The difference is that iOS still doesn't show you the files on your device. It only shows you files in a small area.

I love Android but Android does that too. Apps have their internal storage area which you can't access unfortunately (not without root anyway). Nor system files.

When I had an iPhone (a few months ago), there was no way for apps to see files in the filesystem. I wanted to play some music and I had to copy it over to each of the music player apps separately. Is that not the case any more?

VLC for iOS uses the filesystem. You can add files with Finder (newer macOS), iTunes (older macOS), or the Files app on the phone.

You are correct that each app can only see a specific part of the filesystem, unless the apps are by the same developer and part of an App Group.

That’s entirely up to the app developer. Of course apps can see files if they’re developed to do that.

There's a difference between "can't see 'special' folders" & "can't access anything but the app-specific storage". iOS loves the latter, while Android lets you organize files mostly normally even if doing highly stupid/discouraging things for power users & some app developers making questionable non-default choices.

While I bet there’s some technicality I’ll get gotcha’d on, iOS apps do the exact same nowadays.

iOS apps didn't, for the majority of the iPhone's lifespan. I explained this "technicality" upthread:

> There was almost a whole decade there where Apple pretended that the feature just didn't need to exist.

The history lesson is appreciated but how does this relate to the current state of the stock file explorer that ships with the OS? I’m using my phone now and not ten years ago.

edit: oh, I think I get it. My original post wasn't intended to be read "iOS invented the file explorer, has Android also a file explorer app" (which would be silly, of course) but "when Files app released, the AOSP file explorer that commonly ships as the default was lacking, has this improved (caught up to Files app)"

Maybe include the word "default file manager" next time :)).

Android is possibility/ (overdose of) options Apple is polished (and late).

Different strokes for different folks