How to Install ES File Explorer on Firestick [Easiest Method 2024]

by
Frederik Lipfert
Dr. Frederik Lipfert Founder, vpncheck
Updated on 15 Jun 2022

Foreword: ES File Explorer

With the ES File Explorer app, you’re able to install, manage, delete apps through your Firestick. The app enables you to manage and install third-party APKs not available in the Amazon App Store.

This application is a cord-cutter’s best friend because it helps them efficiently manage their apps and device storage. 

ES File Explorer is a must-have and an all-rounder Firestick app. It’s also among the best alternatives for the Downloader app. 

This guide will show you a convenient method to install and use the ES File Explorer application on your various Firestick devices. This method also works on various other Fire TV devices – such as Firestick Lite, Firestick 4K, and Fire TV Cube. We’ll also be giving you a straightforward method for installing ES File Explorer on Android devices.

Install ES File Explorer

The most convenient method for installing the ES File Explorer on your Firestick is through Downloader. The app lets you sideload third-party applications quickly and securely. 

Even though ES File Explorer is available on the Amazon App Store, we do not recommend downloading it from the store. They’re charging a ridiculous amount of $9.99 per month to use the app. 

Suppose you want to install ES File Explorer on an Android device such as Android phones, Android Smart TVs, etc. You’ll have to install it from an alternative app or third-party site as the ES File Explorer app is not available on the Google Store. 

Install the Downloader App

Installing Downloader is the first step in getting ES File Explorer.  If you have already installed Downloader, you can skip directly to the next section.

Step 1: Head over to the home screen on your Firestick device and navigate to the ‘Find’ option. 

Step 2: Click on ‘Search.’The Find button highlighted on Amazon App Store’s screenStep 3: Using the on-screen keyboard, type in ‘Downloader’ in the search bar and select Downloader from the search result.Amazon Firestick search function with Downloader highlightedStep 4: Select the application under the ‘Apps & Games’ section.Amazon app menu with Downloader highlightedStep 5: Click on ‘Download’ or ‘Get.’Clickable option to install Downloader on FirestickBe patient while the application finishes the installation process. The ETA depends on the speed of your internet connection.

Step 6: You will notice the ‘Open’ option once the installation is finished. Go right ahead and click on it. 

You have successfully installed the app on your Firestick. To let Downloader install third-party apps, you will have to allow the ‘Install unknown apps’ settings. 

Step 7: Go back to your home menu of Firestick and click on the gear icon (Settings).Click Settings AppStep 8: Kindly navigate and select the option ‘My Fire TV.’Amazon Firestick Settings menu with My Fire TV highlighted Step 9: Click on ‘Developer options.’Developer options highlighted in the My Fire TV menu, find Developer options.Step 10: Choose ‘Install unknown apps.’Install unknown apps highlighted > Select Install unknown appsStep 11: Navigate to the Downloader application and click the toggle on the setting. 

This will allow Downloader to sideload third-party apps on your device.

Install ES File Explorer With the Downloader App

Now that you have installed the Downloader app, you can easily sideload ES File Explorer on your Firestick. Follow the steps below:

Step 1: Launch the app using the home menu of your Firestick.The Downloader app tile highlighted in the tile menu under Your Apps & Channels categoryStep 2: In your first launch, you will be getting some prompts. 

You will first get a prompt to allow Downloader to access your media and files, click on ‘Allow.Permission dialog asking to allow Downloader to access photos, media and files on your device with Allow and Deny optionsStep 3: You’ll get a ‘Quick Start Guide’ prompt; click ‘OK.’ 

Step 4: In the home screen of the Downloader app, navigate the cursor towards the Search or URL Box. 

Select ‘OK.’ It’ll be on your Firestick remote, and it will help you access the on-screen keyboard. 

Step 5: Type this URL: https://vpnch.ec/k/es and select ‘Go’.Downloader browser keypad type this ES explorerPlease note that we do not host the APK file. 

The link will take you over to the folder containing the needed file for installation, which the original provider hosts.

Step 7: Be patient while the app downloads. The ETA depends on the speed of your internet connection.Downloading status screen for KodiStep 8: The installation process menu will automatically pop up. Click on ‘Install.’ES File Explorer app Install button highlightedStep 9: When installed, click on ‘Done’ or ‘Open.ES File Explorer app Installed Done button highlightedIf you want to launch the app instantly, click on ‘Open,’ but if you want to delete the APK file to save storage space on your device, click on ‘Done.’ 

Step 10: Clicking on ‘Done’ will take you to Downloader. Choose ‘Delete’ then click on ‘Delete’ again.Downloader browser prompt to delete ES file explorer APK files

Downloader browser confirmation prompt to delete ES file explorer APK filesStep 11: Go back to the home screen on your Firestick. Head over to the ‘Apps & Channels’ section and click on ‘See All.’

