Hi, I’ve been using material files on Android, and I especially like how you can share anything to it, and it will give you the option to save it as a file.
However, recently, it has lost its ability to save files. I think it doesn’t have permission anymore, with no ability to reenable. So, I was wondering if anybody else can recommend a good file browser and file manager for Android?
Edit: thanks for the recs! I’m trying them out.
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I’m still using FX File Explorer which apparently hasn’t been updated since 2023 yet still works fine on Android 16?
I’ve always used Solid Explorer.
Yeah, I started using them forever ago and haven’t looked back because it does exactly what I want it to. My only sad is that it isn’t open source.
I’ve had a fine experience with Fossify File Manager. I can’t recall running into anything I wanted to do that it couldn’t handle.
I use Fossify FM for most on-device stuff, thumbs up from me too.
If I need to copy/move files between my phone and my NAS I use Ghost Commander as it has SMB support and the dual-panels make moving between devices easier to grapple with visually.
CX File Explorer has always worked well for me.
Very friendly for NAS users too.
I like it a lot too and it’d be perfect if it had a dark theme, I feel like I’m waiting on this since ages
not foss, but i always use total commander
There’s Ghost Commander, if you want a foss alternative to Total Commander. I remember the switch as Ghost Commander feeling basically the same but slightly better.
Same
Not foss, but MiXplorer is the best file manager I have ever used, it’s easy to use and packed with features. You can get if for free from Xdaforums
I used ES File Explorer for 10 years before finally giving up on an old, pre-enshittified version, and switching to Mix.
I don’t love it, but its the best out there today.
Edit: Some of the way it works is really powerful, like the bookmark system, tab management, copy process, etc. I just can’t get it to look the way I want, with slightly larger everything, and higher contrast text/icons (I admit I’m too lazy to make it happen, pretty sure I could just create a skin).
I still have the option to save stuff as a file with material files, so not sure what’s wrong.
What happens when you hit save? I get get that far but afterwards I get permission denied.
Edit: seems like it is only/mainly for certain images. I’m trying to find an example.
Are webp files giving you a hard time? They’re a pain in the butt.
Yeah I think that’s it! What’s the hangup?
Webp’s are the biggest pains in the butt. I hate them. Very few apps that I use support sharing them. I usually have to take a screenshot of the webp, save it as something that’s not an idiot format, and THEN share it. I don’t have anything against the format, itself, I just wish it was more widely-supported.
I just don’t get why the error would say permission denied when I try to save it with material files. Shrug!
The rest makes sense I’ll probably do that.
It saves the file and it works. I think there might be a permissions issue with some images (are the images part of a particular album/folder? Are they all from a certain app? etc.)
Double check the permissions of Material Files, maybe you have it set to something like “only allow images I select”
I recently switched from Amaze to Fossify Manager and Gallery.
Amaze file manager off FDroid
