Files app does not have On My iPad option

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Level 1

8 points

Files app does not have On My iPad option

I have iOS 11.0 (non-beta) on an iPad Pro 9.7". I am trying to use the Files app. Various places including Use the Files app on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support mention that there should be an option labelled "On My iPad" that should appear in the left hand column of the "Browse" screen when "Options" is selected. The attached screenshot below shows that this is not present on my device.

Furthermore, when I click "Edit" at the top of this bar there are no options to be able to enable/disable this option. (as shown in the next screenshot)

The app seems pretty useless without this. Does anyone know why I might not be able to see the option or how I might be able to enable it?

iPad Pro 9.7-inch WiFi, iOS 11

Posted on Sep 24, 2017 12:00 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Diana.McCall

Level 7

21,297 points

Sep 25, 2017 12:42 AM in response to drnonsense

Hi. On my iPad shows "folders" representing each app that is built to collaborate with Files. It does not appear if you have no such apps. The iWork apps (Pages, etc.) have updates that do this, although it seems like you need to create a new document in the app to get it to register. Other apps will need updates to work with Files. Note that Files will never give you access to a directory tree like you see on other systems. It's purely an interface between apps and cloud servers.

I agree that Files is pretty useless at the moment. It's basically an upgraded iCloud Drive app, with access to 3rd-party cloud servers. I suggest that you put it aside and await developments.

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Answer 2

Sep 25, 2017 12:23 PM in response to drnonsense

Hi. For moving files around your network, take a look at the FileExplorer app. It can access local network shares, as well as the cloud servers supported by the Files app. It's still a 2-step copy process, though. Download the file, then share it with an iOS app.

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Answer 3

drnonsense Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 25, 2017 12:54 AM in response to Diana.McCall

Wow. How Useless. I was hoping to access PDFs that I have created in iBooks or Adobe Acrobat and be able to move them around and maybe even import them from other devices on my network. Oh well, I’ll stick to my other solution.

Thanks for the insight into how to get On My iPad to show up. I managed to create a spreadsheet that shows up there now thanks to your message.

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