Mastering File Management in the Files App on iPhone

Step by step

1. 30 sec

   Access the main browser

   Open the Files app from your Home Screen or App Library. Tap the Browse tab at the bottom of the screen to view the primary locations, including iCloud Drive, On My iPhone, and connected third-party cloud services.

   Note: Use the search bar at the top to locate specific files across all connected storage locations instantly.
2. 1 min

   Create new folders

   Navigate to the directory where you want to create a new folder. Long-press on an empty space within the file browser and select New Folder from the context menu, or tap the three-dot ellipsis icon in the top right corner and choose New Folder.

3. 1 min

   Move and copy files

   Tap Select in the top right corner and choose the files or folders you wish to move. Tap the Move icon, represented by a folder symbol, at the bottom of the screen, then select your destination directory and tap Move.

   Note: To copy instead of move, select the files, tap the share icon, and select Copy.
4. 1 min

   Share files and folders

   Long-press any file or folder to open the context menu. Tap Share to bring up the iOS share sheet, where you can select AirDrop, Messages, Mail, or third-party apps to distribute your document.

   Note: For iCloud Drive files, select Share Folder to manage specific permissions for collaborators.
5. 1 min

   Manage deleted items

   To recover a file, tap the Browse tab twice to return to the root menu. Select Recently Deleted to view items removed in the last 30 days. Select the desired file and tap Recover to restore it to its original location.

   Note: Files in the Recently Deleted folder are permanently erased after 30 days.