Help ES file explorer will not open photo on sd card unless file is renamed

[catchingup]

Android 9.
ES file explorer has all permissions, read and write privilege on sd card.

Whenever I copy a jpg file to the sd card, or the camera saves photo on sd card, ES can't open the jpg unless I rename the jpg.

It will show the thumbnail of the jpg, but it will not open unless I rename the jpg.

For example, test.jpg will not open. But if I rename to test2.jpg and then immediately rename back to test.jpg, then it will open in ES image browser.


Does anyone have any idea what's going on?

I just reset my phone to factory settings, and it's still doing this.

ES file explorer opens jpgs on the phone internal memory just fine. It's the SD card where it acts up.

 

[mikedt]

Sounds like a compatibility issue with ES to me. But I believe ES is now discontinued, it's no longer in the Play Store, so no chance of any fixes from the devs in Beijing.

Does your phone not have its own built-in file manager app?

 

[MoodyBlues]

Sounds like a compatibility issue with ES to me. But I believe ES is now discontinued, it's no longer in the Play Store, so no chance of any fixes from the devs in Beijing.

It's not discontinued; it's still in Apple's store, but it was removed from Play. The Android version can be downloaded directly from its web site. There was a big to-do about it a few months ago, and they're supposedly working to get it back on Google. They're on Twitter, @ESFileExplorer, and fb.

I have the paid version [from Play], and continue using it because it's my favorite Android file manager. I've gone over its permissions with a fine-tooth comb, and found nothing suspicious...plus I always have good backups.

@catchingup, I've never seen your problem happen. I don't, however, have a separate SD card, nor am I using Pie (I'm stuck on Oreo), so I can't test it. If you'd post screenshots clearly showing an image's complete file name, before and after renaming it, maybe something will jump out at us.

 

[mikedt]

It's not discontinued; it's still in Apple's store, but it was removed from Play. The Android version can be downloaded directly from its web site. There was a big to-do about it a few months ago, and they're supposedly working to get it back on Google. They're on Twitter, @ESFileExplorer, and fb.

I have the paid version [from Play], and continue using it because it's my favorite Android file manager. I've gone over its permissions with a fine-tooth comb, and found nothing suspicious...plus I always have good backups.

@catchingup, I've never seen your problem happen. I don't, however, have a separate SD card, nor am I using Pie (I'm stuck on Oreo), so I can't test it. If you'd post screenshots clearly showing an image's complete file name, before and after renaming it, maybe something will jump out at us.

It does have full internet access, and access to all your files of course. Have you ever packet sniffed ES with Wireshark or something, and seen what IP addresses it's connecting to and how much data it might be phoning home to servers in the PRC?
https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/1979875-warning-es-file-explorer-android-app-hello-china
https://androidforums.com/threads/es-file-explorer-privacy-security-concerns.914178/


Why was ES removed from Play? Baidu had some of their DU apps removed because of ad-fraud, same with Cheetah Mobile.

AFAICT ES comes from Beijing Xiaoxiong Bowang Technology Co., Ltd, which is actually Baidu. And quite frankly I trust them about as much as I trust Cheetah Mobile, which is not a lot. Especially with me being in China, I am very careful about what Chinese apps I install and use. I trust Facebook more than Baidu, and the likes of Cheetah Mobile. I've posted messages on FB, that I would never dream of using Baidu for.

 

[GameTheory]

@catchingup
You can always try another file explorer. Here's a reputable one called Explorer. The developer is from the United Kingdom, it has no ads, and is small in size. There's also a root version if you need. Been using it for many years now without issue.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.speedsoftware.explorer&hl=en_US

 

[MoodyBlues]

You can always try another file explorer. Here's a reputable one called Explorer. The developer is from the United Kingdom, it has no ads, and is small in size. There's also a root version if you need. Been using it for many years now without issue.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.speedsoftware.explorer&hl=en_US

Yes, I have Explorer--and a few other file managers :

And I've tried numerous others.

As noted, I like ES the best. Among other things, it's the only one I've tried that consistently connects to my networked computers; with others, it's hit or miss, usually with no explanation, and always for no good reason! I don't need the aggravation.

When I want/need to do something, like move a directory from my phone to a hard drive or external drive, I want to do it *now*. I don't want to waste time trying, yet again, to get the damned thing to connect when there's no good reason that it can't.

 

[MoodyBlues]

It does have full internet access, and access to all your files of course. Have you ever packet sniffed ES with Wireshark or something, and seen what IP addresses it's connecting to and how much data it might be phoning home to servers in the PRC?
https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/1979875-warning-es-file-explorer-android-app-hello-china
https://androidforums.com/threads/es-file-explorer-privacy-security-concerns.914178/


Why was ES removed from Play? Baidu had some of their DU apps removed because of ad-fraud, same with Cheetah Mobile.

