Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Why can't you download files to iPad?

I use iCab also when I absolutely need to download something. I've used Goodreader as well. Both do a great job.

Honestly, I do most of my file work in the cloud, so I haven't really felt the lack of a local file system on iPad.
 
WenMenJenJ said:
I use the Dropbox App to download PDFs onto the iPad.
When downloaded, you have the option to add them to iBooks.
Maybe when it is an MP3, you'll get the option to add it to iTunes. I've never tried that yet.
Somehow you need to get the files first to you on-line Dropbox account. I don't know how to do that without a PC, though ...
Click to expand...

With iCab, I can download whatever I want and once downloaded I can add it to Dropbox. Now whether a particular download can run on the iPad is a different story. But at least it's in Dropbox so I have access to file from all devices.

And it's a hell of a browser.
 
Yes, yes, iCab does download files. But I think a few people haven't noticed this is an old thread from June that got dug up, for some reason.
 
When they introduced "Air Play" I really hoped it was introducing a future mechanism to drag and drop files from a Mac to an iPad. Just ctrl-click and choose "Send to my iPad" and done. Same in reverse, click on a file linked in a browser and choose to either open it on the iPad and/or "Send to my Mac."

Yeah, I drank too much over the holidays.......
 
Right, Apple doesn't want from a file system

NateSJ408 said:
thanks for the responses. ill pick up goodreader, but looks like there is no legitimate answer for not having a file system, other than apple just doesnt want to do it. i think eventually iPad will get this and other features. Jobs at that conference basically said iPad will replace the PC eventually.
Click to expand...

...Right, Apple doesn't want from a file system, they believe in some sort of now interface concept where files are not stored as files in folders but directly in the applications folder with which they can be opened. This is far from being easy to handle and worse when some particular files can be opened with multiple applications.

Now regarding a file system on the iPad, i use Fileapp (free in the app store) to store downloads from Safari or Mail ;-)

Hoping this helps - you probably found a way, I just realized how old was this thread!
 
pondie84 said:
Highly unlikely.
Click to expand...

The issue will be either addressed in iOS 5 or it will be address by honeycomb/playbook. So just wait a little bit and you will find the right product for yourself.
Here is an example: apple decided to use closed system/iTunes for it's mp3 players and while they never opened up the competitors filled this hole.
iPads will be the same however this time apple will loose its market lead. People will want to use their tablets as computers whether apple likes it or not.
 
jtara said:
Why not, when it's already been announced as part of the 4.0 feature set?

There is going to be a system-wide common directory that all apps can access. As well, apps will still have a private sandbox that is off-limits to other apps.

Of course, apps will have to be re-written to take advantage of this.
Click to expand...

Could you point me to the information on Apple giving us a true file system on the iPad/iPhone?
Hard to believe
 
MacDawg said:
Will be surprised if the poster from 2010 responds to this... but obviously he/she was mistaken
Click to expand...

For years Apple hasnt added file system access for the user and people still buy iphones. Just shows most iOS users don't care and it is a mistake for Apple to waste resources on making a real file manager. It is only a small group of people that want access to files on iOS devices.
 
If we needed a file system in iOS Apple would have given us one. Clearly there is no need and that is why there is no user accessible file system in iOS by default.

What is wrong with you people?

You are not getting X-Tree Gold or Norton Commander so just forget about it!!! You will use iCloud and you will like it too! This is how God intended for files to be stored - in the cloud! Why do you think He made clouds anyway, just for looks?
 
  • Like
Reactions: alecgold, deburn and Night Spring
macfacts said:
For years Apple hasnt added file system access for the user and people still buy iphones. Just shows most iOS users don't care and it is a mistake for Apple to waste resources on making a real file manager. It is only a small group of people that want access to files on iOS devices.
Click to expand...


You know, maybe not on iPhone. But file system, Bluetooth mouse support will make iPad whole lot more productive. I can actually abandon my laptop for most part.

But without that, iPad is just bigger iPhone. This is true from iPad 1 and still true with iPad Pro.
[doublepost=1461266873][/doublepost]
Dirtyharry50 said:
If we needed a file system in iOS Apple would have given us one. Clearly there is no need and that is why there is no user accessible file system in iOS by default.

What is wrong with you people?

You are not getting X-Tree Gold or Norton Commander so just forget about it!!! You will use iCloud and you will like it too! This is how God intended for files to be stored - in the cloud! Why do you think He made clouds, just for looks?
Click to expand...


Your need does not necessarily reflects opinion for everyone. File system is one of the thing that people consistently asking for.

File system and Bluetooth mouse and keyboard support would be whole new ball game for iPad. It might actually increase iPad sales.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ColdShadow
LovingTeddy said:
You know, maybe not on iPhone. But file system, Bluetooth mouse support will make iPad whole lot more productive. I can actually abandon my laptop for most part.

But without that, iPad is just bigger iPhone. This is true from iPad 1 and still true with iPad Pro.
[doublepost=1461266873][/doublepost]


Your need does not necessarily reflects opinion for everyone. File system is one of the thing that people consistently asking for.

File system and Bluetooth mouse and keyboard support would be whole new ball game for iPad. It might actually increase iPad sales.
Click to expand...

You really could not tell that i was joking I guess. Well, just to clarify - I was joking.
 
  • Like
Reactions: alecgold, ShaunAFC3, off_piste and 1 other person
macfacts said:
For years Apple hasnt added file system access for the user and people still buy iphones. Just shows most iOS users don't care and it is a mistake for Apple to waste resources on making a real file manager. It is only a small group of people that want access to files on iOS devices.
Click to expand...

Sorry to not agree but I think more than a small group would like to have a place to keep and organize their data and files. We have been lacking this for so long that I will agree many user's wants have gone " numb".
 
It's funny this thread started in 2008 and people where complaining about this lack of feature since iPad was first released to this day in 2016.
Yes file management is necessary and ability to download files directly is a must.
without them,it's just ridiculous to even think of iPad as a "computer" capable of productivity and general use.
I love my iPad and use it heavily,but it is infact a web browsing/youtube viewer machine,an app launcher..anything more and I have to fire up my Macbook.
big shame.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ShaunAFC3
Yesterday I was going to use my iPad Pro to edit some movies. They were in Dropbox so it didn't work. So I copied them over to iCloud which is supported. Edited one movie but the extra work to do one, I gave up and just used the Mac. Maybe iOS 10 will resolve this issue.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ShaunAFC3
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back