How to find and view files and folders in Files on iPhone

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

You can focus your search on Recents or a location or tag, and start a new search at any time, too. You can also select an app to open a file, and choose a default app for a type of file.

Here’s how to find and view files and folders in Files on iPhone.

Find a specific file or folder

1. Open the Files app on your iPhone.
2. 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 Search.
• 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 you open a file, you can specify which app to open it with.

1. Open the Files app on your iPhone.
2. Touch and hold the file you want to open.
3. Choose Open With from the menu. Choose an option.

Choose a default app for opening a file

You can specify a default app to open a file with, so that the file always opens in that app when you tap it.

1. Open the Files app on your iPhone.
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.

If you choose a new default app for opening the file, a prompt asks you to confirm whether the default app should change for that file or file type.

Open a file in Quick Look

In Quick Look, you can preview an image file or a PDF.

1. Open the Files app on your iPhone.
2. Touch and hold the file, tap Open With, and choose Preview with Quick Look.

Browse files and folders

1. Open the Files app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Browse. Tap a document on the Browse screen.
3. If you don’t see the Browse screen, tap Browse again.
4. To view recently opened files, tap Recents.
5. To open a file, location, or folder, tap it.

Note: A file created by an app you haven’t installed still opens, as a preview in Quick Look.

Change how files and folders are sorted

1. Open the Files app on your iPhone.
2. From an open location or folder, tap the More button.
3. Choose an option: Name, Kind, Date, Size, or Tags.