IOS users have a very clear desire in particular, to have a native File Browser from which we can manage all the content stored on our iPad, just as we can do it from Finder in OS X, but for security reasons and Apple policies we may never see (hopefully iOS 7 we shut our mouths). However, if there are several applications available in the App Store that act as file managers, that although unfortunately they do not have access to the file structure of the operating system, they can help us to manage, download, store and share almost any type of file.
This is why I present to you what in my opinion are the 5 best file explorers for iPad, which vary slightly in their functions or design, in addition to some being free and others paid, so the final choice will fall on you, based on what best suits your needs and tastes.
Goodreader
An application that started out as a text document viewer for the iPad, it quickly became very popular by also offering attractive functions such as integrating a Wi-Fi server for file sharing, the possibility of integrating with iOS to be able to save documents received by email or from Safari.
We can create folders to more easily manage the stored content, it has support for compressed .ZIP files, allowing us both to decompress and create compressed files, PDF, TXT, MS Office, iWork, HTML, .jpg, .jpeg, .gif, .tif , .tiff, .bmp, .bmpf, .png, .ico, .cur, .xbm and audio and video files natively supported by iOS.
Another strong point of Goodreader it is its synchronization, since we can use for this any IMAP or POP3 mail server, Dropbox, SkyDrive, Google Drive, SugarSync, Box.net, WebDav servers, AFP, SMB, FTP and SFTP.
Documents by Readdle
Another more recent option that also has the advantage of being free and the particularity of having a clearer and easier to use user interface es Documents by Readdle, which has full synchronization support for today's main cloud storage services such as iCloud, SkyDrive, SugarSync, Dropbox, Office 365 Sharepoint, Storegate, CloudMe, etc., where in addition to being able to upload our files we can download those that we already have stored in our cloud accounts.
We can copy, move, delete, share and open the files we have, even using other applications that are compatible, for example, having a spreadsheet will give us the option to open it in Numbers if we have it installed, since unfortunately it does not have an integrated document editor, only text can be viewed, made annotations and underlined or crossed out.
What it does have is integration with the system in the "Open in" menu of different applications and a multimedia player with which we can play the videos and music that we have saved in the application.
File App
Here it might start to sound a bit repetitive with the features and functions of File App, since many are similar to those of the previous applications, so I will focus on detailing the existing differences, such as the fact of being an application designed to be simpler , with a pgesture-based file review, which is very attractive and practical.
The interface design is practically identical to that of iCloud, integrating in a better way with the image of the operating system, being compatible with different types of files, among which the programming code stand out: PDF, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, iWork , JPG, PNG, MP3, ACC, AVI, MOV, MP4, ZIP, TXT, PHP, C, Python, Javascript, CSS, SQL and more.
Perhaps the best-designed file explorer of all.
The application is no longer available in the App StoreiStorage2
In general, iStorage offers the same as the previous ones, synchronization with FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, SkyDrive, Box and Dropbox servers, integration with iCloud, Wi-Fi server for file sharing, but it has the advantage of having a dual panel mode, so we can have two different accounts on the screen at the same time, allowing us to move files for example between iCloud and an FTP server with great ease, since we can drag the elements and simply drop them wherever we want.
Count with one editor PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, etc., which includes line numbering (which is perfect for reviewing programming code). In addition, we can mail entire files and folders.
iFile
For the end I left the one that for me is the best of all and of which already we have talked deeplye in ActualidadiPad, but that unfortunately has a condition, it is only compatible with devices with jailbreakSo you can find it on Cydia for about $ 4, but trust me, it's worth every penny, although we do have a free trial period before you have to pay to use it.
The advantage of being developed to be used with Jailbreak is that this application has full access to the iOS file system (be very careful with which you move). Its interface is very similar to Finder on Mac, allowing us to create, copy, move, delete, and send files by mail and even by bluetooth using AirBlue.
As in the rest of the mentioned applications, iFile has a web server, text editor, audio player, FTP client, support for WebDAV, integration with the system, synchronization with Dropbox and even the possibility of mount external hard drives with the Camera Connection Kit.
This short list of applications that I have shown you should meet almost all the requirements and needs of any user, at least while we continue to wait for Apple to decide to give us a native file manager for iOS.
More information - iFile, the file explorer for iOS
good morning ... you have left one of the best ... IFILES, salu2.
Hello! very good info. I am trying to upload audio files saved on the iPad to word press, but when I select add files in word press it only gives me the option to upload photos or videos. How do you recommend doing? THANK YOU!!!
Excellent work d Ai. Greetings.
I PERSONALLY USE DOCUMENTS 5 AND IT IS WONDERFUL. I CAN DO EVERYTHING THE OTHER FILE MANAGERS DO AND IN AN ORDERLY WAY. LITTLE AGO DOWNLOAD MY COMPLETE WEB IN A FOLDER AND I CAN USE IT WITHOUT CONNECTION.-