FX File Explorer

NextApp, Inc.

In-app purchases

About this app

FX File Explorer features a Material Design UI and new ways to transfer your files between devices and computers:

* SMBv2 support.
* New "FX Connect" transfers files from phone-to-phone with Wi-Fi Direct. Supports NFC to connect two phones by physically touching their backs together. (requires FX+)
* New "Web Access" enables transfer and management of files and media from your computer's web browser. You can drag-and-drop entire folders to your phone from your computer, or stream your phone's music playlists to your computer over Wi-Fi. (requires FX+)

FX is a file explorer built to make working with files and media on your phone or tablet as easy as it is on your computer:

* Productivity-oriented "Home Screen": Directly access your important folders, media, and cloud storage
* Multiple window support, with dual-view mode to see two windows at once
* "Usage View" mode shows the total size and content makeup of every folder, as you browse and manage files
* Support for most file archive formats

FX protects your privacy:

* No advertisements
* No tracking of user activity: FX does not ever "phone home"
* Built by NextApp, Inc., a US corporation founded in 2002; all proprietary code was developed in-house

The optional FX+ Add-On module enables more functionality:

* Access networked computers, including FTP, SSH FTP, WebDAV, and Windows Networking (SMB1 and SMB2)
* Connect to cloud storage including Google Drive, Dropbox, SugarSync, Box, SkyDrive, and OwnCloud
* Manage installed applications, with support for browsing applications based on their required permissions
* Create and explore inside AES-256/AES-128 encrypted zip files
* Browse audio content by artist/album/playlist; manage and organize playlists
* Directly browse photo and video folders
* Encrypted password keyring (use one password to access network and cloud locations)

FX includes a number of built-in editing/viewing applets:

* Text Editor (with undo/redo history, cut/paste, search, and pinch-to-zoom)
* Binary (Hex) Viewer
* Image Viewer
* Media Player and pop-up Audio Player
* Zip, Tar, GZip, Bzip2, 7zip archive creators and extractors
* RAR file extractor
* Shell Script Executor

Android 8 / 9 Location Permission Notice

* NOTE: Android 8.0+ unfortunately required us to add the "approximate location" permission, as it's now required for apps that support Wi-Fi direct (because Wi-Fi direct leaks this information). FX does not ever actually query your location, and this permission will only ever be asked for on Android 8.0 and later when using FX Connect. This requirement previously applied only to Android 9.0, but because FX now specifies full support for the latest Android API, Android 8.0 also requires this permission.

Ratings and reviews

A truly special app. This is the perfect file manager for Android. Super fast and optimized, very customizable, and feature-rich and powerful. It doesn't have any ads as well! For a 1-time purchase of under $5, you unlock truly pro features that go way beyond my skill set, but I bought it anyway to support the dev. Man, it's so good that I want to donate again! 5 stars isn't enough for this app, it deserves at least 6.

I usually prefer apps that adapt better to Android's interface, but I've made an exception for this app because for file management, it honestly just works better. I initially choose this app over (more popular) competitors for its fantastic privacy. All of the app's "basic" functionality is completely free, so until recently, when I set up a home NAS, I never had an excuse to purchase the $3 full version (which can be purchased w/o Play Services). Seriously, this app is /packed/ with features.

This app was last updated about 1-1/2 years ago. Doesn't work properly on Android 12 and MIUI 13. The problem is the inability to get full write access to the SD Card. For example, I can't rename a folder. This has been my favorite file explorer by far due to the great GUI customization features. I've used it for at least 5 years. So I hope the developers update the app soon. Also, I wish Google would find a way to not keep breaking apps as they put out each new Android update. It's so annoying.

What's new

FX 9.0
Major UI Updates
Improved Android 11/12 Support, e.g. "Manage All Files" permission usage
SSH Curve25519 support
SMB3 support
Dropbox API fixes
Now requires Android 5.0+.
Translucent themes have been removed temporarily, but may return at some point.
Android 13 support, removed ridiculous previously required location permission for Android 13+ Wifi Direct!