Apple’s ‘interesting’ approach to file management on the iPhone and iPad can be a tad confusing. It almost has a proper file system much like the one you find on pretty much any other computer system. But there is a way to navigate this potential confusion. In particular, iOS and iPadOS now let you download files via Safari and store them. But where are those files and how do you find them later?
Get to know the Files app
Starting with iOS 11 and iPadOS 11, released in 2017, Apple has included the Files app as part of those operating systems. Applications that store data as files can use the Files app.
For example, Apple iCloud Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive can be accessed via Files. But locally stored files are also accessible via Files.
Where are downloads stored?
You’ll notice that under Favourites on the left side, there’s a shortcut to the Downloads folder. Unsurprisingly, that’s where you’ll find the files you’ve downloaded using Safari. That shortcut points to:
On my iPad (or iPhone) > iCloud Drive > DownloadsIf you ever need to find a download, you’ll know where to go. And if you use the same folder on your other Apple devices, assuming they are all using the same Apple ID, you’ll have a universal Downloads folder that makes it easy to use files downloaded from your other devices.
Create a folder shortcut for your Home screen
One of the neat things you can do is create a shortcut to the Downloads (or any other folder) that will automatically open on your iPad or iPhone.
To create a shortcut to a folder (I’m using the iPad instructions but the same options apply on an iPhone although the location of some items is different):
- Open the Shortcuts app, tap Plus from the top right, and then tap Add Action in the shortcut editor.
- Tap on Folder from the list of actions on the right side of the screen.
- Tap on Folder on the right side of the screen (it was added there when you completed the previous step) and navigate to the Downloads folder.
- Once the Downloads folder is open, tap on Open at the top right corner of the dialog bog box.
- Back to the list of actions on the left side, search for Open File and tap on it. This will add the Open option under the folder on the left side of the screen.
- Tap on Default App, and choose Files from the list of options.
- At the top of the screen, tap on Open File (the font will be grey rather than the default black). Tap on Rename to give the shortcut a name (using the folder name is easy, in this case I’d name the shortcut Download) and tap on Add to Home screen so you have a quick way to open the folder.
Anthony is the founder of Australian Apple News. He is a long-time Apple user and former editor of Australian Macworld. He has contributed to many technology magazines and newspapers as well as appearing regularly on radio and occasionally on TV.