go to the location where you have saved the document.
Step #2. Touch and hold the document.
Step #3. Tap Share and then select an option from the Share Sheet. You may AirDrop, Email, share via third-party apps, and more.
12. Add Tags in Files App
Step #1. Open the Files app → tap on the Browse tab → go to the location.
Step #2.Touch and hold the file → Tap on Tags.
Step #3. Select a color tag or Add New Tag → Tap on Done.
Step #4. Tap on Browse. Here you will see a heading named Tags. Tap on a tag to access all files under it.
13. Customize Tags in Files App
You can conveniently customize tags in the Files app. For instance, you can add a new one, remove the one you don’t like anymore, and even rearrange them. Here is all about customizing tags in the Files app.
14. Delete Files in File App
Step #1. Launch Files app → Top on Browse tab → Go to the location.
Step #2. Touch and hold a file. Tap on Delete from the pop-up. It will be immediately deleted.
15. Delete Multiple Docs At Once in Files App
Step #1. Open the Files app → Tap on the Browse tab → Go to the location where you have multiple files.
Step #2. Tap on Select from the upper right. Select multiple files by touching their icons.
Step #3. Tap the delete icon from the bottom row. Multiple files will be deleted.
16. Recover Deleted Docs in Files App
Accidentally deleted a file? Don’t worry. Here is how you can recover them.
Step #1. Open the Files app and tap on Browse.
![App App](/uploads/1/3/4/1/134152113/678072756.png)
Step #2. Tap on Recently Deleted under Locations.
Step #3. For a single file, touch and hold it and then tap Recover. The file will be immediately restored to its original location.
To recover multiple deleted files at once, tap Select and then select the files. Finally, tap Recover.
17. Use Coloring or Drawing Tools in Files App
You can use markup tools on certain file types in the Files app to color and draw. For example, you can add signature, text, magnifier, sketch, draw on images, and PDFs. For this,
Step #1. In the Files app, open a compatible file.
Step #2. Tap on the round pencil icon from the upper right.
Step #3. Here you can use various tools. To add signature, text, and magnifier, tap the plus button from the bottom right.
18. Zip and Unzip Files
It is effortless to zip and unzip files in the Files app. You can learn more about it here with proper screenshots.
19. Use Keyboard Shortcuts in Files App
Using keyboard shortcuts, you can quickly carry out your tasks if you have paired your device with a physical keyboard. Learn how to use keyboard shortcuts in the Files app on the iPad.
Signing off…
Hopefully, this has given you a better idea about everything that’s possible with the Files app. I quite enjoy using it and often access it from within third-party apps like WhatsApp too. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Looking for More:
If you have a query, please make use of the comments section below.
I have been an Apple user for over seven years now. At iGeeksBlog, I love creating how-tos and troubleshooting guides that help people do more with their iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, and Apple Watch. In my free time, I like to watch stand up comedy videos, tech documentaries, news debates, and political speeches.
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Jignesh Padhiyar is the co-founder of iGeeksBlog.com who has a keen eye for news, rumors and all the unusual stuff that happens around Apple products. During his tight schedule, Jignesh finds some moments of respite to share side-splitting contents on social media.
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Whether you want to backup your iPhone files or you just simply want to view your images on Mac’s large screen, here you will learn how to transfer files from an iPhone over to a Mac using multiple ways.
iPhone Transfer Tips
Transfer from iPhone
Transfer To iPhone
Airdrop Tips
An iPhone is a great piece of device that can both create as well as store dozens of file types. It can store your photos, videos, documents, and many other types of files for you. Sometimes, you may need to transfer some of your iPhone files over to your Mac. There could be various reasons why you may want to do it.
Maybe you are running out of space on your iPhone and you want to transfer a few of your large files to your Mac. Or maybe you need to edit a PDF file available on your iPhone using your Mac. Regardless, the question is how do you transfer your files?
Well, there are multiple ways to transfer files from an iPhone to a Mac. You can use built-in options, official apps, and third-party apps to get your job done. The following shows all of those methods to help you do the task.
How to Transfer Files from iPhone to Mac with iTunes
You are likely familiar with the iTunes app especially if you use it to create backups of your iPhone. In addition to letting you backup your files, the app lets you transfer files from your iPhone to your Mac as well.
