File manager for iPad & iPhone
A Real File Manager for iPad and iPhone
The built-in Files app is fine for the basics, but it was never meant for power file management. EmpiricCommander brings a proper dual-pane file manager to iPad and iPhone - with SFTP, S3, WebDAV, Azure, and Google Drive connections, batch rename, and an encrypted vault - and syncs with the matching Mac app. One purchase covers all three.
$29.99 one-time · no subscription · macOS, iPad & iPhone
Two panes side by side
Plus Azure & Google Drive
Mac, iPad, iPhone
More than the Files app
Dual-pane on iPad
Two folder views side by side - drag files from one to the other. Real two-panel file management on a tablet, not a single list.
Connect to servers
SFTP (with key auth), FTP/FTPS, WebDAV, Amazon S3 and S3-compatible storage, Azure Blob, and Google Drive - directly from iPad and iPhone.
Batch rename
Rename many files at once with regex, sequential numbering, and dates, with a live preview - on the go.
Universal Shelf
Stage files from any source and pick them up on another device. The Shelf syncs across Mac, iPad, and iPhone via iCloud.
Locked Shelf
An AES-GCM encrypted vault for credentials and recovery codes, available on iPhone and iPad too.
Archives & Quick Look
Browse ZIP archives like folders and preview files with Quick Look without leaving the app.
Why the Files app is not enough
Apple's Files app handles iCloud Drive and a few connections, but it is single-view, has limited remote support, and offers no batch operations or real two-pane workflow. For anyone who manages files seriously - developers, photographers, anyone moving data between a server and a tablet - it runs out of road quickly.
EmpiricCommander is a dedicated file manager designed for that work, with the same two-pane model on iPad and iPhone that it uses on the Mac.
- Two panes for drag-and-drop transfers, even on a tablet
- Real remote connections (SFTP, S3, WebDAV, Azure, Google Drive)
- Batch rename, archive browsing, and Quick Look
- EmpiricCommander connections also appear inside the system Files app
One workflow across all your Apple devices
Start something on the Mac, finish it on the iPad. A single $29.99 license covers 1 Mac, 1 iPad, and 1 iPhone, and the Universal Shelf syncs staged files across them via iCloud - so a file you set aside on one device is ready on the next.
Saved connection profiles are available everywhere, with credentials kept in the Keychain on each device.
Some features are macOS-only today (Git projects, container browsing, SMB shares). Dual-pane browsing, remote connections, batch rename, and the Shelf work across iPad and iPhone.
Private by design
Connection passwords, OAuth tokens, and keys are stored in the system Keychain, not in plaintext. The Locked Shelf adds an AES-GCM encrypted vault with a passphrase-derived key for anything you do not want sitting around. Google Drive uses the drive.file scope - the app only sees the folders you explicitly pick, not your entire Drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a real dual-pane file manager for iPad?
Yes. EmpiricCommander brings a true two-pane file manager to iPad and iPhone, with drag-and-drop between panes, remote connections, and batch rename - features the built-in Files app does not offer.
Can I connect to SFTP or S3 from my iPad?
Yes. SFTP (with key authentication), FTP/FTPS, WebDAV, Amazon S3 and S3-compatible storage, Azure Blob, and Google Drive all work from the iPad and iPhone apps.
Does it sync with the Mac app?
Yes. One $29.99 license covers 1 Mac, 1 iPad, and 1 iPhone, and the Universal Shelf syncs staged files across all three via iCloud.
Is it a better Files app alternative?
For power users, yes. It adds a dual-pane workflow, real remote-server support, batch rename, archive browsing, and an encrypted vault - while still integrating with the system Files app so its connections appear there too.
Do I have to buy it separately for each device?
No. A single $29.99 one-time purchase (per major version) covers your Mac, iPad, and iPhone, with a 7-day free trial that needs no credit card.