Files App: Couldn't Communicate with a helper application

The helper App is the Cloud-service-specific App that allows your iOS/iPadOS to access the cloud service. The must be installed on your device for each Cloud service (e.g., Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive etc.) - and the App must be opened at least once to login to the respective service with necessary credentials.

Failure to open and login via the respective App is the usual cause of “helper” errors.

it is actually really simple! it happens when you are not logged in the actual destination. so for example. i tried to save photos to google drive by pressing save to "files" and then selected drive, and then i get the error. well simply go to the drive first open it, make sure you are logged in and active ( it can be for any destination, cloud, outlook etc) and then leave that app without closing or logging out of that app. After that when you try to save files it will "remember" that you were logged in the destination app and it will be able to communicate with the destination

Oh, and what might work more reliably is to make a zip folder and upload that to the cloud service. Then unzip the folder using either app.

I discovered this solution today (*using OneDrive*, but probably still applicable). I’m uploading folders from the ‘On My iPad’ location. With the Files app open at the left half of screen & OneDrive at right, any folder I drag over is automatically zipped (whether it has subfolders or not).

Hope this helps!

Hi,

I had the same problem with files on my iPad which I could access on Google drive and had a red flag.

After trying different solutions I found roughly what the problem is. It seems that the original move in the files app is stuck.

Workaround that worked for me. Go to files app location with red flag, open another file that doesn’t have red flag, then open the red flag file , it won’t display correctly, but then go to upper right corner and share with Google drive. You will then be asked for your Google drive account and then upload. If you open Google drive app, you can see it in recent and move it to where you want.

Hope this helps.

I believe your reply was intended for QuickPost.

Please follow the directions offered in my own reply to your question. I’ll also add that it may be worthwhile deleting the various helper Apps, force-restart your iPad, then re-add and re-launch the helper Apps - logging in to each Cloud service as needed.

Nikola, I’m having the same issue.. I don’t have a direct solution, but if it’s just photos your are trying to transfer then I recommend using Google Photos. Install it on your phone and let it upload your photos to the cloud automatically over Wi-Fi. It will host unlimited photos in high quality (up to 16 megapixels Or 1080p for videos). Then once it’s done you can access Google Photos from your computer via the website and download all your photos from there fairly effortlessly

Hello,

Have you tried restarting your iPad?

Restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

I have this problem too. I think the files app struggles to transfer multiple folders at once because some of their embedded folders/files have long file paths. I thought upgrading from the 2017 iPad Pro to the 2020 model would give me a smoother experience in the files app, but nope.

Idk if it is a limitation of iPadOS/iOS to script such complex directions or of the cloud service’s app to read the instructions without getting overwhelmed.

I sent my movies via drop box or email and then drag and drop to VLC or iTunes movies

I have the same problem. I've open Google Drive "helper app", removed it, reinstalled it - everything said above.

If I send approx more than 10 pictures through Files to Google Drive - it bombs with error - OR it uploads one of the pictures multiple times - really buggy.

Less than 10 pictures I think works.

Don't know where problem is - but only has problems with Google Drive.

I do the same process with Dropbox and it works flawlessly and dependably all the time (select 30 photos, send to Files to Dropox for upload).

This did not work for me either. I have tried re-starting all devices, un-installing and re-installing apps, and making sure I am logged in to my destination source when attempting the import but the error persists. The only method that actually works for getting photos from my iphone to my computer is by emailing small batches or to upload them through the Google Drive app. Both of these methods are rather time consuming and only work in small batches. I can't figure out why it is so difficult to transfer photos from an iphone! This should be a super basic function. I recently upgraded photos and am trying to transfer over 3,000 photos from my old device and am the point of giving up. Any additional help would be appreciated.

I’m getting the same error but I’m uploading a large single video file to a home server on my network. It will far get about 550 megabytes then it gives me the error, it’s like it’s almost timing out because it’s taking so long.

IPhone 7 and my iPad Pro will not sync with my 13 inch MacBook Pro it keeps saying couldn't communicate with a helper Application!!! THESE ARE NOT OUTDATED APPLE PRODUCTS BUT WHEN UPDATING CATALINA – WHAT A MESS REALLY APPLE YOU CAN'T SEND OUT AN UPDATE WITHOUT MESSING WITH OUR CURRENT PROGRAMS WE WOULD RATHER HAVE THE OLD IOS THEN TO HAVE YOUR SO-CALLED NEW FEATURES. DOES ANYBODY KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS AND YES I'VE UNPLUGGED RESTARTED EVERYTHING BUT WIPING MY three devices clean and starting all over again. I HAVE LEARNED MY LESSON NOT UPDATE ANYTHING TILL I WAIT A FEW WEEKS OR MONTHS FOR EVERYBODY TO TELL ME ABOUT ALL THE NEW THE BUGS . IT'S BETTER TO STAY WITH THE PHONE, IPAD, OR MAC PRO OLDER VERSION THEN WITH ALL THE NEW BELLS AND WHISTLE'S.