How to Make the most of the Files app

Move in

To put a file into a folder, drag it onto the folder’s icon. To drag multiple files, hold a finger on one, start to drag it, then tap others. To move a file out of a folder, drag it onto its parent folder’s name and wait for that to open.

Tags and Favorites

Tap a tag in the sidebar to see all items to which it’s applied. Favorites in the sidebar are folders you’ll want to revisit. You can add an item to that group by choosing Favorite in the options bar, or by dragging it there.

Extract archives

Tap a Zip archive and you can then tap Preview Content to see what’s inside, and preview files if iOS can handle them. While previewing a file, tap Share and choose Save to Files to unzip that file to your chosen location.

Move out

Files’ sidebar doesn’t allow you to drag between locations, but you can move a file between them: long–press it, tap Move and pick a location. To move, copy or share several files, tap Select, tap the files, then a command.

Add other services

To add a cloud service such as Google Drive to Files, install its app on your device. The next time you open Files, tap More Locations in the sidebar and turn on the service’s switch to pin it under the Locations heading.

Improve archiving

There’s no built–in way to unzip a whole archive, but you can build one in Shortcuts. Add the Extract Archive and Save File commands. In the shortcut’s settings, turn on ‘Show in Share Sheet’ and set it to accept files.

Assign a tag

To move or share files from several locations, use tags. Drag files and folders onto a tag in the sidebar; they are then marked with the tag’s color. Or, long press one and tap Tag; this method lets you create new tags.

Browse services

From now on, tap the service name to browse that storage. If you haven’t logged in to the service in its app, the Files app will show a pop–up or switch you to the app for you to log in before it can show your files.

Network shares

FileBrowser ($5.99) lets you browse folders shared on your network within Files. In it, tap + and connect to a folder. In Files, tap More Locations, turn on FileBrowser, tap Done, then tap FileBrowser. Follow the setup steps.