Problem with FileBrowser App

By Georgiana, 22 October, 2021

Forum
iOS and iPadOS

Hello. As some of you may know, I have been searching for an mp3 recorder and a basic text editor (similar to Text Edit or Wordpad) for the Iphone. I eventually discovered File Browser, which is a combination of a file explorer, a media player, an audio recorder, and a text editor, which is perfect for my needs. I used it successfully for awhile, but Now, I can't get to the Add to Folder button, which enables me to create txt and audio files. Sometimes, I can't even properly go into folders, because it says select and then won't let me go any further. I uninstalled and reinstalled it and had the same problem. I tried both my qwerty and Orbit keyboards to no avail, and even using the touchscreen didn't help.

It also won't recognise my thumb drive, even though the phone is plugged in while I use it, but I'm not sure if this is something new or not. I did, however, see usb drive before, when nothing was connected. Now, it doesn't show up as a location at all.

Can anyone please assist me, or at least recommend something else for me to try, aside from Pages and Voice Memos? The first seems difficult to use with a keyboard and appears far more complicated than I need, and the second works and is quick, but forces me to move each individual file into a folder before I can transfer it to a drive. I can't simply save to a folder as I record, which can then be seen by the Files app and moved to the desired location.

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Comments

By Yvonnezed on Monday, October 25, 2021 - 04:24

Hi. Ive used this app for a while, and it's a good one, so I'll try to help.

First, the thing where you're stuck on select and can't see your folder. This means you're using group navigation in iOS 15. You're in the navigation bar. Swipe right with two fingers and it'll get out of there and you can see your folder.

I think the same is happening with add folder. It's in the toolbar, which at least on my iPad is at the bottom of the screen. You might have to swipe with two fingers to go into it.

If you don't want to learn a whole new way of navigating with voiceover, you can turn group navigation off in voiceover settings.

As for your usb drive, I think you might have to plug it in and go to add location. USB should o one of the types of location you can add.

By David Truong on Monday, October 25, 2021 - 04:24

Hi mate,
I have the exact problem with FileBrowser and I have been using it for ages. This problem has only started occuring with the latest update to the FileBrowser app. I am just wondering what model of iPhone do you have? I am currently using an iPhone SE second Gen. I also have an iPad Mini 5 and don't have this problem with FileBrowser. I have a suspician that these problems with FileBrowser might be iPhone specific. I'm thinking that if you have the newer phones such as iPhone 12 / 13 that such problems won't occur with FileBrowser. It also seems to be a problem between FileBrowser and VoiceOver as well because I got my sighted girlfriend to activate these troublesome folders without Voiceover active and she had no problems and that was using my iPhone SE second Gen.

Thank you. I sincerely appreciate your advice and suggestions. I turned it off in Voiceover and also removed it from my roter. It stopped that silly clicking noise that I was hearing in other apps and on my homescreen. I also no longer get stuck in certain apps. I'm not one for using the touchscreen, except when absolutely necessary or when completing extremely basic tasks such as opening and closing apps or browsing my homescreen, but I will definitely try your suggestions regarding swiping if this problem occurs again in Filebrowser.

HI Mate,

As mentioned I have an iPhone SE second Gen 256 GB. I have tried group navigation and my preferred flat navigation and same problem. Funny enough, if you turn screen recognition on for the FileBrowser app, it works but you have to get use to the different screen layout and this voiceover feature is still buggy.

By Paul from Stra… on Thursday, November 25, 2021 - 04:24

Hi folks. This VoiceOver problem started with iOS15 and the latest SDK from Apple, and it prevents you from selecting a server connection on the Home Screen or opening a folder or document. We think we've fixed this (it took us two days to find the source of the problem I'm afraid), so we are issuing an update for all versions of FileBrowser today. Look out for version 20.29. We hope Apple approve the updated app quickly.

Workarounds for the issue are to:
1) Use the bookmarks popup to navigate to a folder (use the button on the toolbar).
2) Use the history popup to navigate to a folder (use the folder history button on the path breadcrumb bar).
3) In a folder, switch to Grid View which still works with VoiceOver (use the View Options button on the toolbar).

Sorry about this bug. The last update shouldn't have affected any of this behaviour, but compiling with Apple's latest SDK caused several problems. Here's hoping we've resolved them, but email us on support@stratospherix.com if you need help.

Hi There,

Thank you so much for sorting this problem out for us. I truly love FileBrowser and FileBrowser Pro. I would have hated to change to another file manager. Thank you again for such an awesome app.

By David Truong on Thursday, November 25, 2021 - 04:24

Thank you again. I just updated to the latest version of FileBrowser / BfileBrowser Pro and it all works as it should. It's awesome to have the functionality back.
Thanks again guys.

By peter on Thursday, November 25, 2021 - 04:24

I've haven't used this app for some time, but had been using it a fair amount in the past. It was full of features and easy to use with Voiceover. The app is also continually being updated and improved, so I presume the developer is still interested in making it better.

Has anyone with these problems contacted the developer? Perhaps if they are aware of the issues the problems could be fixed.

--Pete