AnExplorer vs ES File Explorer
ES File Explorer was once the most-downloaded Android file manager — over 500 million installs worldwide. But Google removed it from the Play Store in 2019 after discovering it ran undisclosed background processes that collected user data and served ads via its own advertising SDK. Since then, millions of users have been searching for a trustworthy ES File Explorer alternative.
AnExplorer has been on the Play Store continuously since 2011, with over 7 million downloads and 1.1 million active users — no privacy controversies, no adware.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | AnExplorer | ES File Explorer (latest) |
|---|---|---|
| Google Play availability | ✅ Available | ❌ Removed 2019 |
| Privacy / no adware | ✅ Clean | ❌ Known data collection issues |
| File browser | ✅ | ✅ |
| FTP Server | ✅ Built-in | ✅ |
| SMB / Windows Share | ✅ Read + Write | ✅ |
| WebDAV | ✅ | ✅ |
| NAS support | ✅ Synology, QNAP, WD | Limited |
| Cloud (Dropbox, OneDrive) | ✅ Box, Dropbox, OneDrive, PCloud, Yandex | ✅ Multiple |
| Android TV / Fire TV | ✅ Native app | ❌ Not available |
| Wear OS | ✅ Native watch app | ❌ Not available |
| Chromebook | ✅ Native Android app | ❌ Not available |
| VR/XR (Meta Quest) | ✅ Native app | ❌ Not available |
| Root file manager | ✅ | ✅ |
| Archive (ZIP/RAR/7z) | ✅ | ✅ |
| APK install (APKM/APKS/XAPK) | ✅ All bundle formats | ✅ APK only |
| Device Connect (HTTP server) | ✅ | ❌ |
| Wi-Fi Share | ✅ | ✅ (ES Share) |
| Price | Free | Free (with heavy ads) |
Why ES File Explorer Was Removed from Play Store
In 2019, security researchers at Symantec and ESET found that ES File Explorer:
- Opened an HTTP server on port 59777 accessible to anyone on the same network, exposing all files on the phone
- Included advertising SDKs (ADSCore, SDK) that collected browsing history
- Secretly downloaded and installed other apps in the background
Google removed it under the Deceptive Behavior Policy. Users who still have it installed are using a version that hasn't received security patches in years.
ES File Explorer Alternatives by Use Case
| Use Case | Best Alternative |
|---|---|
| General file management | AnExplorer |
| Dual-pane power users | MiXplorer, Solid Explorer |
| Android TV file management | AnExplorer (only major option) |
| Wear OS | AnExplorer (only option) |
| Root file access | AnExplorer, Root Explorer |
| FTP/SMB network access | AnExplorer, X-plore, FX File Explorer |
What AnExplorer Has That ES File Explorer Never Had
- Android TV native app with Nvidia Shield-optimized layout
- Wear OS app for file management directly from your wrist
- Meta Quest / XR support — transfer files to VR headsets
- Device Connect — share your phone's files via any browser on your network, with no app needed on the accessing device
- APKM/APKS/XAPK bundle installer — ES File Explorer only installs standard APKs
What You Lose Switching from ES File Explorer
Most ES File Explorer features have direct equivalents in AnExplorer:
| ES Feature | AnExplorer Equivalent |
|---|---|
| ES Share | Wi-Fi Share |
| Remote Manager (FTP to phone) | Device Connect |
| LAN / Network | Network → SMB |
| Cloud Drives | Network → Cloud |
| App Manager | Apps section |
| Process Manager | Not included (use dedicated app) |
Getting Started
AnExplorer is free on the Play Store — no account required, no sign-in, no subscription for core features.
Install AnExplorer on Google Play