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Files app bug?

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  Files app bug? AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2026-01-26 16:57 +0000
    Re: Files app bug? VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> - 2026-01-26 11:39 -0600
      Re: Files app bug? AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2026-01-26 19:01 +0000
        Re: Files app bug? VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> - 2026-01-26 16:17 -0600
          Re: Files app bug? AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2026-01-26 23:28 +0000
    Re: Files app bug? Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> - 2026-01-26 18:28 +0000
      Re: Files app bug? AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2026-01-26 19:09 +0000
        Re: Files app bug? Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> - 2026-01-26 19:24 +0000
          Re: Files app bug? AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2026-01-26 20:10 +0000
        Re: Files app bug? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2026-01-26 19:47 +0000
          Re: Files app bug? AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2026-01-26 22:24 +0000
            Re: Files app bug? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2026-01-27 15:37 +0000
              Re: Files app bug? AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2026-01-27 16:01 +0000
                Re: Files app bug? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2026-02-01 18:34 +0000
                  Re: Files app bug? AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2026-02-01 16:20 -0700
                    Re: Files app bug? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2026-02-02 10:56 +0000
                      Re: Files app bug? VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> - 2026-02-02 06:52 -0600
                        Re: Files app bug? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2026-02-02 16:07 +0000
                          Re: Files app bug? VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> - 2026-02-02 10:52 -0600
                            Re: Files app bug? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2026-02-02 19:07 +0000
    Re: Files app bug? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-01-26 16:42 -0500
      Re: Files app bug? AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2026-01-26 22:52 +0000
    Re: Files app bug? AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2026-01-27 04:08 +0000
    Re: Files app bug? VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> - 2026-02-02 11:18 -0600
      Re: Files app bug? AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2026-02-02 11:59 -0700
        Re: Files app bug? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2026-02-02 19:31 +0000
          Re: Files app bug? AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2026-02-02 15:04 -0700

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#152336 — Files app bug?

I'm posting with a new toy, a Lenovo Tab K10 that's so far been updated to
 Android 12. It has an unusual problem. The built in device Files app
 doesn't show up in the all-files screen and thus can't be put on a regular
 screen. However it does show up in the Settings All Apps list. I can use it
 from there but that's a royal PITA. The Google Files app came installed of
 course and works as it's supposed to and I can use it but still the
 device's Files app's apparent bug bugs me...

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#152337

AJL <noemail@none.com> wrote:

> I'm posting with a new toy, a Lenovo Tab K10 that's so far been
> updated to Android 12. It has an unusual problem. The built in device
> Files app doesn't show up in the all-files screen and thus can't be
> put on a regular screen. However it does show up in the Settings All
> Apps list. I can use it from there but that's a royal PITA. The
> Google Files app came installed of course and works as it's supposed
> to and I can use it but still the device's Files app's apparent bug
> bugs me...

Maybe it got hidden.  Different brands of phones have different
settings.  On my Samsung A36, I go to:

Settings -> Home screen -> Hide apps on Home and Apps screens

Else, you can go into settings and search on "hide".

There are listed the apps which I can select will not show on the Home
or Apps screens.  There are bundled apps that cannot be uninstalled
(except possibly using ADB to uninstall packages), but can be disabled
(not all of them since Samsung commands some will remain enabled).  I
disable their notifications, and anything I can about them, and then can
hide them.

While My Files may not be in the app drawer, a workaround to get it
added to a home screen is to add it in a group.  When you drag one home
shortcut atop another, a group gets created.  When you open the group,
there is a "+" icon to let you add more shortcuts within the group
(another way is to drag into the group).  After tapping "+", a list of
apps appear that you can add.  My Files should be listed, so select it
to add.  You can either leave the My Files shortcut in the group, like
one titled Tools, or drag it out of the group onto a home screen.

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#152341

On 1/26/26 10:39 AM, VanguardLH wrote:
>AJL <noemail@none.com> wrote:
>
>> I'm posting with a new toy, a Lenovo Tab K10 that's so far been
>> updated to Android 12. It has an unusual problem. The built in device
>> Files app doesn't show up in the all-files screen and thus can't be
>> put on a regular screen. However it does show up in the Settings All
>> Apps list. I can use it from there but that's a royal PITA. The
>> Google Files app came installed of course and works as it's supposed
>> to and I can use it but still the device's Files app's apparent bug
>> bugs me...

