Owlfiles - File Manager Reviews

by VizMind

I’m not sure what the high ratings are for here, but it doesn’t take long to realize that it is only of use if you are looking to transfer a file here and there. There is **no way** to select multiple files in the Files Explorer view (the typical “Select” feature is disabled as soon as you enter the Explorer). So if you need to transfer multiple files, you’re going to need to tap each file one by one, wait five seconds or so for Owlfiles to respond and give you the option to copy, navigate into the destination folder, and then paste. A few times doing this, and you will promptly delete this application off of your device. This is extremely basic functionality. Bulk transfer should be a given. It takes massive oversight to miss something this big. Owlfiles literally gives you less features than the device has by default.

by Crazy_pilot

Maybe the paid upgrade works better. I installed Owlfiles, hoping I would have the iOS version of Windows Explorer on my iPad. I really want this function to keep up with files, etc. What I discovered is that Owlfiles appears to only keep up with files loaded AFTER Owlfiles is installed. It shows nothing of what is already in my iPad. When I selected “contact us” to ask about this, it told me I had to first set up my email, etc, in the Settings. When I went to Settings, there was nowhere to do that. Based on this, I sure don’t want to spend money on the upgrade, not knowing if it’s any better.

by Tiger8896

It’s a good app allowing me to transfer files from my phone iPad to my Windows file system and lets me manage the files on my network but it has a consistent problem when I rename directories on my network where after renaming the directory I get a subsequent message that the directory can’t be found when I try to take subsequent actions like deleting the directory or copying it. I now have many directories that show up that I can’t get rid of. Very weird because I can copy the files contained in the directory to another location but can’t rename or delete the directory even when I access the directory directly from file manager in Windows.

by PaloRob

VERY limited support for accessing local files, only access is manuals and photos. Cannot access downloads, documents or other local content. I give it 3 stars for network access especially for my NAS, but I'd really like to be able to copy local files to network servers. Not very intuitive to use, but you get used to the dumbed down Apple interface soon, especially if you are coming from a PC environment.

by 805caliifornia

Video viewer could be better. Why is it so hard to include a video viewer button that fast forward 15 sec or 30 sec at a time when you tap it. Videos are long so this is a good way of searching. No one uses the fast forward next button to go to next video anymore. They back out and go to next video on list, that option should be absolute. Include that button that forwards 15 sec and I will buy this program.

by Kevin. J

File Explorer is the best file manager I’ve found to work with my NAS. However, it doesn’t really “transfer” files to the NAS, it can only copy them leaving me to remember which files I copied in order to manually delete them. It doesn’t even leave the selected files “checked” after the copy process is done (not the best solution but better than my memory)! I’m still waiting for an update that will transfer pics and files which is absolutely necessary in order to manage storage on my iPad and iPhone! When that is done I would happily give Owlfiles 5 stars!

by Poot132

Very nice app. I use it to move and manage files on my Windows server and to play MP3’s. Only a few things make it a 4, not a 5.

1. It’s too easy to move a folder or file to a folder. Very similar to the scroll flick. Wish it gave an “are you sure?”.

2. I wish it remembered where I was playing a song or where I was browsing for the next time I open Owlfiles . A resume or even a “most recent” file/folder list.

3. I wish there was a “play the next folder” continue option along with repeats. As it is, I can’t play more than an album at once from the folders.

Other than those three issues, I have no complaints. In fact, if those three were fixed, I’d probably pay for the full version. As it is, I’m still searching. But, those are nit picky... If you need network file management, this is worth the download. Great app with minimal nags!

by JeremyDeal

I got Owlfiles to delete & move files on a remote Windows-based NAS on my network from my iPhone. It's works great for deleting the files. Setup was very easy and the UI is extremely simple and easy to navigate (unless your a brain washed Windows user). I was deleting files within 2 minutes after downloading! However I cannot seem to move files from one folder to another. Until it can do this simple function I cannot give it 5 stars, but otherwise a gem of an app! Well done developers, well done!

by GordyDJ

I have Synology NAS and I wanted an app that could display thumbnails and full pictures on both the NAS using my own directory structure as well as on my IPAD. I tried at least six different apps and none of them filled the bill. I also have a lot of music stored on the NAS and I can quickly search my music to get anything in the title. I had also always had the artist in the title so I can quickly search for the artist. Owlfiles plays the music or will automatically stream pictures to my IPAD or television through my IPAD. I truly think I have found a great app. Thank you developer.

by Mevin1

I tried several apps and this is the only one that supports the Files app and has a built-in HTTP and FTP server, so you can easily upload and download from any device on the wifi network. The servers are hidden in the settings menu but they work.

by SilentMag

Much better than other apps. Easy to use, and filled with all the features i need.
I no longer need to connect my iPhone to transfer files thanks to Owlfiles.
I would add one more star if I could because of the developers’ privacy policy. Compared to other apps, Owlfiles respects the user’s privacy.

by Pcap User

I have been using File Explorer for 4 or 5 years and have really gotten a lot from it. I have a home based server on which I have music, videos and documents and I have File Explorer on my iPhone. I can be anywhere in the world and access any of those files.

