People used to love ES File Manager. It was one of the first Android apps that helped users manage their files better than the built-in tools. Back then, Android didn’t give users many options. You couldn’t even move files around easily. So many people downloaded third-party apps. ES File Manager was the most popular one. It gave users more control, and it worked well.
But after some years, the app started having problems. It wasn’t just small bugs. The developers added dangerous things to it. Eventually, Google removed the app from the Play Store. Let’s look at what made it great, what went wrong, and which apps are better and safer to use today.
Why ES File Manager Was So Popular
In the early Android days, file explorers were basic. You could only do a few things, like opening a file or renaming it. But ES File Manager changed that. It added more tools that made managing files feel like using a computer.
One big reason people liked it was that it combined many features in one place. It didn’t just let you see your files—it also helped you clean junk, move data to the cloud, and even manage installed apps. That made phones easier to use.
Helpful Tools in ES File Manager
ES File Manager made life easier by putting many tools in one app. Some of its key features were:
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Multi-view layout: It lets users sort files by pictures, music, videos, or documents. That made finding things faster.
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App manager: You could uninstall apps, back them up, or even make shortcuts to put on the home screen. No need to dig through phone settings.
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File compression: The app could open and create ZIP and RAR files. You didn’t need another app for that.
Advanced Tools for Expert Users
What made ES File Manager different from other file explorers was its support for advanced features. It didn’t just stop at file viewing. It gave users tools that worked across different systems.
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Root Explorer: This let people with rooted phones look inside system folders. Developers and tech experts used this a lot.
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Cloud support: The app could connect to Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. You could move files from your phone to the cloud without using separate apps.
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Remote access: It had a built-in FTP tool that let users control their phone files from a computer using Wi-Fi. This made sharing large files between devices simple.
Where It All Went Wrong
Even though the app was popular, the problems started when the company behind it changed how it worked. The original team sold it to DO Global, a company tied to Baidu. After that, bad updates followed. The app started to act differently—and not in a good way.
Click Fraud and Google’s Response
In 2019, Google banned ES File Manager from the Play Store. Why? Because it was caught clicking on ads in the background without the user’s permission. This was done to make more money from ads. It was called a “click fraud” scheme.
Google saw this as cheating. It broke their ad rules and tricked users. So they removed the app to stop the problem from spreading. That was the beginning of the end for ES File Manager.
Major Security Bug Found
Before Google removed the app, security researchers found something even worse. Each time you opened the app, it quietly started a local web server on your phone. That might sound harmless, but it wasn’t.
This hidden server used port 59777 and didn’t need a password. Anyone connected to the same Wi-Fi could see your files, run apps, or even take your data. If you were at a café or school using public Wi-Fi, a stranger could easily access your phone.
This issue was tracked as CVE-2019-6447. It made ES File Manager one of the most unsafe apps to use, especially for people who didn’t know anything was wrong.
Data Collection Concerns
Besides the server issue and click fraud, people also started to worry about privacy. Since DO Global is a China-based company, many users were afraid their data might be sent to unknown servers. And because ES File Manager had access to nearly everything on your phone, that was a big risk.
There wasn’t much clear info about what the app did with your data. That made it even harder for users to trust it.
What ES File Manager Looks Like Today
The app is no longer on the Google Play Store. But you can still find copies on other websites. The problem is, these versions haven’t been fixed. They still have the same security holes. They still include the bad code from before.
If someone uses these old versions, they are putting their phone at risk. Hackers could easily steal data, and nothing will stop them.
Better and Safer Apps You Can Use Today
Thankfully, there are many safe apps on the Play Store now. These apps do the same job ES File Manager once did—but without the danger. Some are for tech users. Others are simple and clean.
Best Picks for Power Users
If you want all the advanced features ES File Manager had, try these:
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Solid Explorer: This app gives you two-pane views and strong cloud support. You can move files easily, even across networks. It also supports ZIP and FTP. You can change how it looks too.
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FX File Explorer: It’s ad-free and good with privacy. It includes dual-pane browsing, media sorting, and even WebDAV and SMB support for network use. It’s great for users who need control.
Best Picks for Simple Use
If you only want to manage photos, videos, and downloads, these are good choices:
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Files by Google: This app is simple, fast, and secure. It helps clean up space, find files, and send items to others offline. Since it’s from Google, it’s trusted.
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Mixplorer: A lightweight file manager with many features. It works well with cloud services and offers deep customization. It’s stable and easy to use.
Final Thoughts
ES File Manager used to be the best. People liked it because it gave them full control over their phones. But things changed when it started doing things in the background—things users didn’t know about. Click fraud, secret servers, and poor privacy rules turned it from useful to dangerous.
If you’re still using it, you should delete it now. There are better options that won’t put your data at risk. Always choose apps that are updated often and come from developers you can trust.
Managing your files shouldn’t be risky. And today, you have many safe tools that can do the job right.