Published Apr 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Kanika began writing about consumer technology in 2019 and has contributed to tech websites like Beebom and The Mac Observer. During her journey, she covered a wide range of topics, including Android, Windows, AI, and everything Apple. She has been a loyal iPhone user since 2014, and owns an Apple device from almost every lineup. With a keen eye on the latest trends, she strives to help users get the most out of their gadgets.
Beyond her love for writing, she is a deep researcher and a lifelong learner, always eager to explore the latest innovations and emerging technologies. With her passion for technology and writing, she joined MUO in 2025 as a Freelance Tech Writer.
When not writing, she's probably trying a viral Instagram recipe or watching some thriller suspense on Netflix.
Like many folks, I also used to rely on third-party apps to manage files on Android. I wanted better organization, faster file transfers, and advanced tools like file compression. Frankly speaking, the built-in options felt too basic. Well, I used to think like that until I tried Android’s built-in file management features. After using them for a while, I realized that I didn’t need my third-party app at all. Surprisingly, Android already offers an array of powerful file management features that rival popular apps.
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I didn't realize Android's file manager is this good
Don’t underestimate it
Most Android devices have a preinstalled file manager. If you own a Pixel phone, you have Files by Google; Samsung users have My Files. However, these apps are also easier to overlook. At first glance, I found Android’s built-in file manager too basic. I thought they were nowhere closer to dedicated third-party file managers. Once I started exploring, I noticed they are packed with quite a lot of features. They are no longer barebone utilities.
Files by Google features a clean design and smart suggestions. All your files are categorized into images, videos, apps, and documents. This makes it easier for you to browse through your files. There’s also a Recents view that gives you quick access to recently created, added, or modified files. Samsung’s My Files also simplifies file navigation. It also offers powerful storage insights.
The best thing about these apps is their simplicity. They don’t overwhelm me with confusing menus and deeper settings. Unlike most third-party apps that annoy you with pop-ups or ads, Android’s built-in tools are simple and easy to use. They are just there when you need them. Now I’ve realized that Android’s file manager isn’t basic. Rather, it’s thoughtfully designed to keep things focused.
Files by Google
OS Android
Price model Free
App Type File Management
Files by Google is a powerful storage management app for Android. It intelligently identifies junk files, duplicates, and large items to free up space. You can easily browse media by category, back up data to the cloud, and transfer files offline via Quick Share. It even includes a PIN-protected Safe Folder.
Yes, it offers smart search and easy cleanup
One of the biggest reasons I was using third-party apps was better search and cleanup tools. Recently, I discovered that Android does these better natively. Files by Google offers smart searching and browsing features. There’s a powerful search function so you can locate your files by type, name, and even size. With Smart Search, I can find my photos by location, search text in images, and search for media files by artist or album.
For me, the actual game-changer is the cleanup system. Yes, Android’s built-in cleaning tools already do what most apps advertise. There’s a Clean tab that scans your files and suggests what you can delete safely on your phone. You don’t need to hunt down clutter manually. The app identifies your junk files, cache, old screenshots, and duplicates. This gives you a clear breakdown, so you can decide what you actually want to remove.
Samsung My Files also breaks down usage across categories. It also highlights large or unused files, so you can have a clear picture of what’s taking up space on your phone.
Sharing and cloud access are also built into the system
Credit: Jack Mitchell/MakeUseOf
Another reason I relied on third-party file managers was for easy file sharing and cloud integration. Now, Android tools have managed to catch up here as well. Both Files by Google and My Files integrate seamlessly with Google Drive. This gives you the freedom to manage your cloud files directly from the file manager. This way, you don’t have to move back and forth between multiple apps. To access Google Drive, open Files by Google or My Files, scroll to the Storage section, and tap Google Drive.
Android offers you Quick Share so you can send files to nearby devices at high speed without needing an internet connection. You just need to open your file manager, select the files you wish to send, tap Share, and choose Quick Share.
It even offers advanced features
Compress and secure your files
This is where things really surprised me. I had always thought that I needed a third-party app for advanced file operations like compression, file protection, or deep storage access. But after trying out Files by Google and My Files apps, I got to know that Android already offers these capabilities.
Both Files by Google and My Files support file compression. This means I can zip large files and folders without downloading any third-party apps. To compress my files, I just have to select the items, tap on the three dots, choose Compress or Create Zip, and save the archive. To extract my files, I just tap on a ZIP file, hit Extract, and choose where I want to save the contents. Earlier, I used to rely on third-party apps like RAR and WinZip, but now I stick with built-in options.
These native apps also let you hide and protect your files. For instance, Files by Google offers a Safe Folder so you can lock your sensitive files and photos behind a PIN. Open the app, go to the Collections section, scroll down to Safe Folder, and create your PIN. After that, you can move your files to this protected space.
On Samsung devices, My Files works alongside Secure Folder. This gives you a private and encrypted space to save your sensitive photos, videos, and apps. To set it up, go to Settings -> Security and privacy -> More security settings -> Secure Folder and sign in with your Samsung account. You can then click on the Add files button to import your photos, videos, and documents.
Android’s built-in file manager gets the job done
Earlier, I used to think that I definitely needed a third-party file manager to get the most out of my Android phone. But after using the built-in tools, my perspective just changed. When combined, these “hidden” advanced features aren’t just nice extras. Instead, they’re robust enough to replace your dedicated third-party apps. Frankly speaking, I get everything I need. There are cleanup features, easy searches, seamless cloud integration, and even advanced file operations.
Since I don’t have any other niche requirements, these built-in tools work perfectly well for me. And they have successfully replaced several dedicated apps on my phone.