Many smartphone users Samsung Galaxy are faced with the need to quickly find a downloaded document, move a photo to a hidden folder, or free up space in the device’s memory. However, the shell interface One UI has its own characteristics, which is why the standard data management tool is not always obvious to beginners. File Manager is a system application that provides access to the entire file system of your gadget, allowing you to manipulate objects in the same way as you do on a computer.
In the ecosystem of the South Korean giant, this tool received its own unique name and deep integration with cloud services, which distinguishes it from standard solutions on pure Android. Understanding where it is located and how to launch it is a basic skill for using a smartphone effectively. In this article we will analyze in detail all the ways to detect, launch and configure this useful tool.
Regardless of whether you own the flagship of the series S or the budget model of the series A, the logic of the system remains the same, although the visual design of the icons may differ slightly depending on the firmware version.
Standard name and icon location
Unlike many other manufacturers who use the neutral name "Files" or "File Manager", Samsung decided to give its application a more personalized name. On all modern devices of the brand, this system component is called "My Files" (or My Files in the English version of the interface). It is under this name that you should look for the treasured icon on the desktop or in the application menu.
By default, the "My Files" icon is usually located in the bottom panel of the dock, if you have not removed it from there before, or is located in the first folder called Samsung inside the general application menu. To get to the menu of all apps, just swipe up from the bottom of the main screen. If you don't see the icon right away, try using the search bar at the top of the menu.
It's worth noting that the visual style of the icon has changed over several generations of devices. On older models, it looked like a simple folder, while on new smartphones with shell One UI 5.0 and above, the icon became more voluminous and colorful, often depicting a stylized folder with a brand logo.
⚠️ Attention: If you cannot find the My Files application even through search, it may have been disabled in the system settings or hidden by the user. In rare cases, on custom firmware it can be replaced by a third-party analogue.
For quick access to frequently used functions, you can place the shortcut on the main screen. To do this, hold the icon in the application menu and drag it to an empty space on the desktop. This will save time in the future when you need to urgently find a document.
Search through the system function and settings
If manually searching for an icon is unsuccessful or you prefer to use voice control and quick search, the Android system offers several alternative launch methods. The fastest way is to use the search widget Google or built-in search Samsungwhich is usually located in the center of the lower dock bar or can be accessed by swiping down the center of the screen.
Simply enter the query “My Files” or “File Manager” into the search bar. The system will instantly show the application in the search results. Clicking the icon will launch the app. This method is especially convenient if you have a lot of apps installed and don't want to waste time flipping through menu pages.
Another reliable way to find your way to memory management is through the device settings section. Go to Settings → Device maintenance → Memory. This section displays detailed statistics on internal storage usage. At the bottom of the screen or in the additional actions menu (three dots in the corner) there is often a button to go to a detailed view of files, which essentially opens the same manager.
- 🔍 Use the search bar on the main screen for instant launch.
- ⚙️ Go to the storage settings to access the analysis of used space.
- 📂 Check the folder
Samsungin the general list of applications. - 🗣️ Ask the Bixby voice assistant to open “My Files”.
Using memory settings has the additional benefit: you can immediately see which Data categories take up the most space, even before entering the manager itself. This allows you to quickly make a decision about deleting unnecessary content.
If you often use search, pin the "My Files" widget on the home screen through the widget menu (long press on an empty area of the screen) to have access to the latest files in one click.
Main functions and application interface
After launching the “My Files” application, the user is taken to the main page, which is divided into several logical blocks. The upper part of the screen is usually reserved for categories: Images, Video, Audio, Documents, Downloads and Installed applications. This division allows you to quickly filter content by type without delving into the complex directory structure.
Below is the “Storage” section, which displays the physical internal storage and, if available, a memory card SD. Clicking on any of these items opens the root directory of the corresponding drive. This is where the entire Android file system is located, including system folders and user application data.
One of the key features of Samsung's manager is the built-in storage analysis function. The app automatically scans your device and suggests removing duplicate files, unused apps, or large files you haven't opened in a while. This makes it not just a conductor, but also a powerful tool optimization system.
| Category | Description of contents | Typical path |
|---|---|---|
| Downloads | Files downloaded from the browser and instant messengers | /storage/emulated/0/Download |
| Images | Photos from the camera and screenshots | /storage/emulated/0/DCIM |
| Audio | Music, voice recordings, ringtones | /storage/emulated/0/Music |
| Documents | PDF, Word, Excel and other office files | /storage/emulated/0/Documents |
The interface supports various viewing modes: a list with detailed information about the size and date of modification, as well as a grid with large thumbnails for media files. Switching between modes is done through the view settings menu in the upper right corner of the screen.
