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All iPads Hidden files that I cannot delete

A

Allan in T.Dot

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 14, 2010
206
37
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I was searching through my IPP (OS 13) and found a file that I thought I had deleted a while back. I went into Files and there it was in my downloads folders. I tried to delete it and it seemed to go away, but when I did another search for the same document there it was again. I use the Flies app to look into the downloads folder again but it shows as empty. My trash bin is emptied - is this a bug?

EDIT-the details of this issue are best described in posting 4 below.
 
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Update: this apparently isn’t a bug as far as i can tell. This is a security issue with the 3rd party app.

Another iPadOS fail. I will not elebaorate on the details any further as I have already contacted the developer.
 
Okay, sure. The Files app is buggy that transferring files is not a reliable aspect of the app - something I think is pretty well documented here on the forums. Hence the reliance on 3rd party apps to get things done. Well, the 3rd party app has a pretty hefty security issue. In fact, I've already reported a few security issues with this app which is now making me concerned about what I don't know about.

So making the OS so dysfunctional and needing to rely on 3rd party apps is a bit of a fail no?

EDIT - getting frustrated on a daily basis so I do apologize. My kid is doing home school now and she took my 2013 MBP which can multitask like a beast. I've been trying to get a solid grip on the 2020 IPP but I find it severely lacking.
 
If you cannot delete a file you downloaded, that sounds like something is messed up with your iPadOS. I can easily delete any file I have downloaded from my iPad Pro.

If you are trying to delete a hidden system file that somehow ended up in your downloads folder, that is a different story all together.

You create a thread to complain and then don't really offer any details about what it is you are complaining about. How do you expect people here to be able to help?
 
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Apple_Robert said:
If you cannot delete a file you downloaded, that sounds like something is messed up with your iPadOS. I can easily delete any file I have downloaded from my iPad Pro.

If you are trying to delete a hidden system file that somehow ended up in your downloads folder, that is a different story all together.

You create a thread to complain and then don't really offer any details about what ti is you are complaining about. How do you expect people here to be able to help?
Click to expand...
I can’t! As I mentioned in my second post, it’s a security flaw in the 3rd party app and I don’t want it to get exploited. I have already informed the developers! However, I will give details once the developer gets back to me with an immediate solution.
 
Allan in T.Dot said:
Okay, sure. The Files app is buggy that transferring files is not a reliable aspect of the app - something I think is pretty well documented here on the forums. Hence the reliance on 3rd party apps to get things done. Well, the 3rd party app has a pretty hefty security issue. In fact, I've already reported a few security issues with this app which is now making me concerned about what I don't know about.

So making the OS so dysfunctional and needing to rely on 3rd party apps is a bit of a fail no?

EDIT - getting frustrated on a daily basis so I do apologize. My kid is doing home school now and she took my 2013 MBP which can multitask like a beast. I've been trying to get a solid grip on the 2020 IPP but I find it severely lacking.
Click to expand...

While I agree the Files app could use some improvements it is based off Finder in its rudimentary code, even if limited. Transferring files from within itself with local storage or iCloud storage or the hooks from Mega/Box/DropBox all work rather VERY good that I’ve used in the past year very well - iPhone 8, iPad Pro 2018 and iPhone SE ‘16 - no issues.

My issues with iPadOS Files app stem from using an external HDD and SanDisk USB key both connected to my HP Thunderbolt 3 Dock G2 (120W) unit ... using Files to move/copy MP4 content from the HDD to the external USB. I have to ensure I don’t leave the app else it corrupts the files.

Corruption of files & names:
when copying MP4’s from HDD to USB ... ends with files marked with strange names (which I cannot see until I connect the USB to my Rogers modem and open using VLC on ATV4).

Corruption of MP4’s:
The issue is when files are copied the names are valid yet does not play back on ATV4 - again this is using the HP TB3 Dock G2 I have.
 
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Allan in T.Dot said:
Okay, sure. The Files app is buggy that transferring files is not a reliable aspect of the app - something I think is pretty well documented here on the forums. Hence the reliance on 3rd party apps to get things done. Well, the 3rd party app has a pretty hefty security issue. In fact, I've already reported a few security issues with this app which is now making me concerned about what I don't know about.

