For users moving from other platforms or encountering the ecosystem for the first time One UI, the absence of the familiar “Explorer” icon on the main screen often becomes a mystery. Unlike many other manufacturers, the company uses its own data management application called My Files. This is not just a folder, but a full-fledged system tool with powerful capabilities. Android, company Samsung uses its own data management application called My Files (“My files”). This is not just a folder, but a full-fledged system tool with extensive capabilities.
Knowing how to quickly access this tool is critical for freeing up space, transferring photos, or installing applications from third-party sources. Without understanding the file system structure, your smartphone becomes a closed box where you have no control over your data. Let's take a look at where exactly this tool is hidden and how to make its work as convenient as possible for you.
In this guide we will not just show the path to the icon, but also look at the nuances of working with internal memory and card microSD. You'll learn how to set up quick access and what hidden features can make your digital life easier.
Where to look for the standard My Files app
By default, the app My Files is pre-installed on every device Samsung Galaxy. However, it is not always on the first screen of the desktop, which often causes confusion among newbies. Most often, the icon is hidden in the all applications menu or inside the standard utility folder.
To find it, swipe your finger from the bottom up in the center of the screen to open a list of all installed apps. At the top of the list you will see a search bar - enter the word “Files” or “Files” there. The system will instantly display the desired application with a characteristic yellow folder icon.
If you prefer to search visually, pay attention to the folder called Samsung. This is where developers usually place proprietary utilities, such as Smart Switch, SmartThings and our desired manager. Once discovered, you can drag the icon to your home screen for easy access in the future.
⚠️ Warning: If you don't find the app even through search, it may have been accidentally uninstalled or disabled in settings. In this case, it can be returned through the store Galaxy Store, since this is a system component that is not available in the regular one. Google Play.
For owners of older models, the interface may be slightly different, but the search logic remains the same. It is important to understand that this application is the core of the file system Android on your device.
Adding a widget for instant access
One of the most effective ways to speed up work with documents is to use widgets. The widget My Files allows you to view recent files or go to specific memory sections directly from the desktop without launching the application itself.
To install the widget, press and hold your finger on an empty area of the desktop. In the lower menu that appears, select Widgets. Scroll the list to the letter "M" or use the search to find the section dedicated to the application My files.
You will see several design options: from simple shortcuts to information panels with a memory usage graph. Select the appropriate size and drag it onto a free area of the screen. This is especially useful for models with large displays, where it is important to save time on navigation.
Use the Recent Files widget to quickly open the documents you worked on yesterday without diving into a deep folder structure.
Having a widget on the home screen significantly changes the experience of interacting with your smartphone. You stop perceiving the file system as something distant and complex, gaining direct access to your data.
Setting up categories and data sorting
When you first start My Files you will see a screen with categories: images, videos, audio, documents and downloads. This sorting system was created so that users do not have to manually wander through system directories like /sdcard/Android/data.
However, the standard view can and should be customized. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings. Here you can enable the display of hidden files, which is necessary for advanced users who work with application configuration files.
The “Show Trash” item is also available in the settings. If this option is activated, deleted files do not immediately disappear without a trace, but are moved to temporary storage, from where they can be restored within 30 days. This saves you from accidentally losing important information.
| Category | Description of contents | Typical path |
|---|---|---|
| Images | Camera photos and screenshots | DCIM/Camera |
| Video | Recordings and downloaded videos | DCIM/Video |
| Audio | Music and voice recordings | Music |
| Documents | PDF, Word, Excel files | Documents |
Understanding where files from different categories are physically saved helps you navigate faster when connecting your smartphone to a computer via a USB cable.
Working with internal memory and memory card
Modern flagships Samsung often lack a slot for memory cards, but on average segment support microSD is still relevant. The file manager allows you to seamlessly switch between internal storage and an external card.
In the main menu of the application, scroll the list of categories to the very bottom. There you will find a section Storage analysis and the items “Internal memory” and “Memory card”. By clicking on the memory card, you will see its file structure, identical to the structure of the main drive.
This is convenient for transferring heavy media files. You can highlight a group of photos in the internal memory, press Move and select the memory card as the target directory. This frees up valuable space for installing new applications.
☑️ Preparing to transfer files
Remember that the speed of working with files on a memory card may be lower than with the built-in drive, especially if you are using an old standard card.
Alternative file managers
Although the standard solution from Samsung is functional, some users may require a more specialized tool. The ecosystem Android is open to the installation of third-party applications that can offer advanced capabilities.
Popular alternatives include Solid Explorer, CX File Explorer or Files by Google. These applications often have a more modern interface, support for cloud storage out of the box and advanced tools for working with archives.
- 📂 Solid Explorer - an excellent choice for those who need a dual-pane mode and work with FTP/SFTP servers.
- ☁️ Files by Google - ideal for cleaning up garbage and securely sharing files offline with other devices.
- 🛠️ CX File Explorer - provides clear visualization of occupied space and convenient network navigation.
Installing a third-party manager does not disable the system one My Files. They can work in parallel, and you can set any of them as the default application for opening certain file types.
⚠️ Warning: When installing third-party file managers, carefully check the requested permissions. Avoid applications with a dubious reputation that require access to contacts or a microphone unless clearly necessary.
The choice of an alternative should depend on your specific tasks: do you need deep memory analytics or just convenient access to downloads.
Solving problems with displaying files
Sometimes users encounter situation when the downloaded file is not visible in the corresponding category. This is often due to the fact that the file has a non-standard extension or is placed in a hidden folder.
In such cases, you need to enable the display of hidden files in the application settings, as mentioned earlier. It is also worth checking the folder Download directly through the “Internal Memory” section, since automatic sorting sometimes fails.
If the file is downloaded from the browser, but is not displayed in the gallery or player, the system may not have a media scanner or an indexing failure has occurred. Rebooting the device usually causes the system to rescan the drive and update the media file databases.
Why may files not be displayed?
The Android file system uses a media storage database (MediaStore). If the scanner application freezes or the new file has corrupt metadata, it may not be indexed. In this case, clearing the cache of the Media Storage application through the system settings helps, but this should only be done by experienced users.
Timely updating your firmware Samsung Galaxy also solves many problems with the compatibility of file formats and the operation of system utilities.
The standard My Files application is the most an optimized solution for working with files on Samsung devices, providing better compatibility with the One UI system.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and menu layout may vary slightly depending on the version of the operating system Android and shell One UI. If you do not find the item described, check the "Advanced settings" section or refer to the official manual for your specific model.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I delete the My Files application?
Complete removal of a system application My Files without obtaining root access impossible. You can only disable it or hide the icon, but for stable operation of the system it is recommended to leave it active, even if you use third-party analogues.
How to find the hidden .thumbnails folder?
The folder .thumbnails is hidden by default, as it contains service thumbnails. To see it, go to the application settings My files and activate the “Show hidden files” switch. Be careful when deleting files from system folders.
Why is the file manager slow?
Slowdowns are often associated with a full cache or a damaged file system on the memory card. Try clearing the application cache in the smartphone settings or checking the memory card for errors using a computer.
How to open a ZIP archive on Samsung?
The application My Files has built-in support for archives. Just click on a file with the extension .zip or .rar, and the system will offer to unpack it into the current folder or extract the contents for viewing.