Learn about the 7 best file manager apps or file explorers that you can download and use for free. What will be available on Android smartphones and tablets?
One of the best parts about using the Android operating system is the ability to quickly and easily manage local files through your device's file system. But the file manager that comes with Android smartphones or tablets is not as comprehensive as it could be.
The question is, which file manager app should you use to replace the file manager that comes preinstalled on your smartphone as part of the Android operating system? They still don’t come with as many features as the third-party options that have been released for download and use on the Google Play Store, and they are plenty. Let’s take a look at some of the best File Explorer apps for your Android device.
Xplore file manager
X-plore File Manager may have the look and feel of an early 90s Windows file manager, but it's still one of the best Android file managers available.
You won’t find any of Google’s Material Design guidelines, as X-plore puts functionality first. The main feature is the dual-pane view. This splits the screen into two parts and places a file map on each side. You can easily copy files between folders on your device.
This design also means you can transfer files between your device and external storage. The app also supports Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, Amazon Cloud Drive, OneDrive, WebDAV, MediaFire, and many more that you can connect to. You can also access files via FTP, SMB, SQLite, ZIP, RAR, 7-Zip, and DLNA/UPnP.
X-plore File Manager lets you manage system files without having to root your device (although you can't edit files without root). The app also has a hex viewer and software for viewing videos, images, and audio files included as well.
download: Xplore File Manager (Free in-app purchases available)
Files from Google
Files is Google's native Android file explorer, and it has three main features: file browsing, cleaning up junk and old files, and it also lets you share encrypted files and folders with people near you without an internet connection.
The file management section of this app doesn’t have as many features as other apps. In this article, for example, you can’t access root files (even if your device is rooted), but the app is designed with ease of use in mind. Your content is divided into six categories (Downloads, Images, Videos, Audio, Documents, and Apps), regardless of where the files are stored on your phone. At the bottom of the app, you’ll see links that let you explore your phone’s file hierarchy.
Files also benefits from tight integration with the Android operating system, turning on some app and storage management features in the Settings menu.
download: Files from Google (free)
FX File Explorer
FX File Explorer is one of the best file manager apps for Android. If you are a fan of complete privacy, ads, tracking and data collection, then this is it. This app asks for various security permissions. After installation and use, but they are optional and only support some additional features. Even if you do not allow certain access, the app will still work fine.
Although the app comes with external media and rooting capabilities. But you have to pay extra if you want network (FTP, SFTP, SMB, WebDAV) and cloud (Dropbox, Google Drive, SkyDrive, Box, SugarSync) capabilities. Even the root explorer requires additional functionality (even though it is free).
FX File Explorer also has powerful file sharing options. You can share over Wi-Fi or using the company's FX Connect app. The Connect app works over Wi-Fi Direct, so you don't need a wireless access point.
download: FX File Explorer (Free in-app purchases available)
Solid Explorer File Manager
We know this is a list of “free” apps, but Solid Explorer is one of the few paid file explorers that is actually worth every penny.
The app uses the same two-pane design found in X-plore File Manager, however, unlike X-plore, Solid File Explorer follows Google's design guidelines for those who care about aesthetics.
Each pane acts as a standalone file browser. You can drag and drop between them, making organization easy. It also supports Drive clients and other formats like FTP, SFTP, WebDav, ZIP, TAR, and RAR, and lets you connect to Google Drive, OneDrive, Box, Dropbox, and more.
Solid Explorer also gives you root access. It also comes with plugins for additional features like indexed search and drive statistics. Some are free and some require a small fee if you really want to use them.
download: Solid file manager explorer (6x lighter, free trial available)
Astro File Manager
ASTRO File Manager has expanded beyond its original purpose. These days, it’s more than just a file explorer. The app also has a storage cleaner, storage manager, and backup tool.
One thing to be aware of when using storage cleaning features is that many of them have little practical benefit and can actually harm your device.
The app interface is clear and easy to use. Navigating between internal memory, external memory, and other content such as podcasts, ringtones, and downloads is quick and easy. The app features include Box, Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Drive sync. Additionally, managing social media cache is easy and the ability to access other sites on the same network is also possible.
In addition to file management, the process management and microSD card features are also very useful, giving ASTRO an easy advantage over the competition (because it's free).
download: Astro file manager (free)
Total leader
There's no doubt that Total Commander will be familiar to many desktop PC users. This is because the application has been a popular third-party file manager for Windows since its first release in 1993 (originally known as Windows Commander).
The app has a lot of good navigation tools. Apart from the usual cut, copy and paste, it also comes with other features. Another example: it can support bookmarks, file bundles and has the ability to add custom buttons to the toolbar so you can customize it to your specific needs.
Features include the ability to copy and move entire subdirectories, a built-in text editor, a way to send files via Bluetooth, support for ZIP files, plugins for FTP/SFTP clients, WebDAV, and LAN access for free. This makes using this application more than worth it.
download: Total leader (free)
Amaze file manager
Amaze File Manager is the only open source Android file explorer in this article. The application uses a tabbed approach to file management, allowing you to work with multiple folders at the same time.
Other useful features include an application manager, root explorer, AES file encryption, history, bookmarks, and a powerful search engine. It also comes with a database reader, ZIP reader, APK reader, and built-in text reader. Best of all, the app contains no ads at all, even if you don't pay for any additional features.
download: Amaze file manager (Free in-app purchases available)