I lied. I can't open Files from Settings. Apparently earlier I was trying to
 open something or hit a link and it gave me the choice of using the local
 Files app or the Google Files app. I hit the local Files app and it opened.
 Now I can't remember what I did to even get that.

>Maybe it got hidden.  Different brands of phones have different
>settings.  On my Samsung A36, I go to:

>Settings -> Home screen -> Hide apps on Home and Apps screens

No luck.

>Else, you can go into settings and search on "hide".

No luck.

>There are listed the apps which I can select will not show on the Home
>or Apps screens.  There are bundled apps that cannot be uninstalled
>(except possibly using ADB to uninstall packages), but can be disabled
>(not all of them since Samsung commands some will remain enabled).  I
>disable their notifications, and anything I can about them, and then can
>hide them.

My local Files app shows up normally in settings and looks completely normal
 including the remove permissions if not used but there's no way to to get
 it on the app drawer.

>While My Files may not be in the app drawer, a workaround to get it
>added to a home screen is to add it in a group.  When you drag one home
>shortcut atop another, a group gets created.  When you open the group,
>there is a "+" icon to let you add more shortcuts within the group
>(another way is to drag into the group).  After tapping "+", a list of
>apps appear that you can add.  My Files should be listed, so select it
>to add.  You can either leave the My Files shortcut in the group, like
>one titled Tools, or drag it out of the group onto a home screen.

My problem is that there is no local Files icon anywhere to work with. And
 since I forgot how I got that choice notification of which files app to use
 I now can't get the local Files app to activate at all.

Further I'm starting to smell a rat. Upon checking my other Topsand N8
 tablet toy (Android 14) it does the exact same thing. I had not noticed it
 before. Since they were both Googleized when I got them I think I know who
 the rat is...

It's no biggie since the Google Files app works just fine. It just bugs me.
 The local Files app is there in all respects except it won't open.

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#152353

AJL <noemail@none.com> wrote:

> My problem is that there is no local Files icon anywhere to work with. And
>  since I forgot how I got that choice notification of which files app to use
>  I now can't get the local Files app to activate at all.

But you can still open the Google Files app?  If you selected it as the
default, go into settings to see which apps are designated as the
default for each category.

When I look at my default apps, [My] Files is not listed nor a category
for file management (no such category); however, in installing Google
Files and making it the default, maybe a new category got added to the
default apps list.

You said you installed Google Files.  You can't use that?

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.nbu.files

I've not installed nor used it, so I have no experience if it is better
than the file manager bundled on the phone by Samsung (my phone) or
Lenovo (your Android platform).

> Further I'm starting to smell a rat. Upon checking my other Topsand N8
> tablet toy (Android 14) it does the exact same thing. I had not
> noticed it before. Since they were both Googleized when I got them I
> think I know who the rat is... 
> 
> It's no biggie since the Google Files app works just fine. It just
> bugs me. The local Files app is there in all respects except it won't
> open.

You sure there was a bundled file manager on the Android device when you
got it new?

https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/glossary/file-manager/

There was not a link to download their file manager app.  The Lenovo Tab
K10 was discontinued, so I couldn't find a link for support that might
have a download.  Eventually I found:

https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/products/tablets/k-series/tab-k10/downloads?linkTrack=Caps%3ABody_SearchProduct&searchType=0&keyWordSearch=

but no downloads for apps, drivers, or other software.  Just an update
link.  You might check at their forums at:

https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Lenovo-Android-based-Tablets-and-Phablets/bd-p/lt02_en

Could be Lenovo dumped their file manager, and opted to distribute the
one from Google.

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#152359

On 1/26/26 3:17 PM, VanguardLH wrote:
>AJL <noemail@none.com> wrote:
>
>> My problem is that there is no local Files icon anywhere to work with. And
>>  since I forgot how I got that choice notification of which files app to use
>>  I now can't get the local Files app to activate at all.
>
>But you can still open the Google Files app?  If you selected it as the
>default, go into settings to see which apps are designated as the
>default for each category.
>
>When I look at my default apps, [My] Files is not listed nor a category
>for file management (no such category); however, in installing Google
>Files and making it the default, maybe a new category got added to the
>default apps list.

