AppleInsider Staff
A placeholder listing for an as-yet-unannounced app called "Files" was spotted on the iOS App Store just hours ahead of Monday's Worldwide Developers Conference, suggesting Apple plans to grant users direct file management access in iOS 11.
Spotted by developer Steven Troughton-Smith late Sunday, a listing for Files appeared in the "Utilities" section of the App Store. The asset has since been pulled.
Apple failed to provide information alongside the app, though the title's icon is a familiar blue file folder similar to those used in macOS. Screenshots were also unavailable. The only tidbits revealed from the now removed listing were requirements regarding iOS 11 and 64-bit file structure support.
Though mere speculation, Files hints at a potential rethinking of iOS file management. More specifically, Apple could be on the verge of releasing an app that allows users to directly access iOS system and app files.
Since the launch of iPhone in 2007, Apple has gone to great lengths to obscure individual files from its portable device users, leaving data management largely to apps and services. While the method keeps iOS simple, some power users view it as a weakness.
The Files app listing is likely an App Store placeholder for an upcoming system app Apple intends to include in iOS 11. Apple introduced the ability to remove — but not completely delete — first-party apps from the home screen in iOS 10, a long-requested feature that minimizes feature bloat. The company makes those default apps available for download on the App Store so users can reinstall them at a later date, if they so choose.
Separately, Troughton-Smith also noticed a listing for the Activities app, suggesting that title will be a removable item in iOS 11.
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20 Comments
Where was Ming chuo kuo on that one 😜
This is about time. Logic on iPad Pro next please.
I doubt Apple will allow system access. That's not the direction they've headed with iOS.
I suspect it will be a cross platform method of accessing files bringing a similar "Finder" interface to macOS and iOS. It seems the most logical idea and will require iCloud therefore I suspect it's a replacement for the iCloud Drive app.
This would be a major improvement and very welcome. Better late than never. I hope it can be used to place files directly into a 'watch' folder and have music, videos, books etc picked up without having to sync first.
I was hoping that Apple would be courageous and revolutionize the way we deal with "files" and ditch the old paradigms of files and folders in favor of a keyword-based system.
I'm at the point where I'm hoping for a 'pro' version of iOS + MacOS, stripped of all the consumer targeted 'features' and an ability to operate independently of iCloud (completely off by default or absent) for strict client privacy compliance and presumably more bug free performance. Just a beautiful, simple high performance GUI for pro hardware that is also more user configurable, upgradable and repairable...