This is an update to a post I published almost two years ago. AirFile is a great file-manager for iPad and iPhone. It is an incredibly useful cloud-manager if you, like me, have multiple cloud services for all your files.

I have a few promo codes to give away. Just read to the end of the post to figure out how to win one.

AirFile has just recently been updated for iOS8, and has made significant improvements since its inception. The user-interface is fantastic on the iPad. You can see in the image below that there are two “panes” for managing your files between services. This will come in handy when you are running out of space in one, and can offload some storage onto another.

If you want to link more than two services, you will need the PRO version ($4.99USD). If you just want to try it, get the free version here, and you can upgrade to the pro version with an in-app purchase.

As a concrete example, I am expecting about 60 different PowerPoint presentations from my students next week. Since they are only in Grade 5, I just have them email them to me. Within the email, I can open up the attachment and then choose the “Open in…” feature to save them to the cloud storage of my choice within AirFile. I can start a new folder for each class, and place each PowerPoint in the appropriate class. If I want to move the files and folders, I don’t need to do it on a PC, it just takes a few taps within AirFile.

With all the movement of files, I don’t need to worry about taking up local storage if I don’t want. Everything is done in the cloud. If you have multiple cloud accounts, this is a must-have app.

Read ahead to learn more about AirFile. If you have familiarized yourself with cloud computing, then this is the app for you.

The following is my original post from November 2012. I focused on just Dropbox then, but obviously we can use a huge selection of different services now.

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Airfile is a third-party Dropbox file-manager application for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. I am sure you will be impressed with what it can accomplish for your Dropbox account.

I shared with you my thoughts on Drop Manager for Dropbox a few months ago. I’d like to now let you know about AirFile for Dropbox. This universal app, in my opinion, is even better, and might even be more handy than the actual Dropbox app for iPad/iPhone.

Within the Dropbox app, you are not able to rename and move files. Most people will probably do those actions on their computers. Drop Manager does allow you to do that. Where AirFile beats both Drop Manager and the Dropbox app is that you can add as many separate Dropbox accounts onto it.

What’s the purpose of having more than one Dropbox account?

With AirFile, you can manage all of your files within an unlimited amount of accounts, all from your device! You are able to move files effortlessly from one account to another. Signing up for extra Dropbox accounts just requires a separate email address. This would be an easy and unique way to get more storage space without much effort. (We know that there are more conventional ways of increasing your Dropbox, through referrals and purchasing extra storage.)

You are also able to view files like you would in the Dropbox app. Sharing the link to others and opening the documents in other apps is also a cinch. What I noticed that’s also better on AirFile is you can actually email attachments (perhaps to people who are not “savvy” Dropbox users). Some people would still prefer to receive actual attachments instead of download links.

Another advantage of the multi-account system is that you can have different family members link their accounts, taking away the need to sign-out and sign-in each time. This would be useful if two or more people share a single device. Files can be copied, moved, deleted and renamed.

How to begin:

1. Download AirFile.

2. Connect your (first) Dropbox account and allow AirFile access to it: