How to manually create folders and move files in iCloud Drive

You can create folders and organize files in iCloud Drive any way you darn-well please!

iCloud Drive lets you store all your files up on Apple's servers and sync them across all your devices, including iPhone, iPad, and Mac. While you can let iCloud create files for you and drop files where it thinks they belong, you can also create your own folders and move any of your files into them. Here's how!

• How to access iCloud Drive on your Mac via Finder
• How to manually create a folder in iCloud Drive on Mac
• How to manually create a folder in iCloud Drive on iPhone and iPad
• How to move files to new folders in iCloud Drive on iPhone and iPad
• How to manually create a folder in iCloud Drive on iPhone and iPad on iOS 11
• How to move files to new folders in iCloud Drive on iPhone and iPad on iOS 11
• How to create a new folder in iCloud Drive on a PC
• How to move files to new folders in iCloud Drive on a PC

How to access iCloud Drive on your Mac via Finder

Thanks to iCloud Drive, Apple's cloud-based file sharing system, we can share files between Mac and iOS seamlessly. On iOS, you can find all of your files under the iCloud Drive app. On your Mac, everything can be found in the Finder window. Here's how.

1. Click on the Finder icon in your Mac dock.

   

2. In the Favorites section, click on iCloud Drive

   • Alternately, you can find iCloud Drive in the Go menu at the top of any Finder menu if you've removed it from the Favorites section.

   • Or, you can alway use the keyboard shortcut command + I.

   

How to manually create a folder in iCloud Drive on Mac

1. Click the Finder icon in your Mac's dock.

2. Click on iCloud Drive in the menu on the left in your Finder window.

   

3. Right-click inside the Finder window.
4. Click on New Folder

5. Enter a name for the new folder.

   

You can create folders inside of folders in iCloud Drive on Mac. Just double-click a folder and then follow steps 3 - 5 above.

How to manually create a folder in iCloud Drive on iPhone and iPad

You can also create new folders right on your iPhone or iPad without needing access to a PC or Mac.

1. Open the iCloud Drive app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap Select in the top right corner of the screen.

3. Tap New Folder in the bottom left corner of the screen.

   

4. Enter a name for the new folder.

5. Tap Create.

   

You can also create folders inside of folders in iCloud Drive on iPhone and iPad. Just tap to open a folder and then follow steps 2 - 5 above.

How to move files to new folders in iCloud Drive on iPhone and iPad

You can move files into new folders in iCloud Drive on your Mac the same way you would move any file to a new folder. On iPhone and iPad, however, it is a little bit different.

1. Open the iCloud Drive app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Open the folder of the file or files you want to move.

3. Tap Select in the upper right corner of the screen.

   

4. Select the file or files you want to move.
5. Tap Move at the bottom center of the screen.

6. Select the folder you wish to move the files to.

   

Note: If you do not have another app in iCloud Drive that supports the file you want to move, you will be asked to create a new folder instead.

How to manually create a folder in iCloud Drive on iPhone and iPad on iOS 11

Creating folders in iCloud Drive is a bit different in iOS 11 thanks to the Files app, which replaces the iCloud Drive app.

1. Open the Files app.
2. Tap iCloud Drive.

3. Scroll all the way up on the grid in order to reveal the folder creation and sorting controls.

   

4. Tap the new folder button (looks like a folder with a '+' sign on it.

5. Name your new folder.

6. Tap Done.

   

And there you go, your new folder has been created. You can now feel free to move documents and other items into it.

How to move files to new folders in iCloud Drive on iPhone and iPad on iOS 11

Once again, you'll head to the new Files app to move your iCloud Drive files around.

1. Open the Files app.
2. Tap iCloud Drive.

3. Tap and hold on the item you want to move once you've found it.

   

4. If you want to move multiple items to the same destination, continue holding the first item with one finger, then tap any subsequent items with another.

5. Drag all items to their new destination.

   

How to create a new folder in iCloud Drive on a PC

If your Mac or iPhone is not handy, you can also create folders in iCloud Drive from any other Mac or PC thanks to iCloud.com.

1. Open your web browser and navigate to iCloud.com. (click the link!)
2. Enter the email address and password associated with your Apple ID.

3. Click on iCloud Drive.

   

4. Click on the New Folder icon at the top of the screen. It looks like a folder with a plus (+) symbol inside of it.

5. Enter a name for the new folder.

   

How to move files to new folders in iCloud Drive on a PC

You can also move files to different folders on any other Mac or PC thanks to iCloud.com.

1. Open your web browser and navigate to iCloud.com. (click the link!)
2. Enter the email address and password associated with your Apple ID.

3. Click on iCloud Drive.

   

4. Select the folder you want to move the file or files from.
5. Select the file or files you want to move to a different folder.

6. Drag the file or files to iCloud Drive in the bottom left corner of the window.

   

7. Click the back arrow button in the upper left corner of the window to navigate back to the main iCloud Drive folder.
8. Select the file or files you just moved into iCloud Drive.

9. Drag and drop them into the folder you want to move them to.

   

Any questions?

Do you have any questions about creating folders or moving files around in iCloud Drive on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad? Let me know in the comments and I'll be sure to respond.

Update August, 2017: Added a section for creating folders and movies files in the new Files app in iOS 11.