View source for Total Commander for Android

{{Infobox software
| width            = 272px
| name             = Total Commander for Android
| screenshot       = [[File:Total Commander for Android.gif|259px|center|Total Commander for Android screenshot]]
| developer        = [[Christian Ghisler]]
| latest release   = [https://www.ghisler.ch/board/viewtopic.php?t=86730 3.62] / 15 Feb 2026
<!--| latest beta      = [https://www.ghisler.ch/board/viewtopic.php?t=87051 3.62b2]-->
| platform         = Android
| license          = Copyrighted freeware ([https://www.ghisler.com/android/license.htm view license])
| links            = <!--
-->[https://www.ghisler.com/android.htm Homepage]<br><!--
-->[https://www.ghisler.ch/board/viewforum.php?f=22 Forum]<br><!--
-->[https://www.totalcommander.ch/android/history2.txt List of changes]<br><!--
--><!--[http://www.totalcommander.ch/android/history2beta.txt List of changes beta]<br>--><!--
-->[https://www.ghisler.com/android/help.htm Help]<br><!--
-->[https://www.ghisler.com/fdroid.htm F-Droid repositories]
| product family   = [[:Category:Total Commander family|Total Commander family]]
}}<!--
-->'''Total Commander for Android''' is a [[Total Commander]] version for smartphones or tablets with Android.

Requirements:
* Supported processors are: ARM, MIPS, X86 (RAR unpacker only available in ARM+X86 version)
* Total Commander for Android version 3.x requires Android 2.2 and newer (API level 8)<sup>[https://www.ghisler.ch/board/viewtopic.php?p=350475#p350475 1]</sup>
* The last Total Commander for Android version with Android 2.0 (API level 5) support is [https://totalcommander.ch/android/oldbeta/tcandroid292b1.apk 2.92 beta 1]
* The last Total Commander for Android version with Android 1.5 (API level 3) support is [https://totalcommander.ch/android/old/tcandroid290.apk 2.90]

Total Commander for Android also worked on the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouya OUYA], a now discontinued microconsole. On the OUYA it showed a different user interface.

A separate android version existed for BlackBerry smartphones. Supported were a BlackBerry with BlackBerry 10 or a BlackBerry Playbook. For this android version the binary library files were left out, because they are not supported on BlackBerry. Therefore no encryption was supported on BlackBerry. Also, the .apk file was re-packaged to a .bar file (BlackBerry installer). The [https://totalcommander.ch/android/tcandroid2041.bar last version] was 2.041 / 12 Feb 2014.

== User interface ==

The user interface is divided into the following elements:

* The title bar, showing the number of selected and total files/folders. 
* The current path of the folder currently shown 
* One or two file panels (configurable) showing the list of files/folders 
* In virtual panel mode, two buttons at the edge of the screen:
: Arrow button to swap panels
: Equal sign button to set the same folder in the other panel as in the active panel 
* The top item in the list allows to go to the parent, root or reload the current directory 
* A [[#Button bar|Button bar]] (toolbar) which contains buttons for some [[#internal commands:|internal commands]], but also allows to add external programs. 
* The [[#Main menu|Main menu]], which is shown when pressing the menu button. 


== File operations ==

You can perform the following file operations with Total Commander/Android:

* [[#Copy/Move|Copy/Move]] 
* [[#Rename|Rename]] 
* [[#Delete|Delete]] 
* [[#Edit as text|Edit as text]] 
* [[#New folder|New folder]] 
* [[#Pack with ZIP|Pack with ZIP]] 
* [[#Unpack from a ZIP/RAR file|Unpack from a ZIP/RAR file]] 
* [[#Send via Bluetooth|Send via Bluetooth]] 


== Main menu ==

The main menu contains the following commands:

* [[#Directory history|Directory history]] 
* [[#Bookmarks|Bookmarks]] 
* [[#Search (Find files)|Search (Find files)]] 
* [[#Exit|Exit]] 
* [[#New folder|New folder]] 
* [[#Configuration|Configuration]] 


=== Directory history ===

Shows the last visited directories.

Just tap on a directory to go there.


=== Bookmarks ===

Allows to save often used directories.