Yup. local "Files" is not listed in my default apps choices.

>You said you installed Google Files.  You can't use that?

Google Files came installed on the tablets. And I suspect Google made the
 local Files app unavailable. Yes, as I said in an earlier post (copied
 below): "No biggie", I can use the Google Files app. But it seems odd that
 one can't use another installed Files app also if wanted. Heck Samsung gave
 me 2 Files apps though it still killed the local one also. Weird, huh... 

>https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.nbu.files
>
>I've not installed nor used it, so I have no experience if it is better
>than the file manager bundled on the phone by Samsung (my phone) or
>Lenovo (your Android platform).
>
>> Further I'm starting to smell a rat. Upon checking my other Topsand N8
>> tablet toy (Android 14) it does the exact same thing. I had not
>> noticed it before. Since they were both Googleized when I got them I
>> think I know who the rat is... 
>> 
>> It's no biggie since the Google Files app works just fine. It just
>> bugs me. The local Files app is there in all respects except it won't
>> open.
>
>You sure there was a bundled file manager on the Android device when you
>got it new?
>
>https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/glossary/file-manager/

Yup. Got it new just a few days ago. The case should be here today. Love
 Amazon...

>There was not a link to download their file manager app.  The Lenovo Tab
>K10 was discontinued, so I couldn't find a link for support that might
>have a download.  Eventually I found:
>
>https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/products/tablets/k-series/tab-k10/downloads?linkTrack=Caps%3ABody_SearchProduct&searchType=0&keyWordSearch=
>
>but no downloads for apps, drivers, or other software.  Just an update
>link.  You might check at their forums at:
>
>https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Lenovo-Android-based-Tablets-and-Phablets/bd-p/lt02_en

>Could be Lenovo dumped their file manager, and opted to distribute the
>one from Google.

Yes it is an older new model. And new leftovers are cheaper toys. But Lenovo
 has updated it twice so far so they are still servicing it. The battery was
 completely flat when it arrived and I was scared it might be damaged but it
 still charges to 100% and so far I'm getting about 5 hours to 70% so think
 it's probably OK. Again the Files thing is no big deal. I just never
 realized it existed. Now it appears to be somewhat common (at least with my
 stuff). I was just curious and don't plan to try to fix it unless it's very
 easy. Thanks all...

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#152338

AJL wrote:

> The built in device Files app doesn't show up in the all-files
> screen

You mean the App Drawer?

> and thus can't be put on a regular screen. However it does
> show up in the Settings All Apps list. I can use it from there but
> that's a royal PITA.
Don't suppose the Files App provides a 1x1 widget?  if it does, adding 
that to the home screen would get the effect you want ...

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#152342

On 1/26/26 11:28 AM, Andy Burns wrote:
>AJL wrote:
>
>> The built in device Files app doesn't show up in the all-files
>> screen
>
>You mean the App Drawer?

Yup. I forgot what it was called.

>> and thus can't be put on a regular screen. However it does
>> show up in the Settings All Apps list. I can use it from there but
>> that's a royal PITA.

>Don't suppose the Files App provides a 1x1 widget?  if it does, adding 
>that to the home screen would get the effect you want ...

I don't see anything about widgets in the Apps/All Apps/Files folder.

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#152343

AJL wrote:

> I don't see anything about widgets in the Apps/All Apps/Files folder.
Long press an empty part of the Home screen

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#152346

On 1/26/26 12:24 PM, Andy Burns wrote:
>AJL wrote:
>
>> I don't see anything about widgets in the Apps/All Apps/Files folder.

>Long press an empty part of the Home screen

Ah. Did that and the local Files app was not in the list...

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#152345

AJL <noemail@none.com> wrote:
> On 1/26/26 11:28 AM, Andy Burns wrote:
> >AJL wrote:
> >
> >> The built in device Files app doesn't show up in the all-files
> >> screen
> >
> >You mean the App Drawer?
> 
> Yup. I forgot what it was called.

  Don't worry about it, just yet another non-standard thing! :-(
  
  Samsung calls them the 'Home screen' and 'Apps screen' (both with
multiple sub-screens). On Samsung, a Settings search on 'drawer' comes
up empty.

[...]

