User profile for user: greggman
greggman Author
User level: Level 1
14 points

How can I exclude some app's files from showing up on iOS Files App?

I copied some files to my iPhone via ITunes to a specific app by selecting the phone in iTunes, clicking "File Sharing", selecting the app and then dragging and dropping the files into the app. Now those files are in the app but they also show up in the iOS Files App. I don't want them to show up in the Files app. They are private files (password.txt, ssh-key.private.txt, secret-project-planning.txt).


Things I tried


  • turn off app in Siri and Search -> App Name -> Siri & Suggestions


this removed the files from search on the home screen but not from the Files app.


  • looked in the Files app for settings


there are no per app settings in the Files app


  • searched in system settings for "Files"


no matches. Apparently there are no settings for the Files app.


  • searched in system settings for the apps whos' files I don't want exposed in the Files App


no related settings appeared. Document storage is set to "On My iPhone". "Siri & Search" shows "off"


  • turn off "Show app" in Siri & Search setting.


This has the ridiculous effect of making the app itself not appear as a search result but the settings for the app still appear as does the app's folder so technically the app is still showing up in search.


How can I get the files not to show up in the Files App?

iPhone X, iOS 12

Posted on May 4, 2019 5:21 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: SiHancox
SiHancox
User level: Level 5
4,953 points

Posted on May 4, 2019 6:16 AM

I’m seeing the same behaviour with the Readdle Documents App, if pdf’s are transferred from iMac using iTunes as per your description, then no matter if the Documents App is password protected the pdf’s still show in the Documents folder of Locations>On My iPhone of the Files App, Documents under “Locations” though will not open without said password.


I believe this is due to the fact they are put in the iTunes folder when transferring from iMac, if I move them out of that folder in the Documents App then they are no longer seen by the Files Apps.


It’s logical when you think of it because if they remain in the iTunes folder they would instantly be seen when the device is reconnected to the iMac and you open iTunes!


So long story short, after transferring from the computer see if they can be moved into another location in your “App” so when that App is locked they are not seen, even via the Files App.


Below is a screen shot from iPad showing the Locations section.




View in context

Similar questions

17 replies
User profile for user: SiHancox
SiHancox
User level: Level 5
4,953 points

May 4, 2019 7:25 AM in response to greggman

The screenshot is of the Readdle Documents App when unlocked with a password, it was just to show you that the two locations with regards to storing files is important. Anything kept in the “iTunes Files” folder can be seen by the Files App no matter what, but the single file “This file can’t be seen...” will not be.


I repeat the last part of my previous post “Having the ability to password protect the App and storing the file in the correct location is key to not having the Files App gain access”.


I would suggest you investigate Apps that can be password protected to prevent opening, preferably ones that enable encryption when locked, that way the files stored within should not be visible by the Files App and shouldn’t show in a general search.


It’s only my guess but for what you are trying to achieve you probably aren’t using the correct App.

Reply
User profile for user: greggman
greggman Author
User level: Level 1
14 points

May 4, 2019 7:46 AM in response to SiHancox

I see your point but I don't agree. MacOS doesn't require every app to be perfect for privacy to be effective. Instead at an OS level they let the user choose which folders to not include in search results. Privacy by perfection in programming across all 100s of thousands of apps is impossible where as privacy at an OS level is not.


You're basically saying if there's an app that does something I need to do but doesn't have special privacy features added then I'm just out of luck. That might actually be true if iOS doesn't have a way to set which apps get included in Files and which don't like MacOS does but if that's true then Apple really needs to add the feature. It's important in MacOS and it's just as important in iOS.

Reply

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

How can I exclude some app's files from showing up on iOS Files App?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up