May 29, 2025

Hands-On Apple 184: Files App Walkthrough

19 minutes

Your iPhone and iPad have a hidden powerhouse that rivals macOS Finder - and most users barely scratch its surface. Mikah Sargent takes you on a comprehensive tour of the Files app, revealing powerful features like document scanning, server connections, and collaborative folder sharing that transform your mobile device into a serious productivity machine.

Recents Tab Features - Exploring the most recently accessed files and discovering the powerful "more" button (three dots) that unlocks advanced selection and viewing options

File Selection and Management - How to select multiple files at once, switch between icon and list views, and sort by various criteria including name, date, size, and tags

Built-in Document Scanner - Step-by-step demonstration of the integrated scanning feature that can capture physical documents and automatically convert them to PDFs with edge detection

iCloud Drive Integration - Understanding how Desktop, Documents, and Downloads folders sync between devices, plus accessing app-specific folders like Keynote presentations

Browse Tab Deep Dive - Navigating the main file structure with Locations, Favorites, and Tags sections for organized file management

On-Device vs Cloud Storage - Important distinction between "On My iPhone/iPad" storage (local only) and iCloud Drive (syncs across devices)

Third-Party Service Integration - How cloud providers like Dropbox, Google Drive, and Box appear as locations within the Files app for unified file access

Server Connections - Connecting to network servers using URLs or IP addresses with username/password authentication

Advanced File Actions - Comprehensive tour of tap-and-hold context menus including copy, move, share, download management, compression, and Quick Look preview

File Tagging System - Creating and managing color-coded tags for organizing documents, with examples like categorizing receipts, work files, and user manuals

Favorites and Quick Access - Adding frequently used folders to the Favorites section for faster navigation and workflow optimization

Collaborative Folder Sharing - Setting up shared folders where multiple users can add, edit, and manage files together, complete with messaging and permission controls

Host: Mikah Sargent

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