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 that matches its feature set without the privacy baggage.
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, no removal from any store.
Why ES File Explorer Was Removed from Play Store
Google removed ES File Explorer from the Play Store in April 2019 due to ad fraud violations by its parent company DO Global (a Baidu subsidiary). The removal came after two separate incidents:
Ad Fraud (Primary cause): BuzzFeed News and Android Police reported that DO Global's apps were secretly clicking ads in the background without user interaction — generating fraudulent ad revenue while draining user battery and data. Google removed the entire DO Global developer account under the Deceptive Behavior Policy.
Security Vulnerability (Discovered separately): In January 2019, security researcher Baptiste Robert (fs0c131y) discovered that ES File Explorer opened an HTTP server on port 59777 accessible to anyone on the same local network. This exposed all phone files without authentication — photos, videos, documents, anything on the device could be accessed by any app or device on the same Wi-Fi network. This was a critical security flaw but was not the stated reason for Google's removal decision.
Data Collection: ES File Explorer's privacy policy (when it existed) disclosed broad data collection permissions, but the actual scope of background data harvesting exceeded what was disclosed. Users reported unexplained battery drain and data usage traced to ES's background processes.
Combined, these issues make ES File Explorer one of the most high-profile privacy failures in Android app history. Users who still have it installed are using a version that hasn't received security patches since 2019 — over five years without security updates.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | AnExplorer | ES File Explorer (latest available) |
|---|---|---|
| Google Play availability | ✅ Available | ❌ Removed 2019 |
| Amazon App Store | ✅ Available | ❌ Removed 2022 |
| Privacy / no adware | ✅ Clean | ❌ Known data collection + ad fraud |
| Security patches | ✅ Regular updates | ❌ No updates since 2019 |
| File browser | ✅ | ✅ |
| FTP Client | ✅ | ✅ |
| FTP Server | ✅ Built-in | ✅ |
| SFTP | ✅ | Limited |
| SMB / Windows Share | ✅ Read + Write | ✅ |
| WebDAV | ✅ | ✅ |
| FTPS (encrypted FTP) | ✅ | ❌ |
| NAS support | ✅ Synology, QNAP, WD | Limited |
| Cloud: Google Drive | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cloud: Dropbox | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cloud: OneDrive | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cloud: MEGA | ✅ | ❌ |
| Cloud: Box | ✅ | ❌ |
| Cloud: pCloud | ✅ | ❌ |
| Cloud: Yandex Disk | ✅ | ❌ |
| 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 |
| Android Automotive | ✅ | ❌ |
| Root file manager | ✅ | ✅ |
| Archive (ZIP/RAR/7z/TAR) | ✅ Full set | ✅ ZIP + RAR |
| ISO disc images | ✅ | ❌ |
| CBR/CBZ comics | ✅ | ❌ |
| APK install (APKM/APKS/XAPK) | ✅ All bundle formats | ✅ APK only |
| Device Connect (HTTP server) | ✅ | ❌ |
| Wi-Fi Share | ✅ | ✅ (ES Share) |
| WhatsApp Manager | ✅ | ❌ |
| Built-in PDF viewer | ✅ | ❌ |
| Built-in text editor | ✅ | ✅ (basic) |
| Price | Free | Free (with heavy ads) |
| Dual-pane | ❌ | ❌ |
ES File Explorer Alternatives by Use Case
For former ES File Explorer users looking for a replacement, here's what matches different needs:
| Use Case | Best Alternative | Why |
|---|---|---|
| General file management with network | AnExplorer | Same protocols + more cloud + better security |
| Dual-pane power users | MiXplorer, Solid Explorer | ES didn't have dual-pane either |
| Android TV file management | AnExplorer (only major option) | ES never had proper TV support |
| Wear OS | AnExplorer (only option) | ES never had a watch app |
| VR headset file management | AnExplorer | ES never supported VR |
| Root file access | AnExplorer, Root Explorer | Both have mature root support |
| FTP/SMB network access | AnExplorer, X-plore, FX File Explorer | All offer robust network |
| Lightweight + simple | CX File Explorer | For users who only need basic browsing |
What AnExplorer Has That ES File Explorer Never Had
Even at ES File Explorer's peak, before the privacy scandal, AnExplorer offers features ES never included:
- Android TV native app with Nvidia Shield-optimized layout and D-pad navigation
- Wear OS app for file management directly from your wrist on Galaxy Watch and Pixel Watch
- Meta Quest / XR support — transfer files to VR headsets, browse headset storage
- Android Automotive — manage files in your car's infotainment system
- 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 only installed standard APKs
- Seven cloud services (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Box, pCloud, MEGA, Yandex) vs ES's more limited selection
- ISO disc image browsing and CBR/CBZ comic archive support
- FTPS (FTP over TLS) for encrypted file server connections
- Built-in PDF viewer that doesn't require external apps
What You Lose Switching from ES File Explorer
Most ES File Explorer features have direct equivalents in AnExplorer. The transition is straightforward:
| ES Feature | AnExplorer Equivalent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ES Share | Wi-Fi Share | Same concept — device-to-device wireless |
| Remote Manager (FTP to phone) | Device Connect + FTP Server | Device Connect is easier (browser-based) |
| LAN / Network | Network → SMB / FTP / SFTP | More protocols available |
| Cloud Drives | Network → Cloud | Seven services vs ES's three |
| App Manager | Apps section | View, backup, uninstall apps |
| Download Manager | Not included | Use browser's built-in download manager |
| Process Manager | Not included | Use dedicated app (Greenify, etc.) |
| Music Player | Built-in player | Basic playback built in |
| Root Explorer | Root access toggle | Same capability |
| Recycle Bin | Recycle Bin | Same concept |
The only ES features without direct equivalents are the process manager (bloatware-related) and the download manager. Both are better served by dedicated apps.
Security Comparison — Why This Matters
| Security Aspect | AnExplorer | ES File Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Google Play verification | ✅ Continuously verified | ❌ Removed for violations |
| Background processes | None undisclosed | ❌ Ad fraud processes |
| Network exposure | Only when user starts server | ❌ Port 59777 always open |
| Data collection | Minimal, disclosed | ❌ Undisclosed harvesting |
| Last security patch | Regular updates | ❌ 2019 (5+ years ago) |
| Third-party audit | Clean | ❌ Multiple violations found |
If you still have ES File Explorer installed, you're running software with known security vulnerabilities that hasn't been patched in over five years. Any new Android vulnerability that affects file managers remains unpatched in ES.
Pricing and Business Model
| AnExplorer | ES File Explorer | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free (Pro upgrade optional) | "Free" (ad-supported with aggressive monetisation) |
| Ads | Minimal, removable | Heavy, intrusive, fraudulent click-through |
| Pro price | $29.99 lifetime | Previously had ES Premium subscription |
| What's free | All protocols, cloud, archives | Basic features with heavy ads |
| Hidden costs | None | Battery drain, data usage, privacy loss |
ES File Explorer's "free" model was subsidised by undisclosed ad fraud and data harvesting. AnExplorer's free tier is genuinely free with optional Pro upgrade for advanced features.
How to Migrate from ES File Explorer
- Install AnExplorer from Google Play
- Re-add network connections: FTP, SMB servers with same credentials
- Re-add cloud accounts: Sign into Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive
- Uninstall ES File Explorer: Remove the security risk from your device
- Clear ES data: Settings → Apps → ES File Explorer → Clear Data → Uninstall
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