Android users often encounter incomprehensible letter combinations when trying to view file properties or examine system logs. The type string drwxr-xr-x or just a set of characters rwx causes confusion, since standard galleries and file managers cannot “open” this as a regular image or document. In fact, rwx is not a file format, but a mathematical representation of access rights in the Linux kernel on which the Android operating system is built.
The question “how to open rwx” usually arises from two situations: either you saw these symbols in the file description and want to understand what they mean, or you are trying to run a script with such rights, but the system blocks the action. Understanding this structure is critical for those who want to go deeper into customizing their device, using ADB or obtaining root access. Without this knowledge, any manipulations with system folders can lead to the gadget not working.
In this article we will look in detail at what is hidden behind the mysterious abbreviation, why you can’t just click on such a file, and what tools are needed to manage these parameters. You'll learn how to interpret this information and safely change the attributes of objects in your smartphone's file system.
What is rwx in the context of the Android file system
The Android operating system is based on the kernel Linuxwhich uses a strict user and group security model. The symbols rwx are abbreviations for the English words Read (read), Write (write) and eXecute (execute). When you see the permissions bar, it shows exactly what actions are allowed to the file owner, user group, and everyone else.
Each character in this trio has a specific numeric value that is used in terminal commands. The letter corresponds to number 4, corresponds to number 2, and corresponds to number 1. The absence of rights is indicated by a hyphen. For example, the combination r corresponds to the number 4, w - number 2, and x - number 1. Absence of right is indicated by a hyphen -. For example, the combination rwx in total gives 7 (4+2+1), which means full access, and r-x gives 5 (4+0+1), allowing only reading and running.
For the average user, this data is hidden in the graphical interface, but becomes visible when using advanced file managers or the console. Understanding how to open or how to interpret this data allows you to diagnose problems with launching applications or saving data.
⚠️ Warning: Directly changing access rights to system files without understanding the consequences can lead to “bricking” the device or an endless reboot (bootloop).
Why can't you just open the file with rwx rights
Many beginners mistakenly believe that rwx is a file extension like .jpg or .mp4. This is a fundamental misconception. You can't "open" permissions in the editor because it's not the content, but metadata attached to the object by the file system. Trying to find a app to open such “files” on Google Play is doomed to failure.
If you see a file that has these symbols in its name or properties, most likely you are viewing the output of a listing (list of files) command in the terminal. The file itself can be a script, a library .so or an executable binary. To "open" its contents, you need to understand its actual format, not its permissions.
However, if the file has an extension .sh or no extension at all, but is marked with an execution flag (x), the Android system may try to run it as a app. Without the execution flag set (x), even the correct script will not run, and you will receive a “Permission denied” error.
If you downloaded a script from the Internet and it does not run, most likely its execution flag is cleared. It must be returned through a terminal or a special manager.
Tools for viewing and changing access rights
To work with attributes rwx on Android you will need specialized software. The standard file explorer from Google or Samsung usually hides this information or does not allow you to edit it. You will need tools with advanced functionality.
The most popular solution is an application Termux or any terminal emulator that allows you to enter Linux commands directly. There are also graphical file managers, such as Root Explorer, Solid Explorer or MT Managerthat can display and change rights in a convenient visual mode.
- 📱 Termux is a powerful terminal emulator that allows you to use commands
chmodandls -lfor detailed analysis. - 📂 Root Explorer - a classic file manager that clearly shows checkboxes r, w, x for owner, group and others.
- 🛠️ ADB (Android Debug Bridge) - a tool for PC that allows you to manage the rights of a connected smartphone via a computer.
The use of these tools often requires root access. Without superuser rights, you will only be able to view access rights to files in your personal folder, but will not be able to change them for system partitions.
How to change access rights through the terminal
The most reliable way to manage rights is to use the command line. The chmod (change mode) command is the standard for this task. To see the current permissions, use the command ls -lwhich displays a long list of files with detailed information.
