5 file management applications that you need to use instead of files by Google


Andy Walker / Android authority

Each Android smartphone needs a file explorer, and for pixel smartphones and many others, the default option is Google files. This free and light application offers essential file management features, and its clean design makes visualization content in folders or categories quickly and easy. It is a great way to clean the files in doubles and maintain free space on your device, but this is not the best file management application on Android.

I have used many file explorers on Android over the years, and it is the best alternative to Google files that offer more advanced features, more attractive design and additional customization options.

What Android file management application do you use?

1083 votes

Mix

Andy Walker / Android authority

Few file explorers correspond to the versatility and the extensibility of mixplorer. This is my favorite file management application for Android, and it has been in active development for more than a decade.

The Mixplorer name reflects its ability to transparently integrate various storage solutions, from internal storage to external supports, LAN, Google Drive, OneDrive and other cloud services. Once configured, you can access all this data without opening individual applications. In addition, Mixplorer supports Symlinks, which offer opportunities for access to even more flexible files on Android.

Another popular feature is the customizable mixplorer design. The default arrangement is user -friendly, but power users can integrate additional modules for additional features, install skins for theme the application and use the tab interface to easily switch between services and folders. I love the breadcrumbs menu mixplorer of mixplorer, a design choice that makes back back in a root folder without sacrificing the wallpaper.

In particular, Mixplorer is free if you download it via XDA, but the application is so well built that I recommend supporting the developer. You can do this by downloading Mixplorer Silver via the Play Store.

Material files

Andy Walker / Android authority

Material files balance an accessible user interface with a set of extensive features, attracting both files by Google users and power users. Thanks to its in-depth use of the equipment, the application has the impression that Google itself could do it. Its elements adopt the overall color theme of your device and support the automatic activation of the night mode as a function of the system parameters.

I would say that its user interface is easier to use than Mixplorer, even if it does not provide the same extensibility. That said, everything I need is easily available in the left sidebar. I particularly like his shortcut of dedicated screenshots, which points to me directly on application images that I often use in my articles.

The application also supports external storage on local networks or physical supports, but does not allow you to connect and browse files on Google Drive, for example.

Solid explorer

Andy Walker / Android authority

Solid Explorer is also much appreciated in the Android application space. Solid mirrors of a large part of the set of Mixplorer features and are known as a high -end file management tool, but adds some unique features. Maybe my favorite is its real-time back size display, which updates the number of bytes of each directory as the files are added or deleted.

Solid also offers an intelligent and polished user interface experience. It supports the management of two -stea files, allowing you to display two directories side by side. In addition, users can lock access to storage behind a fingerprint, which is more attractive to me than using the private space. As for the actual management of files, Solid excels with its useful folder failures.

CX file explorer

Andy Walker / Android authority

CX File Explorer focuses more on management of the storage of Android devices, offering various tools to help users manage the narrowing storage space. Its better feature is its analysis tools, which detail where the storage pigs are, the quantity of storage of each type of file and highlight the most important files of the device. I particularly like this feature, because it helps me manage the videos that I store on my device for flights and offline entertainment.

Beyond these tools, CX File Explorer has a clean design with a compact menu on breadcrumbs based on icons, a useful information box displaying free storage and integrated image, video and audio players.

Fossify the file manager

Andy Walker / Android authority

Finally and above all, Fossify File Manager is free, open-source and focuses on confidentiality and simplicity. In this sense, it probably offers the experience closest to Google files with added safety options. For example, it allows users to lock the files and individual folders behind a fingerprint or a password.

The user interface is incredibly accessible, with various color options for the overall theme, a detailing tab which file types occupy your reader and simple research and organizational features.


Google files are in no way a bad application. If anything, Google has built a simple and reliable file management tool that provides consistent performance on all Android applications. However, if you need a few additional features, want to access cloud storage stores and local networks or introduce added safety levels to your important files, consider one of the five applications above.

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