The recent Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) did not bring the expected news for advanced users of the iPad Pro M4. However, although the M4’s hardware promises superior performance and is still far from what the apple software can offer, the updates in iPadOS 18 have left much to be desired. Despite this, there is a new feature in the Files app that promises to solve a significant problem and has gone unnoticed.
WWDC 2024 was an event eagerly anticipated by many, especially iPad Pro M4 users, who were hoping for major advancements in software to get the most out of their device. Despite innovations in cross-functional features like Apple Intelligence and deep customization tools, the main new features focused on iPadOS 18 were the new Calculator app and redesigned tab bars.
New Files feature
But there is one feature that, although it was not mentioned in the presentation, is a revolutionary change for many: the ability to keep folders and files permanently downloaded in the Files app.
For years, the Files app has followed an iCloud-centric approach to file management, which is useful in a world where cross-platform computing is the norm. Keeping everything in iCloud allows access data from any device and ensures that they are preserved even if the device is lost or damaged.
The problem has been the management of downloads. Although it is possible to manually download files on demand, Apple makes decisions at its discretion about which files remain in the local cache, deleting certain files without prior notice. This can be problematic, especially in situations where there is no internet connection, such as on a plane, and suddenly the file we need has been sent back to the cloud.
With iPadOS 18, this changes radically. Not only on the iPad, but also on the iPhone with iOS 18, where users can long press on a file or folder and select the new option ‘Keep Downloaded’.
Our documents: available at all times
This feature allows selected files or folders to remain permanently on the device, preventing them from being sent to the cloud again without the user’s consent. This is especially important for those who depend on the iPad for their daily work.
For those who use the iPad casually, as an entertainment device or for light browsing, this change may not be as relevant. However, for professionals who rely on the iPad to get their work done, this new feature could be a game-changer.
The fact that Apple didn’t mention this feature in its brief presentation of iPadOS 18 is surprising, given its potential impact. Know that files will be available regardless of network connection status provides unparalleled peace of mind.
This new ability to keep files and folders permanently downloaded in the iPadOS 18 Files app is a crucial improvement that, although not widely announced, promises to solve a major problem for many users.