Suppose you want to make the script executable. You need to add the right x. This can be done using a symbolic method (add +x) or a numeric method. The numerical method is more universal and understandable to the system. For example, to set rights rwxr-xr-x (full access to the owner, reading and execution for others), code 755 is used.
chmod 755 file_name.shIf you need to prohibit everyone except the owner from any actions other than reading, code 400 is used. This is often used to protect SSH keys or confidential configs. The command looks like this:
chmod 400 secret_keyRemember that to apply these commands to files on system partitions (for example, /system or /data), your terminal must be launched with superuser privileges. In Termux this is done by the command su after obtaining root access through Magisk.
☑️ Preparing to change rights
Table for decoding numeric access rights codes
In order not to get confused in the letters, system administrators and Advanced Android users use the octal number system. Below is a table that will help you quickly determine the right code for a specific task.
| Code | Symbols | Description of rights | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 777 | rwxrwxrwx | Full access for all | Temporary folders, test scripts |
| 755 | rwxr-xr-x | Owner everything, others read+run | Executable files, system utilities |
| 644 | rw-r--r-- | Owner read+write, others read | Configuration files, text documents |
| 600 | rw------- | Only the owner can read and write | Private keys, password databases |
| 444 | r--r--r-- | Read only for everyone | System libraries, secure logs |
Using code 777 for system files is a serious security mistake, as it allows any malicious application to modify or remove critical system components.
⚠️ Attention: The interfaces of file managers and terminal commands may vary slightly depending on the version of Android (10, 11, 12+) and manufacturer shells (MIUI, OneUI).
Frequent problems and errors when working with rights
The most common error is Permission denied. It occurs when you try to run a file without an execute flag (x) or modify a file that your user does not have write permissions to (w). The solution is to check the current rights through ls -l and correct them.
Another problem is changing the owner of the file. In Linux, rights are closely related to the owner (User) and group (Group). Even if the file has permissions 777, but it belongs to the user root, and you are logged in as a regular user shell, some operations may be limited by policies SELinux, which in Android work in Enforcing mode.
Sometimes after changing the rights the application stops run. This happens if you accidentally remove read permission from the system process that services this application. In this case, it is necessary to return the original values, often for files and folders. What is SELinux and how does it affect rwx? SELinux (Security-Enhanced Linux) is a kernel module that adds an additional layer of security. Even if you set the correct rwx permissions via chmod, SELinux policies may block access if the file's security context does not comply with the rules. For debugging, the setenforce 0 command is often used, but this reduces the security of the device. 644 for files and 755 for folders.
What is SELinux and how does it affect rwx?
SELinux (Security-Enhanced Linux) is a kernel module that adds an extra layer of security. Even if you set the correct rwx permissions via chmod, SELinux policies may block access if the file's security context does not comply with the rules. The setenforce 0 command is often used for debugging, but this reduces the security of the device.
FAQ: Questions and answers on access rights
Is it possible to change rwx rights without root access?
No, to change access rights to files outside of your personal user folder (usually /sdcard) superuser rights (Root) are required. In the folder /sdcard the file system is often emulated and does not fully support classic Unix rights.
What does the letter 'd' mean at the beginning of the rights line (drwx...)?
The letter d means that the object is directory (directory or folder). If there is a hyphen -, then this is a regular file. There may also be l (symbolic link) or c/b (special devices).
Is it safe to set 777 permissions on all files in a folder?
It is strictly not recommended. Rights 777 enable any application on the phone, including viruses, to modify or delete these files. This creates a huge gap in the security of the system.
How to return the original rights if I messed everything up?
If you have changed system files, the best solution is to restore from a previously made backup (via TWRP or an analogue). If there is no backup, you may need to flash the device or reset it to factory settings, since it is difficult to manually restore hundreds of files.
Why doesn’t my file manager show rwx rights?
Most standard managers hide this information to simplify the interface. To see the rights, you need to go to the “Properties” of the file or use specialized applications like Root Explorer or terminal.
Rwx rights management is a powerful Android configuration tool that requires deep knowledge of the system and the mandatory availability of a backup copy of the data before making changes.