How to remove Total Commander from Android: a complete guide with clearing leftovers

File manager Total Commander is a popular solution for managing files on Android, but sometimes users decide to get rid of it. The reasons may be different: from switching to alternative applications (Solid Explorer, FX File Manager) to the desire to free up space or eliminate conflicts with other apps. However, simply clicking “Delete” in the application menu does not always guarantee the complete disappearance of all trace files and settings.

In this article you will find current methods of removing Total Commander, taking into account the features of Android 12–14including clearing the cache, deleting configuration files and resetting permissions. We will also look at what to do if the application was installed as a system one (for example, on some firmware Samsung or Xiaomi), and how to avoid typical errors during uninstallation.

Why Total Commander may not be removed in the standard way

At first glance, deleting the application via Settings → Applications seems like a trivial task. However Total Commander often leaves behind:

• 📁 Folders with configuration in /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ or /sdcard/totalcmd/, which take up to 50–100 MB.
• 🔑 Residual permissions in the system (access to storage, contacts, etc.), which can be used by other applications.
• 🔄 Cached datathat are not cleared automatically and continue to take up space.
• 📱 System integrations (for example, default file handlers) that require a manual reset.

Additionally, on some devices (for example, Huawei or Realme with customized shells), the application can be pre-installed by the manufacturer. In this case, standard uninstallation will be blocked, and removal will require root access. or use ADB.

⚠️ Attention: If you are uninstalling Total Commander due to suspicion of malicious activity, first check the application through VirusTotal or Dr.Web. Some modified versions of the file manager may contain unwanted code.

Method 1: Standard removal through Android settings

This is the simplest and safest method that is suitable for most users. The instructions are valid for all versions of Android, including Android 14:

1. Open Settings phone (gear icon in the menu or on the desktop).
2. Go to section Applications (on some devices — Applications and notifications).
3. In the list, find Total Commander (you can use the search at the top of the screen).
4. Click on the application name, then select Delete (or Uninstall).
5. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

If the button Delete is inactive (gray), this means that the application is system or was installed as part of the firmware. In this case, proceed to method 4 or 5.

Method 2: Removal via Google Play Market

If you installed Total Commander from the official store, it can be removed directly through Google Play. This method is useful if the application is not displayed in the settings (for example, due to a system cache failure):

1. Open Google Play Market and go to the section Installed (or Library → Installed).
2. Find Total Commander in the list.
3. Click on the button Delete (trash icon).
4. Confirm uninstallation.

The advantage of this method is that it automatically clears part of the cache and data associated with the account Google. However folders with settings on the device they will have to be deleted manually (see method 3).

⚠️ Attention: If, after deleting via Google Play, the application appears again after a reboot, check the settings Auto-update in the Play Store. Automatic recovery of deleted apps may be enabled.

Method 3: Clearing residual files and cache

Even after uninstallation Total Commander leaves up to 150–200 MB of junk fileson the device, including:

• 📂 Folder /sdcard/totalcmd/ with FTP server settings, bookmarks and logs.
• 🗃️ Cache in /Android/data/com.ghisler.android.TotalCommander/.
• 📋 Configuration files in /Android/obb/ (if plugins were used).

To completely clean the device:

1. Use any file manager (for example, built-in Files by Google).
2. Go to the root directory of the internal memory (/storage/emulated/0/).
3. Delete folders:

   /sdcard/totalcmd/
   /Android/data/com.ghisler.android.TotalCommander/
   /Android/obb/com.ghisler.android.TotalCommander/ (if any)

4. Empty the file manager trash (if used).

For devices with root access it is also recommended to check the folder /data/data/com.ghisler.android.TotalCommander/ —temporary files and databases can be stored there.

Method 4: Uninstalling the system Total Commander via ADB

If the application was pre-installed by the manufacturer (for example, on Samsung Galaxy with firmware One UI or Xiaomi Redmi s MIUI, standard methods will not work. In this case, Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is a debugging tool that allows you to remove system applications without root access.

