Customer Reviews (500)

Soniya Clever • 2025-03-27T19:10:18-07:00

The app crashes when playing music after the new update! :(

ابو علي علوي • 2025-03-27T09:56:13-07:00

احيانا يعلق ويصير بطيئ انا ايبادي m4 قوة مفرطة اصلا

Deenarkhil • 2025-03-27T06:35:29-07:00

I wondered how an IOS app can have nearly 5 stars! After installing I would recommend it to everyone!!! Amazing…

Summary of Key Insights

The Documents: File Manager & Docs app by Readdle is a highly-rated app overall, but a significant portion of users experience issues that lead to negative reviews. While many users praise its versatility, ease of use, and file management capabilities, recurring complaints about crashes, bugs related to audio playback, unexpected subscription costs, and feature regressions indicate areas needing immediate attention. The sentiment is mixed, with strong positive feedback balanced by frustrations regarding stability and monetization strategies. The app suffers from feature bloat and a lack of polish on existing features.

  • Overall Rating: High, but with significant negative feedback.
  • Key Strengths: Versatile file management, PDF editing, cloud integration, ease of use for many.
  • Key Weaknesses: App stability (crashing), audio playback issues, aggressive monetization, feature regressions, UI clutter.
  • Overall Sentiment: Mixed. Many love the app, but a substantial number are frustrated by bugs and changes.
  • Quantitative Metrics:
    • Total Reviews: 500
    • Score Distribution: {"1":98,"2":19,"3":44,"4":58,"5":281}
      • 5-star: 56.2%
      • 4-star: 11.6%
      • 3-star: 8.8%
      • 2-star: 3.8%
      • 1-star: 19.6%

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not explicitly stated, but assumed to be recent based on the version number (8.16.1) and mentions of recent updates.
  • Analysis Methods:
    • Sentiment Analysis: Implicit based on star ratings and explicit based on review text.
    • Keyword Extraction: Manual identification of recurring themes and issues.
    • Frequency Analysis: Counting mentions of specific features, bugs, and requests.

Key User Pain Points

  • App Crashing: A frequently reported issue, particularly during audio playback or file operations. Impacts user experience and data loss.
  • Audio Playback Issues: Problems with looping, skipping, stopping unexpectedly, and album art display are common.
  • Unexpected Subscription Costs: Users are often surprised by the subscription model, especially when features previously available for free are moved behind a paywall. The upfront cost is also a concern.
  • Feature Regressions: Loss of functionality or usability in recent updates (e.g., swipe to rename, search functionality) is frustrating users.
  • Bugs related to Video Playback: Airplay problems, subtitle issues, and inability to play certain video formats.
  • Difficulty with File Management: Finding files, inability to easily move files to iCloud, and issues with large file transfers.
  • Too Many Pop-ups/Ads: Aggressive promotion of premium features and new updates is considered intrusive.
  • Loss of Data: Users report losing files after deleting the app or during file transfers.
  • Inability to Edit MS Word Files: A missing feature compared to competitors.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Lyrics Display: Integration of lyrics for music playback.
  • Apple Watch Support: Ability to access and play music/documents on Apple Watch.
  • Sleep Timer: A sleep timer for the audio player.
  • Playlist Management: Improved playlist functionality, including shuffle and sorting options.
  • One-Time Purchase Option: A non-subscription payment option for premium features.
  • Improved Cloud Syncing: More reliable and seamless syncing across devices.
  • Better Video Player Functionality: Loop video function, improved AirPlay support.
  • Folder Customization: Ability to change folder icons and color-code folders.
  • Ability to Sort by Track Number Sorting audio files by track number instead of just file name.
  • Cropping and Rotating Images: Ability to crop and rotate images within the app.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Versatile File Management: Ability to manage various file types (documents, audio, video, etc.) in one app.
  • PDF Editing Capabilities: Users appreciate the PDF editing and annotation features.
  • Cloud Integration: Seamless integration with popular cloud storage services (iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive).
  • Ease of Use: Many users find the app easy to navigate and use, especially for basic file management tasks.
  • Offline Access: Ability to download and access files offline is highly valued.
  • Built-in Browser: The integrated browser for downloading files directly is appreciated.
  • Good for Music Playback: Despite the issues, many users rely on it as their primary music player.
  • Document Scanning: The ability to scan documents and convert them to PDFs is a useful feature.
  • File Transfer to PC: The docstransfer feature for transferring files between iOS devices and computers is well-regarded.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

  • High Priority:
    • Address App Crashing: Investigate and fix the root causes of frequent crashes, especially during audio playback and file operations. (Stability)
    • Fix Audio Playback Issues: Resolve problems with looping, skipping, and album art display. (Functionality)
    • Re-evaluate Monetization Strategy: Consider offering a one-time purchase option or providing more value in the free version to reduce user frustration. (Monetization)
    • Resolve Feature Regressions: Restore lost functionality (e.g., swipe to rename) and thoroughly test updates before release. (Usability)
  • Medium Priority:
    • Improve Cloud Syncing: Enhance the reliability and ease of use of cloud syncing across devices. (Functionality)
    • Implement Requested Features: Prioritize implementing features frequently requested by users (lyrics display, sleep timer, Apple Watch support). (Feature Enhancement)
    • Reduce UI Clutter: Streamline the user interface and minimize intrusive pop-ups and ads. (Usability)
    • Improve Video Playback: Fix AirPlay issues and add support for more video formats. (Functionality)
    • Enhance File Management: Improve file organization, including easier transfer to iCloud and handling of large files. (Functionality)
  • Low Priority:
    • Add Folder Customization: Allow users to change folder icons and colors. (Customization)
    • Implement a Visualizer: Add a visualizer for music playback. (Aesthetic)
    • Add Hand Signal Functionality: Allow users to control music playback with hand signals. (Novelty Feature)

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • AI-Powered Lyrics Integration: A service that automatically fetches and displays lyrics for music files.
  • Cross-Platform File Manager with Enhanced Cloud Sync: A file management app that works seamlessly across iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS, with robust cloud syncing and version control.
  • Modular File Manager: A file manager that allows users to customize the features they need, avoiding feature bloat and unnecessary subscriptions.
  • Secure File Storage with Blockchain Verification: A file storage solution that uses blockchain technology to verify file integrity and prevent data loss.

Trends and Observations

  • Language Preferences: Reviews are primarily in English, but there are also significant numbers in Spanish, Russian, and Arabic.
  • Shift in Sentiment: Recent reviews show increased frustration with the app's stability and monetization strategy compared to earlier reviews.
  • Recurring Bugs: Some bugs, such as audio playback issues, have been reported for extended periods, indicating a need for more thorough testing and bug fixing.
  • Users Value Core Functionality: Users are most concerned with basic file management, PDF editing, and music playback. New features are less important if core functionality is compromised.

Conclusion

The Documents app has a strong foundation as a versatile file manager, but its recent issues with stability, monetization, and feature regressions are eroding user trust. Addressing the high-priority issues related to crashing, audio playback, and subscription costs is crucial to maintaining a positive user experience. Implementing frequently requested features and streamlining the UI can further enhance the app's appeal. By focusing on core functionality and user feedback, Readdle can restore Documents to its former status as a top-tier file management solution. Overall, the app has great potential, but requires a renewed focus on stability, usability, and fair monetization practices.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/documents-file-manager-docs/id364901807?uo=2