---
title: How to use the File Manager plugin
description: Allow users to upload, download, and share files securely within your app.
---

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# How to use the File Manager plugin

## Allow users to upload, download, and share files securely within your app.

The File Manager plugin lets app users and admins organize, upload, and access documents directly inside your app. It’s ideal for education, insurance, or internal company use—such as sharing HR forms, assignments, or marketing assets. App owners can manage folders from the control panel, while users can upload and download files based on the permissions you set.

---

### **Requirements**

- Availability of this feature depends on your account configuration. If you don’t see this option in your Control Panel, contact your account administrator.
- Login is required for users to upload or manage files
- App owners can upload and organize files directly in the control panel

---

### **How to use the File Manager plugin**

1. Log in, go to **Builder** in the left navigation
2. Click the **+** button to open the Plugin Marketplace

     - Search for **File Manager**, then click **Add Plugin**
     - Name your plugin and choose whether to add it to the side menu, then click **Add** again
3. Stay in the **Content** tab

     - You’ll see a main workspace displaying existing folders and files
     - Click the **+** icon to create a new folder or upload a file (users must be logged in to do this)
     - Enter a folder name and click **Create**
     - Click the folder you just created, then click **Add → Upload File** to upload a file from your device
     - After uploading, click **Done**
     - You’ll see the file listed in your folder with options to **Download**, **Rename**, or **Delete** (depending on permission settings)
4. Click the **Settings** tab

     - Toggle permissions to control user access:

           1. **Allow App Users to Upload Files** — enable or disable file uploads
           2. **Allow App Users to Rename/Delete Files or Folders** — enable or disable editing and deletion
           3. Disable these options if you want only admins to upload or modify content
5. Click the **Security** tab

     - Turn on **Require Login** to restrict access to logged-in users
     - (Optional) Add tag-based restrictions and choose whether to match any or all tags
6. Click the **Tagging** tab

     - Enter a tag name to automatically apply to users when they access this feature
     - Click **Add Tag**
7. Click the **Purchase** tab

     - Check **Require Purchase** to enable
     - Choose your product type (e.g., Single Purchase or Subscription)
     - Upload an image, fill out purchase text, and success/failure messages
8. Click the **Analytics** tab to view feature performance

     - Track daily views, top users, and file activity over time

---

### **Pro tips**

- Require login to ensure files remain secure and only authorized users can upload or edit content
- Use the control panel to pre-load key files (e.g., templates, forms, or syllabi) and disable uploads for users
- If you want separate spaces for different teams or departments, create unique File Manager instances for each group
- Keep file names simple and organized—this helps users quickly find what they need
- Monitor storage regularly; the default 5 GB limit is suitable for most document-based use cases

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