Total Commander —legendary file manager, who has been available on Androidsince 2013. Despite the abundance of alternatives, it remains one of the most functional tools for working with files: from basic copying to complex operations with archives, FTP and cloud services. In this article, we will look at how to get the most out of the app, avoiding typical beginner mistakes.

Many users mistakenly believe that Total Commander on mobile devices is inferior to the desktop version. In fact, the Android version retains 80% of the features of its “big brother”, adapted for a touch interface. And thanks to plugins (for example, for WebDAV or SFTP), its functionality can be expanded to the level of professional solutions. The main thing is to correctly configure the application for your tasks.

It is important to understand: Total Commander it will not just replace the standard Android Explorer. This is a tool for those who work with large amounts of data, frequently move files between devices, or need advanced features like folder comparison, batch renaming, or encryption. If simply viewing photos is enough for you, the built-in manager will suffice. But if you want full control over the file system a smartphone, read on.

Installation and first launch: what you need to know

You can install Total Commander from Google Play (free version with advertising) or from the official website of the developer (there is a paid option without unnecessary water - Total Commander Pro). When you first launch the app, it will ask for permission to access storage, contacts (for the file sending function) and, possibly, location (for some plugins). Do not deny access to files - otherwise most of the functions will be blocked.

After installation, you will see a two-panel interface familiar from the desktop version. The left and right panels are independent: you can open two different folders and drag and drop files between them. At the bottom of the screen there is a quick access panel with buttons for basic operations: copying (F5), moving (F6), creating a folder, deleting, etc. On touch devices, these functions are duplicated in the context menu (long press on the file).

  • 📥 Where to download from? Only from Google Play or from the website ghisler.com (be careful with third-party APKs!).
  • 🔓 Permissions: Be sure to provide access to Storage and File management (Android 11+).
  • 🛠️ Plugins: Install additionally Lan Plugin (for network folders) and WebDAV Plugin (for clouds).
  • 📱 Alternatives: If there are not enough functions, try Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer.
⚠️ Attention: On Android 10+ Total Commander will not see the root folder / without rights root. To access system files, you will need additional software like Magisk or SuperSU.
📊 Which version of Total Commander are you using?
Free (with advertising)
Paid (Pro)
Tried it, but switched to another manager
Haven't tried it yet

Customizing the interface to suit your needs

By default Total Commander it looks ascetic, but its appearance and behavior can be flexibly customized. Go to Settings → Configuration and pay attention to the following options:

  • 🎨 Theme: Dark (Dark) or light (Light). On AMOLED screens, a dark theme saves battery.
  • 📂 Displaying files: Enable Show hidden files (useful for working with .nomedia or configs).
  • 🔍 Search: Activate Search in subfolders i Ignore case for convenience.
  • ⚡ Performance: Disable Animationif the interface is slow on weak devices.

Pay special attention settings gestures (Settings → Gesture control). For example, you can assign:

  • Swipe left/right - switch between tabs.
  • Double tap on the panel title - go to the root folder.
  • Long press on a file - calls the context menu (an alternative to the right mouse button).
Parameter Recommended value Why it is necessary
Show thumbnails On. (only for photos/videos) Speeds up navigation in the gallery
Auto-update folders Off Saves battery power
Use recycle bin On Protection against accidental deletion
Default sorting By name (A→Z) Universal order for all folders
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Create a shortcut for Total Commander on the main screen with the parameter --root (via the "Shortcut" widget) to quickly open the root folder (if you have root access).

Basic operations with files: copying, moving, deleting

Working with files in Total Commander is based on three basic actions: select, operation and confirm. To copy or move files:

  1. Open the source folder in one panel and the destination folder in another.
  2. Select files (long click → checkmark or Select all in the menu).
  3. Click F5 (copy) or F6 (move).
  4. Confirm the target folder (it should be active in the second panel).

For delete use F8 or the "Trash" button in the bottom menu. If the recycle bin function is enabled (Settings → File operations), the files will not be deleted forever, but will end up in a folder TC/RecycleBin in the internal memory. To empty the trash, go to it and click Delete all.

Batch renaming is one of the “features” of the app. Select a group of files, click Selected → Rename and use templates:

  • [N] — original file name.
  • [C] — counter (001, 002..).
  • [E] — extension file.

