ES File Explorer

ES File Explorer is a file manager/explorer designed by ES Global, a subsidiary of DO Global, for Android devices. It includes features like cloud storage integration, file transfer from Android to Windows via FTP or LAN,[1] and a root browser. It was removed from the Google Play Store for committing click fraud.

ES File Explorer
The ES File Explorer logo.
Original author(s)ES Global
Developer(s)ES Global (subsidiary of DO Global, a subsidiary of Baidu)
Stable release
4.2.3.8.1 / 8 November 2020
Operating systemAndroid
PlatformAndroid
Size22.45 MB
TypeFile manager
Websitewww.estrongs.com 

History

Popularization and functionality

In the early 2010s, ES File Explorer was equipped with then extraordinary features which popularized the application before it developed into adware.

The functionality included range selection, tabbed browsing, bookmarking directories, ability to create home screen shortcuts for files and folders, list and grid viewing modes in different size levels, file transfers in background, FTP server hosting, network protocol client (ability to connect to other FTP, WebDav and SMB servers), Bluetooth file sharing, ability to manually select an application to open a file with[lower-alpha 1], ability to automatically rename files during transfer in case of a file name conflict[lower-alpha 2] and merge directories, detailed statistics during file transfer[lower-alpha 3], a built-in text editor with UTF-8 support, media player interface (video player and music player with playback controls[lower-alpha 4] and playlisting), image viewer and gallery browser, download manager, drag and drop support, bulk file renaming (adding prefix, changing extension and numbering), disk usage analysis, ZIP archive file creation and browsing, recycle bin (like Microsoft Windows Explorer) and thr ability to define touch pettern shortcuts (gestures), ability to filter searches by date, size range, category (photo, audio, video, APK, and documents), and file type, generation of MD5 and SHA-1 hash sums from files, ability to copy the full path of a selected file or folder into the clipboard, quick navigation history (list of recently opened files and directories), ability to install custom themes, ability to redirect shareable content into a file[lower-alpha 5], and the ability to back up Android application packages (APKs) from installed apps.[2][3][4][5][6] Since a 2015 version, files can be encrypted in a proprietary format named ES lock.[7][8]

Range selection

Another early feature to allow the selection of many files and folders without the need to tap on each file individually was range selection, where only two items need to be highlighted to select all listed items inbetween.[9]

Lock screen hijacking

Around May 2016, ES File Explorer began incorporating DU Charge Booster into the app, hijacking the user's lockscreen. Several news and blog websites such as AndroidPIT, which had once recommended the app, encouraged users to uninstall it.[10][11][12][13] It was removed later after much criticism and many bad reviews.[14]

Fire TV App Store removal

ES File Explorer was accidentally removed from the Amazon Fire TV App Store in August 2016.[15]

A popular software blog, The Windows Club, posted a tutorial on how to use the FTP feature of ES File Explorer in March 2019.[1]

Conversion into shareware

Though ES File Explorer had originally been a freeware program, the app later converted into shareware. It began charging a monthly $9.99 fee in order to use its more advanced features, towards the end of 2019.

Controversy and removal from Play Store

ES File Explorer was removed from the Google Play Store in April 2019, along with several other apps created by DO Global (formerly DU Group).[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][11] It was reported by BuzzFeed News.[20][21][22][24][25][26][11]

It was claimed the company who owns ES File Explorer, DO Global, was committing 'click fraud' by clicking ads in users' apps in the background without permission.[16][17][18][26][11] DO Global responded to these claims with the following:

“In the past week, we have noticed a series of reports about our apps by the media. We fully understand the seriousness of the allegations. As such, we immediately conducted an internal investigation on this matter. We regret to find irregularities in some of our products’ use of AdMob advertisements. Given this, we fully understand and accept Google’s decision. Moreover, we have actively cooperated with them by doing a thorough examination of every app involved.

We would like to thank the media, our partners, and the public for their support. Moving forward, we will strictly follow relevant regulations and continue conducting a comprehensive review of our products. Lastly, during this process, we have caused misunderstandings and great concern due to our being unable to communicate in a timely manner and provide complete information. We offer our sincere apologies.”[16][18][27][21][20][28][26][29]

It is unclear if or when ES File Explorer will return to the Google Play Store.[26] The app is still available on the Amazon Appstore.

