File Manager on Android: how to use with maximum efficiency

The file manager on Android is not just a tool for viewing folders, but a powerful center for managing all the data on your smartphone. Many users are limited to basic functions like copying photos, but in fact File Manager it is capable of much more: from working with cloud storage to fine-tuning access rights to system files. The problem is that manager interfaces (whether standard Files by Google or third-party solutions like Solid Explorer) are often overloaded with options, and there is no documentation.

In this article we will look at not only how to open files and create folders, but also little-known features: from encrypting confidential documents to automatic sorting downloads You will learn how to avoid common mistakes (for example, accidentally deleting system files) and what settings should be changed immediately after installation. And for advanced users, we have prepared a section on working with root access and ADB commands - this will help you get the most out of the file manager.

Why do you need File Manager on Android and which one to choose

Standard file manager pre-installed on most smartphones (for example Mi File Manager on Xiaomi or My Files on Samsung), suitable for basic tasks: viewing photos, videos and documents. However, it has critical limitations:

• 🔍 No FTP/SFTP support for remote access to files
• 🔒 No built-in folder encryption
• 📁 Cannot work with archive formats .rar or .7z
• 🔄 There is no synchronization function with clouds other than Google Drive

Third-party solutions like FX File Explorer, Total Commander or Astro File Manager are free of these disadvantages, but require time to set up. For example, Solid Explorer supports a two-panel mode (as on a PC), and Root Explorer allows you to edit system files - but this requires root access.

Which manager to choose? It all depends on the tasks:

⚠️ Attention: Versions ES File Explorer after 2018 contain advertising and suspicious permissions. For security, use forks like ES File Explorer Pro (available on APKMirror).

Basic operations: copying, moving, deleting

Even if you have never used a file manager, mastering the basic actions is easy. Let's look at an example Files by Google (installed by default on most devices):

1. Copy files: Hold your finger on the file → select other files (if you need several) → click Copy in the bottom menu → go to the target folder → Paste.
2. Move: Same as copy, but select Cut instead of Copy.
3. Deleting: Select files → Delete → confirm the action. In Files by Google deleted files are sent to Trash (they can be restored within 30 days).

Important nuance: when moving files between internal memory and SD card Android may ask for permission. This is due to the security policy Scoped Storageintroduced in Android 10. If files do not move, check the storage settings in Settings → Applications → File Manager → Permissions.

Highlighted the correct files (check names and dates)|

Verified that files are not associated with system applications|

Backed up important data|

Checked that files are not hidden (enable show hidden files in settings)

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To speed up work, use gestures:

• 👆 Double tap on a file - open
• 👉 Swipe left/right - switch between folders (in some managers)
• 🤏 Pinch (zoom) - enable multiple file selection mode

Standard (Files by Google, My Files, etc.)|

Solid Explorer|

Total Commander|

FX File Explorer|

Other (write in the comments)-->

Working with archives: ZIP, RAR, 7z

File compression saves space and simplifies data transfer. Most file managers support creating and unpacking .ziparchives "out of the box", but to work with .rar or .7z additional software will be required (for example, RAR for Android or ZArchiver).

How to archive files:

1. Select files/folders in the manager.
2. Click More (or ⋮) → Compress.
3. Select format (.zip or .7z), compression level (for example, Maximum for text files) and confirm.

How to unpack the archive:

1. Find the archive in the manager and tap on it.
2. Select Extract or Unpack here.
3. For password-protected archives, enter key (if required).

Tip: if the archive is damaged (error CRC failed), try:

• 🔧 Use another archiver (for example, WinRAR on a PC).
• 📥 Download archive again (the file may have been damaged during download).
• 🔄 Change the extension from .zip to .jar (sometimes helps with errors with Java archives).

Hidden files and system folders: what you can touch and what you can’t

By default, Android hides system files and folders (their names begin with a dot, for example .thumbnails or .android_secure). To see them, in most file managers you need to:

1. Open the side menu (swipe on the right or button ☰).
2. Go to Settings → Show hidden files.
3. Confirm the warning about risks.