AFAICT ES comes from Beijing Xiaoxiong Bowang Technology Co., Ltd, which is actually Baidu. And quite frankly I trust them about as much as I trust Cheetah Mobile, which is not a lot. Especially with me being in China, I am very careful about what Chinese apps I install and use. I trust Facebook more than Baidu, and the likes of Cheetah Mobile. I've posted messages on FB, that I would never dream of using Baidu for.

I appreciate the info and suggestions, @mikedt. No, I haven't packet sniffed, etc. I may be shocked by the results if I did. But I've been using ES for many years; anything they wanted to glean from my devices would've/could've been done at any point along the way.

I've read lots of information, from all sides, including the developers, since ES was removed from Play. I hope they work things out with Google--by fixing the privacy issues that caused it to be pulled--and get back in Play.

One good thing about my boring life is that there's really nothing all that exciting or interesting for them to 'phone home' to China.

As I said, I'm aware of its permissions. I now have more info, thank you Mike, and may act on it just to see what's really happening behind the scenes. Or not. Considering I've used the app for years, maybe ignorance is bliss!

 

[svim]

Regarding the ES File Explorer app, there is an issue where advocating an app that has documented privacy and security issues is actually a disservice to those who are not aware of them, especially when there are plenty of viable, also feature-rich alternatives.

 

[mikedt]

As I said, I'm aware of its permissions. I now have more info, thank you Mike, and may act on it just to see what's really happening behind the scenes. Or not. Considering I've used the app for years, maybe ignorance is bliss!

That surprises me somewhat coming from you @MoodyBlues

Because you're usually pretty interested and vocal about privacy and security issues, especially on subjects like Windows and Facebook.

Big Brother 1984.
Ignorance is Strength.

 

[MoodyBlues]

That surprises me somewhat coming from you @MoodyBlues

Because you're usually pretty interested and vocal about privacy and security issues, especially on subjects like Windows and Facebook.

Big Brother 1984.
Ignorance is Strength.

It's just that I know there's nothing that exciting on my devices and, again, they've had -years- to get whatever they wanted, before being removed from Play.

If someone can recommend a file manager I haven't already tried, that works as well and consistently as ES, and has its same feature set (or better), I'm happy to try it.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Regarding the ES File Explorer app, there is an issue where advocating an app that has documented privacy and security issues is actually a disservice to those who are not aware of them, especially when there are plenty of viable, also feature-rich alternatives.

But ES is what the OP's question is about. *shrug*

Assuming he wasn't already aware of ES's issues, he is now--and can decide for himself whether to keep using it.

 

[Deleted User]

Sounds like a compatibility issue with ES to me. But I believe ES is now discontinued, it's no longer in the Play Store, so no chance of any fixes from the devs in Beijing.

Does your phone not have its own built-in file manager app?

Theirs another version of it on the play store

 

[Deleted User]

Yes, I have Explorer--and a few other file managers :

View attachment 144841

And I've tried numerous others.

As noted, I like ES the best. Among other things, it's the only one I've tried that consistently connects to my networked computers; with others, it's hit or miss, usually with no explanation, and always for no good reason! I don't need the aggravation.

When I want/need to do something, like move a directory from my phone to a hard drive or external drive, I want to do it *now*. I don't want to waste time trying, yet again, to get the damned thing to connect when there's no good reason that it can't.

Good thing the pro no longer checks for licensed lol

 

[MoodyBlues]

Theirs another version of it on the play store

Link?

I've seen a bunch of lookalikes, imitating the ES font and logo, so I'd like to see a link to a real one. I've hoped they'd get back in Play, new and improved, but haven't seen it yet.

 

[Deleted User]

Link?

I've seen a bunch of lookalikes, imitating the ES font and logo, so I'd like to see a link to a real one. I've hoped they'd get back in Play, new and improved, but haven't seen it yet.

I have a link to the pro version of the real one

 

[MoodyBlues]

I have a link to the pro version of the real one

Please share it!

Like I said, there are several lookalikes in the Play Store; if you have its real entry, please share its link.

 

[mikedt]

I just had a quick look at ES, and about buying and unlocking the Pro version to remove intrusive ads, enable features, etc. it seems to be only Wechat Pay it accepts.

168 yuan (CNY), and Wechat Pay is China only.

If it's no longer in the Play Store, how do you purchase it now if you're not in China? Do you send a Moneygram to Beijing?

