Andy Walker / Android Authority
In a recent article I wrote about alternatives to Files by Google, several users mentioned a name I hadn’t heard in ages: Total Commander. Launched back in 2012, the app still has a strong following on Android, even though I remember it best as my preferred Windows file manager back in the day. You all intrigued me, so I installed it on my main phone and started using it as my primary file manager. But is it any good compared to the many alternatives available? It certainly has the nostalgia factor, but what about functionality? Let’s explore.
Which is the better file manager? 456 votes Samsung My Files 54 % Files by Google 28 % Neither, I prefer another file manager (mention which in comments). 18 %
What I love about Total Commander
Andy Walker / Android Authority
The first thing I noticed about Total Commander is its no-nonsense UI. It feels decidedly dated but in a cozy ‘80s sweater way. There’s no hint of fancy themes or Material design elements here, but while a focus on aesthetics often leads to valuable wasted space, Total Commander crams functionality into every inch of its UI. I prefer this philosophy for file managers; the less I navigate menus and pages, the more time I have to manage files. I also appreciate the app’s direct access to the Android/data folder, a location that’s usually hidden and incredibly difficult to access even with workarounds, but is necessary for tinkerers.
Total Commander arrives light, but you can add plenty of functional bulk by installing plugins.
Total Commander also includes many smart shortcuts, several of which are hidden at first glance. I accidentally discovered that I can simply tap any icon to select that file or folder, a trick I now find quicker than the traditional long-press action. Tapping the Total Commander icon takes me back to the app’s home screen, which displays a device’s frequently accessed directories, central storage repositories, and room for user-defined locations. That’s a clever functional use of an often wasted aesthetic detail.
There’s also an interesting home screen entry called Add plugins, which opens up a world of additional features to those who want them. At the time of writing, Total Commander has just under a dozen official plugins available, including adapters for Google Drive, FTP and SFTP servers, SMB stores, Dropbox, WebDAV, and OneDrive. With these installed, I found Total Commander offers a broad storage array that matches more current Android file managers, and even beats a few like Files by Google. You can take it even further with a Wi-Fi transfer plugin to send and receive files directly from Total Commander. There are also plugins for NTFS drives (so you can connect a massive hard drive to your phone) and a legacy USB plugin for phones that don’t support plug-and-play. The app is really showing its age here.
Andy Walker / Android Authority
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