The iOS 18 update brings a host of new features to the Files app, enhancing its functionality and making file management on your iPhone more efficient. These improvements are designed to streamline your workflow and provide better control over your digital documents.
Cloud integration for desktop and documents
Apple has simplified the process of syncing your desktop and documents folders to the cloud:
- When you add a third-party cloud account to your device, you’ll receive a prompt to sync your desktop and documents.
- If you skip this step initially, you can always set it up later through the Settings app.
This feature ensures that your important files are automatically backed up and accessible across all your Apple devices, promoting seamless productivity.
Offline file access
The new “Keep downloaded” feature addresses the common issue of needing files when you’re offline:
- Select specific iCloud files that you want to always have available on your device.
- Any modifications made to these files while offline will sync with iCloud once you’re connected again.
This functionality is particularly useful for frequent travelers or those who often work in areas with unreliable internet connections, ensuring that critical files are always at your fingertips.
Enhanced external drive support
For iPhone users with USB-C ports, the Files app now offers expanded options for formatting external drives:
- Long-press on an external drive in the Files app.
- Choose to format the drive to one of these file systems:
- APFS (Apple File System)
- exFAT
- MS-DOS (FAT32)
This increased flexibility allows for better compatibility when using your external drives across different devices and operating systems.
Simplified external drive erasure
The process of erasing an external drive has been streamlined:
- Connect your external drive to your iPhone.
- Open the Files app and find the mounted drive.
- Long-press the drive icon.
- Select “Erase” from the pop-up menu.
This feature eliminates the need for a computer when you want to quickly wipe an external drive, making on-the-go file management more convenient.
Impact of new features
These updates to the Files app in iOS 18 bring several benefits:
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Enhanced cloud integration: The streamlined cloud setup process facilitates easier synchronization of your desktop and documents across all your Apple devices, ideal for those who frequently switch between iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
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Improved offline capabilities: The “Keep downloaded” feature ensures that your essential files are always accessible, even without an internet connection, catering to users who often work in areas with limited connectivity.
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Greater external drive versatility: The expanded formatting options and simplified erasing process for external drives offer more flexibility in managing storage devices directly from your iPhone, particularly beneficial for users who regularly transfer files between different platforms.
These enhancements to the Files app in iOS 18 significantly improve file management capabilities on iOS devices, reducing the need to rely on a computer for many file-related tasks and offering a more comprehensive mobile file management experience.