Some years back I was a mixplorer user, then switched to solid explorer for some time and now I’m using Material Files.
I was thinking of going back to either Solid / Mixplorer or trying something new.
Solid Explorer. Why? Because I bought it ages ago and it still works fine. Even a decade later, it still gets regular updates, which shows that the dev cares about the app.
More importantly, I like that it jumps straight into my filesystem without any nonsensical abstract views, and I like that it doesn’t come with any bloat (no junk cleaner or RAM booster crap), unlike other file managers. With other file managers these days, you open them and instead of seeing your files you get a bunch of mini apps or collections, which is NOT what I want. I just want a simple file manager, not an ecosystem. Thankfully, Solid isn’t like that.
So even after all these years and all these updates, the app remains true to its original purpose and hasn’t sold out or gone down the enshittification path, which is a refreshing change compared to what we’ve been seeing with other apps.
Yup, clean efficient design and still works as well as the day I bought it
I got it on some crazy sale long ago. They eventually updated, and still let me have the upgraded version as long as I had the pro app installed as well. I eventually decided to just buy it full price for the convenience of not needing to install the pro app every time I got a new phone.
It’s one of my most used apps, so definitely worth it.
Same. I have spare Google Rewards credits so I bought the in-app purchase to support the developer. Been using this app for probably over 10 years now.
One of my most frequently used features is the FTP file transfer to/from a Windows device or even another Android device.
Yeah I don’t know if something better is out there because solid explorer is, well, just solid. Internal storage, local file server, Google drive, one drive, sftp. Absolutely fantastic tool, bought it years ago and it goes on every phone and tablet I’ve had since. I’m really not sure what it would take to move on from it, it fulfills every need I’ve had for a file explorer.
Same for me. I use solid explorer as I bought it.
I installed MXplorer on my mom’s phone as it has all the necessary options and is free.
I take this opportunity to ask, does anyone know how to make Solid Explorer return to home/ every time it is opened instead of remaining in the last directory it opened?
Same. I do wish there was a storage view, but that’s fine.
Material files Why? - Foss + Does job + All essential utilities + no other foss option available 🥲
There’s Amaze as a FOSS alternative although I use Material Files too.
Utils are paid and does not align with my needs
Solid Explorer, since I can mount an SFTP volume using keyfile authentication.
The only thing I don’t like is that it uses its own file encryption system instead of a more open solution like Cryptomator. I know Cryptomator exists, but I can’t access SFTP volume using keyfile authentication with it…
Also, one of the drawbacks is that it needs Google account to be added to the device to access the drive. MiXplorer can directly use the browser the get access to drive, thus making it more FOSS friendly ROMs.
I have been using MiXplorer for past 3 years. Has been working rock solid for me.
I kinda want to see how it would look with MD3 tho.
+1 for MiX.
It’s FOSSand has everything you could want in a file explorer, functionality wise.Edit: scratch that. God knows how long I thought it was FOSS for!
Yes. But the dev js f* awesome. I have checked and the app doesn’t call home or pull anything shit.
The only reason I bought this app.
Is there a paid tier? I always thought it was all free. Unless it’s a donation option?
Yes. There is the app called MiXplorer Silver on Play Store which is paid. It just bundles some of the plugins in the app itself
Althought it is not fully MD3, you can kind of get Material You on MiX using this app
It’s just changing colors tbh.
I have tried alot of File Managers but MiXplorer is the one that suits me the most. Althought I would’ve prefered an opensource File Manager, Material Files is a little too basic for my needs. The developer of MiX is an awesome dude so I trust him.
Ghost Commander is featureful and open-source but its UI feels a bit… 1992.
Yeah the UI is a major drawback of Ghost Commander. But before MiX I used to use that
FX File manager - mounts anything, including SSH, Windows shares,… Great root support, two windows for easier file operations,…
Seconding FX. It’s also got a super useful quick-share to other devices running FX.
doesn’t work that well anymore on android 13/14
I’m on 13 and works like a charm
Dito
Simply the best for me. Even the UI is great and really thought through
Solid Explorer.
However, when I’m VPNing into my unraid server, for some reason Solid Explorer doesn’t work? I downloaded Xiaomi File Manager, and while it’s EXTREMELY slow, it does work via the VPN.
Does anyone know why?
Edit: tried Material Files to replace the Xiaomi app, and it also lets me connect to my shares when I VPN into my unraid server. I wonder why Solid Explorer refuses to connect…
What protocol?
Solid Explorer works fine for me through a VPN with SFTP. I’ve not tried SMB though.
Speed isn’t amazing (was only getting 600kB/s testing just now), but it does work.
SMB.
But when I use Xiaomi File Manager or Material Files, and the SMB protocol, it works.
Xiaomi File Manager is REALLY slow, but Material Files is actually pretty fast over VPN and mobile data.
Still scratching my head as to what makes Solid Explorer different…
I use Solid Explorer with my local SMB share and it works great. I primarily use it keep files in sync between my Android phone and tablet.
It doesn’t seem to work for NFS though.
Cx File Explorer
I also use it as a music player since it properly orders files by alphabet and allows for “play single track once” option.
I’ve never found anything better than Cx File Explorer or anything Cx File Explorer can’t do. It’s my go-to app for managing local, NAS, and cloud based files.
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Total Commander. Has been for two decades on PC and near one on Android. Not beautiful, but so useful.
Never liked it on pc, but I have it on phone and love the ability to have 2 dirs open at the same time.
total commander hasa workaround for that
FX file explorer, tons of tons of options. And works better than most.
doesn’t work well on android 13
What issue do you have? I use it for close to ten years on almost every android version and it just works.
Using on android 13 without any issue. You device might be problem not the android version.
Yes! It’s actually the only app I ever bought the premium version of. It’s basically a fully fledged file explorer like you’d find on a Linux desktop. It even supports FTP and Samba.
Tbh I find the Google Files app to be fine for my needs.
However in the past I used Solid Explorer but it was simply way more than I needed. If you need that much power check it out.
For an open source FM check out Material Files. It’s like SE but free, open source and 100% spyware free.
Same here. I don’t really need anything Google Files doesn’t offer.
I use Material File Browser. Replaced almost all the default google shit with FOSS alternatives, some of them may not have all the features of a slick google app but it’s a fair exchange given that they’re not relentlessly jacking my data.
CX file explorer- can’t live without it.
I’ve been using FX for a few years. I haven’t really compared it to the others because it does what I need with little fuss and no ads or other annoyances.
It can access network file shares and you can use a split screen view for easy file copying. It also has a basic text editor and media player, though I don’t really use those.
Plus 1 to this. And it works on my android tv too!
I’ve been using it for years and never really noticed the split view option. Thanks for pointing it out.
