How to force file formats to open in a given app?

[OldCorpse]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I really tried searching and can’t find it.

I’m on iPad Air 3, iPadOS 14.3.

Importing files from wherever (mostly USB drives) to the Files App - and I always store them locally (on the iPad).

My experience: when I tap to open an imported file, it automatically selects which app to use to open it. Press+hold menu does not give me any option to “open with” as on MacOS. This has very bad effects for me. For example, for some insane reason, all my rtf files automatically open in an app I have (“Storyist”) and that app cannot open rtf files over a certain (small) size - they immediately crash. I managed to copy/move the file to my GoodReader app and it opens it fine. I’d like to have ALL rtf files open automatically in GoodReader... how do I do that? Also, somehow I don’t know why, but on the sidebar in Files, the first big heading is STORYIST, as if everything always gets automatically imported to Storyist - I *do not want that* - how can I get iPadOS to quit doing that?

Bonus question, which I *think* I might already know the answer to - I know how to put a folder in the ”Favorites” menu on the sidebar in Files App, but can I put an INDIVIDUAL FILE there? I have a particular rtf file that I use constantly (think - diary) that I’d love to have immediate access to by putting in the sidebar, but I can’t find a way to do it - the “press+hold” on that file doesn’t have the “Favorite” option (only folders do). Is there no way to do this? Seems not... if so, that’s lame. But maybe I don’t know how to?

Thanks in advance!

Edit: I know there’s a workaround for the “quick access” file on the Files App, which is to press and hold the “Files App” on the dock, and the last few documents or files you worked on will show - that’s fine if indeed the file you want is one you’ve worked on recently, but sometimes I work on many files and want to go back to my “rtf diary”, but I only used it that morning, so it’s been 10 documents since and it won’t appear with this dock trick. Bottom line, I still need to have a way of accessing it quickly from within for example the Files App. I also know that there’s the “Recents” menu in the sidebar on the Files App, but again, same issue. Thanks!

 

[0128672]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I really tried searching and can’t find it.

I’m on iPad Air 3, iPadOS 14.3.

Importing files from wherever (mostly USB drives) to the Files App - and I always store them locally (on the iPad).

My experience: when I tap to open an imported file, it automatically selects which app to use to open it. Press+hold menu does not give me any option to “open with” as on MacOS. This has very bad effects for me. For example, for some insane reason, all my rtf files automatically open in an app I have (“Storyist”) and that app cannot open rtf files over a certain (small) size - they immediately crash. I managed to copy/move the file to my GoodReader app and it opens it fine. I’d like to have ALL rtf files open automatically in GoodReader... how do I do that? Also, somehow I don’t know why, but on the sidebar in Files, the first big heading is STORYIST, as if everything always gets automatically imported to Storyist - I *do not want that* - how can I get iPadOS to quit doing that?

Bonus question, which I *think* I might already know the answer to - I know how to put a folder in the ”Favorites” menu on the sidebar in Files App, but can I put an INDIVIDUAL FILE there? I have a particular rtf file that I use constantly (think - diary) that I’d love to have immediate access to by putting in the sidebar, but I can’t find a way to do it - the “press+hold” on that file doesn’t have the “Favorite” option (only folders do). Is there no way to do this? Seems not... if so, that’s lame. But maybe I don’t know how to?

Thanks in advance!

Edit: I know there’s a workaround for the “quick access” file on the Files App, which is to press and hold the “Files App” on the dock, and the last few documents or files you worked on will show - that’s fine if indeed the file you want is one you’ve worked on recently, but sometimes I work on many files and want to go back to my “rtf diary”, but I only used it that morning, so it’s been 10 documents since and it won’t appear with this dock trick. Bottom line, I still need to have a way of accessing it quickly from within for example the Files App. I also know that there’s the “Recents” menu in the sidebar on the Files App, but again, same issue. Thanks!

The method I use to quickly access a single file in the Files app sidebar is to create a unique tag for it since the tags are displayed there.

 

[neutrino23]

I come at this from the other direction. After saving something to Files I open it from the app of choice instead of clicking on it from Files. I wonder, can you create a shortcut or automation to open your frequently used file? I don't use a lot of different file types so I don't know how this works for you.

 

[OldCorpse]

Thanks neutrino23, I think you are right - that’s the way to do it. I was just hoping that the direct way would be possible - download a file and immediately open it, but instead, it’s (1) download file (2) open appropriate app (3) navigate to open the downloaded file. A little circuitous, but hey, isn’t that life on an iPad?

These roundabout long way about going from NY to Chicago by way of LA is a feature of operating an iPad. I completely understand the ethos of “if you’re using an iPadOS, you must forget your habits of using MacOS”. You must switch your mentality and ”think different”. However, isn’t it also true that some things can be objectively measured? Like you can count the number of steps it takes to accomplish a task on an iPad vs a Mac. It’s a question of efficiency. Sure, we could say, “iPad is not for manipulating files, it’s for consuming content”, so don’t try to force all the work that is suited to be done on the Mac into being done on the iPad. Each has its function. You use a toothbrush to brush your teeth, and leave it at that. You could use a toothbrush to scrub the floor, but a mop is the suitable tool for floor cleaning not brushing teeth and a toothbrush is not suitable for the floor.

This is something I struggle with a lot since I’ve lost my iMac. I’ll buy another iMac as soon as Apple Silicon is available for iMacs. I do have an M1 MBP, but in the meantime, I thought I’d try to get as much done just using the iPad. I know there’s an endless debate as to whether the iPad can ever be a complete substitute for a Mac, and I know it depends on what your use scenario is. But I keep hearing about folks who completely do 100% of everything on the iPad - and for the life of me, I can’t see it. I’m not a particularly demanding user. I have the ASK keyboard, but I regularly struggle with getting the simplest things done on the iPad. Of course, it’s possible that it’s just me. But that’s why I do research and ask questions to make my proficiency on the iPad as good as I can get it.

Thank you again, and I’ll keep scrubbing the floor with that toothbrush aka using the iPad as much as possible