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How to set up your Game Center profile in the Apple Games app on iPhone

by Emily Long

Game Center is Apple’s social gaming service that lets you connect with friends, track and compare scores and achievements, compete with other players in challenges, and invite friends to multiplayer games.

In the Apple Games app, you can personalize your Game Center profile, manage who can connect with you, and more. You can set up your profile, then edit it later.

Here’s how to set up your Game Center profile in the Apple Games app on iPhone.

Note: You need to be signed in to your Apple Account to use the Apple Games app.

Set up your Game Center profile

  1. Open the Apple Games app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Continue and tap Continue again.
  3. Do the following to customize your player profile:
    • Choose your avatar: Tap the Edit button and select an avatar.
    • Create a nickname: To choose a nickname that your friends will see when you play games together, tap Nickname. Then enter a name or choose one of the suggestions.
    • Choose who can see your game activity: Tap an option.
  4. Tap Continue.

You can also set up your Game Center profile by going to the Settings app, then tapping Game Center. Turn on Game Center, then customize your player profile.

Edit your Game Center profile

  1. Open the Apple Games app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap your avatar and then tap Edit Profile.
  3. Do any of the following:
    • Edit your avatar: Tap the Edit button and select an avatar. Then tap the Done button.
    • Edit your nickname: Tap your current nickname, enter a name or choose one of the suggestions, and then tap the Done button.
  4. When you’re finished, tap the Done button.

You can also edit your Game Center profile by going to the Settings app, tapping Game Center, then tapping Customize Profile.

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How to scan documents with your iPad camera

by Tyler Stephen

On supported iPad models, Camera can automatically detect and scan documents within the camera frame. After you scan a document, you can save it in the Files app, open it in the Preview app, or share it using AirDrop or an app like Mail or Messages.

You can scan additional pages, too, and edit or delete the scans. iPad automatically captures the page, or you can capture the scan yourself instead, and on supported models, the flash can remove shadows and enhance colors. You can also search the scan.

  1. Open Camera on your iPad.

    Make sure Camera is in Photo mode.

  2. Position iPad so the document appears on the screen and tap Scan Document; iPad automatically captures the page.

    To capture the scan yourself instead of automatically, tap Manual, then tap the Shutter button.

    Tip: On supported models, turn on the flash to remove shadows and enhance colors.

  3. Repeat the steps above to scan additional pages.
  4. Tap the thumbnails at the bottom of the screen to edit or delete the scans. Then tap the Back button.
  5. Tap the Done button when you’re done scanning. Then choose one of the following:

    • Save the scan in the Files app: Tap Done, tap Save to Files, and then tap Save.
    • Open the scan in the Preview app: Tap Preview.
    • Search the scan: Tap the Search button.
    • Share the scan using AirDrop, Mail, Messages, or another app: Tap the Share button, then tap a share method.
    • Delete the scan: Tap Done, then tap Delete.

See also

Tags: camera, Files
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How to send files from the Files app on iPad

by Dave Johnson

You can send a copy of any file to others. If you have a document you want to send that isn’t digitized, you can scan it with the Files app first.

To send a smaller version, you can compress a file before you share it. You can also reply to a document you received. And if your files are stored in iCloud Drive, you can invite others to collaborate on files with you.

Here’s how to send files from the Files app on iPad.

Send a file

  1. Open the Files app on your iPad.
  2. Touch and hold the file you want to send and tap Share.

    Tip: To send a smaller version of the file, tap Compress before you tap Share, touch and hold the compressed version of the file (identified as a ZIP file), then tap Share.

  3. Choose an option for sending (for example, AirDrop, Messages, or Mail) and tap Send.

For files or folders stored in iCloud Drive, you can also invite others to collaborate on files with you, so they can view or edit the contents.

Quick tip: Dragging is another way to send files from the Files app. With a Mail or Messages window open next to the Files window, select one or more items in the Files app and drag your selection into a message. See our article, Change the layout of windows.

Reply to a received document

After saving an attachment from the Mail app, you can reply to the email quickly and return the attachment if you want.

  1. Open the Files app on your iPad.
  2. Touch and hold the file you want to reply to and then tap Reply to.

Scan a document

  1. Open the Files app on your iPad.
  2. Open the location or folder where the document you want to scan is located.
  3. Tap the More button and tap Scan Documents.

See also

Tag: Files
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How to connect external storage devices to iPad

by Abigail Shilets

You can use the Files app and other supported apps to access files stored on external devices, such as USB drives and SD cards, connected to your iPad. Depending on your iPad model and device, you may need an adapter. And the device must have only a single data partition.

Connect a USB drive or an SD card reader

  1. Attach the USB drive or SD card reader to the charging port on your iPad using a compatible connector or adapter.

    Depending on your iPad model and external device, you may need the Lightning to USB Camera Adapter, Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter, USB-C to SD Card Camera Reader, or Lightning to SD Card Camera Reader (all sold separately).