Just tap on a saved directory to go there.

To add a directory, don't come here via home screen! Instead, go to the directory first, then add it via main menu.


=== Search (Find files) ===

Allows to search for specific files:

;Search for:File name to search for, also partial names and wildcards *,? allowed

;Containing text:Search for text in files

;Case sensitive:Consider upper/lowercase

;Unicode:Search for text in Unicode files

;Not older than:Search only files younger than a certain time

;Size:Restrict results by size


=== Exit ===

Closes Total Commander for Android


=== New folder ===

Allows to create a new subfolder in the current directory.


=== Configuration ===

Allows to change Total Commander settings.

;About/Version Information: Shows about box 
;Help/Licenses: Shows this help 
;Language: Choose the language of the user interface independent from Android 
;Show hidden files/folders: Show files/folders where the name starts with a dot 
;Hide files (ignore): Hide files depending on their name, either system-wide (only name given), or in specific folders only 
;Fonts and colors: Choose font, foreground and background color for file lists. You can also increase the minimum line height if you have troubles to tap on files 
;Thumbnails: Turn thumbnails for jpg/gif/png/bmp files on/off. Choose to use a cache or not, clear the cache 
;List window arrangement: Show two lists side by side, or two virtual panels. Show one or two button bars 
;Side scroll: In the mode with just one visible file panel, you can use a wipe gesture to swap the two panels when this option is checked. Otherwise only the arrow button can be used 
;Exit via BACK button: Determines whether the BACK button is used for going to the parent directory or for closing the program 


=== Copy/Move ===

To copy or move files, select them by tapping on their icons, or with the select button, then tap on the Copy/Move button.

In the copy dialog, you can now type a target directory. The default is the directory of the target panel.

To copy the file(s), click ''Copy'', or to move them, click ''Move'', or send them via Bluetooth.

If the ''source'' window shows the contents of a ZIP or RAR file, the selected files are unpacked.

If the ''target'' window shows the contents of a ZIP file, the selected files are packed into that zip file.

If the ''source'' window lists the contents of a plugin, the selected files will be downloaded.

If the ''target'' window lists the contents of a plugin, the selected files will be uploaded.


=== Rename ===

Allows to rename a single file in place: Hold down the finger/pen on a file until the context menu appears, then tap on "Rename".


=== Edit as text ===

Hold down the finger/pen on a file until the context menu appears, then tap on "Edit file". This loads the file under the cursor into the default file editor, or shows a list of available editors.

See [[#Internal editor|Internal editor]]


=== Delete ===

With the X button you can delete the selected files.

'''Important note:''' The files will NOT be moved to some kind of Recycle bin, they will be deleted immediately!


=== Pack with ZIP ===

Allows to pack the selected files and/or subdirectories with the built-in ZIP packer.

ZIP files created this way are fully ZIP-compatible and can be unzipped on the PC or also on the device. To unzip, open the file with ENTER (or tap) and then [[#Copy|Copy]] the files to any directory you want.


=== Unpack files from a ZIP/RAR file ===

To unpack files from a ZIP file, open the ZIP with a tap or ENTER, then select the files which you want to unpack and press the [[#Copy|Copy]] button.

Total Commander can unpack all ZIP- and RAR-compatible files.


=== Properties ===

Shows the properties of the selected file(s) and allows to change the date/time.
For folders, the occupied disk space is shown.


=== Reload dir ===

Reloads the current directory to reflect any changes made in other programs.


=== Send via Bluetooth ===

Allows to send the selected files via Bluetooth (OBEX standard protocol).

The OBEX standard is used by devices like PocketPCs, Palm(TM), and many mobile phones.


=== Select/unselect files ===

Allows to select or unselect files of specific types, e.g. all html files by using the wildcards '''*.htm *.html'''.

Type the wildcards you want or select previously used wildcards from the dropdown list, and click on "select" or "unselect". The files will be selected '''in addition''' to the already selected files!


== Context menus ==

Context menus are invoked by holding down the finger/pen for about 1 second. They exist for the files in the file list, and for some buttons in the button bar:

The local file menu contains the commands Rename, Properties, Copy/Move to clipboard, Paste here.

