Apple Announces New 'Files' App Coming With iOS 11

Monday June 5, 2017 12:12 PM PDT by Tim Hardwick
As predicted, Apple today announced a new iOS 11 app called Files at its WWDC Keynote in San Jose, California.


The new Files app for iOS brings together files and documents stored in the cloud across various apps and services, including third-party cloud storage like Box, Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Drive.
The new Files app keeps everything in one place, whether files are stored locally, in iCloud Drive or across other providers like Box, Dropbox and more, and with Drag and Drop available across the system, moving images and text is easier than ever.
With an interface similar to Finder on the Mac, Files for iOS lets users organize and structure their files with proper folders and subfolders, with various file-based options available at a touch.

Earlier today, a new placeholder app listing for a "Files" app appeared on the iOS App Store. iOS 11 is expected to be released by Apple in the fall.

Tag: WWDC 2017
66 comments


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KALLT
29 months ago
A shame that it is apparently iPad-only.
Rating: 8 Votes
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Relentless Power
29 months ago
Much welcomed and much needed. Apple Listened on this one. I like iCloud drive, but this is going to be extremely useful for dropbox and Google drive.
Rating: 6 Votes
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Glassed Silver
29 months ago
A step in the right direction.

This will take a few iterations untils it truly shines, but at long last they listened and acknowledged that proper file management is crucial to professional workflows.

Hell, even in many casual situations this makes lives just way easier.

We're still FAR off iPad replacing Mac and I doubt it will ever happen, but to not artificially hold back either from overlapping the other is the better long term strategy I think.

Kudos to Apple for this one. A very welcome change!

Glassed Silver:mac
Rating: 5 Votes
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notengoojotas
29 months ago
Does anyone know if you can mount a ligthning external drive and see its contents in Files?
Rating: 3 Votes
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Samuel Bradshaw
29 months ago

A shame that it is apparently iPad-only.

It's not iPad only – it works great on my iPhone 6! I can't figure out how to add Google Drive or OneDrive, though.
Rating: 3 Votes
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Sefstah
29 months ago
Thank you for finally listening to us!!
Rating: 3 Votes
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rikscha
29 months ago
What about downloading files in safari. This is the only reason to keep a Mac now.
Rating: 3 Votes
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capuzino
29 months ago

A shame that it is apparently iPad-only.

At least they're testing the app on iPhone.


Rating: 3 Votes
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Samuel Bradshaw
29 months ago

Are we able to rename files?

Yes, when you long-press on a file (without dragging) it brings up a menu with options to copy, rename, move, share, tag, see info, or delete.
Rating: 2 Votes
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jjsagona
29 months ago
It looks more like an app unifying cloud based storage services (iCloud, DropBox, Google Drive, Box). Is there actually any access to files on the iPad or just more unified synchronization of application data on iCloud?
Rating: 2 Votes
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