this post was submitted on 30 May 2024
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I use Solid Explorer a lot. I use it mostly to transfer files from my phone to my Samba network storage. However, in the past couple days, this has randomly stopped working for Solid Explorer and I can no longer connect to my NAS as a guest. I've confirmed that it's a Solid Explorer problem by connecting with Material Files and so I tried to contact NeatBytes and got no response, so now I'm looking for an alternative.

You might be thinking, if Material Files works, why not use that? It's single pane. I really need a dual pane user experience.

The other thing I would really like is a Material You looking/feeling user experience. One of my issues with Solid Explorer is that it feels a bit dated.

With all that in mind, can you recommend something please?

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 5 months ago

Material Files foss is the best one i found a year back and never looked back.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 5 months ago (1 children)

I've been using MiX for years now:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mixplorer.silver

A bit weird feel, but once you got used to it, it's awesome.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

This might be the best suggestion, outside of the Material Files workaround, yet.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

Can confirm, I've used it for years and checking their XDA thread from 2011 states that it still supports Froyo? Amazing

https://xdaforums.com/t/app-2-2-mixplorer-v6-x-released-fully-featured-file-manager.1523691/

[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 months ago (1 children)

You can open a second or third instance of material files via the three dots menu. You then have the app multiple times open and can copy/cut and paste between them.

Its not quite two panes but maybe better on a small screen. Its also a feature that's easy to miss.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago

Thank you very much. That is indeed helpful.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 months ago (2 children)

Total Commander is really good for remote connections. It does dual pane.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Or alternatively, if you prefer FOSS, Ghost Commander.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Appears to be more modern than Total Commander, but no Material You support.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 months ago

The Windows version of TC is also quite old fashioned, but it works.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

The screenshots are targeting Ice Cream Sandwich

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago

Sure but it works well and is stable.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

AndSMB had been good to me for connecting to my nas and other shares. It's not the most polished but it is exceptionally reliable.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago

Thanks for the suggestion

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Closed source alternative: FX explorer with horizontal split panels and nice UI

Foss alternative: ghost commander with vertical split panels but dated UI

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

FX explorer

Over a year since the last update 😭

[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 months ago

If everything works, doesn't need updates every week

Especially on the play store where Google approving updates for file managers is a lottery