Owners of mobile devices are often faced with a situation where a familiar application disappears from the desktop or ceases to appear in the general list. ES Explorer is one of the most popular file managers that has been helping users manage data for years, but after updates to the operating system or the application itself, its icon may become invisible to an inexperienced user. Finding a app can be difficult because modern Android launchers hide rarely used utilities or change grouping principles.
The situation is aggravated by the fact that in the latest versions of the shell MIUI, OneUI or stock Android system security policies limit the visibility of some tools, especially if they ask for broad permissions. If you are looking for where ES File Exploreris located, it is important to understand the difference between system hiding and complete removal. Often the application is simply “hidden” in the folder with utilities or requires manual inclusion of display in the menu.
In this article we will analyze all the possible ways of locating (searching) your file manager, starting from standard search methods and ending with deep system settings. We will also look at alternative ways to access the file system if standard startup is not possible. Android is a flexible system, and even if the icon disappears, the app file itself almost certainly remains in the device's memory.
Standard methods for searching for an application in the menu
The most obvious, but often ignored, method is to use the system's built-in search. On most modern smartphones, simply swipe down the center of the home screen or click on the dedicated search button to open the global search. Enter the name ES File Explorer or simply ES in the search bar. If the application is installed and not hidden by special privacy settings, the system will instantly show its icon.
If the search does not produce results, you should check the “Tools” or “Google” folder. Smartphone manufacturers often automatically sort apps during first setup or after major firmware updates. File manager can be moved to a shared utility folder to avoid cluttering your desktop. Carefully inspect all desktop pages and application menus; perhaps the icon has simply moved to another screen.
In some cases, sorting the application menu by installation date or alphabet helps. Go to the desktop settings (usually a long tap on an empty space or a pinch with your fingers) and select sorting “Default” or “By name”. This will allow you to see ES Explorer in alphabetical order, even if it is not on the first pages. Sometimes users accidentally create empty spaces or change the screen grid, which causes the icon to visually “fall out” from the visible area.
Checking through Android system settings
If the visual search did not help, you need to move on to a deeper level of verification - system settings. This is where a complete list of all installed apps is displayed, regardless of whether their shortcuts are visible on the desktop. Go to menu Settings → Applications → All applications. In this list, look ES File Explorer. If you find the app in the list, then it is installed correctly, and the problem lies solely in the launcher shortcut.
When in the application information menu, pay attention to the “Open”, “Notifications” and “Battery” buttons. Clicking on the “Open” button will forcefully launch file manager. This will confirm that the application is functioning. If Explorer is not in the list of ES applications, it may have been previously uninstalled by the user or blocked by an antivirus as potentially unwanted software (although this is rare for official versions).
It is important to check whether the application is disabled. Some Android skins have a Sleep or Deep Sleep feature that can hide icons for rarely used apps. In the application properties, find the “Battery” or “Energy Saving” item and make sure that ES there are no background activity restrictions that may affect its display. Also check the “Hidden Applications” section in the security or privacy settings, if your smartphone model has such a function.
If the application is found in the settings, but there is no icon, try clearing the launcher cache in the system settings to update the desktop grid.
Using the "Hidden Applications" function
Many manufacturers, such both Xiaomi, Samsung and Huaweiimplement application hiding functions to increase privacy. If you or someone you know accidentally activated this feature, ES Explorer might disappear from public access. In MIUI you need to go to the “Security” application and find the “Hidden Applications” section. B OneUI You need to hold your finger on the desktop, go to settings and select “Hide applications”.
The unlocking process usually requires entering the password, PIN code or fingerprint that was set when activating the hiding mode. After entering this mode, you will see a list of apps that are not displayed in the standard menu. Find ES File Explorer and switch the toggle switch to the “Off” position or click “Show” to return the icon to its place. This is a common reason for the “disappearance” of system utilities.
It is worth noting that some third-party launchers installed by the user on top of the standard shell have their own hiding settings. If you use Nova Launcher, Apex or similar products, check their settings (App Drawer). There may be a checkbox “Hide applications” or “Hidden images”, which filters the display of icons.
Why do applications hide themselves?
Modern versions of Android (11, 12, 13+) have aggressive optimization algorithms. If the system notices that the application has not been used for more than 30 days, it may offer to hide it or move it to “rarely used”, which visually removes the icon from the main screens.
Access through Google Play and installation
Another reliable way to check the status of the application is to contact the store Google Play. Find in the store search ES File Explorer. If the app is already installed on your device, instead of the Install button, you will see Open and Uninstall buttons. Clicking on the “Open” button will launch the app, even if it is nowhere on the screen.