Step 12: Scroll down until you find the ES File Explorer app and click on the three horizontal lines (Options buttons).

Step 13: Click on ‘Move.’The Move option on Amazon Firestick’s Apps & Channels menuStep 14: Move the application to the ‘Your Apps & Channels’ section to easily access it. 

Great Work! You have successfully installed ES File Explorer on your Firestick using Downloader.

Installation Process on Android Devices

Supposing you want to install ES File Explorer on another device, an Android one, for example. Read this section; If it’s not the case, feel free to skip it. 

  • Google Play Store

To this day, cord-cutters and users worldwide experience trouble installing or accessing ES File Explorer on the Google Store. There is no guarantee whether the app will be restored in the Play Store or not. 

  • Alternative Third-Party App Websites

You can easily install and access this app by using the official developers. 

Their website is known as Estrongs.com. You can download it from other alternative third-party websites like Uptodown or APKPure

Installing the app is pretty straightforward. The instructions to download might be different and vary according to specific websites.

Why Should You Get and Make Use of File Explorer?

How would it be to use a device without being able to explore your files, media, and photos? It will be similar to working around on Windows without the File Explorer or using a Mac without the Finder feature. 

This app has recently been among the most prominent and well-known. It consists of a massive file manager to explore the above simple tasks for file management.

ES File Explorer is a free file manager (if you sideload it). You can conveniently use it for managing multimedia, applications, and all of your files. 

This app is loved by everyone worldwide. But if you do not believe us, you will be surprised to know that (according to the developers) users have downloaded the app over three hundred million times. 

If this has not convinced you to install and use this amazing app, let’s dive into its features. 

  • The app is compatible with OneDrive, Google Drive, DropBox, SkyDrive, Ubuntu One, Amazon S3, Sugarsync, Yandex, and similar cloud storage. 
  • You can uninstall or install applications and check out compressed files with ease.
  • The UI is simple, and it is very organized and clean.
  • The application and file manager is easy-to-use, making it user-friendly. 
  • Allows you to explore multimedia, including videos, pictures, music, and documents. 
  • You can use it as LAN and an FTP Samba client. 
  • The app is very lightweight. 
  • You can browse the app in over thirty languages. 
  • Login through the sftp key file is possible.
  • You can filter files using the Search option. 
  • Users can make use of the file manager to analyze the directory. 
  • It can be shared in the browser menu.

Exploring ES File Explorer - The Features of Home Screen

The application’s home menu enables you to manage your directories and files effortlessly. Let’s take a look at each of the features. 

Side Left Bar Menu

  • Settings: Settings allow you to manage and control security, general, system settings, and tools.
  • Favorite: Favorite enables you to add documents, apps, music, images, and movies. Also, you can easily make use of the Web Search function. 
  • Local: It contains all the files present in the local system. The files are categorized into Download, System, Device, and Internal Storage. 
  • Library: Its purpose is to find the repositories of music, compressed files, movies, images, apps, and documents. 
    Please note that you can manually add and open the .rar and .zip files using the ‘Compressed files’ section. 
  • Network: You’ll be able to access different network files from Cloud drive, LAN, Bluetooth, Android TV, and FTP. It also enables the users to administer their device through a desktop or laptop by using View on PC
  • Tools: It consists of Space Analyzer, Cleaner, Hide List, Music Player, and Download Manager. You can also find other extra features at the lower section of the menu bar.
  • Show icon on folder: Icons will be displayed on folders when you toggle on this option.
  • Recycle Bin: When the option is enabled, the deleted files will be moved to the Recycle Bin folder instead of permanently deleted. 
  • Root Explorer: Toggle on this option to enable the users to edit and browse all the root folders and files. Using a rooted device is a must. 
  • Gesture: It allows you to record gestures, which will trigger a specified function in the app. 
  • Show hidden files: Users will see all the hidden files when this option is enabled. 
  • Thumbnails: It displays apps and files as thumbnails when toggled on.
  • System hidden files: When the option is enabled, it will display the hidden system files.

Top Left Section

  • Messages: It consists of messages that were sent by the app.
  • Social Media Options: Users can access Facebook and YouTube.

Home Section

  • Space Analyzer: This option enables the user to display the percentage of storage space used with data about Documents, Pictures, Videos, Apps, Audio, and more.
    You’ll also be able to see the redundant files, new files, duplicate files, junk files, new files, and associated app directories. 
  • Internal Storage: It displays the total available space and used space in the internal storage.
  • System: This allows the user to see the used space in the system storage.

