Files by Google was launched in November 2017 as a way to let Android Go users better manage storage space on their phones. Formally known as "Google Files Go", Google later decided to make the app available for all Android phones through the Google Play Store. Since its inception, Files by Google has gone from being a barebones storage space organizer to become a better-equipped file manager that comes preinstalled on Google Pixel and Android One smartphones. It has gained several exciting features over time, including a dark theme, built-in media player, faster offline sharing, and more. In its most recent update, the app received the Safe Folder feature, letting users hide their sensitive files behind a 4-digit PIN. Now, the app is preparing for a new feature called Favorites folder to let you organize your favorite files in one place for quick access.

An APK teardown can often predict features that may arrive in a future update of an application, but it is possible that any of the features we mention here may not make it in a future release. This is because these features are currently unimplemented in the live build and may be pulled at any time by the developers in a future build.

Our Editor-in-Chief, Mishaal Rahman, has discovered some strings for this feature in the Files by Google version 1.0.325710463. He managed to surface the menu options for the Favorites folder and was able to add a file to it, but the folder itself wasn’t viewable.

The Favorites folder will be a useful addition as it would allow you to access all your favorite and most frequently accessed docs, PDFs, and media files in one place. You won’t have to dig deep into a pile of folders and subfolders every time you want to access that specific file. Just adding it to the Favorite folder will ensure you can quickly reach it whenever you need. A lot of file managers offer this function, so this addition inches along feature parity with the competition.

For now, the feature remains a work-in-progress and isn’t available in the most recent version of the Files by Google app. As and when Google will decide to incorporate it into the app, we’ll sure to let you know.

Thanks to PNF Software for providing us a license to use JEB Decompiler, a professional-grade reverse engineering tool for Android applications.