Current iPhones do not have a separate iCloud Drive app. iCloud Drive lives inside the Files app, so open Files, tap Browse, and tap iCloud Drive under Locations. If it is not listed, turn it on at Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Drive > Sync this iPhone.
That is the whole answer for most people. The rest of this guide explains each step, shows how to put the Files app where you can reach it quickly, and covers what to do when iCloud Drive or the Files app seems to be missing.
Where the iCloud Drive App Went
iCloud Drive is Apple’s cloud storage for documents and folders. Anything you save there is available on every device signed in to the same Apple Account. According to Apple’s iPhone User Guide, iCloud Drive is built into the Files app on devices with iOS 11 or later.
Older tutorials describe a standalone iCloud Drive app and a Show on Home Screen switch in the iCloud settings. Apple’s current documentation does not mention either one, so do not spend time hunting for that switch. On any iPhone running a recent version of iOS, the Files app is the iCloud Drive app.
What You Need
- An iPhone running iOS 11 or later. Apple recommends updating to the latest version of iOS before you set up iCloud Drive.
- An Apple Account that you are signed in to on the iPhone. Use the same account on your other devices if you want the same files everywhere.
- Free iCloud storage. Apple gives every account 5 GB at no cost, and that space is shared with iCloud Backup, iCloud Photos, and other iCloud features.
- The Files app. It comes with the iPhone, but it is one of the built-in apps that can be deleted.
How to Turn On iCloud Drive on iPhone
iCloud Drive only shows your files in the Files app once syncing is turned on for this iPhone.
- Open the Settings app and tap your name at the top of the screen.
- Tap iCloud.
- Tap Drive. Depending on your iOS version it may be labeled iCloud Drive, and it sits in the section named Saved to iCloud or Apps Using iCloud.
- Turn on Sync this iPhone.
When the switch is on, the iPhone starts syncing with iCloud Drive. Files you already keep there begin to appear in the Files app, and files you add on the iPhone show up on your other devices.
How to Open iCloud Drive in the Files App
- Open the Files app.
- Tap Browse at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap iCloud Drive below Locations.
- Tap a folder to open it, or tap a file to view it.
Apple notes two things that trip people up here. If you do not see Locations, tap Browse a second time to return to the top level. If you do not see iCloud Drive below Locations, tap the word Locations to expand the list.
The same Browse screen also lists On My iPhone, which holds files stored only on the phone, plus any other cloud services you have added. Files in On My iPhone do not sync through iCloud Drive.
How to Put Files on Your Home Screen
Since Files is your way into iCloud Drive, it helps to keep it somewhere easy to reach. If the app is installed but not on a Home Screen page, Apple’s steps for moving an app out of the App Library work here.
- Swipe left past all of your Home Screen pages to open the App Library.
- Find Files. You can type its name in the search field at the top.
- Touch and hold the Files icon, then drag it onto the Home Screen page where you want it.
- Tap Done.
To confirm it worked, press the Files icon on the Home Screen, tap Browse, and check that iCloud Drive opens.
How to Choose Which Apps Use iCloud Drive
Many apps store their documents in iCloud Drive. You decide which ones are allowed to.
- Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud.
- Tap See All next to Saved to iCloud.
- Turn on each app you want saved to iCloud, and turn off each one you do not.
Turning off apps you do not need is one way to slow down how fast your iCloud storage fills up.
What to Do If iCloud Drive or the Files App Is Missing
Work through these checks in order. Each one is quick, and the earlier ones are the most common causes.
You cannot find the Files app
Swipe down from the middle of the Home Screen and type Files in the search field. If the icon appears, tap it. Apple’s guide to finding a missing app on the Home Screen also suggests checking the App Library and any hidden Home Screen pages. On iOS 18 and later an app can be hidden as well. Hidden apps do not show up in search, so scroll to the bottom of the App Library and open the Hidden folder.
The Files app was deleted
Files is on Apple’s list of built-in apps that can be deleted. To get it back, open the App Store, search for the exact name Files, and tap the redownload button. Wait for it to finish, then open it from the Home Screen.
Files opens, but iCloud Drive is not listed
First, tap Browse again and tap Locations to expand the list. If iCloud Drive is still absent, go back to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Drive and make sure Sync this iPhone is on. Apple states that you cannot access your iCloud Drive files on a device that has iCloud Drive turned off or that is not signed in to your Apple Account.
The Browse screen also has a More button with an Edit option. Apple documents it for switching other cloud services on and off in Files. If you see a switch for iCloud Drive there, make sure it is on.
iCloud Drive opens, but files are missing
Confirm that the iPhone uses the same Apple Account as the device where you saved the files. Then check your storage. Apple says that when iCloud storage runs out, iCloud Drive stops staying up to date across your devices. Here is how to check how much iCloud storage you have left. Also remember that your photo library is kept in the Photos app, not in Files, and that downloads from Safari usually land in the Downloads folder inside iCloud Drive.
How to Turn iCloud Drive Off Again
Before you do this: once iCloud Drive is off, you will not be able to open your iCloud Drive files on this iPhone. If you need a document on the phone, move a copy to On My iPhone in the Files app first.
To turn it off, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Drive and switch off Sync this iPhone. The switch only affects this iPhone. Devices where iCloud Drive is still turned on keep working as before, and you can turn the switch back on at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an iCloud Drive app I can download for iPhone?
No. Apple does not offer a separate iCloud Drive app for current iPhones. iCloud Drive is a location inside the Files app, which comes with the iPhone and can be downloaded again from the App Store if it was deleted.
Can I use iCloud Drive on a computer?
Yes. Apple says iCloud Drive appears in the Finder on a Mac, in File Explorer on a PC with iCloud for Windows installed, and in a web browser at iCloud.com. If your goal is moving documents to a PC, see how to transfer files from an iPhone to a PC.
Does iCloud Drive back up my whole iPhone?
No. iCloud Drive syncs the files and folders you put in it. A full copy of your iPhone’s settings and app data is made by iCloud Backup, which is a separate feature. See how to back up an iPhone to iCloud.
Are my photos in iCloud Drive?
Not unless you saved them there yourself. Your photo library is stored in the Photos app and syncs through iCloud Photos. To move pictures between devices, see how to transfer pictures between an iPhone and iPad using iCloud.
Can I see Google Drive or Dropbox in the same place?
Yes. Apple says you can install the other service’s app, open Files, tap Browse, tap the More button, tap Edit, and turn that service on. It then appears in the list alongside iCloud Drive.
Next Step
Open Files, tap Browse, and tap iCloud Drive to confirm your folders are there. If you plan to use it often, drag the Files app to your first Home Screen page or the Dock so iCloud Drive is always one tap away.
Matthew Burleigh is the founder, head writer, and editor of Solve Your Tech, which he launched in 2012. He has written technology tutorials since 2008 and worked in IT since 2003, including small-business support, IT management, and consulting. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from Arizona State University.
Matthew writes practical guides for Windows, iPhone and iPad, Microsoft Office, Outlook, Google apps, and Android. Solve Your Tech’s guides are tested on current devices or checked against official product documentation, with clear steps, sources, and update dates.
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