Critical folders that cannot be deleted or edited without root access:

• 🚫 /system/ — Android system files (deletion will lead to the device being bricked).
• 🚫 /data/data/ — application data (damage will cause apps to malfunction).
• 🚫 /efs/ — modem configurations (responsible for the network and IMEI).
• 🚫 /dev/ — virtual device files (changes can disrupt the operation of the hardware).

What can be safely deleted (if you don’t use it):

• 🗑️ .thumbnails — image thumbnails (automatically restored).
• 🎵 .nomedia — files that block media scanning (can be deleted if you want the gallery to show all files).
• 📂 Download/ — old downloads (check that there are no important files there).

⚠️ Attention: If you deleted the system file and the smartphone stopped loading, try restoring it via ADB in Recoverymode. Commands for recovery:

adb pull /system/build.prop build.prop_backup
adb push build.prop /system/

But this will only work if you have a backup and USB debugging is enabled.

Cloud storage and synchronization

Modern file managers integrate with clouds, allowing you to manage files on Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive and even Yandex Disk directly from the application. For example, in Solid Explorer to connect the cloud you need:

1. Open the side menu → Add cloud.
2. Select a service (for example, Google Drive).
3. Login through the browser (will open automatically).
4. After successful connection, the cloud will appear in the list of storages.

Advantages of such integration:

• 🔄 Automatic synchronization of selected folders (for example, photos from a camera can be immediately uploaded to the cloud).
• 📱 Access to files from any device (even if the smartphone is lost).
• 🔒 Ability to encrypt files before uploading (in Cryptomator + Solid Explorer).

For to automate synchronization, use tasks (in Total Commander this is called Scheduler). For example, you can configure:

• 📅 Daily backup copying a folder DCIM/Camera/ to Google Drive.
• 🔄 Deleting local copies of files older than 30 days (so as not to take up space).
• 📤 Automatic uploading of screenshots to Dropbox.

Root access and advanced capabilities

If your smartphone unlocked (has root access), the file manager turns into a tool for deep system customization, for example, using Root Explorer or FX File Explorer with Root plugin you can:

• 📜 Edit system files (build.prop to change the screen DPI or device model).
• 🔧 Remove built-in applications (bloatware) without consequences.
• 📁 Mount partitions /system and /data in recording mode.
• 🔄 Change access rights (chmod) to files through the terminal inside the manager.

Example: how to remove an unnecessary system application:

1. Open Root Explorer and go to /system/app/ or /system/priv-app/.
2. Find the folder with the name of the unnecessary application (for example, com.android.browser for the standard browser).
3. Hold your finger on the folder → Delete (or rename by adding .bak for backup).
4. Reboot the device.

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications may disrupt Android operation. Before making changes, make a backup copy of the partition /system via TWRP or the command:

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f /sdcard/backup.ab

To work with root the following commands are useful (executed in the file manager terminal or via ADB):

su # Receiving root access
mount -o rw,remount /system # Mount /system in write mode
chmod 644 /system/build.prop # Changing file access rights
ls -la /data/app/ # View the list of user applications

Automation and scripts

Advanced file managers (for example, Total Commander) support the execution of scripts on JavaScript or ShellThis allows you to automate routine tasks:

• 📁 Rename hundreds of files using a template (for example, add a date to a photo name).
• 🗑️ Removing duplicates or old files by mask.
• 📤 Automatic sorting of downloads into folders (video → Videos/, music → Music/).

Example script for renaming files (for Total Commander):

// Rename all files in the folder by adding the prefix "IMG_"
var dir = Android.getCurrentDirectory();
var files = dir.listFiles();
for (var i = 0; i < files.length; i++) {
if (!files[i].isDirectory()) {
var newName = "IMG_" + files[i].getName();
files[i].renameTo(new java.io.File(dir, newName));
}
}

To run the script:

1. Save it to a file with the extension .js (for example, rename.js).
2. In Total Commander go to the folder with the script.
3. Select the file → Run script (in the menu ⋮).

For automation without scripts, use task scheduler (available in Solid Explorer i FX File Explorer). For example, you can configure:

• 🕒 Daily file deletion from Download/ older than 7 days.
• 📤 Automatic uploading of new screenshots to Google Drive.
• 🔄 Folder synchronization Documents/ with Dropbox every evening.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about File Manager on Android

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