Material Files review
A free Android file manager with archive tools, root access and NAS protocols.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Material Files is an open-source file manager for Android 5.0 and later, aimed at people who want direct control over local files and connections to network storage. Its file navigation uses breadcrumbs, and it supports archive viewing, extraction and creation. Root-access file management and awareness of symbolic links, permissions and SELinux context make it a fit for users working with more than ordinary documents. Customizable colors and night mode provide interface options without changing that focused role.
Network access is a notable strength: Material Files supports FTP, SFTP, SMB and WebDAV, covering several common ways to reach remote files and NAS servers from Android. Archive handling is also built in, so users can view, extract and create common compressed archives in the same app. Linux system-call-based filesystem operations, together with symbolic-link and permission awareness, suit technically confident users managing filesystem details. These capabilities are specific to Android; the published platform coverage is Android, so users needing a desktop or cross-platform file manager should look elsewhere.
The app is free and open source under the GPL-3.0 license, with distribution through Google Play, F-Droid and GitHub releases. That combination will appeal to users who prefer open-source software and want to choose among those Android distribution routes. Material Files is a strong fit for individual users and small-scale needs centered on Android files, archives and NAS connections. It is less suited to buyers looking for a broader file-management suite or support across multiple operating systems. Email and documentation are the listed support channels, while the core value remains a focused set of file and filesystem tools.
Material Files pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Create and extract common compressed archives
- Connect to FTP, SFTP, SMB and WebDAV servers
- Manage root files and inspect permissions and SELinux context
- Where it doesn't
- Available for Android only
- Focused on file management rather than broader workflows
- Root-access operations are relevant only to users who need them
Material Files fact sheet, pricing and score →
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