#What is the file manager?
The file manager is your Circle's shared document store. Upload any file — PDFs, images, Word documents, spreadsheets — organise them into folders, and access them from any device.
It's the place to keep important household paperwork: insurance certificates, mortgage documents, MOT certificates, warranties, tax returns, passports copies, and more.
#Who can access the file manager?
The file manager is accessible to Family members and Admins. Relatives and Friends cannot access it.
Within the file manager, permissions work as follows:
| Action | Admin | Family | Relatives | Friends | |--------|-------|--------|-----------|---------| | View files | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | | Upload files | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | | Create folders | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | | Delete files | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | | Bulk delete | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
#How do I upload a file?
- Go to Files or File Manager in the navigation
- Navigate to the folder where you want to store the file
- Click Upload or drag and drop the file into the window
- The file is uploaded and appears in the folder immediately
#What file types can I upload?
Any file type can be stored — PDFs, Word documents, images (JPG, PNG, WEBP), spreadsheets, ZIP files, and more. SimpliHome shows a preview directly in the browser for PDFs and common image formats.
#How do I create a folder?
- Navigate to the parent folder
- Click New Folder
- Enter a name
- Click Create
You can create as many levels of nested folders as you need.
#What are the protected folders?
SimpliHome creates several protected base folders as a standard starting structure:
- Pictures — household photos and images
- Documents — general documents
- Houses — property-related documents
- Cars — vehicle documents
These folders cannot be deleted. You can create subfolders within them and upload files freely. They exist to provide a consistent structure that links with other parts of SimpliHome (the Houses and Cars sections, for example).
#How do I download a file?
Click on a file to open it, then choose Download. The file saves to your device's downloads folder. For PDFs and images, you can also view them directly in the browser without downloading.
#How do I delete a file?
Click on the file and choose Delete, then confirm. Individual file deletion is available to Family members and Admins.
Bulk deletion (selecting multiple files and deleting all at once) is an Admin-only action.
#Can I delete the protected base folders (Pictures, Documents, Houses, Cars)?
No. These protected folders are permanent and cannot be deleted. Files within them can be deleted, and you can create subfolders inside them.
#How much storage do I have?
Your Circle's storage limit depends on your subscription plan. The file manager shows a storage indicator displaying current usage vs. your total limit (e.g., "2.3 GB / 10 GB"). If you're approaching the limit, delete files you no longer need or upgrade your subscription for more space.
#What is the difference between the file manager and attaching documents to records?
SimpliHome has two ways to store documents:
File manager — central storage for any document, organised in folders. Best for documents that don't belong to a specific record, or where you want a central filing archive.
Record-level attachments — Bills, Cars, Houses, and Insurance records each have their own document section. An MOT certificate attached to the car record is more findable in context.
Best practice: use both. Attach an MOT certificate to the car record AND keep a copy in the Cars folder. The record-level attachment gives context; the file manager gives a complete archive.
#How should I name my files?
Descriptive names make files findable months later. Recommendations:
- Include the document type: "Home Insurance Certificate", not "Insurance"
- Include the provider or issuer: "Aviva Home Insurance Certificate"
- Include the year: "Aviva Home Insurance Certificate 2026"
- Result: "Aviva Home Insurance Certificate 2026.pdf" — fully self-explanatory
#Where can I learn more about the file manager?
Read the full File Manager guide.