[APP][MOD] ES File Explorer with Systemless Root Support

9/22 UPDATE: Now includes support for Magisk as well as supporting SuperSU systemless and phh Superuser/seSuperuser. To do this the system root paths were edited, thus these apps no longer support root options embedded in system. Since this primarily affects Cyanogenmod users the download page now includes copies of ES File Explorer 3.2.5.5 and 4.0.2.2 without any modifications at all, except for being re-signed with my app signature to prevent them from updating.

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Something I've been noticing sitewide is that users of ES File Explorer were having difficulty with systemless root. Current versions of ES File Explorer do have systemless support, however they still are a bloated, ruined mess with the potential of adding malware in the future. The versions available in this thread are the last version offered by EStrongs before selling the app to ESGlobal (v. 3.2.5.5) and the last version by ESGlobal (v. 4.0.2.2) that allowed the end user to delete the accursed home page, didn't have any app advertisements, needless bloat, or malware.

The entire problem stems from the fact that the various paths to the superuser binary are hard-coded as an array in the java code. While temporary solutions have been proposed, such as copying the su binary and its support files to the /system partition, or enabling SuperSU's app compatibility function, the best fix is to decompile the app, edit the m.smali file in /smali/com/estrongs/fs/impl/local, and add in the systemless paths.

If you want to read the brief tutorial, hit the button below. Otherwise, read on.

I did this because I need the app backup feature. While other apps are out there that can backup apps and data, none of them work as well in my mind as ES File Explorer. So after modifying the smali code, I re-signed the apps using my personal certificate. I don't know about anyone else, but with the new owner throwing malware into the app I don't want the app automatically upgrading itself. Re-signing the app should take care of that.

To distinguish the systemless apps from the originals, when recompiling the apps I appended an "s" to the version number, with "s" standing for "systemless". While I personally use version 4.0.2.2, I know a lot of people still prefer version 3.2.5.5, so I have provided links to both. Please keep in mind however the following.

• Due to the smali code editing as well as the version number change and the replaced signature, anti-malware apps on devices will flag these apps as a false positive. Both versions were flagged on my Nexus 6 and my Galaxy S4, both of which were running Avast. These versions of the app predates ESGlobal adding app advertisements and malware to the app, thus the warning can be safely ignored.
• It's required to uninstall any other version of ES File Explorer (except Pro) before installing a copy of the apps provided here. This is because the changed app signature will prevent the app from successfully installing.
• Should you wish to make the edits yourself, either because of a lack of trust or a desire to use a different version than what is available in this thread, untouched versions can be found at apkmirror.com.

Downloads
ES File Explorer 4.0.2.2 Systemless
ES File Explorer 4.0.2.2
ES File Explorer 3.2.5.5 Systemless
ES File Explorer 3.2.5.5

XDA:DevDB Information
ES File Explorer Systemless, App for the Apps & Games

Contributors
Strephon Alkhalikoi

Version Information
Status: No Longer Updated

Created 2016-07-02
Last Updated 2016-09-23

@Silly22: 4.0.2.3 has a "suggested apps" bar in the app backup feature not found in 4.0.2.2. 3.2.5.5 was the last version by EStrongs.

Not breaking Android Pay is a nice side effect.

9/16 Update: The method used to enable systemless root support has changed from simply adding the requisite entries, which apparently renders the /sbin/su path unusable, to replacing the entire hard-coded array with the updated version used in the later apps. See the tutorial for particulars. The APK files themselves have been updated.

*Gives the thread a hip check into the boards*

9/22 Update: APKs updated with Magisk support. The app should now support all three systemless superuser implementations. System root is no longer supported in the modified apps, so untouched versions of the original apps - re-signed of course - are available in the Download tab.

@dark jedi66: Sorry about that. I neglected to take mobile apps into account when I updated the apps for this thread. I added in links so hopefully this doesn't happen again in the future.

t3ch42 said:

Thanks for refreshing a once great app and making it relevant and usable. Do you have any suggestions for updating the app for use with Android 7.1? Both of your versions work well, but crash when "sending" files from one device to another. I believe this to be the case with released recent versions too.
Would be great to have a fixed version working on nougat.
Thanks again.

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

I don't use those features so I can't provide any suggestions. I'm inclined to believe it is something ES App Group hasn't bothered to fix in their push to bloat the thing and turn it into malware.

Mesmurized said:

Thanks for this. Can you explain why Pro is excluded from the uninstall requirement?

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

Two reasons.

1. This version and the pro version can be installed at the same time due to differing package names.
2. The pro app is supposedly malware free.

If you have the pro app and want to uninstall it, no one will object.

You may or may not know this, but on Reddit this was discussed in 2015. According to the official response to the question on HowardForums, "Thank you for your feedback. We use a third party Statistic module provided by Baidu it just counts user numbers anonymously and won't collect any user info. You might read our privacy policy from settings." (Source: HowardForums)

Now, while I can understand the concern given the latest versions of ES are the pits, I personally wouldn't lose too much sleep over this. In the meantime, if you wish to prevent ES from phoning home, your options are to block ES File Explorer in a firewall, or if rooted, install AdAway and add Baidu to its blacklist. When I have a spare moment, I will look at the code and see what I can do to eliminate the issue.