5 best file manager apps for Android
Every Android smartphone comes with a built-in file manager app. These folders help you arrange your files and documents accordingly, and even move them. This is also the directory where you can see all the media contents of your phone. Keeping this in mind, a file manager is an extremely vital part of the Android experience. However, some stock file managers have some features lacking, especially the ones that come from the manufacturers. This is where the versatility of Android kicks in, allowing third-party developers to build file manager apps for Android smartphones. So if you find that your current file manager is simply not doing the trick, you will be relieved to know that there are a multitude of file manager apps out there that can replicate the experience of your default file manager.
However, given the vast contents of the Play Store, it can be a tough ask to search for the best file manager apps out there. But we’re going to make your job easier today by talking about five of the best file manager apps available for Android right now. You have probably heard about some of these apps, but there are a few on this list that you might not know about. So let’s begin.
5 best file manager apps for Android
ES File Explorer
This particular file manager app will end up on top of every list given the immense popularity it enjoys on the Play Store and among the Android users. It is the preferred file manager app for many, and it’s no surprise that ES File Explorer has already seen nearly 500 million downloads. All of the features available here are designed to make your lives a tad bit easier. This app also allows you to connect to local networks to share data. You can transfer data between two devices by setting up a secure connection. The best part here is that the app will do all of that for you.
At the core, ES File Explorer can be used to create new folders on your SD card or internal storage, move files, and make some other necessary changes to your file system. You can even link up your cloud storage accounts to access them from anywhere. As far as features are concerned, ES File Explorer is probably one of the best apps available out there. You can download the app for free, although there are ads. The app is compatible with devices running Android 4.1 and above.
File Manager
Fundamentally, all file manager apps follow the same protocol – offering easy access to the device’s files and folders. File Manager app does the same, and very well. It’s a simplistic looking app, which means that you won’t get a flashy UI here. However, its features work very much on par with any top file manager app. You can set up remote access, cloud accounts, and more using this app. Files and folders can be moved, deleted, renamed, compressed, bookmarked and more, using File Manager. What I personally like is the ability to personally analyze the storage and clear out unnecessary junk from your folders.
It’s clear that there is really nothing to distinguish between this and any other file manager app. However, the UI leaves a lot to be desired. The best part here is that the app is free to download. However, there will be some ads now and then on your screen. Unfortunately, the developer doesn’t offer an in-app purchase to remove the ads. You can use this app if you have a smartphone or tablet running Android 4.0.3. If a simple yet effective file manager is what you need, this will get the job done perfectly.
AndroZip
This particular application has been around since 2009, making it one of the first Android archiving apps to ever surface. Keeping this in mind, you’re expecting a pretty decent file manager here, and the app doesn’t disappoint. Standing the test of time, AndroZip has some of the features that we see on other newer file manager apps. However, it slightly differs from the other apps we’ve talked about here. AndroZip was launched as a compressing and decompressing app, allowing you to extract and create zip folders. These features are still very much in the app, while it also lets you search and edit/modify the files and folders on your device.
In fact, if you invest in the paid version of the app, you can create archives using AES 128 and AES 256 bit encryption. This makes it one of the top archiving apps on Android, and it also helps that it works like a file manager. You can back up your apps if you’re looking to shift to a new device, and even install APK files to install on your phone or tablet. The developers recommend using this on a tablet as a larger real estate will provide a better experience. The app is free to download and comes with some ads.
File Manager
Apps which don’t have elaborate names are often ignored by the users, but this one (in addition to an app we discussed above) are clearly the exceptions. While it seems like a standard file manager app, it’s a very functional app. This one too, comes with the ability to compress files on your phone to save storage space. It comes with support for cloud services, allowing you to browse all of your data (native and cloud) in one place. There’s a built-in recycle bin as well, allowing you to clear your device of cache data, which can take up quite a bit of space.
Naturally, you can also access your microSD data here, which is a key feature of file manager apps. The app is also designed very well, and you can find all the data you need in one place. It’s a free download, although you will have to deal with ads.
ZArchiver
This app has been around for a while, and is one of the most reliable archiving and decompressing apps available out there. The best feature of this app (for me anyway) is the fact that it comes with a simple scrollable list of folders rather than chunky icons on top. This allows for easy scrolling and is a big plus if you have a lot of folders on your device. It’s a pretty neat app, and clearly the best archiver going around. It might not offer some of the features that the aforementioned apps offer, but that’s not a dealbreaker. The app is updated frequently, so you can be assured of getting bugs fixed (if any) and getting new features on board. The app is a free download, much like the other apps on the list, and has no ads or in-app purchases. Be sure to check it out.