New!!!! Podcasts to Train New Instructors

Tip Sheet:

Sharing Files

Click or Tap on a Question to see the Answer

How do I know if I have an Android or Apple Smartphone?

If you have an iPhone, there will be an image of an apple at the back. The apple will look like this
If there is no image of an apple, you most likely have an Android phone.

I’m on an iPhone. Someone emailed me a file I want to save. How do I save it?

Go to the email and find the file. Tap on the file to open it.
Find the share icon. This is usually in the bottom left of the screen. The share icon looks similar to this the one shown to the right.
Tap on ‘save to files.’ Tap ‘on my iPhone’. Tap on ‘save.’ On some mail apps, you may have to tap on ‘share file via’ first before you can tap on ‘save to files.’
Your file can now be found in the Files app.

I’m on an Android. Someone emailed me a file I want to save. How do I save it?

Go to the email and find the file. Look for the button that says ‘save,’ usually next to the attachment.
On some devices, there may not be a ‘save’ button. Instead, you might see a download button. Tap on the download button. The download button may look like the image shown on the right
On some Android devices, you may not see a save or download button. Instead, you may have to tap and press down on the file for a few seconds first. This may open a menu with the option to ‘save,’ or the symbol to download.
Your saved file will appear in the Files app on your device. The Files app may look like a file folder.
To learn more, click here: Galaxy S20/S20+: How To Save Email Attachments - YouTube

I’m on an iPhone and I can’t find the Files app. What should I do?

Your home screen can have many pages that you may need to swipe through to locate the Files apps. You will know how many pages your home screen has by looking at dots at the bottom of your screen. Swipe through each screen to look for the Files app.

I’m on an Android phone and I can’t find the Files app on my home screen. What should I do?

You can check the App Drawer on your smartphone. This where you will see all the installed apps. To access the App Drawer, swipe up from the bottom of your home screen.
On some Android devices, you can access the App Drawer by tapping on the grid icon. The grid icon looks like the image shown to the right.

I feel nervous because I don’t see a message that confirms my document was saved.

Some devices may not display a message confirming your document was saved. In that case, look at the Files app to confirm.
Remember to practice helpful thoughts like: “it may be true that I am unable to see a confirmation message. It may also be true that my document is being saved successfully to my device. If my document doesn’t save, I can always try again.”

Does sharing a digital file mean that many people can view it?

Sharing a digital file means that you are sending it to someone else. This could be 1 person or many people. It’s up to you to decide how many people you share the file with.

What does the word ‘attachment’ mean?

An attachment is a digital file that we are sending or sharing with someone. Some examples of digital files are documents or pictures. When we attach a digital file to an email or text message, we are creating an attachment.

I’m on an iPhone. I’m trying to send a picture by opening the text message app first. I don’t see any of the symbols for sharing mentioned in the video.

When you open the text message app on some iPhones, there are different symbols for sharing located at the bottom of the screen. You may see one that looks like the one below circled in red. You can tap on this symbol to take a picture and send it.
You might also see a symbol that looks like the one below circle in blue. You can tap on this icon to reveal a list of apps below. Choose the app where your picture exists, such as the Gallery app or Google Photos.

I’m on an iPhone. I’m trying to send a file by opening the Mail app first. I don’t see any of the symbols for sharing mentioned in the video.

When you create a new email through the Mail app on some iPhones, you may not see any symbols to share that were mentioned in the video.
To correct this, tap on the part of the window where you will write your message- just below the subject line. Once you have done that, you will see an arrow on the right of the screen. Tap on it to reveal a list of options for file sharing. (This is shown in the image below)
On some versions of iPhones, you may have to double tap in the space where you would write your message. A black box may appear. Tap on the arrow until you see the option for adding a picture or another type of attachment.

How can I tell if my file was sent?

If sending a file by email, check your outbox in your mail app. Messages that have not yet gone through will be in your outbox.
If sending a file by text message, check to see if your message says ‘not delivered.’

Why didn’t my file go through?

You may find that your attachment does not go through if you’re trying to send it using Wi-Fi. You may need to turn your data on if you have a cellular data plan.

To learn how to turn data on and off for iPhone and Android phone, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwbxrtJMw-Y

I am trying to share a picture through email. I see a message about file size. What does this mean?

A picture that is too big may take a very long time to go through or may not go through at all.
When you are trying to share an attachment by email, a message like the one below will automatically pop up after you tap on the send button. This is your device’s way of asking if you would like to reduce the size of your picture.
You can tap on ‘small’ or ‘medium.’ Reducing the size may impact the quality of your picture.

I’m frustrated the file didn’t go through!

If you're frustrated that the file didn’t go through, it might also mean that you’re feeling really motivated to see it work.
Take a break. Then think about how else you can share the file. For example, can you try sending your file through a different app like WhatsApp? The icon for WhatsApp looks like the one shown on the right.
To learn more about WhatsApp, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjVlDYu6erU

Tips for Coping when Feeling Nervous or Frustrated

I feel nervous about even trying this new skill. What can I do?

● Don’t let the fear of making mistakes stop you from trying. Smartphones are generally designed

to withstand mistakes you might make, and will not break if you do make a mistake.

● If your screen does freeze while you’re trying to use your smartphone, you can restart your

device. To learn how to restart your iPhone, click here: Restart your iPhone - Apple Support (CA).

To learn how to restart an Android phone, click here: How to Force Restart an Android Phone

When It’s Not Responding (howtogeek.com) and scroll to the section “Perform a Hard

Reset/Reboot.”

● Remember, practicing is the best way to help your brain remember these new skills!

This process is frustrating. How can I handle frustration?

Frustration will make it harder to problem solve. To reduce frustration and increase problem solving,

follow the steps below.

• Step 1: Pause.

• Step 2: Name what you’re feeling without judgement. Be sure to use the phrase “I am

feeling______.”

• Step 3: Take a 5-minute break, or a little longer if needed. You have the option to do something

to help you feel calm, such as doing some gentle stretches, listening to music, or breathing

deeply until you feel calm.

• You can also check out: The Guide to Mindfulness for Better Learning and/or the guide on

Changing Unhelpful Thoughts for Success while Learning. You can access them here: MTML -

Smartphones and Employment Skills

Click or tap here to view printable tip sheet

Page updated

Report abuse