If you use an iPhone or a Mac daily, you'll know that the most tedious part is often not creating documents, taking photos, or saving music, but manage your filesto share and properly evaluate all those filesBetween iCloud, third-party apps, and the system's own options, it's easy to get confused if you're not clear on what each thing does.
The good news is that Apple and developers like Readdle have built a whole ecosystem so you can manage your files, share them between devices and control who accesses what No cables required, and much more convenient than a few years ago. However, there's a catch: subscriptions, hidden settings, and small details you should be aware of to avoid overpaying or losing important documents.
Readdle Documents: The Swiss Army knife for your files on iPhone, iPad, and Mac
Within the iOS and macOS world, one of the star apps for files It's Readdle's Documents, a kind of command center where you can Read, listen, watch, and annotate virtually any type of content on your iPhone, iPad, and Apple-powered Mac.The idea is that you don't have to keep switching between a PDF viewer, a video player, a music player, and a download manager.
Documents functions almost like a full-fledged file explorer: It brings together Office documents, PDFs, eBooks, photos, videos, music, and downloads all in one place.and organizes them into sections and folders that you can customize. The design is intended to make it easy to find everything, even if you have hundreds of files mixed together.
One of its strengths is that this app replaces several tools at once: acts as a PDF reader, office document viewer, download manager, media player and cloud integratorThis greatly reduces the chaos of having a thousand icons on the screen and, above all, saves you time when you want to open something quickly without thinking about which app to use.
In terms of quality, Readdle prides itself (and rightly so) on its attention to detail: Stability, speed, and interface design are among the most valued aspects in the reviews. and in specialized technology media such as The Verge, The Next Web or USA Today, which highlight precisely its versatility for both individual users and for work or study environments.
Another interesting advantage is that Documents is available in iPhone, iPad, and Mac with macOS 13 or later, provided it has an M1 chip or higher.So you can maintain a fairly consistent workflow if you're part of the Apple ecosystem. All this with a Spanish interface (and several other languages) and a clear focus on productivity.
Play music and video without complicating your life
Beyond being a "file explorer", Documents stands out for its multimedia features: It is capable of playing music and video both online and offline.which is great if you have your own collection of songs or series and you don't want to always depend on streaming platforms.
You can Import movies and other videos from your computer or from various online sources.Save them in the app and watch them whenever you want, even without an internet connection. The same goes for audio: the app acts as a music player with playlists and quick access to your saved tracks.
In addition, Documents integrates with your device's local library, so that can access your photos and videos stored on your iPhone or iPad without having to manually export and import. This makes it very convenient if, for example, you want to move a video from the gallery to a project folder in the app.
For those who travel or work in areas without good coverage, offline mode is key: the ability to carry your downloaded content, well-structured in folders Avoid relying on streaming or slow connections, something that is especially noticeable when playing high-resolution video.
In summary, the multimedia component of Documents allows you to Turn your iPhone or iPad into a portable entertainment center without having to open several different applications, which makes both leisure and professional use of clips and audio more convenient.
Organizing files and folders: labels, compression, and more
One of the areas where Documents shines brightest is in the file management in macOS: You can create folders for different projects, assign colors using labels, and rename files in bulk. Without overcomplicating things. It's like having a mini Finder optimized for touchscreens.
The app also allows Compress and decompress in ZIP format nativelyThis is very useful when you want to send several documents together by email or messaging, or when you receive compressed files and prefer to open them directly on your iPhone or iPad without first running them through your Mac.
Another convenient feature is the drag-and-drop system: on iPad, with iPadOS multitasking, you can Open two Readdle apps simultaneously and move files from one to the other Simply drag with your finger. This greatly speeds up working with large documents or multiple projects open at the same time.
Regarding collaborative use, Documents offers simple options for share files and folders with friends, coworkers or classmatesFrom the app itself you can send documents through different channels or generate links, depending on the integration with each service.
This organizational approach makes it especially useful for students, professionals who handle many PDFs, or people who work remotelybecause they can keep everything important well organized and accessible from any compatible device.
Import, download, and save files from anywhere
Another great advantage of Documents is the ease with which you can gather scattered content. From the “My Files” section you can Centralize all your cloud storage along with local documents and downloadsavoiding the feeling of having everything in a different place.
