How to Access and Open Shared Folders on Your iPhone or iPad

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Pull up folders and files shared with you right from your mobile device

Written by Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: December 11, 2024 Fact Checked

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Shared Folders from iCloud Drive

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Shared Folders from Windows

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Shared Folders from Mac

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Shared Folders from Other Cloud Services

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Did you know you can open shared files from iCloud or even a Mac or Windows PC on your iPhone or iPad? In this article, we’ll show you how to open and browse shared folders remotely using the Files app on your iOS device.

Easy Ways to Access Shared Folders on iOS

To open a folder shared from iCloud, just tap the invitation link. It will open in your Files app.
To open folders shared from a Mac or Windows computer, open the Files app and access your computer using the Connect to Server option.
You can also access folders in third-party cloud apps directly through the Files app.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Shared Folders from iCloud Drive

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1
Open the message with the sharing invitation. If someone shared an iCloud Drive folder with you, you can easily access it directly from their invitation. To get started, open the text, email, or other message with the link to the shared folder.
- If you didn’t get an invitation or message with the link, you may need to ask the person to send it again.
A message will pop up asking if you want to open the folder.

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Tap Open. This will both open the folder and add it to your iCloud Drive so you can access it again in the future.
- The folder will open in your iPhone or iPad’s Files app.
As long as the folder is still being shared with you, you can access it in Files. Tap the Files app icon (which looks like a blue folder) on your Home Screen or in the App Library, then tap the Shared tab at the bottom of the screen. You’ll see all your shared folders and files there. Tap a shared folder to open and edit it (if you have editing access).

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Shared Folders from Windows

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1
Create a new user account on your computer. The easiest way to share folders from a Windows PC to your iPhone or iPad involves creating a new local user account (not a Microsoft account) on the PC. If it’s not your computer, you’ll need to ask the owner to set this up for you. Here’s how to do it:^{[1]
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Microsoft Support
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- Open the
  Settings app on the PC and select Accounts > Other user.
- Click Add account under Add other user.
- Select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information, then select Add a user without a Microsoft account.
- Follow the prompts to create a username and password for the new account.
Once you’ve set up the sharing account, select the folder you want to share. Right-click it to open a menu of options.^{[2]
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Microsoft Support
Technical support and product information from Microsoft.

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If you’re using Windows 11, click Show more options > Give access to.
A new window will pop up.
Adjust your sharing options (e.g., decide whether to grant read-only access or read and write). Click Share when you’re done.
This method relies on sharing files over a LAN (local area network). Connect your computer and iOS device to the same Wi-Fi network before you continue.
Now you should be able to access the shared folder from your iOS device. Open Files from your Home Screen or App Library.
It’s at the top right corner of the Files app.
A new menu will open.
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Enter your computer’s local hostname. You’ll be using this as the name of the server. You can find your computer’s full name in your system settings. Tap Connect in the Files app when you’re done.
- If you’re using Windows 10, go to Control Panel > System and Security > System. Look at the “View basic information about your computer” page. You’ll find your computer’s name under Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings > Full computer name.^{[3]
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  Trustworthy Source
  
  Microsoft Support
  Technical support and product information from Microsoft.
  
  Go to source}
- In Windows 11, go to Settings > System and find your computer name in the System window.^{[4]
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  Research source}
In the Files app, enter the username and password you created on your Windows computer. Tap Next.
12
Open the Browse tab. It’s at the bottom right corner of the Files app screen.
- If this takes you to some other location besides the main Browse menu, tap the < icon at the top left corner of the screen to navigate back.
You should see the local hostname of your computer next to an icon of a globe. Tap on it to access the shared folders on your PC.
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Browse the shared folders on your computer. You’ll see any folders that you allowed access to on your PC. Tap the folders to open them and access the files inside.
- When you’re done, go back to the main Browse menu and tap the
  Eject icon next to your computer’s local hostname to disconnect.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Shared Folders from Mac

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1
Enable File Sharing on your Mac. If you set up file sharing on your Mac, you can access shared folders from your iPhone or iPad. To enable file sharing:^{[5]
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- Open
  Apple menu > System Settings > General.
- Scroll down in the General menu and click Sharing.
- Click the i next to File Sharing at the top of the menu.
- Toggle on File Sharing.
- If you want allowed users to have full access to your Mac, toggle on Allow full disk access for all users.
- To share specific folders or files, click + under the Shared Folders box. Browse for folders you want to share, select them, and click Open.
- To add users or groups you’d like to share with, click + under the Users box. Select users who have direct access to your Mac or add people from your contacts. Click Select to add your chosen user(s).
- Use the drop-down menu next to each user you’re sharing with to select what level of access they have (e.g., “Read Only” or “Read & Write”).
- Click Done to save your selections.
- If someone else is setting up file sharing for you from their Mac, they can add you from their contacts. They will need to create a password for you, then click Create Account.
Now that File Sharing is active, you can access the shared files from your iOS device. Launch the Files app from your Home Screen or the App Library.
It’s at the top right corner of the screen.
A new menu will open.
5
Enter your computer’s local hostname. You can find this in
Apple menu > System Settings > General > Sharing at the bottom of the menu. Tap Connect when you’re done.
- The local hostname will look something like Bobs-MacBook-Pro.local.
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Enter your username and password. Use the username and password you’d normally use to log in to your Mac. Tap Next.
- If you’re accessing shared folders on someone else’s Mac, enter your user name as it appears in their contacts, then enter the password they created for you when they added you to their list of Users.
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Open the Browse tab. It’s at the bottom right corner of the Files app screen.
- If this takes you to some other location besides the main Browse menu, tap the < icon at the top left corner of the screen to navigate back.
You should see the local hostname of your computer next to an icon of a globe. Tap on it to access the shared folders on your Mac.
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Browse the shared folders on your computer. You’ll see any folders that you allowed access to in the File Sharing settings on your Mac. Tap the folders to open them and access the files inside.
- When you’re done, go back to the main Browse menu and tap the
  Eject icon next to your computer’s local hostname to disconnect.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Shared Folders from Other Cloud Services

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1
Use this method to access folders in your other cloud accounts. If you’re trying to access your own folders that you have stored in third-party cloud services, such as OneDrive or Creative Cloud, you can enable access to those apps in the Files app on your iOS device.^{[6]
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- For instance, if you want to quickly access folders on your PC that are stored in OneDrive from your iPhone, this is a good way to do it.
Most cloud storage services have iOS apps. Open the App Store and install the appropriate app on your iPhone or iPad.
You’ll need to do this before you can access your folders.
You can find it on your Home Screen or in the App Library.
5
Tap the Browse tab. It’s at the bottom of the Files app screen.
- If this takes you to some other location in Files, tap < at the top left until you get back to the main Browse menu.
This button is at the top right corner of the screen. A menu will expand.
8
Toggle on any third-party apps you want to connect to. You’ll see them under the Locations header. Tap the toggle switches to turn them on. Tap Done when you’re finished.
- In some cases, the app may connect to Files automatically after you install it and log in.
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Tap the app name to browse your folders. A new window will open, showing any synced or shared folders in the third-party cloud app.
- If you want to move files or folders to another location, tap and hold the file or folder and select Move, then choose your desired location and tap Copy.

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Tips

You can also access shared folders from various cloud-sharing platforms using the associated iOS apps. For instance, install the OneDrive or Dropbox app to easily access folders that other people have shared with you through those services.

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