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#152355

On 1/26/26 12:47 PM, Frank Slootweg wrote:
>AJL <noemail@none.com> wrote:
>> On 1/26/26 11:28 AM, Andy Burns wrote:
>> >AJL wrote:
>> >
>> >> The built in device Files app doesn't show up in the all-files
>> >> screen
>> >
>> >You mean the App Drawer?
>> 
>> Yup. I forgot what it was called.
>
>  Don't worry about it, just yet another non-standard thing! :-(
>  
>  Samsung calls them the 'Home screen' and 'Apps screen' (both with
>multiple sub-screens). On Samsung, a Settings search on 'drawer' comes
>up empty.

Apparently the 'problem' has been around for quite awhile. My 6 year old
 Samsung Galaxy S10+ phone does the same thing. The LOCAL Files app is shown
 in settings as "installed" but is NOT in the App Drawer and I see no way to
 put it there or to open it. However The "Google Files" app AND the Samsung
 "My Files" app are in the drawer so guess the designers probably figured I
 didn't need 3 Files apps.

Give your stuff a check and see what you find... 


>[...]

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#152383

AJL <noemail@none.com> wrote:
[...]
> Apparently the 'problem' has been around for quite awhile. My 6 year old
>  Samsung Galaxy S10+ phone does the same thing. The LOCAL Files app is shown
>  in settings as "installed" but is NOT in the App Drawer and I see no way to
>  put it there or to open it. However The "Google Files" app AND the Samsung
>  "My Files" app are in the drawer so guess the designers probably figured I
>  didn't need 3 Files apps.
> 
> Give your stuff a check and see what you find... 

  Indeed, on my Samsung Galaxy A56 (Android) there is indeed a 'Files'
app in the (Settings ->) 'Apps' list. (And I of course have the Samsung
'My Files' app. I do not have the 'Google Files' app.)

  BTW, contrary to your other post, I do not have to "Toggle Show system
apps to ON" to see the mystery 'Files' app. I already saw it, before I
toggled the switch to ON.

  Mystery solved.

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#152384

On 1/27/26 8:37 AM, Frank Slootweg wrote:
>AJL <noemail@none.com> wrote:
>[...]
>> Apparently the 'problem' has been around for quite awhile. My 6 year old
>>  Samsung Galaxy S10+ phone does the same thing. The LOCAL Files app is shown
>>  in settings as "installed" but is NOT in the App Drawer and I see no way to
>>  put it there or to open it. However The "Google Files" app AND the Samsung
>>  "My Files" app are in the drawer so guess the designers probably figured I
>>  didn't need 3 Files apps.
>> 
>> Give your stuff a check and see what you find... 
>
>  Indeed, on my Samsung Galaxy A56 (Android) there is indeed a 'Files'
>app in the (Settings ->) 'Apps' list. (And I of course have the Samsung
>'My Files' app. I do not have the 'Google Files' app.)
>
>  BTW, contrary to your other post, I do not have to "Toggle Show system
>apps to ON" to see the mystery 'Files' app. I already saw it, before I
>toggled the switch to ON.

Yup, me too. My Files app on this Lenovo tablet is listed in plain sight in
 the all apps list. That 'toggle system apps on' was just one cut and paste
 solution I found for a particular device as an example of the very common
 'bug' I didn't know existed.

>  Mystery solved.

Not for me cause I actually got my Files app to open on this tablet. And it
 worked. I just can't remember how. Somehow I tapped something and got the
 popup 'Open in Files, Open in Google Files, Always use this app. I picked
 Files and it worked fine. So the mystery is what did I push to open that
 choice. And if I had picked Always use this app would the local Files start
 working? Lotsa mystery left...

