Though most of the Android smartphones come with a pre-installed File Manager utility, they come with basic functionalities as compared to other third-party file explorer apps. These third-party file explorers come with robust capabilities to browse hidden files, find downloads, transfer data & a lot more. The quality & accessibility of these Android File Manager apps have improved vastly over the years & we have the best bunch selected here, which you can download right away!
Compared: The Best File Explorer Applications For Android (2023)
Read their features set right below the table and install the most useful free file manager for your Android smartphone.
| Apps | Offered By | Price | Installs/Size | Try Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Files by Google | Google LLC | Free | 500,000,000+/ Varies with Device | Download |
| X-plore File Manager | Lonely Cat Games | Free Version/ $1.14 – $18.17 Per Item | 10,000,000+/ 7.6 M | Download |
| ASUS File Manager | ASUS Computer Inc. | Free | 10,000,000+/ 17 M | Download
(Not Available On Google Play Store) |
| Amaze File Manager | Team Amaze | Free Version/ $0.88 – $16.03 | 1,000,000+/ 8.0 M | Download |
| EZ File Manager: File Explorer Manager | Intro Template & Video Vlog Auto Art HL.oteddy | Free | 1,000,000+/ 17 M | Download |
| Total Commander | C. Ghisler | Free | 10,000,000+/ Varies with Device | Download |
| FX File Explorer | NextApp, Inc. | Free Version / $2.54 Per Item | 5,000,000+ / 8.7 M | Download |
| Astro File Manager | App Annie Basics | Free | 50,000,000+ / 7.6 M | Download |
| Solid Explorer File Manager | NeatBytes | Free Version/ $0.13 – $0.53 | 5,000,000+ / 17 M | Download |
| MK Explorer (File Manager) | kormateusz | Free | 500,000+ / 3.7 M | Download |
Reviewing: Best Free File Manager For Android With Pros & Cons
Here is the list of 10 best file manager apps for Android in 2023
1. Files by Google
Initially, Files by Google was launched as an experiment, but the file manager’s popularity left it as a mainstay for many. The file management application makes reviewing & managing storage space hassle-free. Unlike other file explorers for Android, Files by Google provides helpful suggestions of files that should be removed before you run out of space.
Pros
- Smartest free file manager for Android.
- Helps you share files offline with great speed.
- Helps you backup files to the cloud.
Cons
- You cannot resume a failed share of data.
- Cannot create a shortcut on Home Screen.
2. X-plore File Manager
X-Plore file manager is one of the best apps to manage files for Android. Essentially, it helps you manage files on both your internal storage & cloud storage like Google Drive, PCloud, SugarSync, OneDrive, and more. For easy functioning, it has dual panel explorer which lets you perform quick copy/pasting between multiple folders at once.
Pros
- Offers an inbuilt video player, hex viewer, PDF viewer, ZIP unpacker & more.
- A secret vault to secure your important files.
- Provides additional support for web storage.
Cons
- Outdated dashboard.
3. ASUS File Manager
If you want to manage your files quickly and systematically, then ASUS file manager is for you. This lightweight file explorer app enables you to cut, copy, move, save or delete files quickly. It manages data not only on your device and SD card but also on cloud storage like Google Drive, Dropbox, ASUS WebStorage and more.
Pros
- Extra features to compress files.
- Helps you categorize files based on its types, for example, images, videos, audios, downloads etc.
- Tools like Recycle Bin, Storage Analyzer & more.
Cons
- Not available on Office Google Play Store.
4. Amaze File Manager
It is an open-source and lightweight file explorer. It allows you to manage your files on your Android easily and enables you to perform basic operations like cut, copy, paste, compress, delete and more. The file management app works for a rooted phone as well, which makes it the best Android file manager in the market.
Pros
- Inbuilt database reader with ZIP & APK Reader.
- Keeps file secured with AES encryption.
- Customize UI with multiple themes.
Cons
- Needs access to Wi-Fi connection info
5. EZ File Manager: File Explorer Manager
It is a fully-featured file exploration application that can help you cut, copy, paste, rename, compress, transfer, move, delete, share in bulk. It even offers a dedicated Recycle Bin that can help you restore accidentally deleted data in no time. The file management application is available in more than 19 languages & supports 80+ different file types. Hence, hassle-free management!
