Files (Google)

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Files
The logo contains a blue folder which is semi folded on the top-left. The fold contains distinct colors of the Google logo, namely red, green, and blue, and is folded similarly to paper.
The logo of Files by Google
Original author(s)Google
Developer(s)Google
Initial release5 December 2017; 4 years ago (2017-12-05)
Stable release(s)
1.0.406984716[1] / 11 November 2021; 4 months ago (2021-11-11)
Operating systemAndroid
Size13 MB[1]
Available in90 languages
Websitefiles.google.com

Files (formerly known as Files Go) is a file management app developed by Google for file browsing, media consumption, storage clean-up and offline file transfer. It was released by Google on December 5, 2017[2] with a custom version for China being released on May 30, 2018.[3]

Features[edit]

The app is currently only available on the Android operating system, and includes three tabs: Clean, Browse, and Share. On Google Pixel devices, the Share tab is found by clicking the menu button.

Clean mode[edit]

This page identifies unused apps, large files, and duplicate files which users may no longer need. It can also notify the user when the storage is almost full.[4]

There is also a "Trash" feature, in which contents will be permanently deleted after 30 days.[5]

Browse mode[edit]

This page displays recently accessed files on the top by folder, and multiple categories on the bottom such as: "Downloads", "Images", "Videos", "Audio", "Documents & Other", and "Apps".

It also includes a "Favorites" folder, a "Safe Folder" which protects files using a Pattern or a PIN,[6] as well as two buttons leading to "Internal storage" and "Other storage".

Alongside that, the app also has a media player/image viewer, and the ability to backup files to Google Drive.[7]

Share mode[edit]

Files uses peer-to-peer sharing (powered by Nearby Share) to send and receive files or apps. It also uses encryption to keep shared contents private.[8]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Files by Google - Apps on Google Play". Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  2. ^ Thuy Ong (2017-12-05). "Google's Files Go is now available globally". The Verge. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  3. ^ Thuy Ong (2018-05-30). "Google launches second app in China, woos top smartphone market". Reuters. Retrieved 2019-03-26.
  4. ^ "Get notifications to free up space". Google Support. Retrieved 2021-07-13.
  5. ^ "Move files to Trash & restore files from Trash". Google Support. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  6. ^ "Making privacy personal with Files by Google". The Keyword. 2020-08-05. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  7. ^ "Back up to Google Drive". Google Support. Retrieved 2021-10-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ "Send files or apps to people nearby". Google Support. Retrieved 27 July 2021.

External links[edit]