Let’s face the truth: the standard file manager on your Android phone, including Google Files, is just not good enough. While it’s fine for basic tasks like freeing up space or moving a photo, it won’t win any awards in the features department.
This is where third-party alternatives shine, and after trying out dozens of them, I finally found one that feels like Google Files on steroids: Solid Explorer.
It takes the familiar file manager concept and supercharges it with a dual-panel layout, seamless cloud and network storage integration, and robust file encryption.
Here are the top reasons why Solid Explorer is a complete command center for all your digital data.
A fully customizable UI
The first thing you will notice about Solid Explorer, after you get past its powerful features, is just how good it looks and feels to use.
I love how it offers a fully customizable UI and allows me to tailor the app’s appearance to my personal taste.
Aside from the light, dark, and black themes, I can pick my preferred accent color to give the app a personalized pop. Whether I want a classic blue, a vibrant green, or a purple shade, the options are all there.
This level of control over the color palette makes the app feel like my own.
The customization goes even deeper. I can change the folder icons to a style I prefer.
The app’s animations are smooth and fluid as well. There are also a bunch of view and folder options.
Integration with cloud storage services and network protocols
While Google Files works with major cloud services, Solid Explorer takes it to the next level.
It supports pretty much every major cloud service I use. I can log in to my Google Drive, OneDrive, or Box accounts directly within the app. This is a huge time-saver.
Instead of switching between different apps to move files, I can drag and drop a document from the phone’s download folder into my OneDrive account.
The app’s networking capabilities are what truly sold me. I can connect to my home computer’s shared folders using SMB (Server Message Block). This means I can access files on my PC from my phone without any complex setup.
It also supports FTP, SFTP, and WebDAV, which are essential for me when I need to transfer files to a server or access remote storage. This feature alone turns my phone into a powerful productivity tool.
There is also an option to password-protect all your network locations.
Power user features you didn’t know you needed
This is where Solid Explorer knocks it out of the park.
One of the valuable tools is the built-in file encryption. There are certain sensitive documents that I don’t want anyone to see. With Solid Explorer, I can select a file or an entire folder and protect it with strong AES encryption.
On top of that, its archiving capabilities are top-notch. I can create encrypted ZIP and 7-Zip archives, and just as easily extract them.
Solid Explorer has a native app for Google TV. I have found it to be a fantastic tool for managing my TV’s storage and, most importantly, for sideloading apps.
The Google Play Store on Google TV can be a bit restrictive, and there are many useful apps not available there. What I do is download the APK file on my phone, and then I use Solid Explorer’s networking features to transfer it to my TV.
After it’s on my TV, I can use the Solid Explorer app to browse the APK, install it, and get it running.
Solid Explorer is packed with neat tools
Solid Explored packs several small, thoughtful details that elevate the experience beyond a basic file manager.
One of my useful features is a powerful search. It’s far more intelligent than a simple keyword search. I can filter by type, size, and date, which saves me a ton of time when I’m trying to track down a specific file.
I also like the visual storage analysis. It gives me a beautiful, graphical breakdown of what’s eating up space on my device. I can quickly identify and delete large files or entire folders.
Overall, these small refinements — the smooth animations, the smart search, and the visual feedback — add up to a file management setup that feels polished and professional.
Say goodbye to Google Files
Google Files is great at what it does: helping you clean up junk and make space on your phone. But when you need to do more than delete memes, screenshots, and unnecessarily large videos, its basic functionality can become a major roadblock.
Solid Explorer is built for true file management.
If you have been looking for a reason to move beyond the basics and unlock the full potential of your Android device, give Solid Explorer a try. Aside from that, here are the other top apps to supercharge your productivity on Android.
