How to find files on your iPhone or iPad

With the Files app, you can view, organise and share your files, and more.

Open the Files app

  1. On your iPhone or iPad, tap to open the Files app. It has a blue folder icon.

  2. If you can't find the app, swipe down on your Home Screen to search for it.

An image of Search on an iPhone. The Files app icon is listed under Top Hit at the top of the screen.

Find and manage your files

  1. Once you're in the Files app, tap the Browse tab to find the file you want. Under Locations, files are sorted by:

    • On My [iPhone or iPad]: files stored locally on the device that you're using.

    • iCloud Drive: files and folders that sync to iCloud Drive, including Pages, Numbers, Keynote documents and more.

    • [External storage device]: files connected to your device from a USB drive or SD card reader.

    • [Third-party apps]: files in other cloud services and apps that you connect, such as like Box, Dropbox, OneDrive and more.

  2. Once you find your file, you can view, edit or download it, and more.

Your photo library isn't stored in the Files app, but you can save photos to iCloud Drive (or another cloud service) in the Files app. Password-protected zip folders or directories also aren't in the Files app.