iPhone can't use zip file

[glenwf]

Am I right in thinking that a stand alone mobile device like an iPhone can't use any database from the Gallery Downloads web site if it is provided in a zip file. Mobile devices have to have a workstation to be able to unzip the file and then desktop connect to the iPhone to install in? I've been doing the later for years, because it was easy, but did not understand how crippled a mobile device was without a partner computer.

My question is... If the above is the case, why doesn't the Gallery provide the space to upload multiple files without zipping them and making them unusable to those people with lonely mobile devices which is becoming more common with the iPad for instance. There should be a way to upload the file, the form and at least some additional few things like a photo or other file that it the main one is linking with.

Am I wrong?

Thanks.

[mjhanna]

A quick Google search shows that you are correct that there is no default application on a iPhone to unzip a zip file on the iPhone. However, the following iGeeksBlog web page lists many free and paid apps in the App Store that will help you to extract zip files right on your iPhone/iPad:
https://www.igeeksblog.com/extract-zip-files-on-iphone-ipad-unzip-apps-for-ios/
There are probably other apps beyond this list, but this should give you some ideas. One of these apps should allow your iPhone to unzip and use Gallery downloads.

[glenwf]

Tried that, unzipping on the iPhone. That left me with a file that program couldn't deal with or send it to HandBase. Tried file manager app add on, and it also couldn't send the files to HandBase. Tried DropBox also, but also no connection.

Also, there isn't any method in HAdBase to look for a file on iPhone or any mobile device.

I don't want theory, I want tried solutions.

[curtterp]

Actually you can download zip files from the gallery and have it work on the iPhone, without a computer.

To download a zipped applet from the gallery

• Open HanDBase on the iPhone
• Press on the "+" to create a new database
• Press on "Download Template" on the popup
• Select which category the applet you want is in
• Scroll down until you find the one you want
• At the bottom of the page, you will see an underlined link, Press on it
• Press Open on the popup
• HanDBase will open to download, when the download is complete, it will open the database

This is not theory, I just did it on 3 different zip filed databases. All worked well.

One item to note - If you search in the gallery on the computer, the databases that list v2.7 or greater will not show up in the list on the iPhone because they do not work in Version 4

[glenwf]

Still a problem, OK, that works partially.

BUT, I just updated two databases "Flash Cards 3" and "Flash Card Photo". I know those zip files contain FORMS, but neither arrived on my device (iPod Touch 5). The "Flash Card Photo" did download the 4 photo examples in the zip file. But where did the forms go? Did I get the zip file wrong? Don't think so.

Thanks. Never done that before - didn't understand that part of the program. In the handbook? Have to look...

[curtterp]

You are right... I did find these two databases, downloaded them, and the forms did not show up on my iPhone.

I did download the zip files to my mac and the form is located in the zip file, so I don't know what might be happening there.

Dave - need to check out to see if the forms are being extracted from the zip file and download to the iPhone. They are not showing up in the forms list.