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#152441

On January 27, AJL <noemail@none.com> wrote:
> On 1/27/26 8:37 AM, Frank Slootweg wrote:
> >AJL <noemail@none.com> wrote:
> >[...]
> >> Apparently the 'problem' has been around for quite awhile. My 6 year old
> >>  Samsung Galaxy S10+ phone does the same thing. The LOCAL Files app is shown
> >>  in settings as "installed" but is NOT in the App Drawer and I see no way to
> >>  put it there or to open it. However The "Google Files" app AND the Samsung
> >>  "My Files" app are in the drawer so guess the designers probably figured I
> >>  didn't need 3 Files apps.
> >> 
> >> Give your stuff a check and see what you find... 
> >
> >  Indeed, on my Samsung Galaxy A56 (Android) there is indeed a 'Files'
> >app in the (Settings ->) 'Apps' list. (And I of course have the Samsung
> >'My Files' app. I do not have the 'Google Files' app.)
> >
> >  BTW, contrary to your other post, I do not have to "Toggle Show system
> >apps to ON" to see the mystery 'Files' app. I already saw it, before I
> >toggled the switch to ON.
> 
> Yup, me too. My Files app on this Lenovo tablet is listed in plain sight in
>  the all apps list. That 'toggle system apps on' was just one cut and paste
>  solution I found for a particular device as an example of the very common
>  'bug' I didn't know existed.
> 
> >  Mystery solved.
> 
> Not for me cause I actually got my Files app to open on this tablet. And it
>  worked. I just can't remember how. Somehow I tapped something and got the
>  popup 'Open in Files, Open in Google Files, Always use this app. I picked
>  Files and it worked fine. So the mystery is what did I push to open that
>  choice. And if I had picked Always use this app would the local Files start
>  working? Lotsa mystery left...

  I happened to get the 'hidden' 'Files' app to open, not with an icon
'shortcut' in the 'app drawer', but still.

  I'll describe what I did, so that might lead to a clue to what you did
and hopefully to some method to open the 'Files' app in some easier way.

  I was in the (Google) 'Drive' app and wanted to download a file to my
phone, so I tapped the <three_vertical_dots> icon to the right of the
file name and tapped on 'Download'. Then I got a popup that a
notification would appear [1]. In the notification area there was a
notification "<Drive_icon> Downloaded 1 file <my_Google_Account_name>".
Opened ('\/' down-caret on the right) the notification, which now also
said 'Locate file'. Tapped on that and lo and behold, I got a popup:

"Complete action using	(i)

     <Files_icon>	<My Files icon>

        Files		    My Files

      Just once		    Always"

  By tapping 'Files' and the 'Just once', the 'Files' app opened and I
could use it.

  Sadly, I did not find a way to attach it to a icon/shortcut for the
'app drawer'.

  I hope this helps (a bit).

[1] 
"1 item will be downloaded. See notification for
 details."

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#152446

On 2/1/2026 11:34 AM, Frank Slootweg wrote:
> On January 27, AJL <noemail@none.com> wrote:
>> On 1/27/26 8:37 AM, Frank Slootweg wrote:
>>> AJL <noemail@none.com> wrote: [...]
>>>> Apparently the 'problem' has been around for quite awhile. My
>>>> 6 year old Samsung Galaxy S10+ phone does the same thing. The
>>>> LOCAL Files app is shown in settings as "installed" but is NOT
>>>> in the App Drawer and I see no way to put it there or to open
>>>> it. However The "Google Files" app AND the Samsung "My Files"
>>>> app are in the drawer so guess the designers probably figured I
>>>> didn't need 3 Files apps.
>>>>
>>>> Give your stuff a check and see what you find...
>>>
>>> Indeed, on my Samsung Galaxy A56 (Android) there is indeed a
>>> 'Files' app in the (Settings ->) 'Apps' list. (And I of course
>>> have the Samsung 'My Files' app. I do not have the 'Google
>>> Files' app.)
>>>
>>> BTW, contrary to your other post, I do not have to "Toggle Show
>>> system apps to ON" to see the mystery 'Files' app. I already saw
>>> it, before I toggled the switch to ON.
>>
>> Yup, me too. My Files app on this Lenovo tablet is listed in plain
>> sight in the all apps list. That 'toggle system apps on' was just
>> one cut and paste solution I found for a particular device as an
>> example of the very common 'bug' I didn't know existed.

>>> Mystery solved.
>>
>> Not for me cause I actually got my Files app to open on this
>> tablet. And it worked. I just can't remember how. Somehow I tapped
>> something and got the popup 'Open in Files, Open in Google Files,
>> Always use this app. I picked Files and it worked fine. So the
>> mystery is what did I push to open that choice. And if I had
>> picked Always use this app would the local Files start working?
>> Lotsa mystery left...

