Search for a file

1. On your Android device, open Files by Google .
2. At the top, on the search bar, enter the name of the file that you want to search for.
   
   Tip: If you're not sure of the file name, you can also use the smart filter to search. You can select:
   • Audio
   • Documents and other
   • Images
   • Videos
   • Large files
   • SD card
   • This week
3. To deselect the filter, tap on the selected filter again.

Try now

Smart Search

Find a file on your device even if you don’t remember its name. Try Smart Search with info like:

• Text from images and .pdf
• Location and objects from images
• Artist, album and title from audio and video

For example, if you need to find an e-ticket that you downloaded, you can find it through the search bar if you provide info like the:

• Airline
• Airport
• Booking company
• Destination

To power this experience, Smart Search scans the files in the background with device performance and privacy in mind. Scanning happens on your device so your information doesn’t leave your device. You can turn off Smart Search at any time in the app’s settings.

Tips:

• For on-device scanning to be ready, update Files by Google to the latest version and wait for a few days.
• If you downloaded the latest version of Files by Google and waited for a few days, but still can’t find files based on their content, Smart Search isn't available for your device yet.

Turn off Smart Search

1. On your Android device, open Files by Google .
2. Tap Menu Settings.
3. Turn off Smart Search.

Tip: If you turn off Smart Search, you can only use text from file names to search for files.