Example: template Vacation_[C]_[N].[E] will turn IMG_1234.jpg into Vacation_001_IMG_1234.jpg.

☑️ Preparing for mass operations

Done: 0 / 4

Working with archives: ZIP, RAR, 7z

Total Commander supports most popular formats archives: ZIP, RAR, 7z, TAR, GZ. To unpack the archive:

  1. Find the archive file in one of the panels.
  2. Click on it - the contents will open as a regular folder.
  3. Select the required files and copy (F5) to the destination folder.

To create an archive:

  1. Select files/folders for archiving.
  2. Click Pack in the bottom menu.
  3. Select format (ZIP - universal, 7z - best compression).
  4. Specify the archive name and compression level (optimal - Normal).

To work with RARarchives, you will need to install the plugin RAR for Total Commander (downloaded separately). Without it, the app will only be able to view the content RAR, but not create such archives.

⚠️ Attention: When unpacking large archives (>1 GB) Total Commander may freeze. Do not close the app - wait for the process to complete (track progress in the status bar).
Format Support in TC Max. compression Features
ZIP Full (creation/uncompression) Good Supports encryption (AES-256)
RAR Partial (only with plugin) Excellent Requires a separate plugin for creation
7z Full Best Slower than ZIP, but smaller archives
TAR.GZ Full Average Popular on Linux systems
How to unpack a multi-volume archive (RAR, ZIP.001, etc.)

1. Place all parts of the archive in one folder (for example, file.part1.rar, file.part2.rar).

2. Open the first file (file.part1.rar) - TC will automatically combine the parts.

3. Unpack as a regular archive.

Important: If at least one volume is missing, unpack will end with an error.

Connecting cloud storage: Google Drive, Dropbox, Yandex Disk

Total Commander can work with clouds through plugins or built-in functions. The easiest way is to use WebDAV (for Yandex Disk, Mail.ru Cloud>) or official APIs (for Google Drive, Dropbox). To do this:

  1. Install the plugin WebDAV Plugin (available in Google Play).
  2. In Total Commander click Network Neighborhood → Add.
  3. Select connection type (WebDAV or Google Drive).
  4. Enter authorization data (login/password or access token).

For Google Drive It's easier to use the built-in plugin:

  1. Go to Network Neighborhood → Google Drive.
  2. Login through the browser (a window will open asking for permissions).
  3. After a successful connection, the cloud will appear as a network drive in the list of devices.

The speed of working with clouds depends on the quality of the Internet connection. To speed up:

  • 📶 Use Wi-Fi instead of mobile data.
  • 📁 Synchronize only the necessary folders (do not connect the entire cloud).
  • ⏳ Disable Show thumbnails for cloud files.
⚠️ Attention: When working with Google Drive via Total Commander files deleted from the app are sent to the cloud trash, and are not deleted forever. To clear space, go to the web version of Drive and empty the trash manually.
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For stable work with clouds, disable battery optimization for Total Commander in the Android settings (Settings → Applications → Total Commander → Battery → Unlimited).

FTP and SFTP: managing files on remote servers

If you need to connect to FTP server (for example, website hosting) or SFTP (secure protocol for SSH), in Total Commander this is done through the plugin FTP Plugin (installed separately). Instructions:

  1. Install the plugin from Google Play.
  2. In Total Commander click Network Neighborhood → Add → FTP/SFTP.
  3. Fill in the fields:
    • Server name: FTP address (for example, ftp.example.com).
    • Port: 21 for FTP, 22 for SFTP.
    • Username i Password.
    • Passive mode: enable if the connection does not work.
  • Save the connection and press Connect.

    • For SFTP you may additionally need:

    • 🔑 Specify the path to private key (if key authentication is used).
    • 🔒 Confirm server fingerprint when connecting for the first time.

    After connecting, the FTP server will appear as a network drive. You will be able to:

    • 📤 Upload files to the server (by dragging and dropping or via F5).
    • 📥 Download files from the server (F5 in the opposite direction).
    • 📝 Edit files directly (for example, index.html on hosting).

    When working with FTP via the mobile data, the operator can block port 21. In this case, use SFTP (port 22) or configure the FTP server on a non-standard port (for example, 2121).

