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Ipad mini files app and copy/move options confusion.

I just moved to Apple. Have an iPad mini. I am really having a hard time understanding the files app. It is so much easier on Windows/Android. Under the files app it seems that "copy" is basically useless and the real "copy" is under "move"? I'm so confused. When I click to copy a file or many files as I'm doing now trying to copy over all my ebooks from a usb flash drive. I hit select-select all- copy then go to location on my iPad I want to copy to. There is no option to paste, so I touch screen and then "paste" option shows (I remember there was a bar at bottom with options but not there now)? So I click on the pop-up option after touching long press on screen and nothing happens for a long while. then I notice some files were eventually transferred to the location I chose. But not all of the files. There is no pop up or showing of any notice that anything is happening, thinking perhaps its just in the process of transferring (but not showing me any notice this is happening) so I set iPad aside. 1/2hr later no difference. No new files.

THAN I decide to delete it all and starting over. But this time I click on "move" instead of "copy". when I go to the location I want to now move (BUT I do not want to really move, just copy) these files I notice at top an option to "Copy" ! Only that option shows. No "move here" option. So I click on "copy" and wham bam its now working. Whaaaat? It even shows at top a notification that files are copying over. So "move" with Apple means really "copy" and "Copy" options is meaningless and when "moving" files by clicking on "move" is really "copy"? Why is there a "copy" option under "move"? I'm so confused can someone explain please.

iPad Mini 5, iPadOS 14

Posted on Mar 19, 2021 4:50 PM

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Posted on Mar 19, 2021 5:55 PM

See especially “Save a copy of your file locally” and “Move iCloud Drive files” here.

Use the Files app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

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Ipad mini files app and copy/move options confusion.

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