How to manage files on iOS and Android

One of The changes we’ve seen in phones over recent years have been more control over file systems. After previously hiding much of your local storage structure, Android and iOS now give you easy access to it so you can manage your files in a similar way to how you do on Windows or macOS.

It reflects some of the gradual changes in the phones we carry with us, including increasing amounts of built-in storage space, increasingly complex applications, and increasingly sophisticated operating systems. Links to cloud storage platforms are now more common than ever, increasing the need for local file management tools.

Although there are many file management tools that can be used, especially on Android, we will focus on the tools included in Android and iOS, and what you can do with them. In addition to giving you a better idea of ​​what files you have and where they are located, these apps will also help you free up space on your devices.

Files on Android

The Files app on Android lets you browse folders in several ways.David Nield

If you have an Android phone, you’ll find that Google’s Files app comes pre-installed. Open the app and you’ll see your recently saved files first, then the different file categories you can browse, including Downloads, the pictures, Videosand Documents. You can also search for files using the box at the top.

At the bottom of the screen, you can access each folder in your file via File Internal storage Button and every cloud storage account you have connected to Android via Other storage button. There is also access to your account Secure folder Here, it’s a private folder that you can protect with a PIN and use to store particularly sensitive files.

Once you’re inside a specific folder or file category, you can tap on any file to open it — for formats that can’t be opened within the Files app itself, you’ll be asked to choose a different app on your phone to handle them. Tap the grid or menu icon in the top right corner to change the folder view, the three dots (also top right), then Sort by To change the order in which files appear. New folders can be added from the same list.