Multiple Icons and Options

This home screen section includes Note Editor, Music, Cleaner, Movies, Logger, APP, Cloud Drive, and Images

  • Note Editor: This allows the user to modify notes present in the device. 
  • Music: You can access the music files.
  • Cleaner: The users can manually remove cached files or set up clearing, which will be done automatically once the ES File Explorer app is closed.
  • Movies: You can access all the movie files.
  • Logger: This option is used to save actions in the app. It makes a log available for 15 days.
    However, it can’t be used for movies or renamed, deleted, and copied items. 
  • Apps: Access all of your installed apps.
  • Cloud Drive: Enables the users to use cloud storage, including One Drive, Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon S3, and more.

The Menu at the Bottom

The Lower Menu section features enable the users to search for the apps, add apps, review history, explore the app on open windows, and refresh. 

  • New: This option enables you to add applications. 
  • Search: You will be able to search for applications.
  • Refresh: As the name suggests, you can refresh the app with it.
  • Windows: Users can browse and explore the app on all open windows.
  • History: Reviewing history is possible with this option. 

There is also a ‘New Files’ option located above the menu. It can show or hide the records of new files on the home page. 

Installing Third-Party Apps using ES File Explorer. Is it Possible?

There are many reasons to download and use ES File Explorer. Some might use it to manage their files and folders, and some might use it to clear cache files. But one of the most popular for installing the app is to sideload third-party apps. 

Since many apps are not available in the Amazon App Store, many apps are unverified, and the store does not allow the apps to be installed. But you can use ES File Explorer to sideload them on your Firestick. 

ES File Explorer is very easy to use, and it is one of the best apps for installing third-party apps efficiently. The application is considered one of the best because of its excellent functionality and tools. 

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Install Third-Party Apps With ES File Explorer

ES File Explorer’s most used and popular function is to install third-party applications which are not available in the Amazon App Store. You will need a URL of the specific app you want to install to perform this task. We will also have to enable the ‘Install unknown apps’ setting. 

In this section, we will install ‘Perfect IPTV’. Since this application is not available in the official Amazon App Store, we will sideload the APK onto the Firestick. 

The steps below will teach you how to install Perfect IPTV using ES File Explorer. But you can install many other apps according to your preference by using the same method. Each of the URLs is unique to the apps. 

Part 1: Turn on the ‘Install unknown apps’ setting.

Step 1: Head over to the home menu of your Firestick and click on the gear icon, which is the Settings.Firestick’s home screen, Setting highlightedStep 2: Scroll down and click on ‘My Fire TV.’Amazon Firestick Settings menu with My Fire TV highlightedStep 3: Choose ‘Developer Options.’Developer options highlighted in the My Fire TV menu, find Developer options.Step 4: Click on ‘Install unknown apps.’Install unknown apps highlighted > Select Install unknown appsStep 5: Navigate to ES File Explorer, and click on it to toggle on the setting.

Now your Firestick will let you sideload apps onto your Firestick. 

Part 2: Sideloading apps using ES File Explorer.

Step 1: Launch ES File Explorer from the home menu of your Firestick. 

Step 2: If it’s your first launch, you will be getting some pop-ups. Choose appropriate options and follow the instructions within the app to go further.Es File Explorer window for storage permission

Es File Explorer window for Allow storage permission to photos media on your deviceStep 3: Now, you will see the main window of ES File Explorer.ES File Downloader main menuStep 4: Click on ‘Downloader.’ES File Explorer app home menu Downloader highlightedStep 5: Select the ‘New’ icon from the bottom menu when you’re in the Downloader tab.ES File Explorer app New highlightedStep 6: Navigate to the ‘Path’ URL and click on it.Download dialogue box Es File ExplorerStep 7: Using the on-screen keyboard, type in the desired URL. We are going to enter the URL of Perfect IPTV as an example. https://vpnch.ec/k/perfect-iptv

Make sure you enter the URL with the https:// part.

Step 8: Click on ‘Next.Perfect iptv urlStep 9: You can enter anything in the ‘Name’ field or leave it blank. 

Step 10: Select ‘DOWNLOAD NOW.’ES File Explorer downloade prompt, Name filed highlightedStep 11: Wait for the APK to download. The ETA depends on the speed of your internet connection.

Step 12: A pop-up will open once the APK has finished downloading. Click on ‘Open File.’ES File Explorer download successfully prompt, Open highlightedStep 13: Select the ‘INSTALL’ option.Es File Explorer Perfect Player Install button highlightedStep 14: The installation tab for ES File Explorer will open. Click on ‘INSTALL.’

Step 15: Wait for the ES File Explorer to finish installing. You will be getting an ‘App Installed’ notification. 

Step 16: Click on ‘Open’ to use the app instantly or ‘Done’ to use it later. 

Your desired application has been installed and is available for use. If you want to access it anytime, simply go to your home screen and search for it under the apps list.