EDIT:

Note the English translation in this app only seems to be half complete. I guess ES are no longer very interested in markets outside of China.

 

[MoodyBlues]

I just had a quick look at ES, and about buying and unlocking the Pro version to remove intrusive ads, enable features, etc. it seems to be only Wechat Pay it accepts.

View attachment 144842


168 yuan (CNY), and Wechat Pay is China only.

If it's no longer in the Play Store, how do you purchase it now if you're not in China? Do you send a Moneygram to Beijing?

No, silly! I'm guessing that the version on their web site offers a payment method--PayPal, perhaps?

 

[Deleted User]

Please share it!

Like I said, there are several lookalikes in the Play Store; if you have its real entry, please share its link.

https://android-1.com/en/2570-es-file-explorer-manager-pro.html

 

[mikedt]

No, silly! I'm guessing that the version on their web site offers a payment method--PayPal, perhaps?

Nope. And I've been having a good look at ES App Group's site as I'm curious about this now. . http://www.estrongs.com/?lang=en#/

That's the contact details they provide. Payments via Facebook?

Their Chinese site only mentions Wechat Pay.

 

[mikedt]

https://android-1.com/en/2570-es-file-explorer-manager-pro.html

That looks like an older version of ES 1.1.4.1 from 2015. Is it fully compatible with Android 9, etc, like the OP's problem?

The current version of ES downloaded from their official site is 4.2.1.2. Which has intrusive ads and seems to require Wechat Pay to unlock the Pro features and kill all the ads. Of course I'm NOT willing to spend the equivalent of about $24 bucks to find out if it's any good or not

 

[MoodyBlues]

https://android-1.com/en/2570-es-file-explorer-manager-pro.html

You had said, "Theirs another version of it on the play store," and that's the link I asked for. The link you posted is not for Play; it's an apparently pirated copy of the last paid version before it was pulled from Play. Two problems with that:

1) I already have the Pro version, which I paid for.

2) I don't use pirated software.

 

[GameTheory]

I was under the impression that sharing paid apps for free was forbidden on Android Forums. I certainly don't approve and this is usually unanimous amongst developers.

