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hajime

macrumors 604
Original poster
Jul 23, 2007
7,922
1,312
Hi, when I use MacOS and Windows, I store files on desktop or some user folders. On the iPad, where shall I store the files?
 

L T

macrumors 6502
Feb 24, 2013
433
108
UK
In the Files app, there is then a Files widget you can use to show select folders on the Home Screen
 

Shirasaki

macrumors P6
May 16, 2015
16,263
11,764
In iOS, files are stored within apps, and some can be linked to another app while others cannot be moved to elsewhere easily. Cloud storage is the most common destination, but local storage is also favoured if files you deal with are pretty big.

You dont really get to see the so-called “home folder” or “desktop folder” like in macOS or Windows. And desktop on iOS cannot be used to store files, but only app icons and some shortcuts.
 

slplss

macrumors 6502a
Nov 2, 2011
946
1,010
EU
Just create a local or iCloud folder (call it a Desktop if you want) and make it always visible on Home Screen using the Files widget. iCloud folders are accessible on PC too, it’s a pretty seamless experience.
 

hajime

macrumors 604
Original poster
Jul 23, 2007
7,922
1,312
In the Files app, there is then a Files widget you can use to show select folders on the Home Screen

Thanks. I opened the Files app but couldn't see Files widget. Then, I used the following method to create a Files widget on the Home Screen. However, clicking on it seems to show the same things as clicking on the Files app automatically created by the system. Have I done anything wrong?

https://www.***************/how-to-add-files-widget-to-iphone-home-screen-ios/
 

hajime

macrumors 604
Original poster
Jul 23, 2007
7,922
1,312
In iOS, files are stored within apps, and some can be linked to another app while others cannot be moved to elsewhere easily. Cloud storage is the most common destination, but local storage is also favoured if files you deal with are pretty big.

You dont really get to see the so-called “home folder” or “desktop folder” like in macOS or Windows. And desktop on iOS cannot be used to store files, but only app icons and some shortcuts.
When I clicked on the Files app, on the top left there is a circle with 3 dots. Clicking on it shows: scan document, connect to server, editing the server. Is this where I connect to external storage (be it a NAS, Cloud or USB storage physically connected to the iPad's thunderbolt 4 port)?
 

Shirasaki

macrumors P6
May 16, 2015
16,263
11,764
When I clicked on the Files app, on the top left there is a circle with 3 dots. Clicking on it shows: scan document, connect to server, editing the server. Is this where I connect to external storage (be it a NAS, Cloud or USB storage physically connected to the iPad's thunderbolt 4 port)?
Not really. Location is where you see your external drives and remote servers. That three dots is a place to configure remote server tho.
 

Davidalan

macrumors 6502a
Nov 20, 2012
581
293
When open the files app you will see below recents (on the left side) you will see location. If you have a comparable storage device plugged in this is were you would see it.
 

L T

macrumors 6502
Feb 24, 2013
433
108
UK
Thanks. I opened the Files app but couldn't see Files widget. Then, I used the following method to create a Files widget on the Home Screen. However, clicking on it seems to show the same things as clicking on the Files app automatically created by the system. Have I done anything wrong?

Tap and hold on your files widget then tap edit widget, you can then point it at a folder and it will show the files / folders within that folder.
 
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