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iPad User Guide

Find and view files and folders in Files on iPad

In the Files app, you can search for and view your documents, images, and other files.

Find a specific file or folder

  1. Go to the Files app 👁 Image
    on your iPad.

  2. Tap 👁 the Search button
    ,     then enter a filename, folder name, or document type in the search field.

    When you search, you have these options:

    • Focus the scope of your search: Below the search field, tap Recents or the name of the location or tag.

    • Hide the keyboard and see more results on the screen: Tap the search key 👁 the Search button
      on the keyboard.

    • Start a new search: Tap 👁 the Clear Text button
      in the search field.

    • Open a result: Tap it.

Select an app to open a file

When opening a file, you can specify the app you want to open it with.

  1. Go to the Files app 👁 Image
    on your iPad.

  2. Touch and hold the file you want to open.

  3. Choose Open With from the menu, then choose an option.

Choose a default app to always open a file

  1. Go to the Files app 👁 Image
    on your iPad.

  2. Touch and hold the file, then choose Get Info.

  3. Below the Preview, tap the pop-up menu next to Always Open With, then select an app.

    When you select a new default app to open the file, a prompt appears to verify if you want to change the default app for that file or file type.

Open a file in Quick Look

You can preview an image file or a PDF in Quick Look.

  1. Go to the Files app 👁 Image
    on your iPad.

  2. Touch and hold the file, then tap Quick Look.

    Tip: To open a specific type of file in Quick Look, touch and hold the file, tap Open With, then tap Preview with Quick Look.

Browse files and folders

  1. Go to the Files app 👁 Image
    on your iPad.

  2. Tap Browse at the top of the screen, then tap a document on the Browse screen.

    If you don’t see the Browse screen, tap Browse again.

  3. To view recently opened files, tap Recents at the top of the screen.

  4. To open a file, location, or folder, tap it.

    Note: If you haven’t installed the app that created a file, a preview of the file opens in Quick Look.

For information about marking folders as favorites or adding tags, see Tag a file or folder.

Change how files and folders are sorted

  1. Go to the Files app 👁 Image
    on your iPad.

  2. From an open location or folder, tap 👁 the More button
    in portrait orientation or 👁 the Icons button
    in landscape orientation.

  3. Choose an option: Name, Kind, Date, Size, or Tags.

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