The app allows Import files from your computer, cloud storage services, WebDAV servers, and nearby devicesThis includes the ability to receive documents sent to you via local Wi-Fi or other similar methods within the application's ecosystem.
In addition, it has a built-in download manager, so you can Download files directly from the Internet and save them to the folder you want within Documents. This is especially useful for reports, free ebooks, work resources, or even multimedia content.
Nor does it forget about email: Documents makes it easy to save email attachments in one placeGrouping everything you receive for work or studies. This way, you don't always have to rely on your email client to find that PDF or presentation someone sent you months ago.
If you usually save items for later, you can also store web pages to read offlineThis is very convenient when you want to keep technical documentation, long posts or guides and have them available even if you don't have a connection at that moment.
Reading and editing PDFs and other documents
In the realm of text documents, presentations, and PDFs, Documents goes beyond a simple viewer: It opens Office files, eBooks, and PDFs, and allows you to mark them up, rearrange them, and even modify them. In many cases. That is, you can work with your documents quite comprehensively.
For PDFs, which are the dominant format in academic and professional settings, the app offers features such as underlining, annotations, comments, and advanced markupThis is ideal for correcting texts, taking notes, or reviewing contracts without needing to print anything.
You can also edit text and images within the PDF itself In many documents, this is especially useful if you need to correct small errors, adjust layouts, or update information without redoing the file from scratch.
Another noteworthy option is the possibility of reorder, add or delete pages within the PDFas well as combining multiple files into one. This allows you to build customized dossiers, summaries, or information packages in a matter of minutes.
Finally, the built-in conversion function allows convert different types of files to PDF quite quicklyThis unifies the format for sharing documents more professionally or archiving them long-term without relying on proprietary formats.
Cloud integration: iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, and more
In the current era of hybrid work, cloud integration is key, and Documents acts as a bridge. You can Connect your iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, and other service accounts to have everything centralized in the app, both personal and work files.
This integration isn't limited to viewing files: Documents lets you work directly on files in the cloud without always needing to download them to your deviceDepending on the case, the changes are synchronized with the corresponding service so that they are available on any other device where you use that account.
One particularly useful feature is the bidirectional synchronization of specific folders: you can Mark specific folders to automatically sync between your device and the cloudso that any change is made automatically without you having to do anything manually.
This is useful if, for example, you have a shared work folder in Dropbox or Google Drive and you want to Keep the updated version of all files on your iPhone or iPad without importing and exporting every day.
Thanks to this approach, Documents acts as a kind of “hub” where Your local storage and your favorite cloud services coexist in a single panelfacilitating quick access without having to switch apps depending on the service.
Smart actions and user experience
In addition to the classic functions, Documents includes what Readdle calls "smart actions": these are contextual recommendations that suggest the next logical action depending on the type of file you are working with.
For example, if you've just downloaded a PDF, the app might suggest bookmark it, share it, or convert it to another formatIf you open a folder full of photos, it may suggest compressing them or moving them to the cloud to save space on your device.
These small grants aim to Spend less time navigating menus and more time doing what you need.This is something you'll appreciate if you work with many files a day and are always in a hurry.
In terms of reputation, the application has received the Editor's Choice award in the App Store in more than 70 countries, a seal that Apple reserves only for apps that pay special attention to quality, usefulness and system integration.
For all these reasons, it has become an almost indispensable tool for those who want Get the most out of your iPhone and iPad as productivity devices, beyond pre-installed apps and without needing to rely solely on Apple solutions.
Subscriptions, prices, and what it means for your wallet
Now comes the part that many users like least: the business model. Documents can be Use it for free with many of its basic features activeBut if you want to get the most out of the app, Readdle offers several paid options under the names Documents Pro and Documents Plus.
The Documents Plus subscription It starts at approximately $9,99 per month, with equivalent prices in euros.There is a range of in-app purchases available, including monthly, annual, and larger bundle options. These prices may vary by country and are subject to change without notice.
If you decide to subscribe, payment is made through your iTunes account and Automatic renewal is charged within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period.You can disable renewal in your App Store account settings whenever you want, although it's best to do so with some advance notice.
