How to Manage Files on iOS and Android

One of The changes we’ve seen in phones in recent years have been better control of file systems. After hiding much of the local storage structure, Android and iOS now allow you to easily access it so you can manage your files the same way you would on Windows or macOS.

This reflects some incremental changes in the phones we carry around with us, including increasing amounts of built-in storage space, increasingly complex apps, and increasingly sophisticated operating systems. Ties with cloud storage platforms are also more common than ever, reinforcing the need for local file management tools.

While there are several file managers to use, especially on Android, we’re going to focus on the tools built into Android and iOS and what you can do with them. Besides 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

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

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

Further down the screen you can access all folders in your file via the Internal storage and each cloud storage account you have connected to Android via the Other storage button. You also have access to your Secure folder here it is a special folder that you can protect with a PIN code and use to store particularly sensitive files.

Once you are in a specific folder or file category, you can tap on any file to open it. For formats that can’t be opened in the Files app itself, you’ll be prompted to choose another app on your phone to handle it. Tap the grid or list icon in the upper right corner to change the folder view, as well as the three dots (also in the upper right), then sort by to change the order in which files are displayed. New folders can be added from the same menu.