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My new favorite Android file manager is way better than Google's default - and it's free

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Jack Wallen/ZDNET

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ZDNET key takeaways

Material Files is a well-designed Android file manager.

This app blows away the competition.

Material Files is free and can be installed from the Play Store.

I've tried so many Android file managers over the years. I've seen those that look good but lack features, those that have too many features and a pleasing aesthetic, and those that look terrible and don't have enough features.

It's been a tiresome journey, one that eventually had me giving up and sticking with the default. Until now.

Also: 7 apps I use to lock down, encrypt, and store my private files - and most are free

Recently, I stumbled upon Material Files, which is an open-source Android app, and I almost instantly proclaimed it the perfect Android file manager. It looks native on my Pixel 9 Pro and has exactly the right amount of features. When you open Material Files, you would think that it was built by Google specifically for Android, but it's not.

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