Every Android phone ships with a file app, and for finding a download or deleting old videos it's usually fine. File manager apps for Android earn their place when you need more: browsing a home NAS, moving files between cloud accounts, working with ZIP and RAR archives, or seeing two folders side by side.
The apps below were chosen from research into their Google Play listings, developer documentation and long-standing reputations, checked in October 2026. We haven't tested them hands-on, so treat the recommendations as informed opinions.
At a glance
| App | Pricing model | Network and cloud | Open source | Stands out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Files by Google | Free, no ads | Quick Share, cloud backup | No | Cleanup suggestions |
| Solid Explorer | Free with ads, in-app purchases | Many cloud services, SMB, SFTP, FTP, WebDAV | No | Polished dual-pane layout |
| Material Files | Free, no ads | SMB, SFTP, FTP, WebDAV | Yes | Clean, lightweight design |
| Total Commander | Free | Cloud and network via plugins | No | Classic two-panel power tools |
| Cx File Explorer | Free | Cloud, SMB, SFTP, FTP, WebDAV | No | Storage analysis, recycle bin |
| X-plore | Free with ads, paid extras | Cloud, SMB, SFTP, DLNA | No | Dual-pane tree view |
| Amaze | Free, optional cloud plugin | SMB, SFTP, FTP server | Yes | No ads, no locked features |
| Fossify File Manager | Free, no ads | None (no internet access) | Yes | Fully offline privacy |
The picks
Files by Google
Best for: clearing space without thinking about folders.
Files by Google leads with cleanup: it finds duplicate files, old media from chat apps and cached junk, and shows how much space is left on internal storage, SD cards and USB drives. Quick Share sends files to nearby Android phones and Chromebooks without internet, and a locked folder uses its own PIN or pattern. It's free with no ads. It's weak for actual file management, with no network shares or dual panes, but it's the easiest tool for the job most people have. Our guide to freeing up storage on Android pairs well with it.
Solid Explorer
Best for: people who want one polished app for phone, cloud and NAS.
Solid Explorer shows two folders side by side so you can drag files between them, including from cloud to cloud or NAS to phone. It connects to Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, Mega, Nextcloud and others, plus SMB, SFTP, FTP and WebDAV servers. It also creates and extracts ZIP, 7z, RAR and TAR archives and can encrypt files with AES-256 behind a password or fingerprint. The free version now carries ads, with in-app purchases to remove them and unlock extras.
Material Files
Best for: anyone who wants a clean, open-source app with no ads.
Material Files follows Google's Material Design closely and covers the essentials well: breadcrumb navigation, archive support, FTP, SFTP, SMB and WebDAV access, a true-black night theme, and root access for those who use it. It's free with no ads or in-app purchases, and the source code is on GitHub. It doesn't connect to cloud drives directly, which is the main reason to choose Solid Explorer instead.
Total Commander
Best for: desktop Total Commander users and fans of keyboard-era efficiency.
The Android version of Total Commander keeps the two-panel layout and adds a built-in text editor, ZIP and RAR handling, an app backup tool and optional root support. FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, LAN and cloud access come through free plugins. Google Play labels it "Contains ads," but the developer explains that the label comes from a link to its own plugins, and the app shows no ads. It looks dated, which in our view is part of the charm.
Cx File Explorer
Best for: a friendly all-rounder that connects to a PC or NAS.
Cx File Explorer covers local files, cloud storage and network shares over FTP, FTPS, SFTP, SMB and WebDAV, and it can expose your phone to a PC over FTP. A visual storage analysis and a recycle bin help with cleanup. Its current Play listing shows neither ads nor in-app purchases. It isn't open source.
X-plore
Best for: power users who want everything in one tree view.
X-plore uses a distinctive dual-pane tree view and handles root browsing, SMB, DLNA, archives, a disk map, an app manager and a hex viewer. Some features, including SFTP, Wi-Fi file sharing, the encrypted vault and the video player, require a donation to unlock, and the free version shows ads.
Amaze and Fossify File Manager
Best for: privacy-minded users who want open source and no ads.
Amaze offers tabs, an app manager, AES encryption, SMB and SFTP access and a built-in FTP server, with no ads and no features locked behind donations. Cloud access needs a separate paid plugin. Fossify File Manager goes further on privacy: it doesn't request internet access at all, so it can't connect to anything, but it can lock hidden items or the whole app and includes a storage analyzer.
What no file manager can do anymore
Since Android 11, Google's scoped storage rules limit what third-party file managers can reach. To work across your storage at all, an app needs the special "All files access" permission. On a Pixel, you'll find it under Settings > Apps > Special app access > All files access; Samsung, Xiaomi and other brands place it in similar but not identical menus.
Even with that permission, Android blocks access to the Android/data and Android/obb folders, where apps and games keep their own files. Android's developer documentation is explicit about this. If a file manager claims it can browse those folders on a modern, unrooted phone, it's relying on a workaround that may stop working with the next update.
Picking one
If your goal is reclaiming space, stay with Files by Google or your phone's built-in app. For a NAS or several cloud accounts, Solid Explorer is the most polished option. If you prefer open source with no ads, choose Material Files, or Amaze if you need an FTP server. Install only one, give it the permissions it needs, and remove the rest. For other apps worth adding to a new phone, see our list of the best Android apps to install first.
Sources
- Google Play listing: Files by Google
- Google Play listing: Solid Explorer
- Google Play listing: Material Files
- Google Play listing: Total Commander
- Google Play listing: Cx File Explorer
- Google Play listing: X-plore File Manager
- Google Play listing: Amaze File Manager
- Google Play listing: Fossify File Manager
- Android Developers: Storage updates in Android 11
