File sdcard – How to View Android Files in Chrome

There are different alternatives to view the files if there is no manager pre-installed on the device. The most common is to download one of these managers through the Play Store. However, there are other options to view these files in a easier way and that does not involve a download. This is accomplished by typing the address file sdcard in the device’s browser.

What is file: ///sdcard/?

It is a command used by the Android operating system that is used to view files on your device, visible and hidden, directly in the Google Chrome browser or any other browser. This function, although it is not more efficient than the file management applications themselves. It will allow you to make a specific query on the main files stored on your Android device. This “file” URL replaces http:// and is well understood by all types of browsers. It is used only to view files stored on a local device.

Functionality

Just by entering this address in the browser and clicking on ” Go” , it is possible to access a list of files saved on the device. Regardless of the format in which it is found, be it jpg, pdf, or any other, it is possible to find it here. It is also possible to determine the size it occupies by selecting the Size option . Thanks to this, the content of the device can be verified.

For this reason, this little-known trick of copying the file sdcard address is extremely useful. Especially if there is not enough space to download a file manager, a common problem in low-end devices.

Scope of File sdcard

This method can not only be used from Google Chrome, because it is also possible to have it through other browsers. Like Mozilla Firefox or even the browser of Samsung devices. But this does not mean that it is limited only to Android devices, since it is possible to use it to view files on your computer , placing the address file: /// C: /// in Chrome or Mozilla.

See also: How to Disable ads on Android?

Steps to use file:///sdcard/ to view files on Android from the browser

If you want to open and view your files stored on your Android device, you can use file management programs available in the Play Store. But a more practical way to access this information is through the Chrome browser or any other browser with the use of the file:///sdcard/ command without requiring the use of other more annoying programs. Learn the steps to use file:///sdcard/ to view files on Android from the browser.

• Whichever browser you are using, open it to get started.
• Position the cursor in the address bar and place the command file:///sdcard/ as specified here, without neglecting any characters.
• This command does not require you to put www at the beginning.
• The next step is to press the “Go” option on your keyboard.
• When you execute this action, you will see a directory with all the files that you have stored in your internal memory with information relevant to the name, the size of the file and the date of use.
• The extensions of these files are JPG, PNG, PDF, MP4, among others; and hidden files are shown with a period before the name.

Command to view specific folders

If you want to specifically see folders where you have stored WhatsApp information, for example, you can change the command and put: file:///sdcard/whatsapp/.

Here you can see images, videos, voice notes and saved chats, among others. When you click on size or storage date, the information will be sorted with this value.

Considerations to take into account If you have a low-end or very old device and you already have the Google Chrome browser, you can use this command in case you do not have a pre-installed file manager, but you can still get one in the Google Play store. If you have an external SD memory you cannot use this command to view them, remember that this function only allows you to view the files that you have stored in the internal memory of your device. You cannot see root files either, because you require special permission.

The files that you can see in your internal memory cannot be modified and cannot be deleted, unless you have a file manager application, which does give you access to all these actions. Command to view files on Android from the Browser on PC.

You can also adapt this URL to view files from your computer or PC. You just have to type file:/// (or) C:/// in the address of your browser to see the stored files.

Limitations

It should be clarified that the address file sdcard only works to view the files. And we can not to manage or delete them. For this you need to download an application. In addition, only the files in the internal memory can be viewed using this command. Those files in the SD memory or the root files Can not be viewed because it requires special permissions. And finally this method does not work for iPhones. However, it is still an efficient trick to visualize.