# Adding a document browser to your app Give people access to their local or remote documents from within your app. ## Discussion When your app’s main purpose is browsing and working with documents, use a document browser view controller as the root of your app’s view hierarchy. When someone selects a document, you present its view controller modally from your document browser. > Important: > Always assign ``doc://com.apple.uikit/documentation/UIKit/UIDocumentBrowserViewController`` as your app’s root view controller. UIKit doesn’t support placing the document browser in a navigation controller, tab bar, split view, or modal presentation. > > If you want to present a document browser from another location in your view hierarchy, use a ``doc://com.apple.uikit/documentation/UIKit/UIDocumentPickerViewController`` instead. The browser automatically gives people the option to share documents using the Share button or a drag-and-drop action. It also provides a standard interface for browsing and managing documents. You set the type of documents that someone can select when the browser is first created. You can also set the browser’s appearance, modify its behaviors, and add custom actions. ## Topics ### Configuration [Setting up a document browser app](/documentation/UIKit/setting-up-a-document-browser-app) Add a document browser view controller to your app. [Presenting selected documents](/documentation/UIKit/presenting-selected-documents) Display user-selected documents over your browser view controller. [Enabling document sharing](/documentation/UIKit/enabling-document-sharing) Give users the ability to import and export documents from your app. ### Customization [Customizing the document browser](/documentation/UIKit/customizing-the-browser) Customize the document browser’s look and behavior. [Adding custom actions and activities](/documentation/UIKit/adding-custom-actions-and-activities) Add custom document browser actions, activities, and bar items. --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)