It needs utilizing the File Sharing option available in the app that lets you both copy files from iOS to Mac and Mac to iOS. The following is how you use it.
Step 1. Download and install the latest version of iTunes on your Mac if you do not already have it.
Step 2. Connect your iPhone to your computer and launch the iTunes app. When the app launches, find and click on the icon for your iPhone.
Step 3. A menu will appear in the left sidebar of the app. Find the option that says File Sharing and click on it to open it.
Access File Sharing in iTunes
Step 4. On the right-hand side panel, you will see the apps that are compatible with the File Sharing feature. Once you see your files, drag the file from the iTunes window and drop it onto a Finder window on your Mac.
Your chosen file or files will be copied from your iPhone to your Mac. You will find the file in your chosen directory on your Mac.
How to Transfer Files from iPhone to Mac with iCloud
If you have a high-speed Internet connection, you can use the iCloud service for transferring files from your iPhone to your Mac. It utilizes the iCloud Drive feature that lets you share files across your Apple devices.
Step 1. On your iPhone, open the Settings app, tap on your name at the top, and select iCloud.
Access iCloud settings on the iPhone
Step 2. On the screen that follows, turn both Photos and iCloud Drive toggles to the ON position. It will enable both of these features on your device.
Step 3. On your Mac, click on the Apple logo at the top-left corner of your screen and select System Preferences. Then, find and click on the iCloud option.
Step 4. Ensure the iCloud Drive and Photos options are check-marked.
Enable iCloud Drive on the Mac
![App App](/uploads/1/3/4/1/134152113/176860731.jpg)
You will see a new folder named iCloud Drive in your Finder. Any files that you put in iCloud Drive on your iPhone will be available in this folder on your Mac.
How to Transfer Files from iPhone to Mac with AirDrop
AirDrop is the easiest way to transfer files from an iPhone to a Mac as all it requires you to do is connect both your devices to the same wireless network. As long as you meet this minimum requirement, you are good to transfer your files.
Step 1. Open a Finder window on your Mac, click on AirDrop in the left sidebar, and click on Turn On Bluetooth in the right-hand side pane.
Step 2. On your iPhone, select the files you want to transfer and tap on the share icon. Then, tap on AirDrop and select your Mac on the list.
Use AirDrop to transfer files on the iPhone
It will transfer your selected files from your iPhone to your Mac. These files will be available in the Downloads folder on your Mac.
How to Transfer Files from iPhone to Mac with Cloud
iCloud is not the only cloud service you have available for iPhone to transfer your files. You can use various other cloud services as well such as Google Drive and Dropbox. Here we show you how to use Google Drive to share files from your iPhone to your Mac.
Step 1. Download, install and launch the Google Drive app on your iPhone. Sign in to your Google account.
Step 2. Upload the files that you want to transfer to your Mac in the app on your iPhone.
Step 3. Install the Google Drive app on your Mac. It will add a new folder called Google Drive to the Finder. Open this folder and you will be able to access your iPhone files on your Mac.
Access the iPhone files on the Mac via Google Drive
You can also use Dropbox in a similar way to transfer your files.
How to Transfer Files from iPhone to Mac with AnyTrans
The methods described above should work just fine if you have plenty of time available. However, if you are short on time and you would like something easy and fast, you are better off using a third-party app to transfer your files.
AnyTrans is an excellent choice when it comes to transferring files from iOS-based devices to your computer. It lets you quickly select and send files from your iPhone to any of your computers.
The following shows how to use the app on your Mac.
Step 1. Download AnyTrans and install it on your machine.
Step 2. Connect your iPhone to your Mac and launch the app. Click on More in the app to view more options available for you.
Step 3. Click on the File System option followed by the System in the left sidebar. It will let you view your iPhone files.
View iPhone files in AnyTrans
Step 4. Select the files you want to transfer to your Mac from the right-hand side pane. Then, click on the option that says To Computer at the top.
Step 5. You will see the following when your files are transferred.
Files successfully transferred from your iPhone to your Mac
AnyTrans really makes transferring files between iOS and other devices easier than any other method for you.
The Bottom Line
If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to transfer files from your iPhone to a Mac, you have several options available to do the task as described in the above guide.
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