In this guide, we will be listing out a couple of handy workarounds that should help you fix the issue of Files based apps not working on your iPad running the latest iPadOS 17.4.1. The newest incremental update to the OS has brought in performance enhancements and ironed out a few underlying bugs and issues. However, on the flip side, it seems to have paved the way for the entry of a new bug as well.
In this regard, numerous users have voiced their concern that the Files app is not working along the expected lines as it is not showing any deleted/updated/downloaded files. Every app that tends to use iCloud Drive as its base is opening with a blank browser screen. While the left-sidebar is usually there, however, it’s of no use as it’s unclickable.
All the apps that work with Files such as PDF Viewer, Numbers, and GoodNotes now open to a blank screen. Making matter worse is the fact that after a while, these apps tend to crash all of a sudden. And that’s not it. Even selecting a single photo from the camera roll to share via the Files app causes Photos to freeze. All in all, anything that requires filesystem interaction seems to be broken after the latest update.
This issue first came to light on iPadOS 17.4 and has been carried over to version 17.4.1 as well. Users have even tried uninstalling and reinstalling the Files app but to no avail. So it seems more of an issue from the App’s server-side instead of a local one with this app. With that said, there does exist a couple of nifty workarounds that might help you mitigate this issue. So without further ado, let’s check them out.
Files based apps not working on iPadOS 17.4.1 [Fixed]
It is recommended that you try out each of the below-listed workarounds and then see which one spells out success for you. So with that in mind, let’s get started.
FIX 1: Sign out of iCloud
Many users have reported success after signing out of their iCloud account and then restarting their device. After that, they re-signed to their iCloud account, and the underlying issue was rectified. So let’s give it a try using the below-listed steps and then check out the results.
- Head over to Settings, tap your name > tap Sign Out.
- Enter your Apple ID password and tap Turn Off.
- Now turn on the data that you want to keep a copy of on your device.
- Finally, tap Sign Out > Sign Out again to confirm the process.
FIX 2: Full Restore of iCloud
According to a bunch of users, they were able to fix this issue after resetting there restoring their iPads. They got in touch with Apple Support and were notified that their iCloud Drive was clogged with small temporary files (cookies, orphaned plists, etc), which caused the iPad to “think” indefinitely until it timed out and crashed.
Upon doing a reset and restore, everything started from scratch and the Files based apps were again working on their iPad running iPadOS 17.4.1. So try it out using the below-listed steps and check out the results [do note that it will wipe off all the data from your device, so take a backup beforehand].
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad.
- After that, select Erase All Content and Settings.
- Now wait for the reset to complete.
- Once done, set up your iPhone and check the result.
FIX 3: Try these Settings
Many users have said that having their iCloud Drive set to Off, iCloud Photo Backup On, and iPad Backup for Files to Off, they were to fix this issue. So do give this a try and then check out the results.
That’s it. These were the three different methods that should help you fix this issue of the Files based apps not working on your iPad running the latest iPadOS 17.4.1. As far as the official stance on this matter is concerned, the developers have yet to acknowledge this issue, let alone give out any ETA for the rollout of a fix. As and when any of these two things happen, we will update this guide accordingly. In the meantime, the aforementioned workarounds are your best bet.
Why are Files Based Apps Not Working on iPadOS?
The inability of the File based apps to not work as intended could be attributed to the latest update rolled out by the Cupertino giant for the iPad. Moreover, the issue hasn’t just impacted the Files app, all the other apps that use the Files app as the base are affected as well, including the likes of DF Viewer, Numbers, and GoodNote. Fortunately, though, we did have a few nifty method workarounds that should help you effectively address this bug.
All that needs to be done from your end is to log out from your iCloud account and then use the aforementioned apps for a few minutes. If it’s all well and good, then you may log out and religion to your iCloud account and the issue stands rectified. With that said, as soon as soon there is any official statement or rollout of a fix from Apple, we will update this post accordingly. Stay tuned!
