How to access Termux files from Android

You’re deep into a coding session on your phone. The Python script is perfect. The data is processed. And then… panic. How do you get these files out of Termux and into the real world?

I get it. Been there. Last week I spent 30 minutes trying to email a Node.js project to myself because I couldn’t figure out how to access my Termux files. Never again.

The Real Problem (Beyond Just “It Won’t Work”)

Here’s what’s actually happening: Termux runs in its own little bubble. Android treats it like a separate app with its own private storage. Your files aren’t “lost”—they’re just walled off from everything else on your phone.

The old tricks from 2020? They don’t work anymore. Android 11, 12, 13… each update made it harder. But there’s a super simple fix that nobody talks about.

The 60-Second Solution That Actually Works

Open Termux right now and type:

termux-setup-storage

termux-setup-storage

That’s it. Seriously.

Android will pop up asking for permission. Tap “Allow.” Done.

What just happened? Termux created a magic bridge between its world and your Android storage. Your files are now accessible through:

• ~/storage/shared → Your main Android storage
• ~/storage/downloads → Download folder (where everything goes)
• ~/storage/dcim → Camera photos

But How Do I Actually See These Files?

Three ways, depending on what you need:

Option 1: Quick Access (Recommended)
Install Material Files from the Play Store. It’s free and just works.

1. Open Material Files
2. Tap the three lines menu
3. Look for “Termux” or “com.termux”
4. Boom—full file access

Option 2: The Copy-and-Paste Route
When you finish a project:

cp -r my-project ~/storage/downloads/
# Now it's in your Downloads folder, accessible from any app

cp -r my-project ~/storage/downloads/
# Now it's in your Downloads folder, accessible from any app

Option 3: The Pro Move (One-Click Sharing)

# Install this once
pkg install termux-api

# Then share any file like this
termux-share my-awesome-script.py

# Install this once
pkg install termux-api

# Then share any file like this
termux-share my-awesome-script.py

This opens Android’s share menu. Email it, WhatsApp it, Google Drive it—whatever you want.

Real-World Workflow That Saves Hours

Here’s how I actually work now:

1. Code in Termux like normal
2. When ready to share: cp project.py ~/storage/downloads/
3. File appears instantly in Downloads
4. Upload to GitHub, email to client, whatever

Total time: 5 seconds instead of 15 minutes of frustration.

The Hidden Bonus No One Mentions

Once you set this up, you can also:

• Edit Termux files in Android Studio
• Use your phone’s photo editor on images in Termux
• Sync projects to Google Drive automatically

I keep a symlink in my home directory for instant access:

ln -s ~/storage/shared ~/android-sync

ln -s ~/storage/shared ~/android-sync

Now ~/android-sync is my gateway to everything else on my phone.

Quick Troubleshooting (When It Won’t Work)

“Permission denied” errors? You missed the permission prompt. Run termux-setup-storage again and hit “Allow” this time.

Files not showing up? Close and reopen your file manager. Android caches directory listings.

Super slow performance? For big operations, stick to commands in Termux. Copy final results to shared storage when done.

Security Note (Don’t Ignore This)

Files in ~/storage/shared are visible to other apps. Keep sensitive stuff in your main Termux directory and only copy what you need to share.

Your private SSH keys? Keep them in ~/.ssh. Your client project? Copy it to ~/storage/downloads when you’re ready to send it.

Ready to Never Lose a File Again?

Try it right now:

1. Open Termux
2. Type: termux-setup-storage
3. Grant permission
4. Type: ls ~/storage

See that list? Those are your Android storage locations. Your Termux files just became as accessible as any other file on your phone.

No more copy-pasting through terminal commands. No more “where did my project go?” moments. Just seamless file access like it should be.