All user-defined buttons also have context menus to change or delete them


== Keyboard shortcuts ==

On devices with a keyboard, or when using a Bluetooth keyboard, Total Commander supports the following keyboard shortcuts:

'''1'''  PageUp <br />
'''2'''  Rename <br />
'''4'''  Edit <br />
'''5/6'''  Copy/Move <br />
'''7'''  New folder <br />
'''8'''  Delete <br />
'''9'''  Sort list <br />
'''0'''  PageDown <br />
'''SPACE'''  Select single file <br />
'''+/-'''  Select dialog <br />
'''*'''  Reverse selection (files+folders) <br />
'''ENTER'''  Open file/folder <br />
'''# / @'''  Properties <br />
'''ESC/Backspace'''  Up one level


== Button bar ==

The button bar contains some predefined buttons, like Copy and Delete, and also allows to add your own buttons by tapping on the "add" button (the last one behind all user buttons). The button will always be added at the end of the button bar, but just before the "add" button.


=== Description of the buttons: ===

[[File:selbtn.png]] Select/unselect files. You can also directly tap on the file icons to select them.  

[[File:copybtn.png]] Copy or move selected files, send via Bluetooth.  

[[File:zipbtn.png]] Pack files with ZIP packer.  

[[File:deletebtn.png]] Delete selected file(s).  

[[File:sortnamebtn.png]] Sort active panel by name, extension, size, or timestamp.  

[[File:secondarybtn.png]] Open secondary bar with user-defined buttons.  

[[File:addnewbtn.png]] Add current directory to button bar (default), or let the user choose an internal command or external application. Edit via Tap+Hold.  


To modify a user-defined button, tap on it for more than 1 second. This will open the context menu, which allows to change or delete the button.


=== Button change dialog ===

This dialog allows to change the settings of a button.

==== Fields: ====

* '''Function type:''' Choose what the button should do: 
** Change directory: Go to directory inside of Total Commander 
** Internal command: Start command inside of Total Commander 
** Launch app: Starts other program, usually without parameters 
** View file with app: Uses the VIEW option to launch a program, pass first selected file to it 
** Send to app: Uses the SEND option to launch a program, pass first selected file to it 
** Send shell command: Send command to the operating system. Command must be either sh or su (for rooted devices), parameter the actual command(s). A ? as the first character of the parameters opens a dialog to change the shell command. A * as the first character (or behind the ?) shows the results in a dialog box, and allows to copy them to the clipboard.   
* '''Command:''' Tap on the >> button to select an appropriate command for the chosen function type 
* '''Parameters:''' Parameter(s) passed to the program. See below for a list of supported parameters 
* '''Icon:''' Icon to be shown in the button bar 

==== Internal commands: ====

100 - History<br />
101 - Bookmarks<br />
102 - Search<br />
103 - Exit<br />
104 - New folder<br />
105 - Configure<br />
106 - Properties<br />
107 - Copy to clipboard<br />
108 - Cut to clipboard<br />
109 - Paste from clipboard<br />
110 - Select<br />
111 - Copy<br />
112 - Pack<br />
113 - Delete<br />
114 - Sort<br />
115 - Calculate occupied space<br />
116 - New file<br />
117 - Home folder<br />
118 - Reload<br />
119 - Remount (requires root access)<br />
120 - Parent folder<br />
121 - Copy names to clipboard<br />
122 - Full names to clipboard<br />
123 - Save names to file<br />
124 - Full names to file<br />
125 - Ignore list on/off<br />
126 - Go back<br />
127 - Go forward<br />
128 - Show hidden files/folders<br />
129 - Rename<br />
130 - Reload (MTP+PC)<br />
131 - Page up<br />
132 - Page down<br />
133 - System information<br />
134 - Keyboard for quick search<br />
135 - Unpack all selected<br />
136 - New file (UTF-8)<br />
137 - TC Media Player<br />
138 - Play selected<br />
139 - Enqueue selected<br />
140 - Play selected (Sort: Random order)<br />
141 - Play selected (Repeat all (loop))<br />
142 - Play selected (Sort: Random order, Repeat all (loop))<br />
143 - Enqueue selected (Sort: Random order)<br />
144 - By Name, Ascending<br />
145 - By Name, Descending<br />
146 - By Extension<br />
147 - By Extension<br />
148 - By Size, Ascending<br />
149 - By Size, Descending<br />
150 - By Date/Time, Ascending<br />
151 - By Date/Time, Descending<br />
152 - Also Sort Folders<br />
500 - Main menu

==== Available parameters: ====

(Multiple lines allowed, one parameter per line!) 

