10 Best File Explorer Apps for Android (2023)

File Manager is among the most important app for your Android devices. There are so many things you can do with it, such as browsing files, finding downloads, sharing files, installing apps, managing storage space, and a lot more. It makes managing your files so much easier on your smartphone. Nowadays, many smartphone vendors have started giving built-in File Explorer but those apps either have fewer features or an ugly user interface. That’s why I compiled the list of the 10 best Android file explorer Apps in 2023.

Note: All the apps are in random order so you can choose any app as per your requirement.

Top 10 Best Android File Manager Apps (2023)

1. Files by Google
2. Astro File Manager
3. RS File Manager
4. FX File Explorer
5. X-plore File Manager
6. File Manager by InShot
7. CX File Explorer
8. Solid Explorer
9. File Manager Plus
10. File Manager by Xiaomi

1. Files by Google

Starting off with the most popular file manager app, i.e. Files by Google. If you are a fan of minimalistic design, then trust me, you will love this app. It has a clean and easy-to-use UI with no ads or in-app purchases. Also, the file management of this app is excellent. It will automatically sort out your images, videos, audio, downloads, apps, documents, and other files into categories to give you a hassle-free experience.

But if you are not interested in that, then there is no need to worry. This app also has a dedicated file manager which you can use for doing usual tasks like viewing, editing, deleting, copying, and extracting zip files, and so on. Furthermore, there are many more cool features that you might like, such as:

• It will regularly show you Cleaning Suggestions like removing junk files, deleting old pictures or memes from chat apps, removing duplicate files, and more, which will help you improve your phone’s performance and storage.
• You can securely share your images, videos, files, or apps with other nearby users who also have this app that too without the internet.
• Protect your important/sensitive files with a Safe Folder.
• Instantly back up files to Google Drive or any other cloud storage app to save space on your device.
• Built-in media player.

Overall Files by Google is easily one of the best Android file explorer apps and you should definitely consider it.

Download Files by Google from Play Store

ALSO READ: 10 Must-Have Android Apps

2. Astro File Manager

Astro File Manager is another best free Android file managers on this list. It covers all the basic features you may expect from a file manager app, like copying, renaming, moving, sharing, editing, and so on. The app also allows you to quickly access all your recent images, videos, music, apps, documents, and download files from the home screen.

It further makes it easy for a user to search specific types of files by using filters and sorts functionalities. And if you are low on storage and need extra space to download your favorite apps or games, then there is no need to worry. Astro File Manager will automatically sort all your unused apps and large files which will help you decide which apps or files to delete and which ones to keep. What’s more, you can even add cloud storage to move or manage your files from many popular cloud services, including Box, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, and even FTP and SMB servers.

While the app has so many features, it has still managed to maintain a clean and easy-to-use user interface. Also, in my testing, I didn’t see any sort of ads despite being a free app which I think will further improve the user experience.

Download Astro File Manager from Play Store

ALSO READ: Top 10 Music Streaming Apps for Android

3. RS File Manager

Like many popular file explorers, the RS File Manager can also perform all the basic tasks such as cut, copy, paste, delete, rename, Compress & Decompress, search, and many more. In addition to that, you will also get essential features like dark mode, recycle bin, USB OTG support, and bookmark file location.

But there are also some features that separate RS File Manager from other file explorers such as:

• You can access your files through FTP, LAN, Cloud Drive, Bluetooth, and PC.
• A dedicated encryption tool in which you can protect any of your important or sensitive files with 128-bit file encryption. (Pro Feature)
• Set a password to access RS File Explorer.

And all these features are easy to use. The layout and UI of the app are flawless and any non-techie person will easily understand which feature does what.

Till now I was talking only about the pros of the app but it also has a con and that is Ads. You can expect 1 to 2 full-screen ads at least which may ruin your user experience. But given that you are getting so many features for free, it is kind of expected. However, you can remove ads and get additional premium features by subscribing to RS File Manager Pro, which features:

• Remove all ads in the app
• Accurate search for files
• Find hidden media files
• 128-bit file encryption
• Unlimited folder pinned to the top
• Can lock up to 12 pages

Download RS File Manager from Play Store

ALSO READ: 10 Apps to Hide Photos & Videos on Android

4. FX File Explorer

FX File Explorer is one of the basic, lightweight & simple-looking file manager apps out there. At first glance, you will find the app’s UI boring, but with its 3rd party app, you will be able to customize its design. Things you can customize are background color or image, icon design, text color, animation effects, and more.

As for features, you will get all usual file management features along with some unique features that separate them from crowds, such as:

• Split View: You can simultaneously use 2 windows at the same time.
• Web Access: You will be able to access your files using your computer’s web browser.
• Cleaning Tools: If you have lots of duplicate or large files and want to get rid of a few files to free up your phone’s storage, then this feature will help you a lot.
• Root Access: If you have rooted your Android phone, then FX File Explorer will grant you full access to the device’s filesystems.

The best thing about this app is that despite getting all these features, you will get zero ads in it. Overall, FX File Explorer is one of the best android file manager apps out there and you may give it a try.

Download FX File Explorer from Play Store

5. X-plore File Manager

X-plore File Manager is a powerful file manager app that offers a wide range of features. But before I tell you about the features, let’s talk about its user interference. Well, it sucks!!! It doesn’t have a friendly UI compared to other file manager apps on this list and most probably you will find it difficult to use it. At the same time, it also lacks multiple windows/tabs support, which makes multitasking also difficult.