Now here's the kicker, I downloaded it to my PC to open it and see what's inside. Of course I found what appears to be part of an Ad Bomb. What's funnier is that the file is called "adjunk" ROTFLMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[{"en":"Cmgame AD","path":"Download/9j","cn":"推荐广告"},{"en":"Unknown AD","path":"amap/GridMapV2","cn":"未知广告"},{"en":"Unknown AD","path":"Android/data/yp","cn":"未知广告"},{"en":"Unknown AD","path":"LazyList","cn":"未知广告"},{"en":"Unknown AD","path":"MdotMTempCache/InterstitialTemp","cn":"未知广告"},{"en":"Unknown AD","path":"Sdk/ImgCache","cn":"未知广告"},{"en":"Spot AD","path":"Download/spot","cn":"Spot广告"},{"en":"Games AD","path":"Android/data/un","cn":"广告图片"},{"en":"Unknown AD","path":"Download/sfile","cn":"未知广告"},{"en":"Unknown AD","path":".jmpu","cn":"未知广告"},{"en":"Unknown AD","path":".googlepsysa","cn":"未知广告"},{"en":"Unknown AD","path":"Android/data/ia","cn":"未知广告"},{"en":"Unknown AD","path":".tjad","cn":"未知广告"},{"en":"Unknown AD","path":"bddownload","cn":"未知广告"},{"en":"Unknown AD","path":".cache","cn":"未知广告"},{"en":"Unknown AD","path":"Android/data/cache/.spimg","cn":"未知广告"},{"en":"Unknown AD","path":"ickeck","cn":"未知广告"},{"en":"Unknown AD","path":"Android/data/cache/_cache","cn":"未知广告"},{"en":"Unknown AD","path":"Android/data/cache/.cache","cn":"未知广告"},{"en":"Unknown AD","path":"Download/ofile","cn":"未知广告"},{"en":"Unknown AD","path":"Android/data/cache/._img","cn":"未知广告"},{"en":"Unknown AD","path":"Android/data/cache/vimg","cn":"未知广告"},{"en":"Millennialmedia AD","path":".mmsyscache","cn":"梦工厂广告"},{"en":"VGP AD","path":"Download/vgp","cn":"VPG广告"},{"en":"Flashlights AD","path":"ddad","cn":"手电筒应用的广告"},{"en":"AZ AD","path":"azad","cn":"AZ广告"},{"en":"Umeng AD","path":"Download/.um","cn":"友盟广告"},{"en":"Umeng AD","path":"umeng_cache","cn":"友盟广告"},{"en":"Umeng AD","path":".android/mobclick_agent_cache","cn":"友盟广告"},{"en":"Spam AD","path":"Android/data/.cache","cn":"垃圾广告"},{"en":"Spam AD","path":"Android/data/.if.uservalue","cn":"垃圾广告"},{"en":"iad AD","path":"Android/data/iad_xt","cn":"iad广告"},{"en":"Sina Weibo AD","path":".dxadcache","cn":"新浪微博广告"},{"en":"Sina AD","path":".wbadcache","cn":"新浪广告"},{"en":"temporary file ","path":"system/tmp","cn":"临时文件"},{"en":"Tencent log","path":"tbslog","cn":"腾讯日志"},{"en":"Tencent log","path":"TBS/.logTmp","cn":"腾讯日志"},{"en":"Tencent log","path":"tencent/tmassisatantsdk/Logs","cn":"腾讯日志"},{"en":"Tencent log","path":".tbs","cn":"腾讯日志"},{"en":" Tencent AD","path":"MSDK","cn":"腾讯广告"},{"en":"Tencent TSF logs","path":"tencent/msflogs","cn":"腾讯TSF广告"},{"en":"Tencent Push logs","path":"tencent/Tpush","cn":"腾讯推送日志"},{"en":" Tencent Login logs ","path":"tencent/wtlogin","cn":"腾讯登录日志"},{"en":" Tencent cache files ","path":"tencent/mta","cn":"腾讯文件"},{"en":" Tencent log ","path":"tencent/wns","cn":"腾讯日志"},{"en":" Tencent log ","path":"tencent/com","cn":"腾讯日志"},{"en":" Tencent log ","path":"tencent/OpenSDK","cn":"腾讯日志"},{"en":"Cmgame AD","path":"Download/data/cn.cmgame.sdk","cn":"Cmgame广告"},{"en":"LJK AD","path":"ljk/dl","cn":"LJK广告"},{"en":"Googlepsysa AD","path":"googlepsysa","cn":"应用广告"},{"en":"Baidu temp files","path":"baidu/tempdata","cn":"百度临时文件"},{"en":"Baidu push service","path":"baidu/pushservice","cn":"百度推送服务"},{"en":"Baidu Login logs","path":".BD_SAPI_CACHE","cn":"百度推广日志"},{"en":"Baidu frontia AD","path":".com.baidu.frontia","cn":"百度frontia广告"},{"en":"BaiduMap cache","path":"BaiduMapSDK/cache","cn":"百度地图缓存"},{"en":"Baidu push AD","path":"PushService","cn":"百度推送广告"},{"en":"Baidu Web AD","path":"webFileSystem","cn":"百度网页广告"},{"en":"unicomCache","path":".unicomCache","cn":"联通广告"},{"en":"Game platform cleanable data","path":"openfeint","cn":"游戏平台数据"},{"en":"Skymobi promotion","path":"Android/data/com.skymobi.pay.app","cn":"指易付推广"},{"en":"Qumi AD","path":"qumi","cn":"趣米广告"},{"en":"Jolo Pay Plugin Cache","path":".jolopaynew","cn":"Jolo支付插件缓存"},{"en":"Mobappbox AD","path":"joyCache","cn":"Mobappbox广告"},{"en":"ShareSDK AD","path":"ShareSDK","cn":"ShareSDK广告"},{"en":"Use traces","path":"traces","cn":"使用记录"},{"en":"Ali Push AD","path":"ALIPUSH_CACHE","cn":"阿里推送广告"},{"en":"TAOBAO Webpage AD","path":".com.taobao.dp","cn":"淘宝网页广告"},{"en":"Alipay Data