While the native Files app on iPhone and iPad is good enough for certain users, it certainly doesn’t please most iOS users. The reason is that Apple doesn’t allow users to access the internal file system. That means while there is a Files app on your device, it is next to useless when it comes to managing your device’s internal files. If that is what you want to do, you will be better served by third-party file managers for iPhone which you can find on the App Store. We have tested many such apps and now bring you the list of 10 best file manager apps for iPhone that will help you manage your files in 2020.
Best Files Manaagers for iPhone and iPad in 2020
As needs may vary from person to person, we have lined up the file managers for iPhone that can take care of all the essential aspects. Aside from managing a variety of files, some of them can even double up as a private web browser. So, you can browse the web right from within the app and download the files you are looking for. And with a smart download manager, they also let you take control of all the downloads. That’s not all, some of them can even work as a super handy PDF editor for on-the-go PDF management. Having said, let’s start exploring the top Apple Files alternatives for iOS to find the right one!
1. Documents by Readdle
Documents is a file manager app for iOS devices, that will let you manage almost everything on your iPhone. The app comes with a variety of useful features, that will make managing files on your iOS devices a breeze. With Documents, you’ll be able to access your entire Apple Music Library, along with your Photos, iCloud files, and much more. The app also supports .ZIP files, so you can easily extract ZIP files on your iPhone.
Documents will also let you listen to audio files, view images, and read PDF files, directly inside the app itself. The app also comes with a number of services, such as the ability to integrate with cloud services like Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Drive. It will also let you create FTP servers on your iPhone, that you can connect to, using any FTP client of your choice. Plus, the app comes with a web browser built right in, so you can directly download files into the app, or simply browse the web, without leaving the app, if you want. It’s one of the best file managers for iPhone that you can use in 2020.
Download Documents by Readdle (Free, in-app purchases)
2. FileApp
FileApp is another very good file manager app for iPhones, or iPads. The app comes with a great interface, and organizes files automatically by type, date, and even displays the recent files that you have accessed on the app. You can even create new images, audio recordings, or text files directly from within the app. Not just that, FileApp will also let you view images, play back media files, and read PDFs, directly inside the app.
FileApp can also be used to transfer files from your iPhone to a PC, or Mac. The app offers various options to do this, including transfer over HTTP, FTP, and using the FileApp desktop app. Sharing is turned off, by default, but you can turn it on, and even set a custom username, and password, to keep your files protected from unauthorized access. If you want, you can enable passcode protection from the app’s settings, which will require a passcode to unlock access to the file, and by extension, all of your files.
Download FileApp (Free)
3. File Hub
File Hub is a great file manager for iPhones and iPads. The app offers a plethora of features, such as the ability to create folders to organize files, create blank files, or even create a new file from the clipboard. You can even import files directly from iCloud Drive, as well. The sorting options in the app really make it stand out, and you can sort files by name, kind, etc. The app will also allow you to share files from your iPhone to a Mac or PC via WiFi transfer, or Bluetooth transfer.
In the settings page, you can enable secure WiFi transfer, to protect your phone from unauthorized access. You can also enable file extensions, if you want, and change the slideshow settings for photos. The app also supports a passcode lock to prevent access without a passcode. Unfortunately, the app doesn’t support Touch ID, which is something I hope the developer adds soon. All in all, the app is definitely a good option for managing files on an iPhone, or iPad; and to share files between an iPhone, and a Mac or PC.
4. File Manager
File Manager is a free, ad-supported app that can very well fit your needs for a file manager on iPhone and iPad devices. The app comes with a clean interface, where you can easily create files, and folders. You can also add various cloud services to the app, so you can easily manage all your cloud accounts from one place. The app supports services like Dropbox, WebDAV, Google Drive, One Drive, and many more.
File Manager also includes its very own web browser, that you can use to download files directly to the app, or just to browse the web. It also supports passcode locking, so you can secure your files with ease, and not have to worry about unauthorized access. Talking about security, the app also supports Touch ID for devices that come with Touch ID capability. You can share files from your iPhone to the cloud, using WiFi Sync, or through iTunes. If you get annoyed by the ads in the app, you can remove them with an in-app purchase, as well.
Download File Manager (Free, in-app purchases)
5. File Master
Another option that you have for a file mmanager on iPhone, is File Master. The app is very well rounded, and offers a lot of the features offered by other apps. The interface of the app is a little dated, but the features are very well baked in. The app will let you easily create folders, text files, import photos, and do a lot more, very easily. It also comes with a web browser built right in, so you can easily download files into the app.
As far as security goes, the app doesn’t leave any stone unturned. You get options to secure the app with a pin, and it even supports Touch ID – something I wasn’t expecting from an app that looks rather dated. You can even hide files, and folders in the app, to keep any personal data from being viewed by anyone else. Once you get past the rather weird folder designs, you might just prefer this app to the others.
