iPadOS 15: Files App Gains NTFS Support, Progress Indicator, and More

[MacRumors]

Apple in iPadOS 15 has added the ability to access NTFS-formatted media from within the Files app. The additional support for the Windows-related format, first discovered by YouTuber Steven Fjordstrøm, is read-only, so like on macOS you can't modify files stored on NTFS devices, but you can at least copy any data on them for working on elsewhere on your iPad.

The Files app has also gotten a new circular progress indicator to indicate the transfer of data when moving or copying files. Tapping the graphic opens a larger progress bar showing further details on the data transferred/remaining, the estimated time remaining, and the ability to cancel the transfer.

In another notable addition to the Files app, if you're using a mouse or trackpad, it's now possible to click-hold and drag a selection box over multiple files and folders to perform batch actions, such as compress, move, copy, and so on. Lastly, you can also now use Groups as a view option, so that files and folders are arranged on the screen in separate sections according to kind.

What do you think about the new additions to the Files app? Let us know in the comments. iPadOS 15 is currently going through beta testing with developers, with a public beta due out next month and an official release in the fall.

Article Link: iPadOS 15: Files App Gains NTFS Support, Progress Indicator, and More

 

[Calle68]

Good for year 1994!

 

[krspkbl]

yes! about time there was a progress bar. i formatted my usb drives to exFAT/FAT32 cause they were NTFS. sucks it's read only but it's a welcome change.

here's hoping there is an option to view hidden files.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Compared to FileBrowser Pro, Transmit 5 or Forklift, the Files app is still far behind although these new improvements will probably be welcomed by some here.

 

[honglong1976]

Wonder if the files app will finally connect to a Time Capsule.

 

[Sparxxx]

Compared to FileBrowser Pro, Transmit 5 or Forklift, the Files app is still far behind although these new improvements will probably be welcomed by some here.

I didn‘t know those are available for IpadOS/iOS? Can`t seem to finde them on App Store

 

[Apple_Robert]

I didn‘t know those are available for IpadOS/iOS? Can`t seem to finde them on App Store

Sorry about that. When I made my comment I was thinking Mac even though the article is about iOS. FileBrowser Pro is iOS as well as Mac.

‎FileBrowser Professional

‎Professional document management for iOS, with bulk rename, backup and sync tasks. Edit your documents in-place, stream your media files and connect to over 20 different network and cloud storage locations. “Maximize the potential of what you can do with files on iOS” - Cult of Mac...

apps.apple.com

 

[Sparxxx]

Thanks! I was looking like crazy for them.
A good “normal” file manager is THE one big missing feature on IpadOS. This if Ipad wants to be taken seriously.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Thanks! I was looking like crazy for them.
A good “normal” file manager is THE one big missing feature on IpadOS. This if Ipad wants to be taken seriously.

I agree. The Files app could help with integration much better.

 

[chucker23n1]

Compared to FileBrowser Pro, Transmit 5 or Forklift, the Files app is still far behind although these new improvements will probably be welcomed by some here.

The platform vendor implementing most of the important features while third parties can do enhanced versions with even more features is, IMHO, exactly how it should work.

 

[Apple_Robert]

The platform vendor implementing most of the important features while third parties can do enhanced versions with even more features is, IMHO, exactly how it should work.

We will have to agree to disagree. I think Apple can do far more they just choose not to.

 

[mac_head]

This is getting ridiculous. They're basically rebuilding MacOS step by step...just give us the real deal!!!

 

[falkon-engine]

Nice, now add an unmount/eject media button so that users avoid file system corruption.

 

[BornAgainMac]

I wish the Files app and a way to click to download an entire directory tree in the iCloud Drive to be downloaded to local storage.

 

[Schnegg]

Is there also a column view as in Finder?

 

[chucker23n1]

Is there also a column view as in Finder?

I believe there is, yes.

 

[Saturnine]

First of all, I know it’s developer beta 1. I’m aware it’s unfinished and I’m aware that there will, inevitably be bugs. I don’t need reminding.

I just wanted to point out that the Files app has some serious bugs at the moment. I’ve done several things which have caused it to hang (e.g. copying files by using the buttons.) but the most serious thing was data loss. I had a number of large files (4-12GB) on an externally connected ExFAT-formatted USB SSD. I was able to open and read them all just fine. After a few minutes, I received a connection error and afterwards, all the files were corrupted and only a megabyte or two in size. Morale of the story is that it’s probably not wise to use the files app with removable devices at the moment - at least for anything for which you don’t have a backup.

There are no issues with the drive and there was no physical disconnection

I’ve filed a bug report already and haven’t had a repeat issue since I formatted the drive as APFS.

Other than that it seems to be working quite well. A couple of issues connecting to SMB shares which hung the app but nothing major I’ve come across.

 

[Serban55]

Good for year 1994!

in 94 we didnt had mobile OS, we had OS that everyone could poop on it; that secured was it

 

[Apple Mac Daz]

Thanks! I was looking like crazy for them.
A good “normal” file manager is THE one big missing feature on IpadOS. This if Ipad wants to be taken seriously.

If the iPad wants to be taken seriously it needs a fully functioning operating system. iPadOS just doesn’t cut it.

 

[cupcakes2000]

If the iPad wants to be taken seriously it needs a fully functioning operating system. iPadOS just doesn’t cut it.

Not fully functioning implies broken, however it’s not broken, it functions perfectly well.

Perhaps what you meant to say is that untill iPadOS does what you feel it should do, then you will take it seriously.

 

[Techwatcher]

At this point any improvements for iPadOS are welcome. This is great.

 

[femike]

Baby steps Apple, you can't rush this. Waiting in anticipation for write access in 2035.

 

[Techwatcher]

If the iPad wants to be taken seriously it needs a fully functioning operating system. iPadOS just doesn’t cut it.

They can keep iPadOS for all I care, it just needs to take more cues from macOS than iOS. So I agree.

 

[itsmeaustend]

Nice, now add an unmount/eject media button so that users avoid file system corruption.

This is outdated advice. Modern OS’ don’t need to eject drives. Windows eliminated the need a year or two ago now.

 

[NMBob]

The other day I hooked my iPad to my MacBook, dragged a folder of TV show episodes to Files in the file sharing section of iPad-iTunes-Finder-whateveritis, opened VLC on the iPad, navigated to the Files section and to the show I wanted to watch, double tapped on the episode I wanted and started watching. Then I woke up. They have a long way to go.