SOLVED Files problem

[AndreaM]

I have an iPad Pro which I use solely for sheet music, which is all in pdf form. The folder has the files in an alphabetical list and I could also easily move from one file to another by swiping left or right.

I have just updated to version 26.2.1 and it has changed everything! I cannot swipe left or or right to move quickly to the previous or next sheet, nor is there a ‘Done’ button to close the page and return to the list. The only option I’ve found is to select the < Files option at the top left of the screen. However, although this takes me back to the main list, it also leaves a preview of each page I viewed on the main screen. Since I often play up to a hundred tunes at a time, there would be all of these on my home screen!

Why do they keep changing things which were working perfectly well, and making them worse rather than better?! Can anyone tell me how to sort this problem?

Thanks.

 

[Gord Webster]

I have an iPad Pro which I use solely for sheet music, which is all in pdf form. The folder has the files in an alphabetical list and I could also easily move from one file to another by swiping left or right.

I have just updated to version 26.2.1 and it has changed everything! I cannot swipe left or or right to move quickly to the previous or next sheet, nor is there a ‘Done’ button to close the page and return to the list. The only option I’ve found is to select the < Files option at the top left of the screen. However, although this takes me back to the main list, it also leaves a preview of each page I viewed on the main screen. Since I often play up to a hundred tunes at a time, there would be all of these on my home screen!

Why do they keep changing things which were working perfectly well, and making them worse rather than better?! Can anyone tell me how to sort this problem?

Thanks.

Have a look at ForScore.co , an iPad app that works with .pdfs and you can arrange the order of the music in a number of different ways, including in setting a specific order for set lists. It works great with a PageFlip foot pedal page turner.

 

[AndreaM]

Have a look at ForScore.co , an iPad app that works with .pdfs and you can arrange the order of the music in a number of different ways, including in setting a specific order for set lists. It works great with a PageFlip foot pedal page turner.

Thanks! I will have a look at this.

 

[Rodananne]

Why do they keep changing things which were working perfectly well, and making them worse rather than better?! Can anyone tell me how to sort this problem?

Because they don't understand how users actually use their apps. It's possible that a personal visit to the Genius Bar might help. Explain how you used to use the app, explain the current problem and see if there is a way to restore, at least partially, the same functions.

 

[AndreaM]

It's possible that a personal visit to the Genius Bar might help.

I live very remotely so, unfortunately, there’s no chance of being able to do this. I have discovered that if I close and reopen the Files folder, one time it will randomly give me a backword arrow to return to the folder and I daren’t close it or I’ll lose it again.

All my sheet music was carefully prepared so as to have it as large as possible for reading it. I now see that the pages are being stretched to fill the screen from side to side, and this means that often the bottom section of music is hidden! It’s a pure nightmare - I have at least 600 pages which I’ll have to go through and check individually to see which ones will need adjusted so the whole page is visible. If I could get the person who did this . . .

 

[Rodananne]

There is one remote possibility left for you and that would be to further upgrade the iPad to the current iPadOS which is 26.3 in the hope that the function you originally had has been restored.

Sadly;
Although, "You can revert to a previous iPadOS version only if Apple is still signing that older version. Once Apple stops signing a firmware version, downgrading becomes impossible.

Key Requirements​

• Apple must still be signing the older iPadOS version (e.g., iPadOS 17, 18). You can check this at ipsw.me.
• A full backup from the older iPadOS version (e.g., iPadOS 17 or 18) is required. iCloud backups from newer versions cannot be restored to older versions.
• You must erase your iPad during the downgrade process, which means all data will be lost unless restored from a compatible backup.

If you check at IPSW.me as I did you will see that the previous versions of iPadOS 26 are now all unsigned. So, which version did you Update from, ther is a chance that an even earlier version may be a possibility?

 

[AndreaM]

There is one remote possibility left for you and that would be to further upgrade the iPad to the current iPadOS which is 26.3 in the hope that the function you originally had has been restored.

I have today upgraded to 26.3, as you suggested, but sadly it hasn’t made any difference. I find that, if there is no back arrow, closing the Files folder, and reopening it a couple of times will cause it to suddenly appear again and until I quit again, it will usually stay there.

I am a bit afraid to risk trying to downgrade to an older version, and I feel it simply delay the issue for a time. I’m going to have to try to work with this mess until Apple sort it out. Is there any way of notifying them of problems experienced after system upgrades?

 

[Rodananne]

Ideally an Apple store with a Genius Bar is the best option because you can demonstrate to a technician the actual problem, how it was and how it is now. You can book an appointment at any large Apple store. There is an Apple Help line but explaining you issue is obviously much more difficult.

 

[AndreaM]

Ideally an Apple store with a Genius Bar is the best option

Yes, I accept that but, unfortunately, it’s not a possibility for me, due to the extreme remoteness of where I live (think tiny island), and major disability issues. I’ll just have to keep muddling through with this and hope that Apple are notified by enough other people and fix all these issues because it’s enough to make people who rely on reliable and intuitive pdf viewers to jump ship to other makes of device.

 

[Rodananne]

In the light of your problem I certainly agree with you, it's unfortunate you are so remote hands on would be so much easier to demonstrate your issue. Much like these forums, we cant see what you see.

Your only other option is Online Apple Support. I would give you the website but my browser defaults to the Australian site. Here is a suggestion from Apple Forums;

Chatting with Apple:
Note that some topic are call-only (i.e. in regards to Apple ID). So, make up a scenario to get around this (i.e. "My screen won't respond"), and then ask to speak to someone.

Setting Up the Chat Session:

1. Go to: support.apple.com
2. Scroll Down: to "Tell us how we can help"
3. Select: Get Support
4. Proceed from there as Necessary

 

[AndreaM]

Your only other option is Online Apple Support.

Thank you so much for your help. Yesterday, I did actually look to see if there was such help and was able to chat online with someone. They were unable to resolve the issue so arranged a telephone chat with someone in two hours time. In the meantime, I plan to backup my Files folder and then restore the iPad to factory settings to see if that solves the problem.

 

[AndreaM]

Just after my last post, I did indeed backup the Files folder and restore my iPad to factory settings. Then I uploaded the pdfs to it again and this seems to have solved the problem! It’s just as well because, I did receive the phone call from Apple that I was expecting, but the call ended as I was waiting to be connected to someone. I am just so relieved it is working and usable again. I can see a few changes but nothing that can’t be managed.

Thank you to everyone who offered help and advice.

 

[Rodananne]

I'm so glad to hear that your problem has, if not completely resolved, been reduced to a workable state. It is often the "go to" suggestion of the online level one support team to erase your device and reinstall the operating system. Often this does nothing to solve the problem but in your case it seems to have worked, at least sufficiently to get you up and running again.