    On models that support Thunderbolt / USB 4, you can connect multiple USB drives and other Thunderbolt devices to each other, and then connect the chain of devices to the charging port on your iPad.

    Note: An external storage device must have only a single data partition, and it must be formatted as APFS, APFS (encrypted), macOS Extended (HFS+), exFAT (FAT64), FAT32, or FAT. To change the formatting of a storage device, use the Files app on iPad or a Mac or PC.

  2. Do any of the following:

    • Insert an SD memory card into a card reader: Don’t force the card into the slot on the reader; it fits only one way.

      Note: You can import photos and videos from the memory card directly to the Photos app. See Import and export photos and videos on iPad.

    • View the contents of the drive or memory card: In a supported app (for example, Files), tap Browse at the bottom of the screen and then tap the name of the device below Locations. If you don’t see Locations, tap Browse again at the bottom of the screen.
    • Disconnect the drive or card reader: Remove it from the charging port on iPad.

When you use them with iPad, external hard drives often need an external power source. If a drive doesn’t supply its own power, a powered USB hub works on models that support Thunderbolt / USB 4. On an iPad with a Lightning connector, connect a USB power adapter to the Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter.

See also

Tag: Files
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How to find your downloaded files on iPad

by Dave Johnson

In the Files app, you can find and view your documents, images, and other files that you downloaded from the internet or your mail app. Your downloaded files are in Downloads in the sidebar, and you can check on a file that’s still downloading in Safari.

  1. Open the Files app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Browse or the Sidebar button at the top of the screen. Tap Downloads in the sidebar to see your downloaded files.

Note: When your downloaded files don’t show up, go to the Safari app on your iPad and tap the Downloads button, where you can check the status of a downloading file or quickly access downloaded files; read our guide, Manage downloads.

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How to transfer files between your iPad and other devices

by Dave Johnson

There are multiple ways to transfer photos, videos, and other files between your iPad and other devices like an iPhone, Mac, or Windows device. You can transfer files wirelessly with features like AirDrop or apps like Mail and Messages, or connect your iPad to a computer or an external storage device with a cable, and then transfer or sync files.

You can also use iCloud to store your files, photos, videos, and more, and keep everything up to date on all your devices where you’re signed in to the same Apple Account. Transfers work only for files from iPad apps that support file sharing, though.

Important: Transferring, sharing, or syncing may be restricted for some types of data, such as files saved in an app’s proprietary format, files saved in older software versions, and files protected by copyrights.

Transfer files from your iPad wirelessly

AirDrop is a quick way to share a photo, file, or other item on your iPad with a nearby Apple device. See our article, Use AirDrop on iPad to send items to nearby Apple devices.

Sending a file as an attachment in the Mail or Messages app is another way to transfer files from your iPad to another device.

Transfer files by connecting iPad with a cable

To transfer files to an external storage device, a file server, or your computer, connect your iPad to your Mac or Windows device with a cable. When you transfer files to your Mac or Windows device, the model and operating system of your computer determine whether you use the Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes.

Note: You can transfer files only from iPad apps that support file sharing.

  • Transfer files with your Mac (macOS 10.15 or later): Use the Finder.
  • Transfer files to your Windows device (Windows 10 or later): Use Apple Devices for Windows.
  • Transfer files to your Mac (macOS 10.14 or earlier) or Windows device (Windows 7 or earlier): Use iTunes.
  • Transfer files to a storage device, a file server, or a service like Box or DropBox: See Transfer files from iPad to a storage device, a server, or the cloud.

Sync your iPad with other devices

Supported content, like movies, music, TV shows, and more, can also sync when you connect your iPad to your Mac or Windows device. Add a movie to your iPad, for example, and after a sync, it appears on your computer too.

Syncing files with your Mac or Windows device also happens through the Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes, depending on your computer’s model and operating system.

  • Sync content with your Mac (macOS 10.15 or later): Use the Finder.
  • Sync content with your Windows device (Windows 10 or later): Use Apple Devices for Windows.
  • Sync content with your Mac (macOS 10.14 or earlier) or Windows device (Windows 7 or earlier): Use iTunes.

Automatically keep your files in sync with iCloud

Storing your files, photos, videos, and more in iCloud keeps them synced and accessible on all your devices, as well as on supported web browsers. Change a file on any device signed in to your Apple Account, and the change appears on every other device signed in to the same Apple Account.

Important: OS X 10.10 (or later) or Windows 7 (or later) are required. You must be signed in to the same Apple Account on both your iPad and your computer, as well as any supported web browsers you might be using.

See also

Tags: Files, iCloud
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How to transfer files from iPad to a storage device, a server, or the cloud

by Dave Johnson

With iPad and a computer, you can transfer files using an external storage device, a file server, or a cloud storage service like iCloud, Box, or Dropbox.

