Where is Explorer on Android: search for the built-in file manager on any smartphone

File manager (or Explorer) on Android is an indispensable tool for working with documents, photos, videos and other files. Many users are faced with the problem: where to find Explorer on phone, especially if its icon is hidden or missing from the home screen. In this article we will analyze all the possible ways to access the built-in file manager on devices of different brands - from Samsung and Xiaomi to Huawei and "clean" Android.

Despite the fact that most smartphones come with a pre-installed conductor, its location may vary depending on the OS version and the manufacturer's shell. And some brands (for example, Google in the latest versions Pixel) completely remove the standard file manager, inviting users to install third-party solutions. Let's take a look at how to find File Explorer on your device - even if it's well hidden.

If you've never used a file manager on Android, you might be surprised at how functional it is: here you can not only view files, but also archive them, connect to cloud storage, and on some devices, even manage application permissions. However, before diving into these possibilities, you must first find the conductor itself.

1. Standard method: search through the applications menu

The most obvious way to find File Explorer is to open menu of all applications (usually accessible by swiping up from the bottom of the screen or clicking on the "all applications" icon in the dock). In the list, look for applications with the names:

• 📁 "Files" (on most devices)
• 📁 "My file" (on Samsung)
• 📁 "Explorer" or "File Manager" (on Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO)
• 📁 "Dispatcher files" (on Huawei and Honor)
• 📁 "Files by Google" (on "pure" Android or Pixel)

If you do not find Explorer in the main list, try using search by application. To do this:

1. Open the all applications menu.
2. At the top of the screen, find the search bar (sometimes it is hidden behind the downward swipe).
3. Enter a query: file, Explorer or files.

On some devices (for example, Samsung Galaxy with a shell One UI) the explorer can be hidden in the folder "Samsung" or "Google". Look there if the search did not produce results.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 12 i newer, some manufacturers remove the built-in file manager, replacing it with "Files by Google". If you do not find the standard application, check Play Market it may need to be installed separately.

2. Search for Explorer through Android settings.

If the Explorer shortcut is not in the application menu, you can find it through the system settings. This method works on most devices, regardless of the brand. Follow the instructions:

Open Settings (gear icon) and go to the section:

• 🔧 "Applications" → "All applications" (or "Application Manager")
• 🔍 In the list, find Files, My Files or File Manager.
• 📌 Tap on the application and select "Open" or "Add to home screen".

On some devices (for example, Xiaomi) the path may be slightly different:

Settings → Applications → Manage applications → "All" tab → "Explorer"

If there is no file manager in the list of applications, this means that on your device it has either been removed or replaced with a third-party solution (for example, Files by Google). In this case, we recommend installing an alternative explorer from Play Market (more on this in section 6).

3. Where to look for the explorer on smartphones of different brands

Manufacturers of Android devices often modify the standard interface by adding their own shells. Because of this, the location of the explorer can vary significantly. Below is a table with the most popular brands and ways to access the file manager.

Brand	Name of the explorer	Where to look	Features
Samsung (One UI)	"My Files"	Applications menu → "Samsung" folder or search by My Files	Supports cloud storage (Samsung Cloud, Google Drive), has a built-in trash drawer
Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO (MIUI)	"Explorer" or "File Manager"	Applications menu → folder icon or search by Explorer	Has a built-in archiver, FTP server support, hidden folders for system files
Huawei/Honor (EMUI)	"File Manager"	Application menu → "Utilities" folder or search by File Manager	Integration with Huawei Cloud, "Cleaning" function to remove unnecessary files
Google Pixel (pure Android)	"Files by Google"	Installed separately from Play Market (not always preinstalled)	Minimalistic interface, "Cleaning" function to free up memory
Realme/Oppo (ColorOS)	"File Manager"	Applications menu → folder icon or search by File Manager	Support for file compression, built-in document viewer

On devices Sony, LG and other less common brands, the explorer is usually called standard - "Files" or "File Manager". If you don’t find it in the menu, try using the system search (swipe down on the main screen → search bar).