Instructions for Windows/macOS/Linux:

1. Enable Debugging by USB on your phone:

   Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times)
   Settings → System → For developers → USB debugging

2. Connect your phone to the PC and confirm trust in the computer.
3. Download ADB Tools and unzip to any folder.
4. Open the command line (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB and run:

   adb devices

   Make sure that the device is displayed in list.

5. Uninstall Total Commander with the command:

   adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.ghisler.android.TotalCommander

If the command returns an error Failure [DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR], then the application is protected from deletion. In this case, the only thing that will help is getting root access.

ADB error	Cause	Solution
device unauthorized	Trust in PC is not confirmed	Disconnect/connect USB and confirm the request on your phone
no devices/emulators found	ADB drivers are not installed	Install drivers for your device (for example, Samsung USB Driver)
DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR	System application	Use root or disable the application via ADB: adb shell pm disable-user com.ghisler.android.TotalCommander

Method 5: Complete removal with root access

If you have root access (for example, through Magisk), you can delete Total Commander without a trace, including system files. this:

1. Install a file manager with root support (for example, Root Explorer or FX File Manager).
2. Go to /system/app/ or /system/priv-app/ and find the folder with name containing totalcmd or ghisler.
3. Delete the entire folder (you may need to mount the partition in mode R/W).
4. Clear residual data in /data/data/com.ghisler.android.TotalCommander/.
5. Reboot the device.

For devices with MIUI or ColorOS it is also recommended to check the folder /vendor/overlay/ - sometimes overlays for system applications are stored there.

⚠️ Attention: Removing system applications can lead to unstable operation of the device. Before operating with root, make a backup copy via TWRP or OrangeFox Recovery.

What to do if the phone does not turn on after unrooting?

If the device does not boot after removing the system application, try:

1. data-i="200">) and restore the backup. Power + Volume Up) and restore the backup.

2. Reflash the device via Fastboot or ODIN (for Samsung).

3. Use the ADB command to reinstall the deleted APK: adb install totalcmd.apk (if there is a backup of the file).

How to reset the default settings after deletion

If Total Commander was set as the default file handler, after deleting it, you may have problems opening documents. To reset the associations:

1. Go. in Settings → Applications → Default applications.
2. Select Clear default settings (or Reset application settings).
3. For specific file types (for example .zip or .apk), click on the type and select another application.

On devices Samsung the path may differ: Settings → Device maintenance → Storage → Advanced (⋮) → Default applications.

If after resetting the files still do not open, try installing an alternative file manager (for example, MiXplorer) and assigning it as a software handler by default.

Common errors and how to avoid them

When deleting Total Commander users often encounter the following problems:

• 🔄 The application appears again after a reboot —this means that it was installed as a system one. Use ADB or the root method.
• 📱 Not enough space to delete — clear the system cache in Settings → Storage → Cache data.
• 🔒 The "Delete" button is inactive —check whether the application is a device administrator (Settings → Security → Device administrators).
• 📂 Folders are not deleted mode —use a file manager with root access or connect the phone to the PC in MTP.

If you delete Total Commander due to a conflict with another file manager (for example, ES Explorer), first disable both applications in the settings, then delete one by one.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible remove Total Commander without root, if it is a system one?

Yes, using ADB (see method 4). The command pm uninstall --user 0 deletes the application only for the current user, without affecting system files.

Why does the /totalcmd folder remain after deletion?

This is standard Android behavior: when you uninstall an application, its data in the internal memory is not automatically deleted. The folder must be erased manually (see method 3).

How to remove Total Commander on Xiaomi if the "Delete" button is inactive?

On Xiaomi many applications are protected from deletion. Try:

1. Disable the application in the settings (Settings → Applications → Total Commander → Disable).
2. Use ADB (see above).
3. Install alternative firmware (for example, LineageOS), if root is not available.

Is it safe to uninstall Total Commander via root?

Yes, if you only delete files associated with Total CommanderThe risk arises when deleting other system components. Always make a backup before working with it. root.

How to restore Total Commander after deletion?

Install the application again from Google Play or from the official website. If plugins were used (for example, to work with .rar), they will also have to be installed separately. The settings will not be restored - they will need to be configured. again.