You can copy files to a storage device such as a USB drive or SD card with a supported app like Files or Pages, and to connect one to iPad, you might need a cable adapter. In the Files app, you can rename, erase, open, or get info on a connected storage device. On iPad models with a USB-C port, you can even change an external drive to APFS, ExFAT, or MS-DOS (FAT).

Transfer files with an external storage device

  1. Connect your iPad or computer to an external storage device, such as a USB drive or SD card.

    To connect to iPad, you might need a cable adapter. See Connect external storage devices.

    Note: If an alert appears on iPad asking whether to trust this computer, select Trust.

  2. Use a supported app (like Files or Pages) to copy files to the storage device. See Organize files and folders.
  3. Disconnect the storage device and then connect it to the device where you want the copied files to appear.
  4. Copy the files to the connected device.

Access an external storage device

A connected external storage device is something you can open, rename, erase, and get information about.

  1. Go to the Files app on your iPad.
  2. Tap the Sidebar button at the top of the screen.
  3. Touch and hold the name of the storage device below Locations and then do any of the following:
    • View the contents of the storage device: Tap Open in New Window.
    • Rename the storage device: Tap Rename [device].
    • Erase the storage device: Tap Erase.
    • Get information about the storage device: Tap Get Info.

Change the formatting of an external storage device

iPad models that have a USB-C port can use the Files app to quickly reformat an external drive as MS-DOS (FAT), APFS (Apple File System), or ExFAT.

  1. Start the Files app on your iPad.
  2. Tap the Toggle Sidebar button at the top of the screen.
  3. Touch and hold the name of the storage device below Locations. Tap Erase.
  4. Select a format for the device—for example, APFS, ExFAT, or MS-DOS (FAT)—then tap Erase again.

Connect to a computer or file server

  1. Start the Files app on your iPad.
  2. Tap the Sidebar button at the top of the screen.
  3. Tap the More button at the top of the sidebar.
  4. Tap Connect to Server.
  5. Enter a local hostname or a network address, then tap Connect.

    Tip: After you connect to a computer or file server, it appears in the Recent Servers list on the Connect to Server screen. To connect to a recent server, tap its name.

  6. Select how you want to connect:

    • Guest: You can connect as a Guest user if the shared computer permits guest access.
    • Registered User: If you select Registered User, enter your user name and password.
  7. Tap Next and then select the server volume or shared folder in the Browse sidebar (below Shared).

To disconnect from the file server, tap the Eject button next to the server in the Browse sidebar.

Transfer files with a cloud storage service like Box or Dropbox

Note: Subscription fees might apply.

  1. On your iPad or computer, follow the instructions from your cloud storage service to upload the files you want to share.
  2. To access your shared files on iPad, open the Files app, tap the Sidebar button at the top of the screen, and tap the name of the storage service below Locations.

    To access the shared files on a computer, follow the service’s instructions.

Keep selected files downloaded

Files you want to access on your iPad at all times can stay downloaded, and changes you make to them while offline sync with iCloud when you’re back online.

  1. Start the Files app on your iPad.
  2. Locate a file you want to keep downloaded.
  3. Touch and hold the file you want to keep downloaded. Then tap Keep Downloaded in the menu that opens.

    If Keep Downloaded doesn’t appear in the menu, the file is already on your iPad.

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Tag: Files
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How to share files and folders in iCloud Drive on iPad

by Kevin Hollington

After you set up iCloud Drive, you can share individual files and folders with friends and colleagues. When you change a shared file or folder, others see your changes automatically, and if you let people edit, their changes show up for you, too.

You can share a file or folder so only the people you choose can open it, or anyone with the link. And you can let them make changes, or restrict them to viewing only.

These are important characteristics of files and folders shared in iCloud Drive:

  • If you collaborate on a folder, all items added to that folder by you or other participants are automatically shared.
  • The link to a shared file includes its name. If the name or content is confidential, be sure to ask recipients not to forward the link to anyone else.
  • If you move a shared file to another folder or location, the link no longer works, and people lose access to the item.
  • Depending on the app, users might need to reopen a file or tap the original link to see the latest changes.

Share or collaborate on a file or folder

You can invite others to view or collaborate on the contents of a file or folder you own in iCloud Drive.

A file or folder can be shared so it opens only for people you choose, or for anyone with the link.

The contents of a file or folder can be open to changes, or you can restrict access so they’re view-only.

  1. Go to the Files app on your iPad.
  2. Go to a location and then touch and hold the file or folder you want to share.
  3. Tap the Share button, tap the menu under the item’s title, and tap Share a Link.
  4. To change who can access the file or folder and whether they can edit or just view and download, tap People you choose can edit and then do any of the following:

    • Only allow people you invite or approve to access the file or folder: Tap People you choose.

