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Material Files

What Material Files is
Material Files is a free, open-source file manager for Android 5.0 and later. Filesystem breadcrumbs show the current location while navigating folders. With root access, the app can view and manage protected files. It can view, extract, and create common compressed archives, and it manages files on FTP, SFTP, SMB, and WebDAV servers. Linux system calls support symbolic links, file permissions, and SELinux context. The interface offers customizable colors and a night mode with optional true black. Shizuku support was added in version 1.7.5. The app is licensed under the GNU General Public License version 3 or later. Its privacy policy says requested information remains on the device and is not collected by the developer, although third-party services may collect identifying and error-log data. Material Files is not intended to replace Android DocumentsUI and relies on it for tasks such as granting external SD card access. Only the latest app version receives security updates.
Who it suits
Material Files suits Android users who need local, rooted, archive, or network-share file management. It is also relevant to users seeking an open-source manager with interface color and night-mode options.
What it does well
- Supports Android 5.0 and later
- Root file management
- FTP, SFTP, SMB, and WebDAV support
- Creates and extracts archives
- Custom colors and true-black night mode
What to know first
- Android-only application
- Relies on DocumentsUI for some tasks
- Only the latest version receives security updates
- Third-party services may collect identifying data
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Material Files | Android 5.0+ file manager | Free |
As github.com lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Material Files covers local, rooted, archive, and network file operations in an open-source Android app. Check its DocumentsUI dependency and update policy if external storage access or security maintenance is important.
Facts from Material Files's own pages
- Archives
- It can view, extract, and create common compressed files. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Archive support
- Yes · github.com, 24 Sept 2026
- Customization
- It offers customizable interface colors and a night mode with optional true black. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- File system details
- It handles symbolic links, file permissions, and SELinux context using Linux system calls. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2018 · github.com, 19 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · github.com, 24 Sept 2026
- Integration
- The v1.7.5 release added support for Shizuku. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- License
- The app is distributed under the GNU General Public License version 3 or later. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Navigation
- It uses filesystem breadcrumbs to help navigate files and folders. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Network storage
- It supports viewing and managing files on FTP, SFTP, SMB, and WebDAV servers. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Platform limitation
- The project states that Material Files is not designed to replace Android DocumentsUI and relies on DocumentsUI for tasks such as granting external SD card access. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- android · github.com, 24 Sept 2026
- Privacy
- The privacy policy says information the app requests is retained on the device and is not collected by the developer, while third-party services may collect identifying information and error log data. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Material Files is an open-source Material Design file manager for Android 5.0 and later. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Root access
- It can view and manage files with root access. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Security reporting
- The project says only the latest app version receives security updates and asks users to report vulnerabilities by email. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- The Google Play listing provides a support email address: [email protected]. · play.google.com, 12 Oct 2026
Where Material Files stands on Freedom251
- File Manager Software#55 of 100