Manage Files on Android Devices Effortlessly
Q: Why Android File Management is crucial to enhance work productivity?
Imagine running a large business with numerous clients, and you have to share multiple files every hour. Saving and organizing the files is crucial to ensure timely access; otherwise, it might lead to delays.
Business operations mainly demand instant access to required files, which is only possible with a professional file management tool.
Finding required files or documents takes time and might result in delays, disrupt business operations, and cause customer dissatisfaction.
1Top 5 Android File Management Tools for Individuals
Here, we will discuss the best file managers for Android to efficiently manage bulk files and instantly access any file or folder using a filtering or organized strategy for storing files.
These include built-in apps, third-party apps, and official apps.
1Top 1. Files by Google
Files by Google is a built-in app for Android users. It serves two primary purposes: file management and storage management.
| Basic Operations | File Transfer | Compression & Extraction | Root Access | Resource Usage | Adds/In-app purchases | Cloud Services |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storage analysis.File browsing, copy, paste, and delete. | Yes (Android nearby share feature) | Only .zip files | No | Minimal | No | Google Drive |
- It offers storage of files offline based on categories so users can retrieve the files and data easily in future when required.
- It provides offline file sharing feature for nearby devices to save mobile data.
- Files by Google app has file transfer speed of 480Mbits. It is compatible to create backup of files on Google Drive or other cloud applications.
- It also displays the storage space covered by each file type and the available one to efficiently utilize the storage capacity of the devices.
- Files by Google also identify the useless apps which are covering space and send alerts when the storage space gets lower so users can optimize it promptly by cleaning the caches and other memory. It saves deleted files in the bin for 30 days so that you can recover any file.
Ratings: 4.5⭐/7.98M reviews
2Top 2. File Manager
File Manager app for Android is readily available on the Google Play Store and is free to access and utilize. It works as image viewer, music and video player, text editor.
| Basic Operations | File Transfer | Compression & Extraction | Root Access | Resource Usage | Adds/In-app purchases | Cloud Services |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copy, move, delete, rename or bookmark any file. | Yes (Bluetooth, Email) | Yes (.ZIP, .RAR, and .TAR)RAR, and TAR) | No | Mid-level | Yes | Yes (Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox) |
- It is a fully featured file management tool that helps individuals organize files separately for internal storage and SD card on Android device. It separately show the storage space for image, audio, video and other files separately for efficient data management.
- File Manager provides exact values for the number of apps and files in the device and the storage they cover for better resource management.
- The dark theme is only available in the premium version and includes built-in features like the music and video player, image viewer, and text editor.
- It supports ZIP, RAR, and TAR formats for compression and extraction.
Ratings: 4.8⭐/100M+ Reviews
3Top 3. My Files
Samsung My Files is the official app of Samsung Company and is specifically developed for Samsung devices. It allows to view internal and external memory data.
| Basic Operations | File Transfer | Compression & Extraction | Root Access | Resource Usage | Adds/In-app purchases | Cloud Services |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copy, move, and share on Samsung cloud | Yes (connected USB, SD Cards, and cloud) | Yes (.ZIP) | No | Minimal | No | Samsung Cloud, Google Drive |
- It is built-in and available on most Galaxy devices. It enables users to view images, and other media files, move them form internal to external memory and vice versa to ensure easy access to the saved data when required.
- It manages data on the device's internal and external memory, allowing users to create new folders to easily recognize specific data.
- It displays recent files separately for quick access. My Files allows saving data on Samsung Cloud up to 15GB for free.
Ratings: 3.8⭐/438k reviews
4Top 4. X-plore File Manager
X-Plore is a dual-pane navigator file manager with a colorful and interactive user interface. Its dual pane layout helps users easily copy and move files.
| Basic Operations | File Transfer | Compression & Extraction | Root Access | Resource Usage | Adds/In-app purchases | Cloud Services |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dual-pane navigator,copy,paste,rename, delete files or folders | Yes (Wi-Fi sharing) | Yes (.ZIP) | Yes | Mid-level | Yes | Yes (Google Drive, Dropbox, Mega.nz, and MediaFire) |
- It supports local and remote file systems with cloud storage support for multiple platforms. X-plore supports various compressed file formats to manage files and ensure safe sharing. It allows streamlined file view and editing options to manage access and permissions.
- You can remove ads by paying a one-time fee, and premium services unlock its extended features like Wi-Fi sharing, music and video player, PDF viewer, and Vault.
Ratings: 4.6⭐/2.8k reviews
5Top 5. Mi File Manager
Mi Files is a file manager app launched by Xiaomi developers in 2017. It provides an easy-to-use interface to manage files for individuals with essential features like showcasing file details, copying, pasting, moving, editing, and renaming.
| Basic Operations | File Transfer | Compression & Extraction | Root Access | Resource Usage | Adds/In-app purchases | Cloud Services |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| quick search, copy, offline sharing | Yes (offline file sharing) | Yes (.ZIP) | No | Mid-level | No | Mi Cloud |
- It has a device optimization section that displays the consumed storage space and recommends removing junk files in the system.
- It supports compressed file formats to play large-size videos on the device and remove them quickly to free up space.
Ratings: 4.8⭐/4.13M+ reviews
Tips to Choose a File Manager
- Features: Basic operations(copy, cut, paste, move, delete, and rename files and folders); search options, batch operations and file transfer(especially for business users).
- Performance: Verify the file transfer speed of the manager, its responsiveness, and resource usage.
- Security: Choose a file manager with advanced security features like data encryption, and strong password settings to protect confidential files.
- Support: It must have a backup team for technical support and FAQ documentation to troubleshoot issues when arise.
2One-Stop Android File Management Solution for Business
AirDroid Business is an one-stop MDM solution that helps enterprises remotely monitor, configure, manage, and control bulk devices.
It enables admins to manage files on remote devices easily.
2.1Two-way file transfer
It refers to the process of transferring files between two devices with the ability for both devices to become sender or receiver, allowing seamless sharing of files.
Demo: From PC to Android
- Step 1: Log into AirDroid Businss client, select a device to connect with and choose the ‘Files’ option from the menu. It will start connecting to the remote device.
- Step 2: Browse for the file from the PC and then choose the destination on the remote Android device where you want to save the file(or Vice versa). Click the arrow button after displaying where you want to send the file. Your upload will be initiated and completed in a few seconds.
2.2Bulk Task
Admins can share files in bulk on multiple devices with just a few clicks.
- Step 1: Log in to Admin Console
- Open the AirDroid Business client and sign in with your AirDroid account. Choose the ‘Bulk File’ option and select the ‘Create Bulk Task’ button.
- Step 2: Add Files
- Click on the ‘Add Files’ button and select all the files you want to share. Then press the ‘Open’ button to initiate.
- Step 3: Create the Bulk Task
- Now, select the devices or groups to which you want to share files in bulk and press the ‘Next’ button.
- Step 4: Press ‘Next’
- Click ‘Next’ to start uploading the files on selected devices. Again, click ‘Next’ to trigger the process and complete it.
2.3Bulk Delete
Enterprises can easily delete bulk files from selected groups or devices if they fear data loss by former employees.
- Step 1: Open the ‘Bulk Files’ option on AirDroid Business client and select the ‘Create Bulk Delete’ option.
- Step 2: Mention the file location on remote devices. Select the second option (The above path is a folder) if it is a folder.
- Step 3: Select the devices where you want to delete the files and click the ‘Add’ button. Press the 'ok' button to proceed with the operation.
2.4Secure Connection and Data Encryption
AirDroid Business provides secure connections between devices using HTTPS or SSL security protocols. Additionally, it provides a secure data encryption protocol, TLS (Transport Layer Security) encryption, to protect communication and file sharing from external threats.
File management helps enterprises keep everything organized so they can retrieve files instantly without hustle. Large businesses are challenging enough to manage and demand remote solutions to share files between devices. MDM solutions allow admins to remotely control, access, and share files from unattended devices.
3Good to Know
3.1 Android Storage Path Explained
Here are the following file storage paths for Android, each with specified functions and file types:
- App-Specific Files
This storage only saves the content for app-related files. These are either saved in the directories of internal storage or can also be saved in directories in external storage space. Internal storage does not require permission, and external storage does not require permission if the app is running on Android devices with Version 4.4 or higher. - Shared Storage
Shared storage only saves the files or data that the apps need to share with other apps. It primarily contains media files like images, audio, and video files. It also includes documents and all other files that need to be shared. Other apps can access these files after getting READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission. Devices with Android 9 or lower versions need permission to access the files. Other apps need a system file picker for document access, and the files are not deleted when the apps are uninstalled. - App Preferences
These contain only private and primitive data in the form of key-value pairs. The access method for them is the Jetpack Preferences library. No permissions are required to access these files, and other apps cannot. Files are removed from the folder when an app is uninstalled. - Database
It is used to save structured data with more than two columns, and its access method is the Room persistence. This folder does not require permission, and other apps cannot access the database. Data in the database is deleted when a specific app is uninstalled.
3.2 What is All-files Access Permission?
Google Play has set some rules for Android file management. These rules prevent access to the data for downloaded apps. Sometimes, you need to give apps permission to access all files, and this is possible using the all-files access permission.
In that case, the app requests MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission from the user, and the user accepts the request, which enables the app to access all files.
This permission is primarily granted to the following types of apps: file managers, anti-virus apps, document management apps, device migration apps, folder encryption, locking apps, and backup and restore apps.
3.3 Is Wireless File Transfer Possible Only Through Cloud Services?
No, there are various other methods available which support wireless transfer. Usually, the files are uploaded to the cloud, and access is granted to authorized entities so they can download the files easily. Some other wirelessly file-sharing methods include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct, and some third-party apps that allow file transferring locally.
3.4 How to Unzip Files on Android?
Download Files By Google (previously called Files Go) on your Android device and open it. Please navigate to the .zip file saved on your Android. Click on the zip file to display all the files available in the zip folder. Select the 'Extract' option from the bottom to unzip it, and the system will start unzipping the files. After it's done, press the 'Done' button.
3.5 Where Are Downloaded Files Located on Android?
No matter what file format you download, it will directly locate your Android phone's 'Downloads' folder. The simplest way to access this folder is through a file manager app. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app drawer, then select the 'My Files' app.
Find the 'Downloads' folder in the menu; you will get all the downloaded files there.
3.6 How to Move/Copy Files from Internal Storage to SD Card?
You can seamlessly move files from internal storage to the SD card using the device's built-in file manager or downloading third-party apps. The file manager displays the internal memory folder and SD card folder separately on the screen. First, navigate to the internal memory and choose the folder where the file is available. Tap on it and select the copy or cut option. Then, navigate to the SD card option and paste the file into any folder on the SD card you want.
4Conclusive Note
Android file management helps streamline and organize (large amounts of) data on the devices, making them easy to access and utilize when needed.
When selecting a file management tool, you should consider its performance, features, security, and support critically.
Google, Samsung, and Xiaomi have launched apps to manage files on Android personal devices.
For enterprise users, selecting a file transfer tool requires consideration of not just its functionality but also its security. An MDM solution offers file management capabilities, along with a variety of other device management features for you to explore.
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