How to Access Android System Files: 9 Steps (with Pictures) (2024)

• Root your Android. Then, download and open ES File Explorer from the Play Store. Save it on your Android's internal storage (not SD card).
• In ES File Explorer, tap ☰. Find "Root Explorer" and switch it to "on"
  . Root folders should begin to appear.
• Move ES File Explorer to your Android's internal storage if you get an error. The method will not work if you accidentally save the app to the SD card.

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1. 1

   Root your Android. If you want to be able to access your Android's system files you'll need to root your Android phone first. The process of rooting an Android differs for each manufacturer and model, while some phones cannot be rooted at all. Research what's involved in rooting your phone before attempting to make changes to your device.^[1]

   • Rooting your Android isn't as dangerous as it may sound, but it will void your warranty and may compromise the security of your phone.
2. 2

   Download ES File Explorer. Skip this step if you already have ES File Explorer. To download ES File Explorer, open the

   Google Play Store, then do the following:

   • Tap the search bar.
   • Type in es file explorer
   • Tap ES File Explorer File Manager in the resulting drop-down menu.
   • Tap INSTALL
   • Tap ACCEPT when prompted.
   • Select your Android's internal storage if prompted. Do not install ES File Explorer on your SD card.

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3. 3

   Open ES File Explorer. Tap OPEN in the Google Play Store, or tap the ES File Explorer app icon.

   • If this is your first time opening ES File Explorer, you may have to swipe through several pages before the main page opens.
4. 4

   Tap ☰. It's in the top-left corner of the screen. The ES File Explorer menu will open.^[2]

5. 5

   Scroll down to the "Root Explorer" section. This option is near the bottom of the menu. You should see a white switch to the right of it.^[3]

6. See Also

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   6

   Tap the white "Root Explorer" switch

   . It will turn blue

   . As long as your Android is rooted and ES File Explorer is installed on your Android's internal storage, this will enable root access for ES File Explorer.

7. 7

   Wait for root folders to appear. After a second or two, ES File Explorer will refresh; when it finishes, you should see root files and folders displays.^[4]

8. 8

   Fix the "test failed" error if necessary. If for some reason ES File Explorer ended up on your Android's SD card, you may see an error that says "Sorry, test failed. This feature cannot run on your device." appear at the bottom of the screen. You can fix this error by moving ES File Explorer onto your Android's internal storage:^[5]

   • Open ES File Explorer's "App Info" page in Settings.
   • Tap Storage
   • Tap CHANGE under the SD card's heading.
   • Tap Internal shared storage
   • Wait for ES File Explorer to finish moving.
9. 9

   Explore your Android's system files. You can browse through your Android's files and folders like usual, but you should now see system files and folders included in ES File Explorer.

   • Any folders that are a lighter color than your Android's standard folders are root folders.
   • Do not change any system files unless you're absolutely positive about what the outcome will be. Doing so is a guaranteed way to brick your Android phone.

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Community Q&A

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• It's helpful to update your Android's operating system to the latest version available before accessing its system files, since the files may change depending on the operating system.^[6]

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• When you delete files and applications, make sure that you don't delete anything that you aren't 100% sure is safe to delete. You can permanently damage your Android phone if you delete any system files that are necessary to operate the phone.

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Co-authors: 13

Updated: June 25, 2024

Views:570,146

Categories: Android

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