⚠️ Attention: Some devices with Android Go (light version for weak smartphones) may not have a built-in explorer. In this case, you will have to install a third-party application, for example, Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer.

4. Quick ways to open Explorer without searching

If you urgently need to access files, but you don’t want to waste time searching for Explorer, use one of these methods:

Method 1: Through “Downloads”

• 📥 Open the application "Downloads" (down arrow icon).
• 🔗 At the top of the screen there is usually a button "Files" or "Open in Explorer".
• 📂 Click on it - a file manager will open in the folder Download.

Method 2: Through the gallery

• 🖼️ Open application "Gallery" or "Photo".
• 📌 Find any image and click on the three dots (⋮) → "Details" or "File information".
• 🔗 There is usually a link here "Show in folder" or "Open in Explorer".

Method 3: Through storage settings

Settings → Memory (or Storage) → Internal memory → Click on "Files"

These methods work on most devices, regardless of brand. If none of them worked, perhaps on yours the standard explorer is disabled or deleted on the smartphone.

5. What to do if Explorer is missing or not working

If you have not found the built-in file manager or it does not open, there are several solutions:

Cause 1: Explorer is disabled

• 🔧 Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
• 🔍 Find "Files" or "File Manager".
• 🔄 If the application is disabled, click "Enable".

Reason 2: Explorer has been removed (on some firmwares)

Some custom firmwares or "light" versions of Android (for example Android Go) may not include a file manager. In this case:

• 📥 Install an alternative explorer from Play Market:
• 🛡️ Solid Explorer — paid, but with a trial period, supports clouds and FTP.
• 🆓 FX File Explorer — free, open source.
• 🔍 Files by Google — official solution from Google, easy and simple.

Reason 3: The explorer is hidden by the manufacturer

On some devices (for example, Xiaomi for the European market), the file manager may be hidden due to brand policy. To get it back:

Settings → Applications → Manage applications → Three dots (⋮) → Show system ones → Find "File Explorer" and turn it on

⚠️ Attention: If you are using a device with corporate firmware (for example, a work phone), access to the file manager may be limited by the administrator. In this case, contact your company's IT service.

How to restore a deleted file explorer on Xiaomi?

On some devices Xiaomi the file manager can be returned through the hidden menu. To do this:

1. Open the Settings application.

2. Go to "About phone" and tap on "MIUI version" several times to activate developer mode.

3. Return to the main settings menu and open "Advanced" → "Accessibility" → "Power button menu".

4. Activate the "Explorer" option - after that it will appear in the applications menu.

Attention: this method does not work on all models and versions of MIUI.

6. The best alternative file managers for Android

If the built-in file explorer does not suit you (for example, due to limited functionality or advertising), you can install one of the third-party applications. We have selected the top 5 solutions with different capabilities:

Application	Advantages	Disadvantages	Link
Solid Explorer	Two-panel interface, cloud support, FTP, encryption	Paid version (free trial period 14 days)	Play Market
FX File Explorer	Open source, no ads, root access support	Outdated design, no cloud services in the free version	Play Market
Files by Google	Official from Google, lightweight, memory cleaning function	Limited functionality for advanced users	Play Market
Total Commander	Classic two-panel manager, plugins for expanding functions	Complicated for beginners, outdated interface	Play Market
MiXplorer	Multifunctional, support for archives, clouds, themes design	You need to download from the official website (not in the Play Market)	XDA Developers

If you need a conductor with support for root access, pay attention to FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer. For simple tasks (viewing photos, clearing memory), it is enough Files by Google.

On devices with Android 13 and newer, some file managers may request additional permissions to access application packages (Android/data and Android/obb). This is normal - just provide access when requested.

7. How to add Explorer to the home screen for quick access

In order not to search for a file manager every time, you can add its shortcut to the home screen or in the dock panel. Here's how to do it:

Method 1: Through the applications menu

• 📱 Open the all applications menu.
• 🔍 Find the Explorer icon (for example, "Files" or "My Files").
• 🖱️ Hold the icon with your finger and drag it to the home screen or dock.