    Hidden functions and life hacks

    Total Commander hides many useful features that not everyone knows about. Here are a few tricks for advanced users:

    • 🔄 Synchronization folders: Select two folders (in different panels), click Selected → Synchronize. The app will show the differences and offer to copy or delete unnecessary files.
    • 🔍 Search for duplicates: In the menu, select Search → Duplicate files. Specify the folder and the minimum file size (for example, 1 MB) to find duplicate photos or documents.
    • 📋 Quick view: Tap and hold the file → ViewThe built-in viewer will open for text, images and even video (without launching third-party applications).
    • 🔑 File encryption: Select files, click Pack and select ZIP with encryption. Enter a password (minimum 8 characters, with numbers and special characters).

    Another useful function - file comparison. If you have two versions of a document and need to find differences:

    1. Select both files (in different panels).
    2. Click Files → Compare by content.
    3. The app will show lines that are different (useful for configs or source code).

    You can use custom commands (Settings → Configure commandsto automate routine tasks. For example, create a command for:

    • Cleaning folder Download from files older than 30 days.
    • Conversions all JPG in PNG in the selected folder.
    • Sending log files by email on a schedule.
    How to get back deleted files without a recycle bin

    If you deleted files without the Recycle Bin (or emptied it), try restoring them using DiskDigger or Undeleter. The chances are higher if:

    - Little time has passed since deletion.

    - New files were not written to the disk.

    - The device did not reboot.

    Important: Do not install recovery apps on the same drive, where the data was lost!

    Solution to typical problems

    Even in such a reliable tool as Total Commandersometimes glitches occur. Here are the most common problems and their solutions:

    Problem Cause Solution
    I don’t see an external SD card Android 11+ restricts access In the Android settings, let TC permission to Manage all files
    Does not connect to FTP Blocking port 21 Use SFTP (port 22) or change the FTP port on the server
    Closes when opening large folders Low memory Disable thumbnails and reduce the number of simultaneously open tabs
    Does not unpack RAR No plugin Install RAR Plugin for Total Commander from Play Market
    Slow work with clouds ISP speed limit Connect via Wi-Fi or use a night tariff

    If Total Commander suddenly starts to crash, try:

    1. Clear the app cache (Android Settings → Applications → Total Commander → Memory → Clear cache).
    2. Disable recently installed plugins (they may conflict).
    3. Reset settings to default (Settings → Reset settings).
    ⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Xiaomi, Huawei) Total Commander may not see files in folder Android/data due to the manufacturer's policy. To gain access, use the built-in file manager to copy files to a public folder (for example, Download).

    FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions

    Is it possible to get root access?

    Yes, but only if your device is unlocked (yes root accessFor this:

    1. Install Magisk or another root manager.
    2. In Total Commander go to Settings → Show system files.
    3. Open folder / (the root of the file system).

    Without root, the app will see only user files (/storage/emulated/0).

    How to set up automatic folder synchronization?

    Total Commander does not support automatic synchronization in the background, but you can create custom command for manual launch:

    1. Go to Settings → Configure commands → Add command.
    2. In the field Command enter: 
      sync /sdcard/Folder1 /sdcard/Folder2
    3. Save and assign a hotkey (for example, Ctrl+S).

    To run automatically, use Tasker or MacroDroid.

    Why does Total Commander not show video thumbnails?

    This happens for two reasons:

    1. Thumbnail viewing is disabled: go to Settings → Display → Show thumbnails and enable the option.
    2. No codecs: install MX Player or VLC —they provide codecs for generating previews.

    If thumbnails are still not displayed, clear the thumbnail cache (Settings → Clear thumbnail cache).

    How to transfer Total Commander settings to another phone?

    All settings are stored in a file wcx_ftp.ini (for FTP) and totalcmd.cfg (basic settings). To transfer them:

    1. Copy these files from the folder /sdcard/Total Commander to the old device.
    2. Paste them into the same folder on the new phone.
    3. Restart Total Commander.

    To transfer bookmarks and history, copy also dirhistory.ini and favorites.ini.

    Is it possible to edit system files in Total Commander without root?

    No. Without root access, the app has access only to:

    • Internal memory (/storage/emulated/0).
    • External SD card (if access is allowed).
    • Folders created by your applications (for example, /Android/data/com.example.app).

    To edit system files (/system, /data) is required root or ADB (with restrictions).