> I happened to get the 'hidden' 'Files' app to open, not with an icon
>  'shortcut' in the 'app drawer', but still.
>
> I'll describe what I did, so that might lead to a clue to what you
> did and hopefully to some method to open the 'Files' app in some
> easier way.
>
> I was in the (Google) 'Drive' app and wanted to download a file to my
> phone, so I tapped the <three_vertical_dots> icon to the right of the
> file name and tapped on 'Download'. Then I got a popup that a
> notification would appear [1]. In the notification area there was a
> notification "<Drive_icon> Downloaded 1 file
> <my_Google_Account_name>". Opened ('\/' down-caret on the right) the
> notification, which now also said 'Locate file'. Tapped on that and
> lo and behold, I got a popup:
>
> "Complete action using	(i)
>
> <Files_icon>	<My Files icon>
>
> Files		    My Files
>
> Just once		    Always"
>
> By tapping 'Files' and the 'Just once', the 'Files' app opened and I
>  could use it.

Yup, that's the popup I got before and used it to open the local Files
app. I just don't remember what I was doing and haven't been able to
open the app since. But the app still sits and grins at me in the
tablet's All Apps list...

> Sadly, I did not find a way to attach it to a icon/shortcut for the
> 'app drawer'.

So I just tried it again your way with a text file stored in Google
Drive. Hit the "3 dots/download". It just downloaded the text file
direct to Google Files with no pop up. So then I tried the "3dots/open
with" in both Google Drive and Google Files. They both gave me a popup
choice of using the Chrome app or the HTML Viewer app but nothing about
the local Files app. Huh??

> I hope this helps (a bit).

I dunno. Tell me again why I actually need the local Files app???

> [1] "1 item will be downloaded. See notification for details."
>

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#152449

AJL <noemail@none.com> wrote:
[...]
> Yup, that's the popup I got before and used it to open the local Files
> app. I just don't remember what I was doing and haven't been able to
> open the app since. But the app still sits and grins at me in the
> tablet's All Apps list...
> 
> > Sadly, I did not find a way to attach it to a icon/shortcut for the
> > 'app drawer'.
> 
> So I just tried it again your way with a text file stored in Google
> Drive. Hit the "3 dots/download". It just downloaded the text file
> direct to Google Files with no pop up. So then I tried the "3dots/open
> with" in both Google Drive and Google Files. They both gave me a popup
> choice of using the Chrome app or the HTML Viewer app but nothing about
> the local Files app. Huh??

  That you didn't get the popup is probably because Google Files is set
as your default app for these kinds of operations.

  I always :-) use 'Just once' instead of 'Always', because 'Always'
sets the default app and I don't know/remember to unset it.

  I know how to unset default file-extension to 'app' settings on
Windows, but the Android method is counter intuitive and a mystery for
me.

  If you (or someone) know how to unset the association with the Google
Files app, perhaps you'll get the popup again.

> > I hope this helps (a bit).
> 
> I dunno. Tell me again why I actually need the local Files app???

  Because it's there and yet it's not!? :-)

  And it's always nice to have at least one problem which isn't.

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#152455

Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

>   I always :-) use 'Just once' instead of 'Always', because 'Always'
> sets the default app and I don't know/remember to unset it.
> 
>   I know how to unset default file-extension to 'app' settings on
> Windows, but the Android method is counter intuitive and a mystery for
> me.

In Android's settings, and rather than give the nav path for my
particular phone which could differ on your phone, the easiest method is
to search the settings on "default".  For me, one of the search hits is
titled "Choose default apps".  For me, that takes me to the Apps list,
but at the top is a "Choose default apps" entry which, when selected,
lists (with my defaults listed in parenthesis):

Browser app (Edge)
Call redirecting app ([Google] Voice)
Digital home assistant (Google)
Home app (One UI Home)
Phone app (Phone)
SMS app (Messages)
Wallet app (Samsung Wallet)

Not many are listed, because when presented with a choice of using Once
or Always, I usually pick Once.  Some were preset when I got the phone,
and some due to my choice of Always, like for the web browser.  The ones
where I picked Once don't show up in the defaults apps list.