In some cases there are free trial periods, but keep in mind that Any unused portion of that trial is forfeited when you purchase a subscription.In other words, if you subscribe to the paid plan before the trial period ends, the remaining time will not be carried over.
If you don't want to pay or see recurring charges, you can always stick with the free version, which It maintains many useful features at no cost.However, you will have to give up some advanced PDF editing or synchronization capabilities, and live with certain limitations that Readdle reserves for paid plans.
Requirements, compatibility, and supplier information
To install and use Documents normally, your devices need to meet some fairly specific minimum requirements: on iPhone, the app Requires iOS 16.0 or laterOn iPad it requires iPadOS 16.0 or higher, and on Mac it requires macOS 13.0 or later and a computer with an Apple M1 chip or newer.
The app is also available for Apple Vision, where Requires VisionOS 1.0 or higherthus integrating into Apple's new mixed reality environment to continue managing documents even in that format.
Regarding languages, Documents is translated into Spanish and a dozen other major languagesLanguages such as English, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Ukrainian, Simplified Chinese, and Vietnamese. This makes it suitable for users from many countries working in international environments.
The supplier is Readdle Technologies Limited, which It is listed as the responsible merchant for the app and declares compliance with European Union legislation.It has a DUNS business identification number, an address on the Isle of Man, and official contact details, including a support phone number and email address.
In legal matters, Readdle maintains Privacy policies and terms of use published and updatedAnd the copyright extends from 2008 to 2026. All of this provides some assurance regarding the continuity of the project and the backing of a company established within the Apple ecosystem.
Share files wirelessly between iPhone, iPad, and Mac
Beyond third-party apps, Apple offers several native ways to Share files between iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, and even PC without needing to have a cable handy all the time. These tools are integrated into the system and complement apps like Documents very well.
One of the key components is iCloud Drive, which acts as cloud hard drive synchronized across all your devicesWhatever you save there, it updates in real time so you always have the latest version of the file on your iPhone, Mac, or even a Windows PC where you're logged in with your Apple ID.
Another very convenient feature is Handoff, designed so that Start a task on one device and continue it on another right where you left off.It works with apps like Safari, Mail, Maps, Reminders, Calendar, Contacts and Apple's office suite (Pages, Numbers and Keynote), plus many compatible third-party applications.
When you have Handoff active, if you're composing an email on your iPhone, you'll be able to Continue it on your Mac without having to save drafts or search for it in the trayThe system shows you an icon of the corresponding app to "take over" and continue working.
There's also AirDrop, the classic way to share photos, videos, documents, and other content with any nearby Apple device that has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabledIt's ideal for transferring a bunch of images from your iPhone to your Mac at once, or sending a PDF to a colleague without having to upload it to the cloud first.
iPhone mirroring and drag and drop between devices
In recent times, Apple has been expanding the ways to work seamlessly between devices. One of these is iPhone Mirroring, which allows you to View the iPhone screen on your Mac and copy items between them without strange intermediate steps.
With this function, you can drag and drop items from iPhone to Mac and vice versaas if they were two windows on the same enlarged desktop. This includes images, text snippets, and, in many cases, entire files, depending on the apps involved.
The result is that, if you're working on your Mac but have a file or screenshot on your iPhone, you can Move it to a folder on your computer in seconds. without sending emails or using messaging to "self-send" things, something many used to do almost out of habit.
This philosophy of continuity makes it increasingly pointless to rely on a cable to move specific files, except in extreme cases such as massive transfers, full backups, or very old devices that do not support the most modern functions.
In any case, continuity and duplication tools are best understood as complementary: They do not replace iCloud Drive or advanced file managersBut they do give you a lot of agility in day-to-day life for small transfers and quick tasks.
How to use Finder to share files with your iPhone or iPad
Although wireless connections are gaining ground, the Mac still offers a very clear method for Share files with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch using the Finder and a USB cableIt's a simple and fairly controlled system, ideal for those who prefer to have everything well tied up.
The process begins by opening a Finder window on the Mac and connecting the iOS or iPadOS device with a cableOnce connected, the device should appear in the Finder sidebar; if it doesn't, check your trust settings or drivers.
