iOS 18 Files App: New Features Explained
The iOS 18 Files app adds practical tools for managing, viewing, and organizing files on iPhone and iPad. You can now hide files behind Face ID or Touch ID, customize how folders are sorted, and use a new external drive menu for faster ejecting. This article details every notable change and how to use them.
Background: Why the Files App Needed an Update
The Files app, introduced in iOS 11, has long been the central hub for local and cloud storage on Apple devices. Before iOS 18, it lacked basic conveniences like sorting folders by size or hiding sensitive documents. Apple’s updates in iOS 18 focus on privacy, customization, and better handling of external storage—areas where users had been asking for improvements for years.
Hide Files with Face ID or Touch ID
The most anticipated feature is the ability to lock files and folders. When you hide a file, it moves to a new “Hidden� folder that requires biometric authentication to open. Here’s how it works:
- Long-press a file or folder and choose Hide.
- The item disappears from its original location and appears in the Hidden section under “Locations� in the sidebar.
- Opening the Hidden folder triggers Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.
This is especially useful for storing scanned IDs, tax documents, or personal notes. The hidden folder is also excluded from Spotlight search, so the content won’t appear in search results.
New Sorting Options: By Size, Date Last Opened, and More
iOS 18 adds two sorting options that were previously missing: Size and Date Last Opened. You can now sort by:
- Name
- Date (last modified)
- Date Created
- Size
- Date Last Opened
- Kind
- Tags
To change sorting, tap the ellipsis (…) button in the top-right corner, select Sort By, and choose your preference. Sorting by size helps you quickly find large files that are eating up iCloud storage. “Date Last Opened� is useful for cleaning up files you haven’t touched in months.
External Drive Improvements
When you connect a USB drive, SD card, or other external storage, iOS 18 shows a new Eject button directly in the sidebar next to the drive name. Previously, you had to tap the drive’s name and then select “Eject� from a menu. Now it’s one tap, which reduces the risk of removing the drive while files are still being written.
Additionally, the Files app now shows the total capacity and available space of external drives in the “Get Info� panel. This helps you avoid copying files to a drive that’s nearly full.
Folder and File Management Enhancements
iOS 18 introduces a few quality-of-life improvements for organizing files:
- New “Keep Downloaded� option for iCloud Drive files—this forces a file to stay on your device even if you’re low on storage, preventing it from being offloaded.
- Improved search that can match file content (text within PDFs and documents) more reliably, thanks to on-device indexing.
- Better drag-and-drop when moving files between folders, with a clearer visual indicator of the destination.
These changes don’t sound flashy, but they make daily file management feel much smoother.
How to Use the New Features (Step-by-Step)
- Hide a file: Long-press the file → tap Hide → confirm. The file moves to the Hidden folder.
- Sort by size: Open any folder → tap the ellipsis button → Sort By → Size.
- Eject an external drive: Connect the drive → tap the Eject icon (a triangle with a line) next to its name in the sidebar.
- Keep a file downloaded: Long-press the file → tap Keep Downloaded (if it’s currently “Downloaded� you’ll see “Remove Download� instead).
Common Problems and Fixes
Problem: The “Hide� option doesn’t appear for some files.
Fix: Hiding is only available for files stored in iCloud Drive or “On My iPhone/iPad�. Files on external drives or third-party cloud services (like Google Drive) can’t be hidden with this feature.
Problem: Hidden folder doesn’t ask for Face ID.
Fix: Go to Settings → Face ID & Passcode → make sure “Files� is enabled under “Allow Access When Locked�. Also check that you haven’t disabled Face ID for the Files app in Settings → Files.
Problem: Sorting by size doesn’t show sizes for cloud files.
Fix: The size column only appears for files that have been downloaded locally. For iCloud files that are “Not Downloaded�, the size may be shown as a dash. Download the file first to see its size.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hide folders in iOS 18 Files?
Yes, you can hide entire folders. Long-press the folder, tap “Hide�, and it moves to the Hidden folder. The folder’s contents are protected by Face ID/Touch ID when you try to open the Hidden folder.
Does hiding a file delete it?
No, hiding a file does not delete it. It simply moves the file to the Hidden folder. You can unhide it anytime by long-pressing the file in the Hidden folder and selecting “Unhide�.
Will hidden files sync across devices?
Yes, hidden files sync via iCloud Drive. They appear in the Hidden folder on your other Apple devices, but you’ll need to authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID on each device to view them.
Can I sort folders by size?
Yes, the “Size� sort option works for folders as well. However, the size of a folder is calculated based on the files it contains, and it may take a moment for the app to calculate the total size of large folders.
Does the Files app in iOS 18 support external drives?
Yes, it has supported external drives since iOS 13. iOS 18 adds a faster eject button and better storage info for external drives.
Is the “Keep Downloaded� option available for all files?
It’s available for files that are stored in iCloud Drive and are currently “Not Downloaded�. If the file is already on your device, you’ll see “Remove Download� instead, which frees up local storage.
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