      Note: When you select “People you choose,” you can turn on Access Requests, which lets other people with the link ask you to approve their access.

    • Allow anyone with the link to access the file or folder: Tap Anyone with the link.
  5. Under New Participants Can, choose whether participants can edit or view and download only.
  6. Choose how you want to send your invitation.

Send a copy of a file or folder

  1. Start the Files app on your iPad.
  2. Go to a location and then touch and hold the file or folder you want to share.
  3. Tap the Share button and tap the menu under the item’s title. Then tap Send a Copy.
  4. Choose how you want to send your copy.

Invite more people to collaborate on a folder or file

If its access is set to “People you choose,” you can share a folder or file you’ve already shared with more people.

  1. Start the Files app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Shared at the top of the screen.
  3. Touch and hold the folder or file you want to share.
  4. Tap Manage Shared Folder or Manage Shared File.
  5. Tap Add Participant and choose a method for sending the link.
  6. Enter any other requested information. Send or post the invitation.

Share a folder or file with more people using a link

With access to a shared folder or file set to “Anyone with the link,” anyone who has the link can share it with others.

  1. Start the Files app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Shared at the top of the screen.
  3. Touch and hold the folder or file you want to share.
  4. Tap Manage Shared Folder or Manage Shared File. Then tap Copy Link.
  5. Choose a method for sending the link, enter any other requested information, and send or post the invitation.

Change access and permission settings for everyone

You can change the access of a shared folder or file you own at any time, and the change affects everyone you’ve shared the link with.

  1. Start the Files app on your iPad.
  2. Touch and hold the folder or file whose permissions you want to change.
  3. Tap Manage Shared Folder or Manage Shared File, then tap Sharing Options.
  4. Change either or both of the options.
    • Access option: When you change the access option from Anyone with the link to People you choose, the original link no longer works for anyone, and only people who receive a new invitation from you can open the folder or file.
    • Permission option: When you change the permission option, everyone who has the file open when you change the permission sees an alert. New settings take effect when the alert is dismissed.

Change access and permission settings for one person

For a shared folder or file you own with access set to “People you choose,” one person’s permission can change without affecting others’ permissions, and you can also remove the person’s access.

  1. Start the Files app on your iPad.
  2. Touch and hold the folder or file whose permissions you want to change.
  3. Tap Manage Shared Folder or Manage Shared File.
  4. Tap the person’s name, then select an option.

Stop sharing a folder or file

If you’re the owner of a shared folder or file, you can stop sharing it.

  1. Start the Files app on your iPad.
  2. Open the location of the folder or file you want to stop sharing.
  3. Touch and hold the folder or file. Tap Manage Shared Folder or Manage Shared File.
  4. Tap Stop Sharing.

When you stop sharing a file, anyone who has it open sees an alert. Dismissing the alert closes the item, removes the file from the person’s iCloud Drive, and stops the link from working. If you later share the item again with access set to “Anyone with the link,” the original link works. With “People you choose,” the original link works again, but only for the people you reinvite to share the item.

See also

Tags: Files, iCloud
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How to set up iCloud Drive on iPad

by Dave Johnson

You can access iCloud Drive and store files, create folders, and share documents with friends and family. Your content is on all your devices signed in to the same Apple Account, including a Mac, where iCloud Drive is in the Finder.

iCloud Drive is built into the Files app, and you can also use it on Windows devices with iCloud for Windows, or online at iCloud.com. Storage limits depend on your iCloud storage plan. You can also pick the apps that can store and edit content there.

Turn on iCloud Drive

  1. Open Settings, tap [your name], and then tap iCloud.
  2. Tap Drive, then turn on Sync this iPad.

Browse iCloud Drive

  1. Open the Files app on your iPad.
  2. Tap the Sidebar button at the top of the screen.
  3. Tap iCloud Drive below Locations.

    If you don’t see Locations, tap the Sidebar button again. If you don’t see iCloud Drive below Locations, tap Locations.

  4. To open a folder, tap it.

    See Modify files, folders, and view downloads.

Choose which apps use iCloud Drive

You decide which apps can store and edit content on iCloud Drive.

  1. Open Settings, tap [your name], and then tap iCloud.
  2. Tap See All next to Saved to iCloud.
  3. Turn on each app you want saved to iCloud, and turn off each one you don’t want saved.

See also

Tags: Files, iCloud
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How to find and view files and folders in Files on iPad

by Tyler Stephen

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 iPad.

Find a specific file or folder

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

Choose a default app to always open a file

  1. Open the Files app 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. Open the Files app 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. Open the Files app 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.

To mark folders as favorites or add tags, read our article, Tag a file or folder.

Change how files and folders are sorted

  1. Open the Files app 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.

See also

Tag: Files
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