Method 2: Through application settings

Settings → Applications → Find File Explorer → Tap to it → "Add to home screen"

Method 3: Create a widget (on some devices)

Some file managers (for example, Solid Explorer) support widgets for quick access to frequently used folders:

• 🖱️ Hold your finger on an empty space on the main screen.
• 📌 Select "Widgets".
• 🔍 Find your Explorer widget (for example, "Solid Explorer Shortcut").
• 📂 Drag on the screen and configure it (select a folder for quick access).

On devices Samsung you can add an explorer shortcut to the quick access panel (swipe down from the top edge of the screen → customize panels → add "My file").

8. Common problems with Explorer and their solutions

Even if you have found Explorer, difficulties may arise when working with it. solutions.

Problem 1: Explorer does not show files on the memory card

• 🔌 Make sure that the memory card is inserted correctly and is recognized by the system (Settings → Memory).
• 🔄 Reboot device.
• 📌 In Explorer, check whether the tab "SD card" or "External storage".
• 🛠️ If the card is not detected, try format it (attention! all data will be deleted).

Problem 2: You cannot delete or rename files

If Explorer does not allow you to edit files, check:

• 🔒 You have editing rights (for example, files in a folder Android/data can only be modified with root access).
• 📂 The file is not in use by another application (for example, a music file may be blocked by the player).
• 🔄 Try another file manager (for example, Solid Explorer).

Problem 3: Explorer is slow or freezes

If the built-in file manager is slow:

• 🧹 Clear the application cache (Settings → Applications → Files → Memory → Clear cache).
• 🔄 Update the explorer via Play Market (if possible).
• 📱 Reboot the device.
• 🛠️ Install an alternative explorer (for example, FX File Explorer).

Problem 4: Hidden files are not displayed

To see hidden folders and files (for example, .nomedia or system data):

Open File Explorer → Click on the three dots (⋮) → Settings → Turn on "Show hidden" files"

On some devices (for example, Xiaomi), this option may be called "Show hidden and system files".

⚠️ Attention: Be careful when working with hidden files - deleting or changing system data can lead to unstable operation of the device. If you are not sure of your actions, It’s better not to edit files with the extension .sys, .apk in system folders or a period at the beginning of the name (for example, .thumbnails).

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Can I use Explorer without the Internet?

Yes, the file manager works completely offline. The Internet may only be needed to access cloud storage (for example, Google Drive or Yandex Disk), if you use this function.

Why does my Google Pixel not have a built-in explorer?

Starting with Android 10, Google removed the standard file manager from the firmware Pixel, replacing it on "Files by Google". This application must be installed separately from Play Market. You can also use any other alternatives, for example, Solid Explorer.

How to transfer files from your phone to your computer via Explorer?

There are several ways:

1. Via USB cable: Connect your phone to your PC, select mode File transfer (MTP) in the notification shade, then open File Explorer on your computer (for example, "This computer" on Windows) and copy the files.
2. Via Wi-Fi: Use applications like Solid Explorer (turn on the FTP server) or Files by Google ("Send files" function).
3. Through the cloud: Upload files to Google Drive, Yandex Disk or another service, then download them to computer.

Is it possible to recover deleted files through Explorer?

Standard Explorer on Android does not have the function of restoring deleted files. However:

• On devices Samsung in the application "My file" there is "Trash"where files are stored for 15 days.
• On other smartphones, you can use third-party recovery applications, for example DiskDigger or Undeleter (root access is required for deep scanning).
• If the files were synchronized with the cloud (Google Photos, Yandex Disk), check the trash in the appropriate service.

How to hide files in Explorer?

To hide files or folders:

1. Open Explorer and find the desired file/folder.
2. Rename it by adding a period at the beginning of the name (for example, .myphoto.jpg).
3. Turn on the display of hidden files in the Explorer settings (if you want to see hidden data again).

On some devices (for example, Xiaomi) there is a built-in function for hiding files through the context menu (hold your finger on the file → "Hide").