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    Contents
    • Getting Started
      • Add files to Documents
      • Create a folder or a subfolder in Documents
      • How to rename, move, and delete your files
      • Sync and back-up your files using cloud storages
    • Using Documents
      • Supported file formats
      • Create a new file in Documents
      • Create a folder or a subfolder in Documents
      • Copy, move, rename, delete, restore, or compress files and folders
      • Customize the view of your files
      • Use search in Documents
      • Access recently opened and favorite files
      • Organize your files with Inbox
      • Enhance your files with Tools
      • Set up reminders for your files
      • Access your device files via the Files app folder
      • Documents internal web browser
      • Download files from the Internet
      • Save links in Documents
      • Why VPN?
      • Use VPN in Documents
      • Documents VPN provider & Privacy
      • Share files via the Share button
      • Save files from other apps to Documents via Extension
      • Transfer files from Safari to Documents
      • Transfer files between iOS device and desktop using Wi-Fi
      • Transfer files to another iOS device with Nearby
      • Transfer files to desktop or another iPhone/iPad with WebDAV
      • Share files with Android devices
      • iTunes file sharing
      • Share files from cloud via a link
      • Transfer files between Documents and your Mac using a USB cable
      • Sync and back-up your files using cloud storages
      • Sync a folder with the 2-way sync
      • Set up sync with Mac via SFTP
      • Connect to your Mac or PC via SMB
      • Time Capsule set up
      • Siri shortcuts in Documents
      • Documents widgets
      • Quick Actions
      • Quickly scroll to the top
      • Smart Actions in Documents
      • Use iOS Live Text in Documents
      • How to set password to the app
      • Documents Widgets in Control Center
      • iPhone Mirroring in Documents
    • Troubleshooting
      • Files look broken
      • Music stops when the screen is locked
      • Documents app quits unexpectedly
      • Documents app freezes
      • Sync issues
      • There is no Documents app in the 'Open In' menu
      • Annotations are not visible in Documents while working with a third-party app
      • Restore accidentally deleted files
      • VPN-related issues
      • Wi-Fi Transfer issues
      • Can't access a password protected app
      • Email can’t be sent
      • The app occupies too much space
      • Subscription issues
      • Battery usage and background activity of the app
      • Music skips while playing
    • Billing & Subscription
      • Upgrade to Documents Plus
      • How to cancel the free trial for Documents Plus
      • How to check and manage your subscription status
      • Refund processes in Documents
    • Privacy & Data
      • Documents privacy FAQ
    • Contact us
    Home Getting Started Add files to Documents

    Add files to Documents

    Files is what Documents works best with. Add and enjoy your audio and video tracks, PDFs and MS office documents, photos, images, archives, anything desired. Here's a handy guide that explains four simple ways how to add files to the Documents app.

    Learn how to add files using:
    • The Plus Button
    • Built-in Download manager
    • Other apps
    • Your computer

    1. The Plus Button

    The Plus Button  contains options to add different files in a few taps. Tap the button and pick one of the following:

    • Import a file from your Photo library , the Files app , or Computer .
    • Create a new one: a PDF, text file, photo , scan , or folder .
    • Import from cloud storage , like Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, or all of them together. Documents builds bridges across all the popular clouds, saving your time on hopping between different services. Follow the link to learn how to connect your cloud storage of choice.
    Tip: If you don’t have a file at hand, you can create a blank PDF and use it for notetaking or sketching ideas. It’s remarkably simple on the iPad with Apple Pencil.

    2. Built-in Download manager

    Documents has its own, built-in browser for you to easily get any files from the Internet right to your device. Downloading files on iPhone or iPad isn't a hell of a task anymore.  

    How to use:

    1. Launch Documents and tapat the bottom to open the Browser.  
    2. Navigate to the website where the desired file is located.
    3. Tap the download button or link.

    All your files can be easily accessed in the download manager on the bottom bar in the built-in browser or in the Downloads folder in the My Filessection.

    To learn more about the Documents browser and its capabilities visit this page.

    3. From other apps via Extension

    Documents offers a whole new experience of saving files from other apps in a few simple steps. Moreover, with the Extension, you are actually able to choose an action for the file before even opening the app. The actions you’ll see will vary according to the file format you’re going to save to Documents - you can also select multiple files at once. If you choose to close the extension, your file is already automatically saved to Documents anyway. Here’s how you can enter the Extension from other apps.

    1. Open the file from any other app. 
    2. Go to the Share menu. 
    3. Tap Save to Documents. 
    4. Alternatively, tap Open in Place (the app’s icon) to enter the Extension.

    Right now, the Extension menu can be entered from two places: you either choose Save in Documents or tap the app’s icon under the iOS Share menu.

    Note: If there is no Documents in the 'Share' menu, please see the following article.

    4. From your computer

    Transferring files between PC and iOS devices has never been an easy task, especially when it comes to big files like the new season of your favorite TV show or photo albums from the last vacation. Documents solves this with the Wi-Fi Transfer option support. 

    How to use:

    1. Make sure that both your iOS device and computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
    2. Launch Documents and tap the three dots icon at the top right. There you will see the Connect to Computer option. 
    3. Open http://docstransfer.com on your desktop browser.
    4. Enter PIN code from your iOS device.

    To upload a file to your iPhone or iPad, click the Upload Files button on your desktop and select the files or just drag & drop them into your browser (Documents will keep your structure untouched). As soon as the files are uploaded, they'll instantly appear on your iOS device. Your files are traveling directly between your computer and iOS device. We use a webpage only to handshake your devices and establish a direct connection between them.

    Tip: You can add the site to bookmarks on your desktop to always have quick access to files on your phone.

    To learn more about transferring options between desktop and the Documents app on an iOS device, check out this article.

    Learn what you can do with various file formats in Documents

    Once added, your files are safe, owned by you and only you decide what happens to them. You can store, open, review, edit, share them, and more. Follow the links to find out Documents' superpowers in perspective of file formats:

    • Audio player: .aac, .aif, .aifc, .aiff, .au, .l16, .m3u, .m4a, .m4b, .m4p, .mp3, .pcm, .wav, .flac
    • Video player: .3gp, .l16, .m3u, .m4v, .mm, .mov, .mp4, .scm, .avi, .mkv, .flv
    • PDF viewer & editor: .pdf
    • Image viewer: .png, .jpg, .jpeg, .bmp, .gif, .ico, .tiff, .xbm, .tif, .tga, .heif, .heic, .dng, .cr2
    • Unarchiver: .zip, .rar
    • eBook reader: .epub, .fb2
    • Microsoft Office viewer: .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx
    • iWork viewer: .pages, .numbers, .keynote, .key
    • Code viewer & editor: .php, .asp, .java, .sh, .css, .sql, .phtml, .pl, .pm, .py, .rb, .c, .js, .cl, .scm, .ss, .lisp, .cc, .cs, .cpp, .cxx, .m, .mm, .h, .swift
    • Text viewer & editor: .txt, .rtf, .rtfd, .log, .tex, .md, .odt, .pdb, .guide
    • Web viewer: .htm, .html, .webarchive
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