One of the best features is to pull up a video and airplay it to a TV. I have a VPN and File Explorer has a link which allows me to make a connection easily without having to remember logins and passwords.

If airplay isn’t available then I can connect an HDMI to the phone and connect directly to the TV.

File Explorer is very stable and I can’t recall anytime that it hasn’t worked flawlessly!

by Manicsight

Though I haven’t had a chance to use the upgraded version, Owlfiles has some potential and overall is a good file explorer. It could use a few more features like file conversion or codecs for reading Windows Media but maybe that’s just an idiosyncrasies of IOS, just a thought...

by Danmooo

This allows me to browse my samba NAS much better than the native Files app. Files has massive problems loading large folders of photography, making it basically unusable for me (Yes, I have samba’s Mac compatibility module running). Owlfiles works quickly, and thumbnails work quickly, great!

by Bad Babs

This is one of those free apps I have lost myself in! Yes it’s super limited but I only have one laptop so it’s been very entertaining & a massive learning experience! I enjoy Owlfiles & the FTP app very much - they teach you a lot if u dk what the heck you’re doing and helped me clean a huge amount of trash hidden away in the icloud. $11 or so for such great control over whatever file or folder u can think of? You got it!

by Nemoshotya

Love Owlfiles i just wish that there was an option for larger thumbnails and when you go to rename a file it would be nice if the cancel and ok options were moved further down. It might be just me but I’ve accidentally canceled renaming my files tons of times just trying to drag the cursor to the beginning of the file name. Other than those small gripes everything works and it looks nice

by DrZow

This is a great utility for what it claims to do: browse and use files on file shares. I use it with SMB (Windows) shares, although everything works so well I have no reason to think that the others wouldn't work great as well. Only problem with it is I see little reason so for to upgrade to Pro other than getting rid of the nag message. I am inclined to though just to support the author for putting out a solid utility!

by The Cowwwwwww343637

I have been searching for a good one for forever and this is it. Because this is the free version there are some limitations and I completely understand, and depending on how often I end up using Owlfiles I’ll buy it. My one feature request is for video and audio files, for Owlfiles to remember where you left off and ask if you would like to resume from there or start over.

by Whfwhf

Owlfiles allows file transfer from your nas or other network connected device to the iPad. Other apps require you to be at your desktop computer to move files between the iPad and the desktop computer or Nas. Owlfiles allows the iPad to initiate the file transfer, which is great if your desktop is on another floor from where you use the iPad. I use it often. As another reviewer said it will also play music files outside of iTunes.

by SamSold

Spent 2 hours trying to figure a way to offload my videos from my iPhone onto my NAS. It’s a sad realization that we’ve come to a point where even the simplest capabilities afforded to us by decades of operating systems, like local network file sharing, has been taken away and or made difficult, so that we have to subscribe to a service. Owlfiles asks for nothing and lets you deal with your files as you wish. Super fast, intuitive, and clean. Just like the old days. Dumped about 20 gigs over my WiFi. No errors.

by Entitygm

Owlfiles was admirable, about a year ago.
I could add NAS music to it and play files with a great interface. Like most iPhone, they could have decided between ads or crippling usability until you pay upfront. Given the choice, I would have chosen.
Now you can buy Pro or get zero functionality.
For now, I use it to access my previously added shares, before the patches removed this 'feature.' Given the options - 'pay us or your NAS is inaccessible' - I will find an alternative. Until then, an admirable attempt was made.

by Foscam Hobbiest

This worked great for 25% of my files, so I paid the five dollars for the pro version, and would still not list all of the files in my folder, it did play some of the files that it did not, with the free version but they are heavily interlaced and cannot even watch them. These were recorded from a Sony 1080i Camcorder, not a no name camera. Stick with the free version for what it works for. The pro version added nothing useful. The free version even opens my Sony raw files, so why pay the 5 bucks?????

by Carlangas23

I brought the Apple TV version of Owlfiles. There are two things that I do not like. First, you cannot open any pdf file. That is not a big deal for me. Second, you cannot use the remote control to forward 10 seconds when you are watching movies (avi or mkv format). That feature is only supported for mp4 or mov files. If you can fix it I will give you 5 stars. Other than that, I love the iPad version.

by Umannn

I tried as many of File management programs I could find and even the Free version of this program exceeded all other programs I tried to access my NAS setup. I don't hesitate giving it 5 stars it's in a class all by its self. For my use it is the best ❗️👍