Mac Finder ≠ Files App?

[london_apple]

This one has been on my mind here and there as I move throughout my day switching devices... But for so many apps across MacOS and iOS/iPadOS that are reaching parity, wouldn't it make sense for the Files app to be Finder on iPhone and iPad? 🧐

My muscle memory is partial to Finder, and sometimes I catch myself typing "Finder" in Spotlight Search on my phone instead of "Files" lol.

Anyway, maybe it doesn't bother others so much. Is there something I'm missing that makes them starkly different? Can they, or should they just be called the same thing?

 

[gilby101]

iOS/iPadOS have a much more restrictive security model. In particular: a) all apps are sandboxed, and b) most of the file system is hidden. You see this in the way that iPhone apps can only see their own files and the Files app is completely unable to see most of the file system. This makes for a very different experience in the way Macs and iPhone/iPads are used. So definitely different.

The concern of many in the Mac community is that Finder may become more like Files!

What some are calling for is to implement macOS on the iPad. iPads have powerful hardware but do seem to be crippled by the limitations of iPadOS.