Download File Master (Free, with in-app purchases)
6. MyMedia
MyMedia is essentially a download manager for iPhone and iPad that lets you download files to your device. However, it also includes a built-in file manager that works just like any other apps that we’ve mentioned in the list. You can do things like copy, move, create new folders, and more.
Additionally, MyMedia includes a built-in photo viewer, video and audio players, etc. which makes a great multi-media manager as well. Heck, you can even use the app’s built-in MediaCast feature to cast videos and images to your Chromecast. There’s also a full-fledged web browser built into the app with which you can browse the internet. You can use it to access your cloud storage like Dropbox.
It is, however, worth pointing out that you’ll have to put up with ads while using MyMedia. It’s not a deal breaker, since you can get rid of them by shelling out a couple of dollars for the Pro version.
Download MyMedia (Free)
7. Pocket Drive
Pocket Drive is an iPhone, and iPad file manager, that doesn’t look like anything too special, at first. However, the app packs in a plethora of features, and is not far behind most of the other apps on this list. With the app, you can easily create text files, take photos, and videos, and create folders to keep your iPhone organised. The app also includes a web browser that you can use to download files directly to the app.
The settings page for the app packs in a number of features, such as WiFi file transfer, settings for the web browser, and for the audio playback. The app doesn’t skimp on security, either. You can set a password lock on the app, and even enable/disable Touch ID for granting access to the app. Once you get past the app’s interface (which looks rather lacklustre), it’s actually good enough to be used as a file manager.
Download Pocket Drive (Free)
8. Browser and Documents Manager
Claiming to be an ultimate file manager for iPhone and iPad, “Browser and Documents Manager” promises to be a highly efficient tool for managing files. Probably the best part about this file manager is a built-in smart web browser that lets you surf the web privately and download files with ease. And with a fully-featured download manager onboard, you can manage all of your downloaded files right from one spot.
Features like the auto-correct file name, pause/resume download, and background mode makes the built-in download manager quite helpful. Just like the Apple Files app, it lets you organize files in different folders and even offers a straightforward way to extract zip files. What’s more, it has the support for over 100 file-formats including doc, xls, pdf, ppt, txt, HTML, RTF, and more so that you won’t run into incompatibility issue while managing your files.
Download Browser and Documents Manager (Free)
9. Total files
If a fully-featured file manager for iPhone that can also triple up as a proficient PDF editor and a minimalist browser is what you are after, you would be hard-pressed to find a more competent alternative than Total files. As compared to Apple Files, it features an intuitive user-interface which makes navigation a breeze. Couple that with the easy-to-use tools, and this third-party file manager leaves very little room for complaints. Another feature worth taking note of is the integration with all the major cloud services including OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, and iCloud so that you can seamlessly manage your files.
Not just that, Total files also offer straightforward bookmarks and history management and features a multi-tab browser to let you surf the web fast. Thanks to the option to use a PIN, you can keep all of your sensitive files under wraps. As for PDF editing, it’s up to the task with reliable annotation and shapes recognition tools. But what has caught my eyes in this app is the Spotlight indexing of local content which lets you quickly access a specific file. Considering these features, Total files can rightly claim to be one of the best free Apple Files alternatives for iOS.
Download Total files (Free)
10. My FileManager
Though not as versatile as some of its well-known rivals, My FileManager is more than good enough to let you manage your files without getting into complexities. The app has the support for several file formats such as .ppt, .doc, .xls, .pdf, .txt, .html and .rtf file formats. And with the useful tools like the zip/unzip, move, copy, and a document viewer, it lets you manage files with the needed convenience just like Apple Files.
My FileManager comes with a private web browser so that you can browse the web securely and that too without having to leave the file manager. With the easy bookmarks and history manager, neat tab manager, multiple search engines, and download manager, the web browser has got you fully covered. Not just that, it also features a night mode so that you can comfortably browse through files at night without draining the battery life and straining your eyes. Keeping in mind, FileManager is a reliable substitute for Apple Files.
Download Total files (Free)
Use the Best Apple Files App Alternative to Manage Files
These were, in my opinion, the 7 best file manager apps for iPhone, and iPad. You can use any of these apps to manage files on your iOS device. These files managers make it incredibly easy to manage, search through, hide, and even protect your files with passwords, and Touch ID. While the features differ between various apps, the basic feature set that is required in a file manager is fulfilled by each one of these apps. Do you use file managers on your iPhone? If so, which one is your favorite? Do share your thoughts with us, and if you know of any other great file managers for iPhone, and iPad, do let us know about them in the comments section below.
