If like me you use iCloud Drive across your devices that is Windows Laptops, iPads, iPhones, and Macs you may have noticed with the iOS 11 update this is now called “Files”.
Other than the fact Apple has changed the name from Drive to Files (at least 20 minutes lost googling what happened to my iCloud Drive) there is nothing I don’t like about Files in iOS 11.
It’s easier to use, it integrates with Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Adobe Creative Cloud and more. Files also supports macOS Servers, if like me you run a macOS file server and webserver it’s a giant leap in turns of cloud storage across Apple’s Operating Systems. Here is the low down on the new App.
Firstly the icon has changed! It now looks like this on your home screen:
The Browse button
After tapping on the browse button the files are ordered by:
Location(s): such as iCloud, Google Drive, macOS server etc:
Favorites: These are folders that you manually add to favorites (keep on reading for the how to)
Tags: these are shared across iCloud, so the same Tags you use on your Mac and iDevice’s will show up here.
The Recents Button
This simply shows you the files you have most recently accessed in the Files App.
Locations
Tap Locations and the right Arrow will point downwards showing your locations such as iCloud Drive.
Tap Edit top right hand side or the “More Locations” Tab if it is available and an edit screen appears.
Recently Deleted
This allows you to quickly restore files that you have deleted by accident, the time the files you delete appear in recently deleted is limited!
Although Google Drives works very well with this feature some other Cloud storage providers do not integrate with this feature yet, and so deleted files may disappear immediately.
Add Folders to Favorites
Long Press on the folder you want to add to Favorites and then tap the right arrow once until the “Favorite” Tab appears. Tap Favorite and the folder will show in the Favorites list.
Move files, share , copy and organize
Navigate to the file you want, then tap “select” top right hand corner:
To Move the files within the cloud press the icon that looks like a folder (bottom of screen).
To duplicate press the icon with two boxes and a + symbol.
To share , Email, put into another App, copy, AirDrop (and more) press the box with the arrow pointing up..
To Delete press the Trash icon.
Tagging a folder or file
This is much the same as adding to Favorites, Long press the file or folder then tap the right arrow and then Tags. You can select multiple Tags for a file or folder at once.
Top tip! You can add Recent Files to the Today View!
Which will show you recently edited files as well as those files you are collaborating with others on.
Swipe left on the Home Screen to bring up the Today View.
Then scroll to the bottom and tap Edit:
Scroll down until you see Files and tap the green plus button:
Enjoy your recent files in the Today view!
I may start using the today view feature now :-)
AI Usage Transparency Report
Pre-AI Era · Written before widespread use of generative AI tools
AI Signal Composition
Score: 0.05 · Low AI Influence
Summary
The article discusses the new Files app in iOS 11, which replaces iCloud Drive and integrates with other cloud storage services. It explains how to use the app's features, such as browsing, recents, locations, recently deleted files, adding folders to favorites, moving files, sharing, copying, and organizing.
Related Posts
Leaving Flickr: Migrating 20,000+ Photos to Synology and Taking Back Control
There’s a certain kind of friction you start to notice when you’ve been using a service for a long time. Not enough to make you leave immediately, but enough to make you pause. Flickr had been that kind of service for me. It quietly held years of photos, uploads from old phones, albums I hadn’t looked at in ages, and a massive "Auto Upload" collection that had grown into something I didn’t fully understand anymore.
How I Finally Passed the PMP Exam (After 12 Years of Waiting)
Back in 2013, I registered for a PMI membership with every intention of pursuing my PMP certification. I downloaded the handbook, bookmarked the eligibility requirements, and even told a few friends that I was going to do it "soon." At the time, I thought getting certified would be a straightforward process, but little did I know what lay ahead in terms of studying and preparation.
10 Things You Didn't Know You Could Do With Apple Configurator (That Save Mac Admins Hours)
Most of us treat Apple Configurator like a fire extinguisher: break glass, DFU, restore, move on. But it can do a lot more, and when you know the edges, you can turn a bricked morning into a ship-it afternoon. Below are ten things I regularly use (or wish I’d used sooner) that demonstrate its capabilities beyond just emergency recovery.
The Evolution of Apple Certification: A Journey Through Versions, Challenges & Growth
When I recently passed the Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP) exam again, I paused to reflect — not just on this milestone, but on the long path I’ve walked through Apple’s certification landscape. My first certification dates back to macOS 10.5, and over the years, I’ve earned credentials across nearly every version since. In that time, the exams — and Apple itself — have transformed significantly.
Secure Software, Secure Career: How I Passed the CSSLP
After passing the CISSP earlier this year, I decided to follow it up with the **Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP)** certification. For those unfamiliar, CSSLP is an ISC2 certification that focuses specifically on secure software development practices across the full SDLC—from requirements and design to coding, testing, deployment, and maintenance. My goal in pursuing this certification was to further develop my skills in ensuring the security of software throughout its entire lifecycle.
Managing Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) for Android with Microsoft Intune
Alright, so today we're going to be talking about the management of bring your own device BYOD for Android devices. There's a lot of information out there for the management of iOS devices and you can do that with pretty much any Apple MDM on the market. We just happen to use Jamf where I work, but you could use anything from Braavos to SimpleMDM to Kanji or JumpCloud. Mosyle is also a great option.
BYO with me in 2025: iOS with User Enrollment in JAMF Pro
It really depends on your company's needs. For example, many companies need to hire 1099 contractors and in such a case they come with their own devices but not the correct security settings or enforcements. Remember BYOD is a security construct. The idea here is that you should be securing the company's sensitive data in all forms. This may involve implementing policies for contractor-owned devices, ensuring that all devices accessing company data meet minimum security standards, and regularly reviewing and updating these standards to stay ahead of emerging threats.
Securing BYOD Email Access: Exploring Strategies in Microsoft 365
In today’s mobile-first world, organizations increasingly rely on Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs to empower employees while optimizing costs. However, this flexibility introduces unique challenges, particularly around securing email access. To mitigate risks, we are implementing a comprehensive strategy to block email access on non-company devices by default and ensure only sanctioned apps can access organizational email accounts. This approach will help prevent unauthorized access and data breaches, aligning with our commitment to maintaining the security and integrity of company communications.
How I Conquered the CISSP Exam: 9 Months, Top Resources, and Proven Strategies
Passing the CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) exam is no small feat. It’s known for its breadth, depth, and ability to test not just your knowledge but your practical understanding of cybersecurity. After nine months of intense preparation, I’m thrilled to say I’ve joined the ranks of CISSP-certified professionals! Here's a detailed account of my experience, including the resources I used, some tips that helped me along the way, and what I learned from the process itself.
Get more out of scripting than you may expect
Expect is an extension to the Tcl scripting language written by Don Libes. The program automates interactions with programs that expose a text terminal interface. Expect, originally written in 1990 for the Unix platform, has since become available for Microsoft Windows and other systems. Its functionality allows users to interact with these programs through scripted commands, eliminating the need for manual input.
