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Gander

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What Gander is

Gander is a free, open-source Android viewer for opening files offline. It can display documents, spreadsheets, presentations, images, video, audio, Markdown, code, ZIP archives and STL models, but it does not edit files. Supported formats include PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OpenDocument and Rich Text. Users can search files, browse folders, view recent items, print, and select and copy PDF text; night mode is available for PDFs and Word files. ZIP contents appear as a folder, allowing files to be opened from an archive without extracting them onto the phone. Files can be sent to Gander using Android sharing or Open with actions, or selected in the system document picker. The maker says the app has no ads, tracking, accounts or INTERNET permission, and renders files on the device. Its source is available on GitHub under the MIT license. Installation and updates are listed through Google Play, GitHub APK releases and Obtainium. It requires Android 8.0 or later; PDF viewing also requires Android System WebView 125 or newer.

Who it suits

Gander suits Android users who want an offline viewer for varied file types rather than an editor. It may also fit organizations considering deployment on managed devices.

What it does well

  • Opens documents, media, code and archives offline
  • Search, folder browsing and recent files
  • Opens ZIP contents without extracting them
  • No ads, tracking, accounts or INTERNET permission

What to know first

  • Android only
  • Does not edit files
  • Legacy .ppt files are unsupported
  • PDFs require Android System WebView 125 or newer

Getting started

  1. Open the Gander page on GitHub.
  2. Install or update through Google Play, a GitHub APK release, or Obtainium.
  3. Use Android 8.0 or newer.
  4. For PDF viewing, use Android System WebView 125 or newer.
  5. Open a file through Android’s share sheet or Open with, or browse using the system document picker.

Verdict

Gander covers a wide range of viewing needs while keeping file rendering on the device, according to its maker. Check the Android and WebView requirements, and note its limits with legacy and complex presentation files.

Questions

Is Gander free?

Yes. Its pricing model is free, and it is open source under the MIT license.

Which devices can run Gander?

Gander runs on Android 8.0 and up. PDF viewing requires Android System WebView 125 or newer.

Can Gander edit files?

No. It is a viewer and does not edit files.

How can I install or update Gander?

The maker lists Google Play, GitHub APK releases and Obtainium as options. F-Droid is described as requested and in progress.

Which file limitations should I know about?

Legacy .ppt files are unsupported. Complex PowerPoint decks may render approximately, and spreadsheet charts are not drawn.

Does Gander connect to the internet or use accounts?

The app declares no INTERNET permission and says it has no accounts, ads or tracking. Files are rendered on the device.

Facts from Gander's own pages

Distribution
The maker lists Google Play, GitHub APK releases, and Obtainium as installation or update options; F-Droid is described as requested and in progress. · arjun.maniyani.com, 11 Oct 2026
Features
Features include file search, text selection and copying in PDFs, night mode for PDFs and Word files, printing, recent files, and folder browsing. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
File handling
It opens files you choose through Android’s file picker, a granted folder, or another app’s “Open with” action. · arjun.maniyani.com, 11 Oct 2026
Formats
It supports formats including PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OpenDocument, Rich Text, ZIP, STL, images, video, audio, Markdown and code. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Install sources
The maker lists Google Play, GitHub APK releases and Obtainium as installation or update options; F-Droid is described as requested and in progress. · arjun.maniyani.com, 11 Oct 2026
Integrations
Users can open files through Android's share sheet or Open with intents, and can browse folders using Android's system document picker. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Intended audience
The maker describes Gander as a general-purpose utility and invites organizations that want it on managed devices to get in touch. · arjun.maniyani.com, 11 Oct 2026
License
Gander is MIT licensed, and the maker says its source is available on GitHub. · arjun.maniyani.com, 11 Oct 2026
Limitations
Legacy .ppt files are unsupported, complicated PowerPoint decks may render approximately, and spreadsheet charts are not drawn. · arjun.maniyani.com, 11 Oct 2026
Notable limits
Gander is a viewer, not an editor; it does not support legacy .ppt files, and complex PowerPoint decks may render approximately while spreadsheet charts are not drawn. · arjun.maniyani.com, 11 Oct 2026
Platform requirement
Gander runs on Android 8.0 and up, and PDF viewing requires Android System WebView 125 or newer. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Privacy
The maker says the app requests no permissions, has no INTERNET permission, analytics, advertising, tracking, crash reporting, or account, and does not transmit files. · arjun.maniyani.com, 11 Oct 2026
Product
Gander is an open-source, offline Android viewer for documents, photos, video, audio, Markdown, code, archives and 3D models. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Purpose
Gander is a viewer and does not edit files. · arjun.maniyani.com, 11 Oct 2026
Requirements
Gander runs on Android 8.0 and up; viewing PDFs requires Android System WebView 125 or newer. · arjun.maniyani.com, 11 Oct 2026
Security
Gander says its build fails if a dependency adds a permission, and its About screen displays the permissions Android reports for the app. · arjun.maniyani.com, 11 Oct 2026
Security reporting
The security policy asks users to report vulnerabilities privately through GitHub or by email and says the maintainer will reply within a week. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Security updates
The security policy says fixes go into the next release and older versions are not patched. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Support
The maker invites issues and small pull requests, and provides an email address for organizations seeking managed-device use or features. · arjun.maniyani.com, 11 Oct 2026
What it does
Gander is an open source, offline file viewer for Android that opens documents, spreadsheets, slides, photos, video, audio, Markdown, text, code, ZIP archives, and STL models. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
ZIP files
Gander lists ZIP contents like a folder and opens files directly from the archive without extracting them onto the phone. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026

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