But leaving the UI aside, the app has a lot to offer. With the dual-pane design, you can quickly access any shortcuts like renaming, copying, deleting, sorting, and more. In addition to that, if you want to add or remove more shortcuts to the pane, you can easily do that.

Some other useful functionalities are:

• Wi-Fi Server: If your PC and smartphone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, then you will be able to access your phone’s storage on any web browser.
• Support for LAN, FTP, and FTPS (secure FTP) servers.
• Password and fingerprint support for app unlock.
• Cloud Storage: X-plore File Manager is one of the rarest file explorer apps that supports a vast range of cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, Mega, Amazon Cloud Drive, MediaFire, pCloud, OneDrive, and much more.
• Vault: You can easily store your sensitive files, which will be protected by AES-256 encryption. To access your encrypted files, you can either use a password or a fingerprint sensor.

Download X-plore File Manager from Play Store

6. File Manager by InShot

File Manager has been created by one of the most popular developers in the Play Store, i.e. InShot. This app is mostly similar to the Files by Google app. So here also you will get a minimal design, zero ads, and other basic functionalities such as copy, move, delete, rename, share, cloud support, recycle bin, dark mode, etc. And to provide you with a hassle-free experience, it automatically sorts out your downloads, videos, audio, images, apps, and documents into categories.

Some other notable features included are:

• Manage on PC: Like many popular File Explorer apps, here too you can manage your phone’s files on your PC browser when connected to the same Wi-Fi.
• Cleaner: The app will automatically create a list of junk files, duplicate files, and large files that you may want to remove.
• Compress & Decompress ZIP/RAR Archives.
• SD card & USB OTG support.
• Built-in Video Player, Music Player, Image Viewer, and File Extractor.
• Multiple Language support such as English, Portuguese, Italiano, Hindi, French, Polish, German and many more.

All in all, File Manager by InShot is an amazing free Android file manager app and is definitely worth trying.

Download File Manager from Play Store

7. CX File Explorer

If you are looking for a lightweight file manager, then there is no better app than CX File Explorer. The size of the application is only 5.9 MB and in spite of this, you will get all the vital features that you are going to use on a day-to-day basis. Such things include copying, moving, renaming, deleting, compressing, and hiding files.

With this app, you can also share the apps installed on your Android phone with other people. In addition, you can even access your phone’s files wirelessly through your PC. And if you have accounts on multiple cloud services, then there is no need to worry as CX File Explorer has support for popular cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, and Box.

Download CX File Explorer from Play Store

8. Solid Explorer

Solid Explorer is another best file explorer for Android. The design of the app is very minimal and at the same time, it is also very easy to use. It comes with many themes as well and you can choose any primary color, accent color, or icon set of your choice. And not only that, you can even change the viewing design of folders to List, Grid, Galley, and Compact.

Apart from usual file management features, Solid Explorer comes with many cool features, which you may have seen on most file managers, such as:

• FTP Server: You can easily view your phone’s files on your computer when connected to the same Wi-Fi.
• NAS: Support for major network protocols FTP, SFTP, SMB (Samba), WebDav.
• Cloud Connection: You can easily connect and manage files on Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, SugarSync, MediaFire and more.
• Root Explorer: It allows you to access system files if your device is rooted.
• File Encryption: If you have any important files or folders that you want to protect, then you can easily encrypt it with AES Encryption. The encrypted files/folders will be stored in a secure folder and can only be accessed via password or fingerprint.

The only worst thing about Solid Explorer is, it comes with lots of ads. But considering the features it offers, I didn’t mind seeing 1 or 2 in-feed ads however the full-screen ads were the ones that annoyed me a lot. But this drawback can be easily fixed by purchasing the full version of the Solid Explorer, which is quite cheap, especially in India.

Download Solid Explorer from Play Store

9. File Manager Plus

File Manager Plus is yet another best file explorer for Android that comes with all the basic file management features you need. And like most file manager apps, it also categorizes files under Downloads, New Files, Audio, Images, Videos, Documents, and Apps.

Important features like cloud services (Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, Box, NextCloud, and Yandex) are also included to manage files feasibly. You can also access your Android device storage from a PC using FTP (File Transfer Protocol). Other than that, the app also comes with a built-in image viewer, video player, music player, and text editor to further enhance your user experience.

As for the design part, its UI is very simple & boring looking and also comes with ads. However, these ads can be disabled by upgrading to their premium service.

Download File Manager Plus from Play Store

10. File Manager by Xiaomi

Xiaomi File Manager is by far the most popular free file manager app in the Play Store. The UI of this app is very clean and all the features are easy to use. The best thing about this app is that it does not contain any ads, at least it didn’t show up during my usage. And just like every popular file manager app, here also you will see all the files organized according to their format.

You will also get all the basic functions in the app, like renaming, copying, moving, deleting, compressing & decompressing ZIP/RAR, and so on. Apart from this, unique features like Dark Mode, Cloud Storage, FTP, Cache & Junk Cleaner, etc. are also available. The app also features multiple languages, such as German, French, Italian, Nepali, Hindi, Bengali, and many more. Altogether, Xiaomi File Manager has everything a casual user needs and I highly recommend you to give it a try.

Download Xiaomi File Manager from Play Store

Conclusion

That’s it for now. These were the list of the 10 best free file managers for Android in 2023. Whether you need a file explorer with basic functionality or advanced, in this article you will find apps for all types of users. So, according to your need, install any app.

Now which app you are going to download from this list? Also, is there any good Android file manager app that you are aware of? If yes, then let me know in the comment section below.