'''file:/path/name '''<br />
Send file name as URL 

'''url:http://www.example.com/ '''<br />
Send any URL to app 

'''stream:/path/name '''<br />
Send name as STREAM extra field 

'''type:text/plain '''<br />
Set explicit MIME type 

'''extra:NAME:data '''<br />
Set extra field of name android.intent.extra.NAME with value data 

'''extra0:NAME:data '''<br />
Set extra field of name NAME with value data 

'''extra2:NAME:data '''<br />
Extra field requiring string list 

==== Special parameters: ====

'''%P''' current path name (with trailing slash) 

'''%N''' name of first selected file 

'''%T''' current path in other panel 

'''%M''' name of first selected file in other panel 

'''Example: Send a mail with attachment to 2 recipients: '''

'''Command:''' Send to App: GMail<br />
'''Parameters:''' <br />
stream:%P%N <br />
extra2:EMAIL:x@y.com <br />
extra2:EMAIL:z@y.com <br />
extra:SUBJECT:File for you <br />
extra:TEXT:Here is the file %N


=== Internal editor ===

The internal editor allows to edit small files in Ansi and Unicode format.


==== Main menu: ====

* '''Save:''' Save current file 
* '''Save as:''' Save with different name 
* '''Close:''' Close editor without saving 
* '''Settings:''' Choose font, colors, and word wrap 
* '''Find:''' Find text 
* '''Find next:''' Continue search 

Note: Copy/Paste can be performed via the context menu


== Plugins ==

Plugins can be accessed via the home screen.

The following plugins are currently available:

* [[#Installed Apps Plugin|Installed Apps Plugin]] (preinstalled) 
* [[#FTP Plugin|FTP Plugin]] 
* [[#LAN Plugin|LAN Plugin]] 


=== Installed Apps Plugin ===

The Installed Apps plugin lists all the installed third party applications

You can perform the following operations on them:

* Uninstall by selecting some apps and tapping on the delete button 
* View application settings by tapping on an app 
* Backup apps to SD-Card with the Copy button 
* Add apps from SD-Card with the Copy button 


=== FTP Plugin ===

The ftp plugin allows to make connections to ftp servers.

Tap on <New connection> to create a new connection. Then enter a connection name.<br />
You can now specify server name and port, user, password, remote directory, commands to send on connect (separate multiple commands by a ;), server type, firewall, passive mode and file name encoding.

;Connection:
Tap on a connection to connect. After connecting, the packer icon will change to a connection icon. Use this icon to change the transfer mode (binary, text or automatic), and to disconnect. Only a single connection is supported at the same time per panel.

;Server type:
If your server isn't detected, you can define a server type in Total Commander for Windows and import it into the Android version. To do this, open your wcx_ftp.ini, and look for a section like this:
[Unix1]
Template1=pppppppppp !S* TTT DDDDDDDD n*

Save this to a file called (in this example) Unix1.ini, transfer it to the SD-Card of your Android device, and then use the option "load detect string".

;Firewall:
This opens another dialog for the configuration of your firewall. All firewall types of the desktop Total Commander are supported, except for the HTTP type. Leave the user name and password fields empty if your firewall doesn't support them. The first type is the most common, so try this first.


=== LAN Plugin ===

The LAN plugin allows to access often accessed servers in the LAN (local area network) via smb (Windows file sharing).

# Tap on <new server>
# Enter a name for the list, e.g. Server1
# Enter the server name in the network

To be able to connect, you need a real LAN connection to your network (e.g. via WLAN).