Pros
- Backup or directly uninstall apps within the app
- Multiple resolution support.
- Works on multiple tabs at the same time.
Cons
- You might get frustrated with annoying ads.
Also Read: Best Alternative Apps For ES File Explorer
6. Total Commander
Total Commander is one of the best Android file manager apps with lots of features. Along with copy, cut, paste and delete functions, it enables you to perform batch operations. The file explorer app has an inbuilt text editor and media player. This app supports over 31 languages & works perfectly on Rooted Android devices as well.
Pros
- Can bookmark files that you access often.
- Multilingual free file explorer app for Android.
- Capable for extracting & compressing files.
Cons
- Some users can face problems in uninstalling it.
7. FX File Explorer
Features a Material Design UI, FX File Explorer is the best free file manager for Android to view & manage your storage space more efficiently. Unlike other file management tools, FX File Explorer offers multiple ways to transfer your files between phones & computers. It even provides a productivity-oriented widget to access essential files & other data instantly.
Pros
- Dual-view mode to see two windows at once.
- Supports almost all file archive formats.
- Free from ads & lightweight file manager.
Cons
- Relatively works slow to copy files.
- Gets cumbersome to select multiple files.
8. Astro File Manager
One of the oldest Android File Manager, Astro, had its ups & downs over the years when it comes to usability. But the file explorer has still managed to be a solid choice for both novice & pro smartphone users. It features all the essential tools for file compression, app management, archive extraction & more.
Pros
- Material Design UI.
- Ad-free file manager for Android.
- Gets frequent updates for faster navigation.
Cons
- Usage tracking may seem invasive.
9. Solid Explorer File Manager
Being one of the best Android file manager apps, Solid Explorer offers certain security features to protect your sensitive files with passwords. The file management app even supports the fingerprint sensor to lock your files instantly. This file explorer features two different panels for faster browsing. You can arrange your multimedia files quickly & easily in a few taps and swipes.
Pros
- Customize the overall look of file explorer.
- Manage files within your device & cloud.
- Tools to extract & encrypt ZIP, RAR, TAR, 7ZIP
Cons
- Pro version crashes sometimes abruptly.
10. MK Explorer (File Manager)
MK Explorer is a popular & probably the best file manager application for Android. The simple-looking & easy to use utility can perform all the basic functions like copy, paste, cut, rename, delete and more. It has two-panel windows to view & manage the multimedia files. Additionally, it enables you to browse the files via a dedicated search engine quickly.
Pros
- as an inbuilt gallery, text editor & music player.
- Multilingual free file manager for Android.
- Supports keyboard shortcuts.
Cons
- Basic app dashboard.
Which Is The Best Free File Explorer For Your Android?
If you ask for WeTheGeek’s Recommendation, we believe Files by Google & X-plore File Manager to be a solid choice for managing your storage space with ease. Both the Android File Managers features basic & advanced tools for hassle-free data management. Therefore, make the most out of your device without installing any additional apps to extract, archive, view, review, edit & secure multimedia files.
Frequently Asked Questions: Best File Explorers For Android 2023
Is File Manager Necessary For Android?
Well, the short answer is Yes! Your smartphone is packed with plenty of multimedia files and other data which you cannot locate or navigate to quickly. Having a File Manager or a File Browser provides users with a clear dashboard to manage entire storage at one place. You can have complete access to the file system along with the removable SD cards.
How Do I Find The Default File Manager On My Phone?
To find whether your smartphone has a pre-installed File Management Utility, navigate to the Settings app > Storage & Apps > Search for File Manager. (The path can differ from device to device)
How To Delete The Default Android File Manager?
Well, if you want to get rid of your pre-installed file explorer, navigate to Settings > Go to Storage & Apps > Locate & tap on the default File Manager > Hit the Force Stop button. This way, you’ll be able to disable the use of a pre-installed File Manager. Check out this guide for more information on how to remove Android Bloatware.
What Happens When I Delete File Explorer?
You may lose some of your app’s files & data, but it won’t affect the functioning of your device. Once you get rid of the entire File Manager app, a folder of apps is recreated again.
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Larry Williams
How do I get POWERFUL FILE MANAGER ON MY HUSBANDS PHONE. I HAVE IT ON MINE.HIS INFORMATION BELOWMridula Nimawat
Hello, You can try out any of the applications from the blog. Thank you