A very strange problem trying to open documents on an iPad

[carlosMAP]

For some time now, I haven’t been able to use Tap Forms Pro on my iPad. The main screen opens and only shows the options to Create New Document, Import File, or Restore Backup. When I tap Create New Document, it doesn’t respond. I can import files from Tap Forms 5, but then no option, folder, or control appears to open them. If I try to import one a second time, I get a message saying that the file already exists. In other words, the database documents exist, but something is preventing them from being viewed or opened. If I send a document from another device using AirDrop, Tap Forms receives it, but it immediately disappears.

I’ve even tried erasing and completely resetting the iPad, but the problem persists. It’s all very strange. And yet, everything works perfectly on my iPhone. And it’s getting better all the time, actually.

I suppose something got stuck or jammed at some point, and some residue is preventing the application from returning to normal. Until it stopped working properly, I was using iCloud sync, and I continue to use it on my other devices without any problems. Is this a problem that can be resolved through iCloud?
It’s not an emergency; I don’t use my iPad much anymore, but I’d like to be able to use Tap Forms on it.

Thanks.

[Brendan]

Hi Carlos,

Try rotating your iPad to landscape orientation.

You should see the documents view appear on the left side panel.

Thanks,

Brendan

[carlosMAP]

Thanks for the reply, Brendan. That was indeed the solution.

I see that the iPad app isn’t as polished as the iPhone or desktop versions. I suppose that will change eventually.

Anyway, for now, a message like “Rotate to view the database document list” could be displayed on the main screen. I think that would be helpful and clarifying.

[Frank Lees]

Ive experienced similar issues, where the right panel on the documents screen prevails, and the document list becomes unreachable, ie no back button to doc list. In my case it only seems to happen on my 12.9″ Ipad, but doesnt on my normal 10/11″ Ipad. My suspicion is it appears to be something to do with prevailing aspect ratios.

One suggetion I have if you want to see this behaviour in action, if you are running a current 26.x release of IPadOS, and configure your IpadOS to use “Windowed Apps” which allows overlapping and finger resizable windows. If you gradually shrink the window down with your finger you may see this problem magically appear. Hope this helps, its not a showstopper :-)

[Brendan]

I don’t have a 12.9″ iPad, so I haven’t seen that issue before. I have the 11″ iPad Pro.

I did try to shrink the window slowly and all it did was collapse to show just the Documents view. So I’m not sure what’s preventing the Documents view from appearing in portrait orientation. Even when I completely quit the app and then rotate to portrait orientation, then launch Tap Forms Pro, it still shows the Documents list on the left.

Carlos, do you also have the larger iPad?

And are you using iOS 26?

Thanks,

Brendan

[Author]

Posts