In the Apps listing, there is also the option "Open links in apps".
When a URL is specified that has an app-specific URI, and this option is
enabled, the link is opened in the associated app, not in the default
web browser.  This is similar to the URIs defined in Windows that result
in opening in Edge instead of whatever is the default web browser, like
ms-settings: URI that loads in Edge, ms-word: URI that loads in MS Word,
and so on.  

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#152463

VanguardLH <V@nguard.lh> wrote:
> Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:
> 
> >   I always :-) use 'Just once' instead of 'Always', because 'Always'
> > sets the default app and I don't know/remember to unset it.
> > 
> >   I know how to unset default file-extension to 'app' settings on
> > Windows, but the Android method is counter intuitive and a mystery for
> > me.
> 
> In Android's settings, and rather than give the nav path for my
> particular phone which could differ on your phone, the easiest method is
> to search the settings on "default".  For me, one of the search hits is
> titled "Choose default apps".  For me, that takes me to the Apps list,
> but at the top is a "Choose default apps" entry which, when selected,
> lists (with my defaults listed in parenthesis):
> 
> Browser app (Edge)
> Call redirecting app ([Google] Voice)
> Digital home assistant (Google)
> Home app (One UI Home)
> Phone app (Phone)
> SMS app (Messages)
> Wallet app (Samsung Wallet)
> 
> Not many are listed, because when presented with a choice of using Once
> or Always, I usually pick Once.  Some were preset when I got the phone,
> and some due to my choice of Always, like for the web browser.  The ones
> where I picked Once don't show up in the defaults apps list.
> 
> In the Apps listing, there is also the option "Open links in apps".
> When a URL is specified that has an app-specific URI, and this option is
> enabled, the link is opened in the associated app, not in the default
> web browser.  This is similar to the URIs defined in Windows that result
> in opening in Edge instead of whatever is the default web browser, like
> ms-settings: URI that loads in Edge, ms-word: URI that loads in MS Word,
> and so on.  

  Thanks for your response. That's what I have found also, but no clear
solution for an app which is *not* listed in the "Choose default apps"
list.

  Like you, I have not set (m)any defaults and I think that's the
'problem'.

  I've again done a bit of Googling and I think the situation is this:

- If an app is *not* set as the default for its function(s):
  - It is (of course) not listed in the "Choose default apps" list.
  - There is no 'Clear defaults' button on the 'App info' page of the
    app.

- If an app *is* set as the default for its function(s) (by selecting it
  and tapping 'Always' in the 'Just once/Always' popup):
  - It is probably listed in the "Choose default apps" list (and the
    default can be changed to another app, if any).
  - There hopefully is a 'Clear defaults' button on the 'App info' page
    of the app, to unselect the app as the default.

  I think none of my apps (other than the few 'Default apps') are set as
defaults, hence I don't see them in the 'Default apps' lists and they do
not have a 'Clear defaults' button on their 'App info' page.

  I am sure my old Huawei phones had such 'Clear defaults' buttons, so
*if* I set some default and want to clear it later, I hopefully will
find a 'Clear defaults' button in the respective app.

