iOS 11 Files app (local storage of files still missing)

[iphonefreak450]

I am very disappointed. I just installed iOS 11 on my iPhone SE and when I opened up the new Files app, all I could see is the iCloud Drive and OneDrive but no options for storing files locally on the phone...

So basically, I thought the new Files app on iOS 11 would be similar to Android phones were you can store and save documents in the local Documents folder.

So basically, its not really a complete File Manager to store files for LOCAL storage, but instead, everything stored is still in the Cloud...

I am pretty upset! Because I was hoping that finally Apple had a native File Manager for storing local files on the phone.

Now, I may be missing the "Fine Print" here, meaning that I have a strong gut feeling that this option to store files locally on the phone is only available on the iPad or even on iPhone 8 and up versions...

 

[pika2000]

Apple never promised an open file system on iOS. You are upset for your own misplaced expectation.

 

[iphonefreak450]

Well, I did some research by looking at some photos on the File app.
https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com...os-files-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&strip=all

You can clearly see on the Left side On My Phone option.

On the flip side, I kind of agree with Apple from a security standpoint.
If you have a file manager there may be security holes for malware to inject through.
So ,yeah, Its sort of a catch 22.

So not having a complete access to the file system, that's a good for security, but not good for productivity...

It would of been nice to save file locally on the phone, but again, I kind of agree on this from a security standpoint.

 

[chabig]

From Apple: https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-11/

"The new Files app brings all your files together. You can easily browse, search, and organize all your files in one place. And there’s a dedicated place for your recent files. Those on your iPad as well as in apps, on your other iOS devices, in iCloud Drive, and across other services like Box and Dropbox."

So yes it does show files that are in local storage, provided they are stored in an app on your device. I have quite a few mages, spreadsheets, and PDFs that are local on my iPad. They are all on iCloud, though, and stay synchronized when I make changes.

 

[iphonefreak450]

Well, I did some research by looking at some photos on the File app. And this prompted me to install iOS 11. If its only for iPads and newer iPhones, well, it is my fault for not reading the Fine print.
https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com...os-files-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&strip=all

You can clearly see on the Left side On My Phone option.

So not having a complete access to the file system, that's good for security, but not good for productivity...
It would of been nice to save files locally on the phone, but again, I kind of agree on this from a security standpoint.

 

[chabig]

See https://www.***************/on-my-iphone-or-on-my-ipad-missing-in-files-app-in-ios-not-showing/

 

[iphonefreak450]

it doesn’t work. The Add option is greyed out when I select save On My Phone whenever I attempt to save files to the Files app.

What I wish to achieve here, is storing files locally on my phone. I do not use iCloud.

The Add option is greyed out.

Please see attached image.

 

[stulaw11]

This is very simple. You need to have an app that uses the "on my iphone" space to be able to see it.

Per the above link, apps like Keynote and Pages activate folders on the "on my iphone" section. only specific apps do so.

There is no such "bulk location" on the iphone to store random file. Apple still subscribes to the each app sandboxed method on local storage, so there is no local dumping ground for files.

 

[iphonefreak450]

The link had an example for saving Photos from the Photo app which I had also done.

So this means I cannot save any PDF files directly onto my phone for offline reading?

At least i can use iBooks to save PDF files for offline reading.

 

[stulaw11]

But again look at the 2nd image in step 3. On My iPhone is only there because that user has Pages, Numbers, and Pages installed. Those apps create folders in the "On My iPhone) portion and allow access to it.

Then you can save things into those folders. It's not that you can only store pages docs in the pages app folder. But you need to unlock that location by having one of those apps installed. It's a workaround of sorts.

 

[one more]

“On my iPhone/iPad” option is hidden by default, but you can easily “enable” it by saving anything into Files. For example, open any image in Safari, click on the command icon at the bottom of the screen and ask it to save it to Files. Once it is done, on my iPhone/iPad section will pop up.

 

[iphonefreak450]

Thanks for all the help.

As a test, I installed Pages app onto my phone and now I can save even files and PDFs to the On My Phone location.

However, this is still silly...Because I do not (and never will) intend to use the Pages app to create documents. So why does one need to install an app in order to save files onto their phone locally?

 

[fiveainone]

You don't need to use those apps. Just install one and use the Folder it creates in Files. Files can open the PDFs on its own.

If you're really against it use a third-party app like FileApp. It creates a folder as well.

 

[stulaw11]

Because again Apple subscribes the the app sandbox method where there is no lump save to local options. Each app has their own sandbox in local storage for files for that specific app.

There simply is no local central dumping ground for files by design.

 

[iphonefreak450]

I have a statement to make here, and not do I care anymore, but I will make it anyways.

This whole Files app does not make any sense to me at all.

Here is just an example.

1. I use One Drive as my main cloud storage service, and I download and install it from the app store. That's all good.
2. If I now open up the Files app, the Files app then adds One Drive to the structure.
3. But why??? It would be just as simple accessing my One Drive app by clicking on the One Drive app itself instead of going through the Files app.

This just adds a bit more real-estate and space.

Just does not make sense to me on the whole design and layout of the Files app.

 

[stulaw11]

Onedrive app is not updated for Files, very simple answer.

 

[0928001]

I have a statement to make here, and not do I care anymore, but I will make it anyways.

This whole Files app does not make any sense to me at all.

Here is just an example.

1. I use One Drive as my main cloud storage service, and I download and install it from the app store. That's all good.
2. If I now open up the Files app, the Files app then adds One Drive to the structure.
3. But why??? It would be just as simple accessing my One Drive app by clicking on the One Drive app itself instead of going through the Files app.

This just adds a bit more real-estate and space.

Just does not make sense to me on the whole design and layout of the Files app.

It's to organize files across multiple storage locations with one user interface. If you don't like it, delete it.