Some years back I was a mixplorer user, then switched to solid explorer for some time and now I’m using Material Files.
I was thinking of going back to either Solid / Mixplorer or trying something new.
cx file explorer
I’ve been using Root Explorer Pro for a decade, probably? I haven’t found a need to change.
I like that it has multiple tab views, and it keeps your tabs persistent across boots. Makes it easy to move files between frequently used folders since both source and destination can be open at the same time in different tabs.
Also, I root all my phones and sometimes need to access system directories, so root access is a must.
Edit: Reading this thread encouraged me to try Materials Files but it doesn’t allow multiple tabs so I just uninstalled it.
Same here in Root Explorer Pro from my custom rom and unlocking days with Android. I’ve used other ones when they were listed as a step with unlocking or loading a rom but honestly Root Explorer has been the best for me when it comes to large file moves or for bulk tasks as it runs in the background.
Then I use Google files for basic stuff like opening a download file or the gallery app for moving small amounts of photos.
Material files Why? - Foss + Does job + All essential utilities + no other foss option available 🥲
There’s Amaze as a FOSS alternative although I use Material Files too.
Utils are paid and does not align with my needs
FX File manager. Super fast even on weak hardware, customizable, and feature rich, with virtually no bugs. It’s not only the best file manager I’ve found on Android, it’s the best file manager I’ve found on any platform.
X-Plore because there’s no comparison to how much better it is to everything else I’ve tried. It’s got side by side view. Supports SMB, FTP, USB, Wifi-Sharing and just about any other transfer method you could want. It works on Android phones, tablets, Quest and Pico VR headsets. It supports sharing files and media to and from other apps. You can easily share a video from your gallery to a network drive for example. It’s very customizable too.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lonelycatgames.Xplore
Solid Explorer, since I can mount an SFTP volume using keyfile authentication.
The only thing I don’t like is that it uses its own file encryption system instead of a more open solution like Cryptomator. I know Cryptomator exists, but I can’t access SFTP volume using keyfile authentication with it…
Also, one of the drawbacks is that it needs Google account to be added to the device to access the drive. MiXplorer can directly use the browser the get access to drive, thus making it more FOSS friendly ROMs.
Material files and/or anemo are perfect for me. Wish material files could handle more kinds of compressed archives though, I have to keep a different app for those tasks
what sort of archives? never encountered any that Material Files woudl refuse to open
Like 7zip, or winrar if I remember right. Sometimes when torrenting something or getting ROMs for emulation I’ve come across archive formats that have given me a problem when I try to uncompress them
weird, I never had that issue
I have material files, but I use Total Commander the most. It is overkill but useful when I have to move stuff around on a server. It has an F-Droid Repo too, so bonus.
None of them.
I can’t see the hidden parts of the filesystem reserved for program data. So I can’t backup program data with Syncthing.
I use Google Files. Tried several F-Droid equivalents still disappointed.
[Pixel 7 Pro]
simple file manager, just works.
https[://]f-droid[.]org/packages/com.simplemobiletools.filemanager.pro/
Afraid bots are gonna click the link?
File Manger +. I’m not sure its foss and is on Google play but I’ve been using it for 5 years and it’s super simple and powerful. Manages remote connections very well and was simple enough to walk my friend through configuring a connection to a SMB server. I really can’t imagine a reason to switch.
While not great as a general file manager, I use this app to launch into the hidden, built in file manager in Android. The major benefit is that it can access apps’ data directories. Every other file manager is blocked from that (at least without root).
total commander hasa workaround for that
Cx File Explorer
I also use it as a music player since it properly orders files by alphabet and allows for “play single track once” option.
I use File Explorer+ which is the same dev apparently.
Would you share an image?
I can’t find it on the Play Store.
Oh great thanks!
I couldn’t find it since in my language (spanish) it’s just called “File Manager” lol
Oh, and it’s File Manager+ here in English! I’m not sure why I thought it was File Explorer+, I obviously didn’t double-check before posting. It’s a bit of a generic name anyway, so not the easiest to find.
I’ve never found anything better than Cx File Explorer or anything Cx File Explorer can’t do. It’s my go-to app for managing local, NAS, and cloud based files.
Also use it. Does everything I need including network drive support, has storage analyser, etc. UI is nice and useful. So far, I have no reason to search for alternatives.
Also use it. Does everything I need including network drive support, has storage analyser, etc. UI is nice and useful. So far, I have no reason to search for alternatives.
FX File manager - mounts anything, including SSH, Windows shares,… Great root support, two windows for easier file operations,…
doesn’t work that well anymore on android 13/14
I’m on 13 and works like a charm
Dito
Seconding FX. It’s also got a super useful quick-share to other devices running FX.
Simply the best for me. Even the UI is great and really thought through
Tbh I find the Google Files app to be fine for my needs.
However in the past I used Solid Explorer but it was simply way more than I needed. If you need that much power check it out.
For an open source FM check out Material Files. It’s like SE but free, open source and 100% spyware free.
Same here. I don’t really need anything Google Files doesn’t offer.