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#152465

Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

> VanguardLH <V@nguard.lh> wrote:
>
>> Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:
>> 
>>>   I always :-) use 'Just once' instead of 'Always', because 'Always'
>>> sets the default app and I don't know/remember to unset it.
>>> 
>>>   I know how to unset default file-extension to 'app' settings on
>>> Windows, but the Android method is counter intuitive and a mystery for
>>> me.
>> 
>> In Android's settings, and rather than give the nav path for my
>> particular phone which could differ on your phone, the easiest method is
>> to search the settings on "default".  For me, one of the search hits is
>> titled "Choose default apps".  For me, that takes me to the Apps list,
>> but at the top is a "Choose default apps" entry which, when selected,
>> lists (with my defaults listed in parenthesis):
>> 
>> Browser app (Edge)
>> Call redirecting app ([Google] Voice)
>> Digital home assistant (Google)
>> Home app (One UI Home)
>> Phone app (Phone)
>> SMS app (Messages)
>> Wallet app (Samsung Wallet)
>> 
>> Not many are listed, because when presented with a choice of using Once
>> or Always, I usually pick Once.  Some were preset when I got the phone,
>> and some due to my choice of Always, like for the web browser.  The ones
>> where I picked Once don't show up in the defaults apps list.
>> 
>> In the Apps listing, there is also the option "Open links in apps".
>> When a URL is specified that has an app-specific URI, and this option is
>> enabled, the link is opened in the associated app, not in the default
>> web browser.  This is similar to the URIs defined in Windows that result
>> in opening in Edge instead of whatever is the default web browser, like
>> ms-settings: URI that loads in Edge, ms-word: URI that loads in MS Word,
>> and so on.  
> 
>   Thanks for your response. That's what I have found also, but no clear
> solution for an app which is *not* listed in the "Choose default apps"
> list.
> 
>   Like you, I have not set (m)any defaults and I think that's the
> 'problem'.
> 
>   I've again done a bit of Googling and I think the situation is this:
> 
> - If an app is *not* set as the default for its function(s):
>   - It is (of course) not listed in the "Choose default apps" list.
>   - There is no 'Clear defaults' button on the 'App info' page of the
>     app.
> 
> - If an app *is* set as the default for its function(s) (by selecting it
>   and tapping 'Always' in the 'Just once/Always' popup):
>   - It is probably listed in the "Choose default apps" list (and the
>     default can be changed to another app, if any).
>   - There hopefully is a 'Clear defaults' button on the 'App info' page
>     of the app, to unselect the app as the default.
> 
>   I think none of my apps (other than the few 'Default apps') are set as
> defaults, hence I don't see them in the 'Default apps' lists and they do
> not have a 'Clear defaults' button on their 'App info' page.
> 
>   I am sure my old Huawei phones had such 'Clear defaults' buttons, so
> *if* I set some default and want to clear it later, I hopefully will
> find a 'Clear defaults' button in the respective app.

As an example, and since I did select Always for the Edge web browser, I
see the following:

- Edge is listed as a default app in the "Choose default apps" list.
- In the Apps list for Edge, there is a section for "Defaults: Browser 
  app - Edge".
  
In my Samsung A36 Android 16 phone, the following are listed in the Apps
listing:

- Files
  Defaults: Set as default - In this app.
  No choice to Force Stop the app.
- My Files
  Defaults: Set as default - In this app.
  Force Stop option.
  
I'm guessing "In this app" means they were configured to be the default
when the app is loaded.  Doesn't make much sense that an app is a
default after it is loaded since obviously it was loaded already, and
getting used.

However, neither is listed when I open a group of shortcuts, and click
on the "+" icon to add another app that way.

The Apps list never shows the owner/author of an app.  For that, I have
to go into the Play Store app, but neither Files nor My Files are listed
there.  Seems those were bundled apps that came on the phone; i.e.,
Samsung slapped them in their image they put of their customized OS on
their phone.

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#152469

VanguardLH <V@nguard.lh> wrote:

[Just addressing this point:]

> The Apps list never shows the owner/author of an app.  For that, I have
> to go into the Play Store app, but neither Files nor My Files are listed
> there.  Seems those were bundled apps that came on the phone; i.e.,
> Samsung slapped them in their image they put of their customized OS on
> their phone.

  Yes, not knowing the owner/author is a nuisance, but - at least on
Samsung devices - there is some information for some apps.

  'Of course' the 'Files' app is the exception; No info. Sigh! Most
likely 'stock' Android.

  But for the 'My Files' app, the 'App info' page says:

"App details in store

 App downloaded from Galaxy Store"

  So you know from which 'store' it came and can look there for
details/info.

  Likewise for apps which have been downloaded/installed from the Play
Store, the 'App info' page will say:

"App details in store

 App downloaded from Google Play Store"

  BUT, this 'rule' isn't cast in stone. For example for (Google) Chrome,
(on my Samsung Galaxy A56 Android 16) it doesn't say where it came from,
but for (Google) Drive, it does say "App downloaded from Galaxy Store".
So for these two apps, which both came pre-installed, one doesn't list
its origin, but the other doesn't. Go figure.

  But at least for apps which I have downloaded/installed, the
information is either correct or absent, but never wrong.

  Bottom line: *If* it says where it came from, that info is probably
correct.

  And for kicks, if you've not changed/updated it, have a look at your
'Messages' app. If you open it, you'll probably think it's Google
Messages, but if you look at its 'App info' page. you will probably see
that it's a Samsung-specific version. Isn't this fun! :-(

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