iPad 18.6 update prevents emptying trash with 'cannot connect to helper application' error

I have tried restarting but it didn’t help. When I click on the three dots to tell it to connect to server, there is no list of servers. Anyone else having this problem?



[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: I updated my ipad to 18.6 now i cannot empty trash. I get this message “cannot connect to helper application”.




iPad Air, iPadOS 18

Posted on Aug 2, 2025 12:03 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 4, 2025 2:04 AM

Have you installed Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, or any similar Apps that access cloud storage services? These are "helper Apps" that install software components used to access these services directly from the native Files App - and sometimes, following a system software update, one or more of these Apps may have an issue that leads to the error message that you describe.


In such circumstances, you may need to delete and reinstall one or more of these helper Apps. After deleting the App(s), a forced restart is recommended prior to re-install from the Apple App Store.


Force restart iPad (models with Face ID or with Touch ID in the top button)

If your iPad doesn’t have the Home button, do the following:

  1. Press and quickly release the volume button nearest to the top button.
  2. Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
  3. Press and hold the top button.
  4. When the Apple logo appears, release the top button.




Force restart iPad (models with the Home button)

Press and hold the top button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.


3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 4, 2025 2:04 AM in response to GDUANEP

Have you installed Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, or any similar Apps that access cloud storage services? These are "helper Apps" that install software components used to access these services directly from the native Files App - and sometimes, following a system software update, one or more of these Apps may have an issue that leads to the error message that you describe.


In such circumstances, you may need to delete and reinstall one or more of these helper Apps. After deleting the App(s), a forced restart is recommended prior to re-install from the Apple App Store.


Force restart iPad (models with Face ID or with Touch ID in the top button)

If your iPad doesn’t have the Home button, do the following:

  1. Press and quickly release the volume button nearest to the top button.
  2. Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
  3. Press and hold the top button.
  4. When the Apple logo appears, release the top button.




Force restart iPad (models with the Home button)

Press and hold the top button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.


Aug 5, 2025 6:27 PM in response to LotusPilot

Ok, I’m don’t have a clue what happened, but now everything is working fine. I didn’t change anything but I did delete and reinstall Proton Drive. Maybe there was a conflict between the two. The trash folder empties now like it should. Thanks for the advice. I will bookmark this page so if the problem happens again I can try your solution. Thanks again!

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iPad 18.6 update prevents emptying trash with 'cannot connect to helper application' error

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