Cache","path":"ExtDataTunnel","cn":"支付宝数据缓存"},{"en":"Ali Webpage AD","path":".DataStorage","cn":"阿里网页广告"},{"en":"Ali Webpage AD","path":".SystemConfig","cn":"阿里网页广告"},{"en":"Ali Cloud Push AD","path":"Download/aliyun ","cn":"阿里云推送广告"},{"en":"Taobao cache files","path":".UTSystemConfig","cn":"淘宝文件"},{"en":"Game AD","path":"social_cache","cn":"游戏广告"},{"en":"Game AD","path":"InAppBillingLibrary","cn":"游戏广告"},{"en":"Game AD","path":"Android/data/un","cn":"游戏广告"},{"en":"Data Cache","path":"libs","cn":"数据缓存"},{"en":"DIR AD","path":"cacheDir","cn":"DIR广告"},{"en":" Wostoresecurity AD ","path":"wostoresecurity","cn":"Wostoresecurity广告"},{"en":"IQIYI log","path":"iqiyi/sdk","cn":"爱奇艺日志"},{"en":"IQIYI AD","path":"temp/qiyi","cn":"qiyi广告"},{"en":"E7studio AD","path":"e7studio","cn":"E7studio广告"},{"en":"Sohu Push AD","path":".SohuPushSDK","cn":"搜狐推送广告"},{"en":"Skynet AD","path":".skynet","cn":"Skynet广告"},{"en":"Wandoujia login Cache","path":"wandoujia/.config","cn":"豌豆荚登录缓存"},{"en":"Wandoujia SDK Cache","path":"wandoujia/mario","cn":"豌豆荚游戏SDK缓存"},{"en":"Game Cache ","path":"Android/data/code","cn":"游戏临时文件"},{"en":"Data Cache","path":".mydata","cn":"数据缓存"},{"en":"Netease AD","path":"netease_pushservice","cn":"网易广告"},{"en":"Netease Cache AD","path":"netease/adcache","cn":"网易缓存广告"},{"en":"MSC AD","path":"msc","cn":"MSC广告"},{"en":"Lenovo ache","path":"LenovoReaper","cn":"联想广告"},{"en":"Images AD","path":"Android/data/.class","cn":"图片广告"},{"en":"AndroidQuery Struts","path":"aquery","cn":"AndroidQuery框架SDK"},{"en":"Download Cache","path":"Android/data/cache/downloadCache","cn":"下载缓存"},{"en":"Log Files","path":"Android/data/cache/log","cn":"日志文件"},{"en":"Pop AD","path":"Android/data/cache/popCache","cn":"Pop广告"},{"en":"Muzhiwan Game Logs ","path":"muzhiwan/logs","cn":"拇指玩日志"},{"en":"MF AD","path":"mfcache","cn":"MF广告"},{"en":"lightapp Files","path":"baidu/hybrid/lightappdb","cn":"轻应用开放平台文件"},{"en":"Youmi AD","path":"Android/data/.youmicache","cn":"有米广告"},{"en":"XIAOMI PUSH Logs","path":"mipush","cn":"小米推送服务日志"},{"en":"XIAOMI Logs","path":"MIUI/debug_log","cn":"小米日志"},{"en":"Letv AD","path":"Letv/storage/.ark_download","cn":"乐视广告"},{"en":" System fragment file","path":"lost+found","cn":"系统碎片文件"},{"en":"CMC AD","path":"sys_news_sdk_CMC","cn":"CMC广告"},{"en":"Thumbnails","path":".thumbnails","cn":"相册预览"},{"en":"Wap3 AD","path":"wap3/showview","cn":"wap3广告"},{"en":"Funshion AD","path":"funshion/ad","cn":"风行广告"},{"en":" Funshion Log ","path":"funshion/log","cn":"风行登陆日志"},{"en":"UUCUN AD","path":" .android_sec ","cn":" UUCUN广告"},{"en":"Mo Push Cache","path":"moplus","cn":"Mo推送缓存"},{"en":"App Log Cache","path":"data/log","cn":"应用日志缓存"},{"en":"MF AD","path":"mfcache","cn":"MF广告"},{"en":"Image Cache","path":"ImgCach","cn":"图片缓存"},{"en":"MF AD","path":"Android/data/.dataycache","cn":"数据缓存"},{"en":"Pop AD","path":"Android/data/cache/iconCache","cn":"Pop广告"},{"en":"Cache Files","path":"mfcache/com.qzone.cache","cn":"缓存文件"}]

Have fun with that! LOLOLOLOLOLOL

 

[MoodyBlues]

Nope. And I've been having a good look at ES App Group's site as I'm curious about this now. . http://www.estrongs.com/?lang=en#/

That's the contact details they provide. Payments via Facebook?
View attachment 144843

Their Chinese site only mentions Wechat Pay.

I've been doing a little more digging, too. They're apparently quite active on facebook, but fb limits how much I can see without an account.

It looks like they're doing damage control, along with promoting the new Android version, which is available only on their site.

It would be nice to see them announce they're back in the Play Store, which would mean they'd fixed the issues that got them booted off!

 

[MoodyBlues]

I was under the impression that sharing paid apps for free was forbidden on Android Forums. I certainly don't approve and this is usually unanimous amongst developers.

Exactly.

Now here's the kicker, I downloaded it to my PC to open it and see what's inside. Of course I found what appears to be part of an Ad Bomb. What's funnier is that the file is called "adjunk" ROTFLMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
<< snip >>
Have fun with that! LOLOLOLOLOLOL

I'd downloaded it, but hadn't looked at it yet. Oh my goodness!