TL;DR
A WIRED guide notes that recent phone updates have opened up greater access to device file systems. Both Android and iOS now let users inspect and manage local storage in ways more like a desktop computer.
What happened
WIRED published a how‑to explaining that modern smartphones offer more visible and manageable file systems than they did in the past. Where mobile platforms once hid much of the local storage structure, recent changes to both Android and iOS make it easier for users to browse and organize files. The piece positions this shift as making phone file management closer to the experience people expect on Windows or macOS. The article appears in WIRED's Gear section, written by David Nield and dated January 3, 2026. Visual credit on the story goes to a Tatiana Meteleva/Getty Images photograph. Beyond the headline and opening context, details about platform‑specific steps or recommended apps are not provided in the excerpt supplied here.
Why it matters
- Greater file‑system access gives users more direct control over where data is stored and how it’s organized.
- Easier file management on phones can simplify tasks such as moving, renaming, or deleting files that previously required workarounds.
- Closer parity with desktop file management may improve cross‑device workflows for people who switch between phones and computers.
- More visible storage structures can have implications for privacy, backups, and troubleshooting device storage issues.
Key facts
- The story's focus: managing files on iOS and Android devices.
- WIRED reports that phones now provide increased access to their file systems compared with earlier designs.
- Historically, mobile platforms hid much of the local storage layout from users.
- Both Android and iOS are described as offering easier access to files, enabling management similar to Windows or macOS.
- The piece was published in WIRED's Gear section on January 3, 2026.
- The article is authored by David Nield.
- Photograph credit for the story is Tatiana Meteleva/Getty Images.
- Source URL: https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-manage-files-on-ios-and-android/
What to watch next
- Whether the full WIRED article lists specific built‑in tools or apps for file management — not confirmed in the source.
- Any platform‑specific instructions (iOS vs Android) or step‑by‑step procedures — not confirmed in the source.
- Recommendations for third‑party file managers or safety tips for moving system files — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- File system: The method and data structures an operating system uses to name, store, and organize files on storage media.
- Local storage: Files and data physically stored on a device's internal memory or removable storage, as opposed to cloud storage.
- Android: A mobile operating system developed by Google, used on a wide range of smartphones and tablets.
- iOS: Apple’s mobile operating system that runs on iPhone and iPod Touch devices.
- File manager: An app or built‑in system tool that lets users browse, copy, move, rename, and delete files and folders.
Reader FAQ
Who wrote the WIRED guide and when was it published?
David Nield wrote the piece; it was published January 3, 2026.
Does the excerpt include step‑by‑step instructions for managing files on each platform?
Not confirmed in the source.
Are specific third‑party file manager apps recommended in the article excerpt?
Not confirmed in the source.
Will increased file access affect device security or backups?
Not confirmed in the source.
DAVID NIELD GEAR JAN 3, 2026 6:00 AM How to Manage Files on iOS and Android You have more access to your phone’s file system than you may think. PHOTOGRAPH:…
Sources
- How to Manage Files on iOS and Android
- How to Free Up Storage on Your iPhone or Android
- How to use the iOS and Android File Apps to Clean, Share, …
- Manage storage on iPhone
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