2d ago

Giving up control bit by bit

246 comments

Yeah, it can be hard to find files sometimes. File Navigator solves this problem perfectly.
- Solid Explorer has always been my go to. I never understood why basic file explorer functions essentially required the use of a separate app, but it's functionality is superb and the now-baked-in-but-terrible file explorer in android can never hope to match it.
  
  If you think about it, its always a separate app. WIndows Explorer is an app and so is Dolphin on KDE. ls is an app.
  Android just has a bit of an identity problem with how to present files. Considering its made for the most common denominator, and everything revolves around 'apps' now, the concept of files, what they are and what they do is new to many. Most people wont even consider the photo they took is a file. Its a photo, not a file, what are you talking about?. So I'm not surprised the representation of files is on the lower priority list.
  I'm old school, I want to know where everything is in the file system and this part of android messes with me.
  
  "Akshually, photo is not a file" is how iOS did it. Blew my mind when I tried to sync my files (Syncthing/Möbius) and it would not show any of the photos in file lists. Apparently it's for "security reasons".
  This was several years ago so IDK if it's the same still.
  
  I guess I meant that it shouldn't require a 3rd party app. When I discovered and began using Solid Explorer, there wasn't even a viable system app for file management in Android, you had to use a 3rd party app. They did eventually add a system app, but it's next to useless.
  
  Oh, Samsung has a files app. I just assumed all vendors provide one. I dont consider this third party though.
  I guess it would be similar if you used GNOME and it didnt come with the app 'Files'. Linux isnt a desktop so there wouldnt be any system app for files either, just the CLI. Does stock Android provide a system files app? I cant find it.
  
  I'm using a Samsung device now as well, but as I recall, my last Pixel phone did have a very basic files app. But stock Android didn't always - I was using ES File Explorer and eventually Solid Explorer on my HTC phones back in the day to restore basic functionality.
- I prefer Material Files.

246 comments