Would you like to seamlessly access all of your files when you use your iPad?  The iPad Files app allows you to integrate all of your files, even from different locations, into one place.  Read on for more information!  

Today’s Tip

The Files app on your iPad is an app that manages all of your files in one location. The app allows you to access files stored on your iPad, iCloud, OneDrive and Google Drive all at once. When you install these apps on your iPad, they will automatically populate into the Files app.

Note: You can theoretically move things from one app to another using Files, but you will likely receive an error. You will find more success moving files between applications by downloading and uploading from a computer. Also, your photo library is not stored in Files automatically, but you can choose to save photos there. 

Bringing your Files into the Files App

  1. Open the Self Service app.
  2. Under Browse, choose the All category.
  3. Decide which storage apps you would like to bring on to your iPad.
  4. Under Google Drive, and Microsoft OneDrive, tap Install. (Select only those you decided upon in step #3 above.)
  5. Click the Home button at the bottom of your iPad to return to the Home screen.
  6. In your Dock, select the Files app.
  7. Under Locations on the side bar, you should see all of the locations you just installed.
  8. Click on each location to peruse your files.

Opening and Editing your Files in the Files App

To edit your files in the Files app, you will need to open up the specific file location and select the Edit (pencil) option in the bottom right-hand corner. You can edit documents here or you can edit them directly in the specific apps you installed.

Creating, Opening, and Editing your Files in their Native App

From your Home screen, click on the Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive apps. You can choose to open an existing file, by searching and selecting the appropriate folders and files. Create a new file or edit an existing file with the instructions in the table below.

Table 1: Directions for Creating and Editing Files in Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive

File Location

Creating New Files Directions

Editing Files Directions

Google Drive

In the bottom corner, select the plus (+) sign in the bottom right-hand corner. You can select many different types of documents. After opening the file, click the Edit (pencil) icon in the bottom right corner of the file. Begin editing the document as you need.

Microsoft OneDrive

Across the bottom, click on files and then the plus (+) sign in the top right-hand corner. You can select many different types of documents. After opening the file, across the bottom, click the Open option. Begin editing the document as you need.

Additional Support

Check out some of the resources we’ve curated on this topic for more support: