What is favourite File manager app and why ?

Solid Explorer. Why? Because I bought it ages ago and it still works fine. Even a decade later, it still gets regular updates, which shows that the dev cares about the app.

More importantly, I like that it jumps straight into my filesystem without any nonsensical abstract views, and I like that it doesn't come with any bloat (no junk cleaner or RAM booster crap), unlike other file managers. With other file managers these days, you open them and instead of seeing your files you get a bunch of mini apps or collections, which is NOT what I want. I just want a simple file manager, not an ecosystem. Thankfully, Solid isn't like that.

So even after all these years and all these updates, the app remains true to its original purpose and hasn't sold out or gone down the enshittification path, which is a refreshing change compared to what we've been seeing with other apps.

Yup, clean efficient design and still works as well as the day I bought it
Yeah I don't know if something better is out there because solid explorer is, well, just solid. Internal storage, local file server, Google drive, one drive, sftp. Absolutely fantastic tool, bought it years ago and it goes on every phone and tablet I've had since. I'm really not sure what it would take to move on from it, it fulfills every need I've had for a file explorer.
I got it on some crazy sale long ago. They eventually updated, and still let me have the upgraded version as long as I had the pro app installed as well. I eventually decided to just buy it full price for the convenience of not needing to install the pro app every time I got a new phone.

It's one of my most used apps, so definitely worth it.
- Same. I have spare Google Rewards credits so I bought the in-app purchase to support the developer. Been using this app for probably over 10 years now.
  
  One of my most frequently used features is the FTP file transfer to/from a Windows device or even another Android device.
Same for me. I use solid explorer as I bought it.

I installed MXplorer on my mom's phone as it has all the necessary options and is free.
I take this opportunity to ask, does anyone know how to make Solid Explorer return to home/ every time it is opened instead of remaining in the last directory it opened?
- Settings -> Default panel content
  
  Haven't used it myself, but this looks like the setting for it.
Same. I do wish there was a storage view, but that's fine.

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

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.

I have been using MiXplorer for past 3 years. Has been working rock solid for me.

I kinda want to see how it would look with MD3 tho.

+1 for MiX. ~~It's FOSS~~ and has everything you could want in a file explorer, functionality wise.

Edit: scratch that. God knows how long I thought it was FOSS for!
- Yes. But the dev js f* awesome. I have checked and the app doesn't call home or pull anything shit.
  
  The only reason I bought this app.
Althought it is not fully MD3, you can kind of get Material You on MiX using this app
- It's just changing colors tbh.

I have tried alot of File Managers but MiXplorer is the one that suits me the most. Althought I would've prefered an opensource File Manager, Material Files is a little too basic for my needs. The developer of MiX is an awesome dude so I trust him.

Ghost Commander is featureful and open-source but its UI feels a bit... 1992.
- Yeah the UI is a major drawback of Ghost Commander. But before MiX I used to use that

Solid Explorer.

However, when I'm VPNing into my unraid server, for some reason Solid Explorer doesn't work? I downloaded Xiaomi File Manager, and while it's EXTREMELY slow, it does work via the VPN.

Does anyone know why?

Edit: tried Material Files to replace the Xiaomi app, and it also lets me connect to my shares when I VPN into my unraid server. I wonder why Solid Explorer refuses to connect..

What protocol?

Solid Explorer works fine for me through a VPN with SFTP. I've not tried SMB though.

Speed isn't amazing (was only getting 600kB/s testing just now), but it does work.
- SMB.
  
  But when I use Xiaomi File Manager or Material Files, and the SMB protocol, it works.
  
  Xiaomi File Manager is REALLY slow, but Material Files is actually pretty fast over VPN and mobile data.
  
  Still scratching my head as to what makes Solid Explorer different..

FX File manager - mounts anything, including SSH, Windows shares,... Great root support, two windows for easier file operations,....

Seconding FX. It's also got a super useful quick-share to other devices running FX.
doesn't work that well anymore on android 13/14
- I'm on 13 and works like a charm
Simply the best for me. Even the UI is great and really thought through

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'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.
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I use File Explorer+ which is the same dev apparently.
- Would you share an image?
  
  I can't find it on the Play Store.

Total Commander. Has been for two decades on PC and near one on Android. Not beautiful, but so useful.

I'm using it since Norton Commander under DOS, I don't know how to use something else !
Never liked it on pc, but I have it on phone and love the ability to have 2 dirs open at the same time.

Solid Explorer but it's not like I've tried all the others too. It's what I always go to and it has served me good.

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

FX file explorer, tons of tons of options. And works better than most.

Yes! It's actually the only app I ever bought the premium version of. It's basically a fully fledged file explorer like you'd find on a Linux desktop. It even supports FTP and Samba.
doesn't work well on android 13
- What issue do you have? I use it for close to ten years on almost every android version and it just works.
- Using on android 13 without any issue. You device might be problem not the android version.

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.

I use Material File Browser. Replaced almost all the default google shit with FOSS alternatives, some of them may not have all the features of a slick google app but it's a fair exchange given that they're not relentlessly jacking my data.

CX file explorer- can't live without it.

I've been using FX for a few years. I haven't really compared it to the others because it does what I need with little fuss and no ads or other annoyances.

It can access network file shares and you can use a split screen view for easy file copying. It also has a basic text editor and media player, though I don't really use those.

Plus 1 to this. And it works on my android tv too!
I've been using it for years and never really noticed the split view option. Thanks for pointing it out.

simple file manager, just works.

https[://]f-droid[.]org/packages/com.simplemobiletools.filemanager.pro/

Afraid bots are gonna click the link?

I'm using X-plore for about 15 years now, since Symbian

There's just nothing like it. Super powerful and easy to use

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

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.

Samsung Files: best ui

Android File explorer (using the shortcut from the play store): can read android/data folder and has access to some other apps like termux

Total Commander because it has way more functions than the others

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]

Same as you, Mixplorer

I like total commander because it let's me browse network storage

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, I hate the stock / google files and it doesn't sacrifice on looks

Ghost Commander. It's not perfect but it's great for grabbing stuff from my Samba shares. And after so many file explorers got enshittified, I value open-source.

I don't really have a favorite. I use a combination of them: Google Files, FX File Explorer, ES File Explorer (4.0.2.3) and Termux.

Google Files is a simple to use general file manager. Mostly useful for finding big files and looking through downloads as it combines SD Card + Internal storage.
FX File Explorer is a less powerful alternative to ES file explorer for me.
ES File Explorer has a lot. And this old version can be nicely customized for free. I like the network storage features and simple music player. Select music to put into your playlist, and hit play. Quick, customized playlists.
Termux if I want something extra. I generally use it for creating TAr archives and copying files along with their timestamps. Also a nicer text editor (Vim) and advantage of being able to SSH into my phone from computer.

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

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.

File manager plus. It just works for me and I have been using it for years.

I've be n using Astro for ages. I tried a few and found them bloated and missing something. Astro has some extra bits I don't use but I never switched them on so it's not an issue. You can hide anything you don't use on the opening screen from the options too.

cx file explorer

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.