Those of you of a certain age will remember how managing files on your computer was easier with Windows Commander. This program, long trajectory, had to change its name because Microsoft owns the Windows brand. Now, as Total Commander, arrives on Google Play.
The manager is perhaps one of the most complete and, of course, allows you to do many more things of those that the manager that comes with Android allows you to do. Its creator published a first version for mobile devices and, since then, has been updated frequently until it is available in the official Google store.
The Android version of this manager born for computers allows you to do almost everything: copy and move entire subdirectories, rename them on the fly and create new ones. We can also delete entire applications, files or directories (it is not recommended if you do not know what you are doing; if you need recover deleted files on Android (check out our guide).
With Total Commander you achieve something that is not the main objective of the application: view the entire file structure of the mobile in a more complete way than what Android shows you. Bring the simplicity of Windows when exploring the system to the dark and closed mobile.
Also allows zip and unzip files in various formats (zip, rar…; for open RAR files on Android consult our guide), allows us change file and folder permissions and gives root access support to the main functions of the mobile.
Not included in the download, too has a number of plugins which must be downloaded and installed separately. Thus, it has a FTP client to transfer files between Android and PC and connections over this protocol. I've never used my phone to make an FTP connection, but now I'll have to try it. Another plugin allows the connection to local area networks (LAN) via the Windows file sharing system smb.
The app takes some time to get the hang of all its features. But once you've mastered it, you will get much more out of it to your Android.
Total Commander in Google Play.
What you can do today with Total Commander on Android
- Full management: Batch copy/move and subfolders, drag and drop, in-place renaming, folder creation.
- advanced compression: zip/unzip and unrar (see apps to unzip files on Android), plus support for 7z, tar, gz, bz2, iso, cab and other common formats.
- Direct deletion no trash, folder size calculation and properties with permission changes (optional root mode).
- Powerful search: by name, content, date/size filters and regular expressions.Also allows searching from the home folder.
- Multi-renowned with masks, counters, uppercase/lowercase and use of EXIF date in photos (learn to view file metadata on Android).
- Installing packages of applications in compatible formats and internal text editor for quick changes.
Interface, dual panel and efficient navigation
Total Commander offers one or two file panels (also in virtual dual panel) to speed up copies and moves. The arrow button exchange panels and the equal sign equal routes between panels. You can edit route with a touch, pull to reload directories, use historial y markers and activate side scrolling. Includes miniatures and album art for music, accessibility support, and a dark mode in the help. Selection is very agile: by icons, by ranges, or by patterns.
Essential plugins and connections
- FTP / SFTP: Connect to servers and transfer files securely.
- LAN (SMB): Access Windows shared resources on your local network.
- WebDAV: Useful for own servers, NAS and compatible services.
- Cloud: plugins for Google Drive, Dropbox and OneDrive (see how integrate Google Drive into your file manager).
- Wi-Fi Transfer: Share files and URLs between mobile devices or with your PC via a browser.
- USB OTG: access to USB flash drives on compatible devices (see file systems on USB OTG).
- Installed applications: Lists apps, creates local copies, and makes them easier to manage.
Additionally, if you work from a PC, the Total Commander desktop ecosystem has a Android ADB plugin to browse mobile storage via IP/port, capture screenshots and copy/delete files, ideal for advanced workflows.
Media player and useful extras
It includes a Media player capable of reproducing and Stream from LAN/WebDAV/Cloud, with speed control and notification management. The internal viewer/editor allows you to quickly edit text and notes. configurable button bar launch apps, internal commands or even shell commands (with exit in dialogue and subsequent reload if desired).
Security, privacy and root mode
The app does not contain ads; in your home folder, you'll see a plugin download shortcut that the Play Store may treat as a promotion. The permission superuser It is requested only to offer optional root functions (e.g., writing to system folders). If you are not root, the app works just as well (see Advanced file manager for Android without root); if you are, you will receive explicit warnings before writing to protected partitions.
With this set of features, plugins and shortcuts, Total Commander is a tool that constantly evolving and that makes file management on Android a fast, secure, and very flexible process, for both basic and advanced users.