If the “Install” or “Download” button is displayed in the store, this means that the application has been completely removed from the device. In this case, the question “where is it located” is resolved by re-installation. However, you should be careful: in recent years, the original ES File Explorer changed ownership and functionality, so there may be many clones in the store. Make sure that the developer is ES Global or an official person so as not to download malicious software.
You can also find out through Google Play whether the application is compatible with your current version of Android. If you updated your phone to Android 13 or 14and the ES version of File Explorer is old, the store may report that "This app is not compatible with your device." In this case, you can only find a working version on third-party trusted resources, but this requires increased caution.
☑️ Checking the application status
Table: Comparison of versions and availability of functions
Understanding the differences between versions will help you decide whether you should look for the old version or use the new one. Below is a comparison of the key characteristics of different assemblies file manager.
| Version / Type | Presence of advertising | Access to LAN | Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official (Google Play) | High level | Limited | Checked |
| Mod / Premium | None | Full | Risk of viruses |
| Old versions (3.x - 4.x) | Low / Medium | Full | Vulnerabilities |
| Analogs (Solid, CX) | Depends on the version | Full | High |
As can be seen from the table, searching for an old version may be justified by functionality, but carries risks. Official versions posted on Google Play after 2019 have been significantly changed and may not have the familiar interface or features that you are used to. If access to network resources or FTP is critical for you, make sure that the version found it supports.
Alternative ways to launch via ADB
For advanced users who have USB debugging enabled, there is a way to launch the application through a computer, even if it is not in menu. This requires connecting your smartphone to your PC and using the command line. First you need to know the exact name of the application package. For ES Explorer it usually looks like com.estrongs.android.pop.
Using the tool adb, you can send a command to launch a specific component. Open a terminal on your computer and enter the following command:
adb shell am start -n com.estrongs.android.pop/com.estrongs.android.pop.view.FileExplorerActivityThis command will forcefully activate the main activity of the application. If the application is not deleted or damaged, it will open on the smartphone screen. This method also allows you to check whether the launch of the security system at the kernel level is blocked, which sometimes happens when installing modified versions.
Using ADB is the most reliable technical way to check the functionality of a hidden or “invisible” application without reinstalling.
What to do if the application is deleted or damaged
If none of the methods helped find ES File Explorer, most likely it was deleted during memory cleaning or by an antivirus. In this case, do not despair. The file manager functionality is built into Android itself. Go to Settings → Storage (or “Memory”). There you can see all files sorted by type: images, videos, documents.
This built-in file viewer is often even more convenient than third-party counterparts, since it has native access to all sections of the system without additional permissions. You can copy, move and delete files directly from here. If you need specific functionality ES Explorer (for example, working with archives of specific formats or cloud integration), you will have to download an alternative.
Among the best modern analogues are Solid Explorer, CX File Explorer or Files by Google. They are free of intrusive advertising, have a modern design in style Material Design and fully support current security requirements Android 11-14, including access to the folder Android/data via a system request.
Problem of access to Android/data
Starting As of Android 11, direct access to this folder is disabled. ES Explorer of older versions simply won't show the files there. New versions or analogues (like CX) are able to request system permission by opening the desired directory.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Why did ES Explorer disappear after updating Android?
When updating the operating system, permissions for old applications are often reset, or the new version of Android blocks the operation of outdated code, making the application invisible or inoperative. It is also possible that the launcher has reset its settings and hidden the icon.
Is it safe to download ES File Explorer APK from third-party sites?
Downloading APK files from third-party resources carries risks. The official version on Google Play may differ from the modified ones. It is recommended to use proven repositories or switch to modern, supported analogs of file managers.
How to return a deleted ES Explorer without the Internet?
Without the Internet, you can restore a deleted application only if you have a system backup or if the application is a system one and can be reactivated through the Recovery menu, which requires root access. In normal mode without a network, it is impossible to recover a deleted APK.
Where is the ES File Explorer folder on the internal drive?
By default, created or downloaded files are usually located in the root of the internal memory or in the folder /ES File Explorer/. However, due to limitations of Android 11+, access to the application's system folders may be hidden from third-party explorers.
⚠️ Attention: Android shell interfaces (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS) are constantly updated. The location of the Hidden Apps menu or power saving settings may differ from what is described. Always check the latest help materials for your specific smartphone model if the standard methods do not work.