When you select the device, you'll see several tabs, including "Files". From there, the system It displays a list of installed apps that allow file sharing. using this method. If the Files section does not appear, it means that no app installed on that device yet supports this functionality.
When you click the triangle next to the name of a compatible app, a list of associated documents appears. These are the files that You can copy from your Mac to the device or export in the opposite direction.simply by dragging or using the add/delete buttons.
On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, these documents can be opened from the corresponding app you selected in the Files tab of the Finder. Keep in mind that Not all apps accept every type of file or every format.Therefore, some files may not be visible or open as you expect.
Delete shared files through Finder
When you back up your device to iCloud or your computer, The files you've shared via Finder are also included in those copies.This ensures that if you restore the device, you will recover those documents exactly as they were.
If at any point you want to delete a file shared through Finder, the procedure is very straightforward: Reconnect the device to your Mac with the cable, open Finder, and select the Files tab again.From there you choose the app and, within the list of documents, you select the file you want to delete.
Next, simply Press the Delete key on the keyboard and confirm the deletion when the system prompts you.The document will disappear from the device and will no longer be included in future backups you make, both in iCloud and on your Mac itself.
You have to be especially careful when deleting apps: if you delete an app from your iPhone or iPad that had Associated shared files, those documents are also deleted from the device and the backupTherefore, before uninstalling anything, it's advisable to transfer the files you need to your computer or another service.
Additionally, some apps offer proprietary methods for managing and deleting documents within its interfaceThese are independent of the Finder. If you have any doubts, it's recommended to consult the user manual or the built-in help of each application to avoid surprises.
Control who you share your files with on iCloud Drive
When using iCloud Drive to share files and folders with others, it's essential to understand how manage access and stop sharing when it no longer makes sense to maintain itTo do this, Apple offers simple controls directly from the iCloud website.
The first thing to do is go to icloud.com/iclouddrive and Sign in with your Apple ID if you haven't already.From there you will see your files and folders in the cloud, including those you have shared with other people or that have been shared with you, depending on the permissions.
If you're accessing from a mobile phone or tablet, you can tap the options icon next to the file or folder you want to manage; on a computer, simply Place the pointer over that item and click on the available menuWithin those options you will find "Manage shared file" or "Manage shared folder", as appropriate.
From that panel you have several options: if you want To stop sharing with all participants at once, select the "Stop sharing" option.If, on the other hand, you only want to revoke access for a specific person, you can choose the icon that appears next to their name and use the "Remove access" option.
Once you confirm these changes, the affected participants will no longer be able to view or modify the files that were in that shared folderIf you want to stop sharing a specific file without changing the settings of the entire folder, it's as simple as moving that file to a folder that you haven't shared with anyone.
Shared files for Pages, Numbers, and Keynote
If you work with Apple's office suite, you probably have Pages documents, Numbers spreadsheets, and Keynote presentations saved in iCloud DriveThese files can also be shared and edited collaboratively.
In addition to accessing them from the native apps on iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can Open and edit these documents directly from Pages, Numbers, or Keynote on iCloud.comThis option is ideal when you are on a computer that is not yours, or on a computer where you do not have the desktop applications installed.
The system respects the access permissions you have defined when sharing, so Only authorized individuals will be able to view or modify these documentsThis strikes a pretty good balance between the convenience of online editing and control over who can access your files.
To coordinate with others, you can combine this sharing system with the commenting and review features within each app, allowing you to Ensure seamless collaboration without sacrificing the security of your documents. more sensitive.
In short, Apple's ecosystem with iCloud Drive and office applications offers a fairly complete solution for collaborative work, automatic backups, and multi-platform accessBut it's always a good idea to periodically check who has access to what.
Given all of the above, it is clear that both Apple's native tools (iCloud Drive, Finder, Handoff, AirDrop, iPhone Mirroring) and advanced apps like Readdle's Documents allow you to Manage, share, and rate your files on iPhone and Mac with a huge level of controlAlthough this comes at the cost of some initial complexity and, in some cases, subscriptions that should be closely monitored to prevent them from becoming just another "fixed bill".