The Cleaner Tool of ES File Explorer and more

The most prominent and known function and feature of ES File Explorer is ‘Downloader,’ which lets you sideload third-party apps. But there are many other features that the app offers. 

One of the most valuable tools/features in the ES File Explorer is the Cleaner tool. You can find it on the main menu. 

If you’re running out of storage but do not want to delete apps from your Firestick, then Cleaner helps look for more space.

The cleaner tool will delete advertisement junk, useless APKs, and more. You just have to click the Cleaner button in the upper right corner and choose ‘Clean Now.’

There is also an alternate way to clear up space and manage your apps. You can use the feature Storage Analyzer; this option will display a chart that will show the total amount of space available and the usage of your Firestick. 

If you know the reason behind the low storage space on your device, you can remove or edit any unnecessary applications and more. 

The Cache Cleaner is very helpful in removing the cache of various applications at once. 

Some people might love to store content on streaming devices such as Firestick, and ES File Explorer helps manage the files significantly. 

You can also delete and edit documents, music, images, and more from the application’s main menu. 

Deleting Apps Using ES File Explorer

You can quickly delete apps from your device using ES File Explorer. It’s also possible to uninstall various apps at once. 

Follow the steps below to do so: 

Step 1: Click on the ‘App’ option from the main menu of ES File Explorer.Click on the ‘App’ option from the main menu of ES File Explorer

Step 2: You will now be able to see all the apps installed on your Firestick. 

Step 3: Navigate to the app you want to delete, long-press the ‘Ok’ button on your Firestick remote. You can select multiple apps at once. 

Step 4: Scroll down until you find the bottom menu. 

Step 5: Choose ‘Uninstall.’ES File Explorer uninstall app windowThis feature is a great and convenient way to speed up and add storage to your device. It adds up to why ES File Explorer is a popular and must-have app.

Floating Widget - What is it and How to Remove it?

After installing ES File Explorer, users might see a floating widget on their Firestick screen. It might be annoying at some point for most of the users, and you might wonder if it can be removed or not. 

The answer is Yes! The widget can be easily removed. 

Just to make sure you don’t waste too much time and energy with this, we’ve prepared a short step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Launch ES File Explorer from the home screen of your Firestick. If you can’t find it, search it under the ‘Your Apps & Channels section. 

Step 2: Click on ‘Settings’ from the left side menu bar.Settings of ES File ExplorerStep 3: Scroll until you find General Settings, select ‘Logger floating widget settings.’ES File Explorer Logger floating widget settings highlightedStep 4: Click on the ‘Enable logger floating widget’ option. ES File Explorer Enable Logger floating widget highlightedThis will disable/remove the floating widget from your device. 

Please double-check that the checkmark located beside the text is white. If the color is blue, the widget is still activated from your screen if the color is blue.

Use a VPN While Accessing ES File Explorer

You should always use a secure VPN while accessing ES File Explorer, as all your internet activity is visible to your ISP and the government. Some content you might download from the internet using ES File Explorer might be protected. 

There’s no way to tell which app is free and which one is paid. Everything is available for free on the internet. 

To avoid some legal trouble, you can use a VPN. A VPN will help you hide your identity and let you anonymously browse the internet. 

You might often visit a third-party site to download an APK, and the site might have viruses or malware. 

A VPN is beneficial in encrypting your data, and it also protects you from specific hackers who are waiting for you to click on certain things on a website. 

All of your internet traffic is sent through a tunnel, disabling the hackers to access your data. 

We recommend NordVPN as it has the fastest servers and is the most reliable VPN for Firestick.

FAQs on ES File Explorer

Does ES File Explorer contain any ads?

Yes, ES File Explorer does contain ads. It might be freeware, but the developers have added ads. 

The ads are not that annoying, and the developers get income from the ads to compensate for their efforts. 

Does ES File Explorer get regular updates?

The developers have made sure to give regular updates for ES File Explorer. This ensures users that the app runs to its full potential and optimum performance. Also, if there are any bugs, the updates will always come with a fix. 

Are Compressed Files accessible using ES File Explorer?

Yes, you can easily access the compressed files. 7Z, .zip, G7, .rar files can be manually added or opened from the Compressed Files section. Also, you can use AES-256 to decrypt and encrypt for more and better protection. 

Is it Possible to Uninstall Apps All at Once?

You can easily uninstall multiple apps using ES File Explorer. 

Conclusion

Most users worldwide use the ES app’s Downloader feature to sideload third-party apps onto their devices. 

However, many other features come with ES File Explorer that can be very helpful. Such as the Cleaner or Uninstall feature. The app is perfect for any streaming device. 

All of the features that the app provides can help you explore the full potential of your Firestick. 

We hope that our guide on how to install ES File Explorer on Firestick will be helpful to you.