File browser: can you create shortcuts?

[oifla]

hello all,

wondering about shortcuts with the Nougat file browser. 1) is it possible to create a shortcut for the file browser itself? (rather than going settings > storage> explore). 2), specifically, I would like to create a shortcut for a particular folder on my home screen (say Music), can that be done? thanks!

 

[codesplice]

Unfortunately, no.

You can use the free QuickShortcutMaker app to create a shortcut to the Recent or Downloads views within the stock file manager (it will be labeled Files and "com.android.documentsui" in the app), but you can't create a shortcut to a directory.

You can create a shortcut to any folder you like with any number of third-party file manager apps. I personally like Solid Explorer (paid), but the free File Manager from Asus is also a solid option.

 

[oifla]

Thanks

Wow, what a huge oversight - neither one of these options would seem to be too difficult to build in!

 

[jj14x]

My guess is that Google doesn't really see the need for users to use the file explorer - and instead let apps manage their storage space as they need to. (Example: Want to edit/view photos? Use the Photos app)

But that's the beauty of Android - there are often many third party options, that will do what you need (and more).
It is hard for a manufacturer to know exactly what all its customers will want, so one option would be to go barebones (as Google did with the file explorer), and let folks use a third party option if they need.

 

[codesplice]

My guess is that Google doesn't really see the need for users to use the file explorer - and instead let apps manage their storage space as they need to. (Example: Want to edit/view photos? Use the Photos app)

That's exactly right.

The file explorer component started as just a simple file picker. Want to attach a file to an email? Here, use this basic picker... It was eventually added to the Settings > Storage view as a way to help users clean up their storage without installing a third-party app, but it was never meant to be an all-purpose file manager.

There are dozens of great alternative file managers on the market with far greater capabilities anyway. If you have a regular need to manage the files on your Android device, chances are that you're a bit of a power user and would be better served by a purpose-built file manager.