In This Article
Android’s built-in Files by Google handles 80 percent of routine file management for most users, and Samsung’s My Files plus the Pixel Files app cover the rest. The reason to install a third-party file manager has narrowed to specific needs: SMB and FTP browsing, root access, archive extraction beyond ZIP, or a power-user dual-pane view. Below is the editorial six-pick for the remaining cases that the defaults do not cover well.
Here are the six file manager apps for Android worth installing, what each one does best, and how to pick between built-in and dedicated.
TL;DR
The pick: The pick: Files by Google for daily use; Solid Explorer for power-user features and SMB.
Runner-up: Runner-up: Total Commander for the dual-pane veterans, Material Files for the open-source minimalists.
Skip if: Skip ES File Explorer. The brand was poisoned and the current clones are still untrustworthy.
For a deeper reference, see Google’s official Android Help Center.
Files by Google: the default that finally got good
Files by Google ships pre-installed on Pixel and many other Android phones and has duplicate detection, junk cleanup, Nearby Share, and a clean storage breakdown. It is no longer the lightweight afterthought it was.
Solid Explorer: power-user toolkit
Solid Explorer remains the strongest paid file manager (around 3 USD one-time). Dual-pane, SMB and FTP browsing, cloud storage integration, full archive support including RAR. The killer feature for users with a NAS or home server.
Total Commander Android: the desktop heritage
Total Commander runs as a free app on Android and brings the classic dual-pane desktop experience. Native plug-ins for SMB, FTP, WebDAV. The interface is unapologetically spreadsheet-dense; veterans love it.
Material Files: open source and clean
Material Files is open source under GPL and ships on F-Droid. Material Design 3 interface, fast performance, no telemetry. The right pick if privacy and FOSS are your priorities.
Root Explorer and X-plore for niche needs
Root Explorer requires a rooted device and is the deepest power-tool for users on custom ROMs. X-plore is the freeware all-rounder with archive support, FTP, and cloud integrations. Niche but each has a dedicated audience.
At a glance
| App | Best for | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Files by Google | Daily use | Free | Ships pre-installed. |
| Solid Explorer | Power-user, NAS | ~3 USD | SMB, FTP, RAR, dual-pane. |
| Total Commander | Dual-pane veterans | Free | Heavy interface, plug-in based. |
| Material Files | FOSS, privacy | Free | On F-Droid, no telemetry. |
| Root Explorer | Rooted phones | Paid | Deep root access. |
| X-plore | All-rounder | Free + IAP | Big feature set. |
Which fits your needs?
- Best default: Files by Google.
- Best paid for NAS: Solid Explorer.
- Best free for power use: Total Commander.
- Best privacy-focused: Material Files from F-Droid.
- Best for rooted devices: Root Explorer.
- Avoid: ES File Explorer clones. The brand is unsafe.
FAQ
Will a third-party file manager work on Android 14 and 15?
Yes, but Scoped Storage limits some root-level access on Android 11 and above. The apps listed adapt to the constraints; Root Explorer requires actual root.
Can a file manager access the.Statuses folder for WhatsApp?
Yes. Files by Google can with the Show hidden files toggle enabled. Solid Explorer and Material Files work similarly via the Android/media path.
Do I need a paid file manager?
Most users do not. Files by Google plus Material Files covers 95 percent of use cases for free. The paid apps shine for NAS, FTP, and dual-pane workflows.
How do I open a RAR file on Android?
Solid Explorer and X-plore handle RAR natively. Material Files and Files by Google only handle ZIP; for RAR you need the dedicated app.
Bottom line
File management on Android is a solved problem for most users by Files by Google. Solid Explorer for NAS owners, Total Commander for veterans, and Material Files for the privacy-first crowd cover the rest. Skip ES File Explorer clones; the brand is unsafe.
