• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

AppleToolBox

Tools and Fixes for Mac, iPad, iPhone & iWatch

Search posts

  • About
  • Contact

CONNECT WITH US

CATEGORIES

  • iPhone
  • iPad
  • iPod
  • Apple Watch
  • Mac/MacBook
  • AirPods
  • Apple TV
  • News
  • Apple Services
  • HomePod
  • Reviews

SITE

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Advertise

Search posts

You are here: Home / iPad / Can’t save an image to Files app directly? Here’s a workaround

Can’t save an image to Files app directly? Here’s a workaround

By Mike Peterson 0 comments Last updated October 30, 2019

The Files app is a lot more capable in iOS 13 and iPadOS with a suite of new features that allow users to save content to and manage local storage.

There’s even a new button in the Share sheet that lets you Save to Files directly. This is especially handy when you’re working with images and you want to save a picture to local storage instead of the Photos app.

Related:

  • Everything in the new Files app for iPadOS
  • 15 new features in iOS 13.2 that you should care about
  • Can’t delete ‘locally stored’ content in the Files app? Here’s what’s going on
  • How to rename documents using Files App on iOS 13 and iPadOS

But, unfortunately, the Save to Files button doesn’t always appear on the Share sheet. Here’s why — and how you can work around it.

Why the inconsistencies?

Share Sheet
The Share sheet’s layout is not consistent across all third-party apps. That can lead to confusion.

It’s not clear why the Share sheets Save to Files button isn’t universal. But it likely comes down to app compatibility.

From what we’ve seen, most native Apple apps let you save directly to Files. But when it comes to third-party apps and platforms, it’s pretty inconsistent.

You can save an image directly to Files on Twitter, but not on Reddit, for example.

This is probably because the Save to Files button is an API that developers must implement into their own apps. If that is actually the case, then it would make sense that not all apps have been updated to incorporate it yet.

Still, if you’re working with the Files app, it can be quite an annoying problem. So how do you go about addressing it?

A quick workaround

Share Sheet 2
You may not be able to save directly to Files in some apps. But you can always do so in Photos. Dog photo via Redditor N8theGr8.

Sometimes, you may be able to scroll all the way down to the bottom of the Share sheet and add Save to Files by tapping on the Edit Actions… button.

Once you’re in the Edit Actions menu, just look for the Save to Files options.

But, from what we’ve noticed, this option isn’t available in all apps. Reddit, for example, won’t let you add Save to Files to the Share sheet (while other apps may).

If you must save an image to your Files app instead of the Photos app, there is a workaround.

It isn’t the cleanest solution, but it’ll work. We’ll use an awesome dog picture from Reddit as an example.

  • Tap and hold on the image you’d like to save in Reddit. This will bring up the Share menu.
  • Scroll down until you see Save Image.
  • Now, open up your Photos app and select the image you just saved.
  • Tap the Share sheet icon in the bottom left corner and scroll down.
  • In this Share sheet, you should see the ability to Save to Files.
  • Tap on Save to Files and select the folder where you’d like to save the image.
  • Finally, as an optional step, you can delete the image in the Photos app and it’ll be stored solely in Files.

It’s worth noting that this works both on individual pictures and videos in Photos, as well as multiple images or videos. At the very least, that way you won’t have to individually Save to Files — you can do it in batches.

Related Posts:

  • An iPhone, Mac, and MacBook on a table
    How to Transfer Your Photos from iCloud Photos to…
  • How to Change Login Picture on Mac
    How to Change Login Picture on Mac
  • photo of an iphone with ios 16 downloaded on it
    iOS 16 Tips and Tricks: The Definitive List
  • How to remove apps from the iOS Sharesheet Hero
    How to remove apps from the iOS Sharesheet
  • photo of a person typing on a macbook
    How to Use Reminders on Mac: A Complete User Guide
  • 2022 Mac Mini with Studio Display and Accessories
    Mac Tips For New Users In 2023
  • Repair and Rebuild Missing or Incorrect Thumbnails in Photos
    Mac: Repair and Rebuild Missing or Incorrect…
  • pexels-designecologist-1779487
    The Best iPhone And Mac Shortcuts For Beginners
  • MacBook, iPhone, and Camera Lenses
    How to Use Notes on Mac: A Complete User Guide
mike - apple
Mike Peterson

Mike is a freelance journalist from San Diego, California.

While he primarily covers Apple and consumer technology, he has past experience writing about public safety, local government, and education for a variety of publications.

He’s worn quite a few hats in the journalism field, including writer, editor, and news designer.

Reader Interactions

Write a Comment Cancel reply

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • How to Share Screen on Teams on MacBook
  • How to Use Microsoft Teams on Mac for Collaboration
  • How to Fix Bad AirPods Sound Quality on PC
  • Use This Trick to Sync Apple Notes and Microsoft Word
  • How to Run Android Apps on a Mac
  • What Is the Best iOS Emulator for Windows PCs?

Connect with us

Footer

ABOUT

  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy
  • Terms of Use

GUIDES

  • iOS & iPadOS
  • Apple ID
  • iCloud
  • App Store
  • iTunes
  • FaceTime
  • iMessage
  • Siri
  • Books and iBooks
  • Game Center
  • AirPlay

CONNECT

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • FeedBurner
  • YouTube

© Copyright 2010-2024 Guiding Tech Media · All Rights Reserved

This site and its content are in no way affiliated or endorsed by Apple, Inc. · Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited