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.
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.
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.
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?
Settings -> Default panel content
Haven’t used it myself, but this looks like the setting for it.
Thank you SO MUCH!
Smiles softly. You’re welcome.
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.
Althought it is not fully MD3, you can kind of get Material You on MiX using this app
It’s just changing colors tbh.
+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
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
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.
Also use it. Does everything I need including network drive support, has storage analyser, etc. UI is nice and useful. So far, I have no reason to search for alternatives.
Also use it. Does everything I need including network drive support, has storage analyser, etc. UI is nice and useful. So far, I have no reason to search for alternatives.
I use File Explorer+ which is the same dev apparently.
Would you share an image?
I can’t find it on the Play Store.
Oh great thanks!
I couldn’t find it since in my language (spanish) it’s just called “File Manager” lol
Oh, and it’s File Manager+ here in English! I’m not sure why I thought it was File Explorer+, I obviously didn’t double-check before posting. It’s a bit of a generic name anyway, so not the easiest to find.
Total Commander. Has been for two decades on PC and near one on Android. Not beautiful, but so useful.
I’m using it since Norton Commander under DOS, I don’t know how to use something else !
Never liked it on pc, but I have it on phone and love the ability to have 2 dirs open at the same time.
Solid Explorer but it’s not like I’ve tried all the others too. It’s what I always go to and it has served me good.
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.
None of them.
I can’t see the hidden parts of the filesystem reserved for program data. So I can’t backup program data with Syncthing.
I use Google Files. Tried several F-Droid equivalents still disappointed.
[Pixel 7 Pro]
CX file explorer- can’t live without it.
I’m using X-plore for about 15 years now, since Symbian
There’s just nothing like it. Super powerful and easy to use
FX File manager. Super fast even on weak hardware, customizable, and feature rich, with virtually no bugs. It’s not only the best file manager I’ve found on Android, it’s the best file manager I’ve found on any platform.
Material files and/or anemo are perfect for me. Wish material files could handle more kinds of compressed archives though, I have to keep a different app for those tasks
what sort of archives? never encountered any that Material Files woudl refuse to open
Like 7zip, or winrar if I remember right. Sometimes when torrenting something or getting ROMs for emulation I’ve come across archive formats that have given me a problem when I try to uncompress them
weird, I never had that issue
Same as you, Mixplorer
