Documents by Readdle: The best file manager for iPhone

Documents is the file manager that the Files app should have been. Unlike the Files app, it has a design that’s actually user-friendly. But the best part about the app might be its menu system: Just select files, and use the menu button to see all possible operations (of which there are many). The app also makes it easy to unzip, rename, and move multiple files and folders.

Here’s a laundry list of features that the Documents app offers:

Web browser and download manager to download anything from the web, or cloud storage services

Media playback options for music, audiobooks, and videos

Drag and drop file organization

Basic file editing and PDF editing features

Ability to stream media from cloud storage, or local network storage

Wirelessly transfer files from your Mac or PC

Multiple widget support

File Manager & Browser: A minimal, yet feature-rich file manager

Credit: Khamosh Pathak

If the Documents app feels a bit overwhelming, try out the File Manager & Browser app. This is an ad-supported file manager that provides all the basic features for free.

You can use the browser to download files, or you can connect cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, and even iCloud Drive. You can transfer files from a different computer, or you can use local servers.

Browser and Documents Manager: Like Files, but better

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If you like the look of the Files app and just wished that it worked better, try out the blandly-named Browser and Documents Manager. The app is divided into three simple tabs: Folders, Browser, and Downloads. Downloading, transferring, viewing, and moving files is all incredibly simple.

Our only issue with the app is its heavy reliance on full-screen ads. Sadly, this is a completely free app, and there is no option to pay for an in-app purchase to remove the ads.

Total Files: A heavy-duty file manager

If you’re looking for a heavy-duty file manager—something focused on helping you manage files in a visual way—Total Files might be for you.

The app doesn’t distract with add-on features like VPNs or PDF editing. It gets right down to the business. The app opens to the Local Archive, where you’re free to add new folders and import files. You can go to the Clouds section to link cloud storage like Dropbox, Google Drive, or more.

While you can’t link iCloud Drive here, the app has a handy import feature that will move any file from the Files app (local or iCloud Drive) to the Total Files directory. The app also features banner ads, but you can remove them by unlocking the complete app for $4.99.

GoodReader: The best way to organize your PDFs

Credit: Khamosh Pathak

If you deal with a lot of PDFs for work, you should consider using a separate app for managing all your PDFs—and GoodReader is as good as it gets.

It offers a full-blown file management system for your PDFs, allowing you to organize them in multiple folders and move them around with ease. You can also connect to cloud storage services like Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, and more. This lets you download, upload, and sync changes to existing PDFs without switching over to a different app.

GoodReader is a paid app ($5.99), but its one-time fee is worth it. You get PDF reading, annotation, and editing functions for this price.

Microsoft OneDrive: Carry your Windows PC files with you

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If you use a Windows PC for work, or at home, chances are all your files are already saved on Microsoft OneDrive. And why wouldn’t you? You get 1TB of storage space with your Microsoft 365 plan anyway.

But if you use an iPhone or an iPad, your experience of using OneDrive in the Files app is less than ideal. That’s why you might want to use the OneDrive app itself. It’s quite good, and it supports the usual file management features that you want. You can import, move, export, and unzip files with ease.