⚠️ Attention: Be extremely careful when deleting files in folders with the names of system applications (for example, Android/data). Deleting the contents of these directories may lead to resetting the settings of the corresponding apps or their incorrect operation.
Working with archives and hidden files
The built-in Samsung Galaxy manager has impressive functionality for working with compressed data. It natively supports ZIP and RARformats, allowing you not only to unpack archives, but also to create new ones directly on the device. To do this, just select the required files, click the action menu and select “Compress.”
When unpacking password-protected archives, the application will ask you to enter an access key. If you have forgotten the password for a previously created archive, you will not be able to recover the data using standard means, since the encryption algorithms are quite reliable. However, for regular ZIP files from the Internet, this function works flawlessly.
Another useful function is the creation of a protected folder. Although technically a separate security feature of Samsung Knox, it is tightly integrated with the file manager. You can move sensitive photos and documents to a secure area, where they will be encrypted and accessible only after entering a PIN code, pattern or fingerprint.
How to enable the display of hidden files?
By default, system files are hidden. To see them, open the menu (three dots) → Settings → turn on the "Show hidden system files" switch. This will give access to folders starting with a dot, for example .thumbnails.
For advanced users, the ability to view hidden system files is available. This is necessary, for example, when manually clearing the cache or editing the configuration files of some applications. Activation of this option is done in the settings of the “My Files” application itself.
Integration with cloud services and network
A modern file manager on Samsung Galaxy is not only local storage. The application allows you to connect remote drives and cloud services, creating a single file environment. In the “Network Storage” or “Cloud Services” section, you can add accounts Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox and even Yandex.Disk.
After authorization, files from the cloud are displayed in the general list along with local data. This makes it easy to copy photos from your phone to the cloud or download documents to your device without having to open a browser or a separate cloud service application. Synchronization occurs in the background.
Connection to network storage NAS and computers on the local network using the SMB i FTPprotocols is also supported. This is extremely convenient for transferring large amounts of data without using a USB cable. It is enough to know the IP address of the device on the network and access credentials.
- ☁️ Supports working with Google Drive and OneDrive out of the box.
- 💻 Ability to connect to a PC via Wi-Fi using the SMB protocol.
- 🔄 Direct copying of files between the cloud and memory phone.
- 📡 Scanning available devices on the local network.
When working with cloud files, it is worth considering the speed of the Internet connection. Previewing heavy video files stored in the cloud can consume significant traffic if caching is not configured.
☑️ Setting up network access
Setting up display and sorting data
For ease of navigation in large data sets, the application offers flexible sorting and display settings. You can organize files by name, date modified, size, or type. In the settings section (Menu → Settings), you can choose to sort in ascending or descending order, and also decide whether folders should be displayed at the top of the list or mixed with files.
An important function is to set the display of file extensions. By default, extensions may be hidden to keep the interface clean, but for advanced users, enabling this option helps quickly identify the file type, especially if the icons are similar. For example, to distinguish a script from a text document.
You can also activate confirmation of actions in the settings. This will prevent accidental deletion of important files: when attempting to delete, the system will ask for additional confirmation. It is recommended to enable this option if children use the device or if you often work with critical data.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and available functions may vary slightly depending on the shell version One UI and the regional firmware version. If you do not find the setting described, check the official manual for your specific model.
Another interesting feature is changing the size of the icon grid. In folder viewing mode, you can choose to display from 3 to 6 columns, which allows you to adapt the interface to the screen size of your smartphone and personal preferences.
Correctly setting the sorting and display of file extensions significantly speeds up the search for the necessary documents in a crowded storage.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible remove the “My Files” application from a Samsung phone?
No, “My Files” is a system application and cannot be completely removed using standard means. However, you can disable it in Application Settings if you want to use a third-party File Explorer, although this is not recommended as many system functions depend on it.
Why can’t I see files downloaded from Telegram or WhatsApp?
In new versions of Android, access to messenger folders is limited by security policy. Telegram files are usually located in the folder Android/media/org.telegram.messenger, and WhatsApp in Android/media/com.whatsapp. Make sure that the display of hidden system files is enabled in the My Files settings.
How to recover deleted files through this manager?
The application itself has a recycle bin, but it only stores files for 30 days. Go to menu (three dots) → Cart. If the files were deleted past the recycle bin or time has expired, recovery is only possible through special apps for PCs or backup copies of cloud services.
Is it possible to change the icon of the “My Files” application?
The icon cannot be changed using standard means. However, you can use the Themes feature in your phone settings to download an icon pack that will change the appearance of all applications, including the file manager, or use third-party launchers.
Where are files received via Bluetooth?
Files received via Bluetooth are saved to a folder by default Bluetooth in the root of the internal storages. They are also duplicated in the “Downloads” or “Documents” category, depending on the file type in the “My Files” application interface.