Ban in India

In June 2020, the Government of India banned ES File Explorer with 58 other Chinese origin apps citing data and privacy issues. The border tensions in 2020 between India and China might have also played a role in the ban.[30][31]

Notes
  1. Applications can be selected from the Text, Audio, Video, Photo and Other categories, where Other is a list of all user-accessible ones.
  2. Given options to handle file name conflicts: Overwrite target file, renaming the source file in target directory and skipping the source file. An additional check box allows repeating the selected action for all remaining files.
  3. Information displayed: Name of source and target paths, current file, current transfer rate (speed), time elapsed, estimated time remaining, progress of each file and overall progress (bar, percentage, and processed and total file counts).
  4. These playback controls include shuffle playback and repeat one/all
  5. This is done through an option integrated into the Android sharing menu.

See also

References
  1. "How to transfer files between Android and Windows using ES File Explorer". The Windows Club. 24 March 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  2. "Save or backup apps for offline install with ES File Explorer Pro - Android customization". Android Authority. 7 July 2016.
  3. "How to: ES File Explorer for Android – Cloud Management Heaven – The Gadgeteer". 17 May 2012.
  4. "App-Review: ES Datei Explorer Pro". Androidmag (in German). 14 December 2015. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  5. "Here's why we're removing ES File Explorer from our best apps lists". NextPit. 27 May 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  6. ""ES Explorer" - a new look at the popular file manager for Android". edwardsrailcar.com. 15 August 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  7. https://fileinfo.com/extension/eslock
  8. "ESLOCK file extension". www.file-extensions.org. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  9. Saigal, Rahul (30 July 2016). "19 Things You Didn't Know Android's ES File Explorer Can Do". How-To Geek. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  10. "Here's why we're removing ES File Explorer from our best apps lists". AndroidPIT. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  11. "You should probably uninstall ES File Manager right now". AndroidPIT. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  12. "PSA: Latest Update to ES File Explorer Brings Adware to Your Lockscreen". xda-developers. 10 May 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  13. "ES File Explorer Updated With Super-Shady 'Charging Boost' Adware". Android Police. 10 May 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  14. "ES File Explorer Update Removes The Adware Charging Screen". Android Police. 25 May 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  15. "ES File Explorer removed from Fire TV App Store". SmartHomeBeginner. 30 July 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  16. Brett (30 April 2019). "ES File Explorer Removed From Google Play Store". Do It Yourself Tech Projects for Home & Small Business. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  17. Khan, Dawar (28 April 2019). "ES File Explorer Removed From Google Play Store [DO Scandal]". Spices Tech. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  18. "QuickPic is back on Google Play Store while ES File Explorer disappears". xda-developers. 29 April 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  19. WIRED (29 April 2019). "Monday briefing: England and Wales police demand phones from rape victims". Wired UK. ISSN 1357-0978. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  20. McKay, Tom. "Google Is Giving the Boot to a Major Play Store Developer With More Than 600 Million Installs". Gizmodo. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  21. "Exclusive: Google Is Banning A Play Store Developer With More Than Half A Billion App Installs". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  22. "Popular Android Apps From A Major Chinese Developer Were Caught Committing Ad Fraud". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  23. jihadel. "Google deletes ES File Manager in the Play Store because it violates the privacy of use | ProPoid". Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  24. "ES File Manager vanishes from Play Store, possibly part of DO Global scandal". Android Police. 27 April 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  25. "ES File Manager disappears from the Play Store, possibly part of the DO Global scandal". Archy Worldys. 27 April 2019. Archived from the original on 3 May 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  26. "Google removes 46 apps from Play Store for address and ad fraud | TheINQUIRER". theinquirer.net. 29 April 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  27. "Products | DO Global". do-global.com. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  28. "[Update: Official statement] Evidence points to a Play Store ad fraud scheme by Chinese Baidu spin-off DO Global". Android Police. 29 April 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  29. https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/science-technology/1122893/Android-warning-shock-alert-popular-Google-Play-Store-apps-May-5
  30. "India bans 59 Chinese apps including TikTok, Helo, WeChat". The Economic Times. 3 July 2020.
  31. "Full list of 59 Chinese apps banned by Indian govt". ThePrint. 29 June 2020.
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