How to save files in the iPhone memory and not in the cloud

Manage content locally on your device from the Files app.

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Despite not being a computer, a file explorer on a mobile is very necessary to manage all the content, be it photos, videos or documents. At Apple there is a dual aspect of local and cloud storage, but if you want to leave the iCloud service for other purposes, you can save files only in iPhone memory.

From the iOS Files app, you have the possibility to make a copy of all the content in the same mobile storage, without touching the cloud. Typically, a backup is related to backing up to a cloud platform, but it doesn’t always have to be. Let’s see how to do it.

How the Files app works on the iPhone

Starting with iOS 11, the Files app includes files stored on the device you’re using, as well as in other cloud services and apps, and in iCloud Drive. In addition, it allows you to work with formats that were previously impossible, such as . To access all this content, you just have to look for the Files app, which is usually found in the folder Tools from the home screen.

It is a tool that allows you to organize all the device storage, as well as create or group folders, labels, share files and folders through AirDrop or iCloud itself. It also includes the transfer of files from an Android device and improvements in the multiple selection of content with more gestures. This is one of the main features that you can also see in iPadOS Files.

How to save files in the iPhone memory and not in the cloud

First of all, check how much space is left, in case you can delete what you don’t need. You may see recommendations for optimizing your storage, a list of your apps, and the amount of space each one uses. The Files progress bar it will help you to know better what you have stored.

To get into device storage, do the following:

1. open the app Settings on your iPhone.
2. Click on the section “General“.
3. Click on “iPhone storage“.

It is no longer just a matter of space, but it is also very useful for making copies of files when you are not connected to a Wi-Fi network or mobile data, which can also happen. The content that you already have stored locally can be consulted from “locations“and entering the section”on my iphone“.

To make new local copies of more files on your iPhone so as not to take up more space in the cloud, you just have to follow a few simple steps that we will indicate below:

1. From the Files app, go to the file that you want to save on the device.
2. Click on the option “Select“, choose the file name and click on “Organize“.
3. Go to the section “on my iphone” and choose a folder or press “New folderto create a different one.
4. Finally, press “Copy“.

Another option you can choose is to long press on a file, choose “Move” and select the destination folder. If you have iOS 12 or earlier, go to “on my iphone“, choose Numbers, Keynote or Pages and press “Copy“.

Move files from iCloud Drive

iCloud Drive was the tool used by devices compatible with iOS 10 or earlier to save all your files. If you’ve left something in that app or have it in iCloud, you can transfer it to iPhone storage so it’s saved there. Like the rest of the tutorial, this part of the process is just as easy:

1. Go to the file that you want to transfer
2. Click on “Select” and then choose the file you’re looking for.
3. Look for the option “Organize“.
4. Go back to “on my iphone” and choose a folder or select “New folder“.
5. Click on “Move“.
6. You can also long press on a file, choose “Move” and select which folder you want to copy it to.

Thus, you will be able to save data and files in the memory of the iPhone (and also of the iPad) without having to deactivate the iCloud service so that it is not saved in the cloud. There cannot be a more practical method.

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