So making the OS so dysfunctional and needing to rely on 3rd party apps is a bit of a fail no?

EDIT - getting frustrated on a daily basis so I do apologize. My kid is doing home school now and she took my 2013 MBP which can multitask like a beast. I've been trying to get a solid grip on the 2020 IPP but I find it severely lacking.
Click to expand...
Enlighten us on the so called 3rd party app perhaps? These forums are about sharing and solving primarily wouldnt you agree? We can either help you if possible, or avoid us falling into the same trap. That’s how things improve, not willy nilly whinging.
 
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cupcakes2000 said:
Enlighten us on the so called 3rd party app perhaps? These forums are about sharing and solving primarily wouldnt you agree? We can either help you if possible, or avoid us falling into the same trap. That’s how things improve, not willy nilly whinging.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm interested in knowing the issue, too. I believe I know what the app is based on earlier threads - I'll leave it to the OP to reveal - and I'd like to hear about the security concern and the developer's response.
 
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cupcakes2000 said:
Enlighten us on the so called 3rd party app perhaps? These forums are about sharing and solving primarily wouldnt you agree? We can either help you if possible, or avoid us falling into the same trap. That’s how things improve, not willy nilly whinging.
Click to expand...
Agreed. Please be patient. Normally this developer gets back pretty quick but it's been over a day so I think they are trying to find a potential solution ASAP as it is pretty impactful.
 
Update: Developer has gotten back to me and has identified it as a bug in the app that is being investigated. Since it doesn't appear to be an error on my part, I will update this posting with details once it has been rectified so as to not be exploited.
 
Allan in T.Dot said:
Update: Developer has gotten back to me and has identified it as a bug in the app that is being investigated. Since it doesn't appear to be an error on my part, I will update this posting with details once it has been rectified so as to not be exploited.
Click to expand...

The fact that you have identified that a 3rd party app which adds functionality to the Files app is likely sufficient for the 'bad guys' to be looking to, if not already, exploiting, this. Keeping it secret only puts the users of this app at risk.

If I was a user of this app I'd want to know, so I could delete it, at least until a fixed version was available.

For OS vulnerabilities I understand not revealing the issue, but for an app I can delete I see no reason to keep it secret.
 
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MevetS said:
The fact that you have identified that a 3rd party app which adds functionality to the Files app is likely sufficient for the 'bad guys' to be looking to, if not already, exploiting, this. Keeping it secret only puts the users of this app at risk.

If I was a user of this app I'd want to know, so I could delete it, at least until a fixed version was available.

For OS vulnerabilities I understand not revealing the issue, but for an app I can delete I see no reason to keep it secret.
Click to expand...
Agreed. How about this, if you can replicate the problem in your own 3rd party app then you may want to delete it. The reason I don't want to release the name of the app is because I don't want to transfer all the files that I have within the app's secure folder, delete the app, and hope the problem goes away. Furthermore, and most importantly, I would no longer have a reliable way to move large files around because of the 'fun' stock Files app! My files are double protected but others may not have that option or be able to easily transfer the files out.
 
Allan in T.Dot said:
Agreed. How about this, if you can replicate the problem in your own 3rd party app then you may want to delete it. The reason I don't want to release the name of the app is because I don't want to transfer all the files that I have within the app's secure folder, delete the app, and hope the problem goes away. Furthermore, and most importantly, I would no longer have a reliable way to move large files around because of the 'fun' stock Files app! My files are double protected but others may not have that option or be able to easily transfer the files out.
Click to expand...
After reading your post here, it seems that the focal point about not releasing the name, is about protecting yourself and the heck with your fellow forum members. That is a very crappy attitude. You have a lot of nerve creating a thread asking for help and then making a post like this. Very, very, selfish behavior.

Releasing the name doesn't increase your risk. You haven't even stated what the vulnerability is.
 
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Allan in T.Dot said:
Update: Developer has gotten back to me and has identified it as a bug in the app that is being investigated. Since it doesn't appear to be an error on my part, I will update this posting with details once it has been rectified so as to not be exploited.
Click to expand...

Any update? One would think such a serious security problem would be fixed by now ...
 
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