# Explorer

> Fast, lightweight and easy to use file manager.

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.speedsoftware.explorer](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.speedsoftware.explorer)

## Overview

- **ID:** `com.speedsoftware.explorer`
- **Platform:** Android
- **Type:** Android app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Speed Software
- **Category:** PRODUCTIVITY
- **Downloads:** 23,353,587
- **Rating:** 4.03 / 5 (88,894 ratings)
- **Version:** 3.12.9
- **Last updated:** 2026-02-10
- **First published:** 2026-02-10
- **Publisher country:** GB
- **Size:** 6.70 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-13
- **Store listing:** [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.speedsoftware.explorer)
- **Privacy policy:** [http://www.speedsoftware.eclipse.co.uk/privacy/explorer\_privacy.html](http://www.speedsoftware.eclipse.co.uk/privacy/explorer_privacy.html)

## Description

**Explorer** is a fast, lightweight, and easy-to-use file manager designed to organize your internal storage and SD card content seamlessly. Featuring a smooth, intuitive interface, it provides robust support for cloud services like Google Drive, Box, Dropbox, and network protocols (SMB).

Key features include multiple tabs for efficient navigation, built-in text editor, ability to create and extract ZIP, TAR, and RAR archives, and background processing for long operations. Users can stream media directly from network and cloud storage, customize icon sets, send files via email and Bluetooth, and view detailed file properties including MD5 checksums. Explorer also offers multi-language support, a search function, SQLite database viewer, and the ability to create home screen shortcuts. It balances functionality with performance, making file management straightforward and fast.

## Rankings

- #6,608 — Overall
- #6 — explore
- #8 — block explorer

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_WIFI_STATE`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_DATA_SYNC`
- `android.permission.GET_ACCOUNTS`
- `android.permission.INTERNET`
- `android.permission.MANAGE_ACCOUNTS`
- `android.permission.MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE`
- `android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS`
- `android.permission.QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES`
- `android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE`
- `android.permission.REQUEST_INSTALL_PACKAGES`
- `android.permission.WAKE_LOCK`
- `android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE`
- `com.android.launcher.permission.INSTALL_SHORTCUT`
- `com.speedsoftware.explorer.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION`

## Review summary

ExplorER is praised for being ad-free, feature-rich, and consistently reliable over years. It shines with cross-storage/multi-tab navigation (USB, cloud, local, SMB), powerful file operations, built-in viewers and scripting, plus bookmarking. Privacy-minded design (no cookies/terms) is also noted. The main recurring drawback is the removal of Google Drive access, which frustrates users who depended on GDrive. Some users also note usability questions around zip/tar creation and occasional lag, but overall it remains a capable power-user file manager.

### Pros

- Ad-free experience
- Powerful cross-storage and multi-tab support (USB, Cloud, Local, SMB)
- Rich feature set (built-in viewers, script support, copy/move/rename, favorites/bookmarks)
- Long-standing, reliable file manager with privacy focus (no cookies/terms)
- Strong SMB/LAN file sharing and network access

### Cons

- Removal of Google Drive integration (GDrive access) and related frustration for users who relied on it

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.speedsoftware.explorer)