== Problems+Troubleshooting ==

Here are some known problems and possible solutions:

;Q - Total Commander for Android fails to access some network shares.
:A - Try to use the numeric IP address instead of the server name

;Q - Total Commander for Android fails to send a file via Bluetooth on my custom ROM.
:A - Some custom ROMs (e.g. Villarom 12.0.0 on HTC Hero) do not implement Bluetooth correctly. Try with a different Bluetooth program like Blueobex whether this is the case. Please contact us if other Bluetooth tools work but Total Commander doesn't.


== Tips & tricks ==


=== Settings files ===

Settings files (xml) are in this folder:
/data/data/com.ghisler.android.TotalCommander/shared_prefs/

If you don't have root access:

- create a new bookmark with path /data/data/com.ghisler.android.TotalCommander, or<br />
- create a new button of type "Change directory" with command /data/data/com.ghisler.android.TotalCommander

=== FTP or LAN master password reset ===

If you forgot FTP or LAN master password, or entered a master password by mistake, e.g. by confirming an empty password:

Go to folder /data/data/com.ghisler.android.TotalCommander/shared_prefs/ and open the file TotalCommander.xml.

The key "AESVerify" is used for the master password. You can delete that key or the entire file TotalCommander.xml. Then you have to close and re-open TC.


=== Deleting the file with the encrypted passwords ===

Go to folder /data/data/com.ghisler.android.TotalCommander/shared_prefs/ and delete the file plugin_pass_WebDAV.xml

Then you have to get Total Commander somehow out from the memory, for example with a task killer, or a reboot.


=== Creating FTP log file ===

You can create a log file to see what is going on when using FTP plugin.
# Go to the home screen (tap on the house icon) 
# Tap on SD-Card 
# Check whether a folder .TotalCommander exists. If not, create it with "Create new folder" button. 
# Open that folder 
# Hold down your finger on the topmost line (..) until the context menu appears 
# Tap on "New text file" 
# Enter name: log.txt 
# Close Total Commander via its menu, and start it again 


=== Writing to a protected file system ===

To be able to write to a protected file system like /system/app, there are three conditions:

* The file system must be read/write. To change it from read only, add a button to the button bar:<br />
'''Button type: Internal command'''<br />
'''Command: 119'''<br />
The button will show "r" for read only file systems, "rw" for read+write. You can tap on it to change the state.<br />
Note that Android uses separate file systems for some folders like /data! 

* The folder in which you work must allow writing too! You can check the folder permissions by holding the finger down on the folder until the context menu appears, then open the properties. 

* To modify a particular file, you need to have write rights to that file. You can check that in the properties of the file. 
See also: [http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/07/25/tip-how-to-enable-writing-to-read-only-partitions-remount-rw-in-total-commander-for-android/ How To Enable Writing To Read-Only Partitions]


=== Quick tips ===


Multiple selection: To copy or move, pack or unpack, download or upload multiple files, select them by tapping on their icons.


Creating a new TXT file: Holding down ".." (parent dir) on top of the panel can create a new TXT file.


You can replace some of the default shortcuts on home screen (SD-card, Photos, Downloaded files) by holding a finger on the link until the context menu with option "Change location" appears. You can't change the icon.

== External links ==
; Total Commander for Android:
* [https://www.ghisler.com/android.htm Official Total Commander for Android homepage]
** [https://www.ghisler.ch/board/viewtopic.php?t=76644 Total Commander for Android direct downloads]
** [https://www.ghisler.ch/board/viewforum.php?f=22 Total Commander for Android support forum] (also offers plugins support)
** [https://www.ghisler.com/android/help.htm Total Commander for Android online help]
** [https://www.totalcommander.ch/android/history2.txt Total Commander for Android history of changes (for release version)]
** [https://www.totalcommander.ch/android/history2beta.txt Total Commander for Android history of changes (for beta version)]
* [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ghisler.android.TotalCommander Total Commander for Android on Google Play]
* [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H4IHJ8M Total Commander for Android on Amazon Appstore]

; Plugins
* [https://www.totalcommander.ch/android/plugins.htm Total Commander for Android plugins direct download page]
* [https://www.ghisler.com/androidplugins/googleplay/ Total Commander for Android plugins on Google Play]

; Betas
* [https://github.com/chrisgch/tcabeta/tree/master/fdroid/repo Total Commander for Android beta downloads on GitHub]


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