Gander

Files & Sync

Open documents, images, media, and archives locally on Android without sending files to an online viewer.

Use with conditions

Official website Repository

Last updated2026-10-01

Open source licenseMIT

PlatformsAndroid 8.0+

DeploymentMobile

About this project

Gander is an Android file viewer for PDFs, Word documents, spreadsheets, presentations, photos, video, audio, text, and ZIP archives. It receives files through Android’s system picker or Open with flow. The project does not declare the INTERNET permission, and its document-rendering components are bundled for local use.

The official v2.0 release provides a single APK that works across device architectures. The application supports Android 8.0 and later, while PDF viewing requires Android System WebView 125 or newer. Users can open a file directly or grant access to a chosen folder; Android does not permit granting the entire Downloads root through this folder flow.

Gander can browse ZIP archives as folder-like lists and open their entries without extracting them to the phone. Its v2.0 documentation supports older Word .doc files but excludes legacy PowerPoint .ppt, suggesting conversion to .pptx elsewhere. Large text files load in five-megabyte portions with a Show more control, while document searches provide navigation between matches.

gander official release README

Decision guide

Why it is worth a look

An official installable APK is available instead of requiring a source build
The application does not declare the Android INTERNET permission
The system file picker grants access only to files or folders the user chooses

Before you use it

Android 8.0+ is required; PDFs additionally need Android System WebView 125 or later
It is a viewer; it does not edit files, and legacy PowerPoint .ppt is unsupported
The project is young; use the official release and verify update provenance

Manual setupModerate

With an AI agentLow

DeploymentMobile

Additional requirementsNot verified

Android 8.0 or later; Android System WebView 125+ for PDFs; Permission to install the chosen release source; Some requirements have not been verified. Check the official setup instructions.

What it can do

Offline document and PDF viewing
Photo, video, and audio viewing
ZIP archive browsing
System file picker and Open with integration

Who it fits

Good for

Viewing local attachments without an online upload; Opening several document and media types from one Android app

Not a fit

Editing Office documents; Users needing exact rendering of every complex presentation or spreadsheet

Getting started

Download the Gander APK from the official release page, or use the Google Play link in the current README if available in your region
Install the application through the chosen source; enable that source for APK installation only if needed
Choose a document with the system file picker or Open with; keep Android System WebView current for PDF viewing

What it takes

Getting startedLow

Ongoing maintenanceLow

Failure impactModerate

Knowledge neededLow

Not selected for comparison.

Get help from an AI agent

DeploymentMobile

Additional requirementsNot verified

With an AI agentLow

{
  "project": "Gander",
  "decision": "Use with conditions",
  "purpose": "Open documents, images, media, and archives locally on Android without sending files to an online viewer.",
  "repository": "https://github.com/mokshablr/gander",
  "official_site": "https://arjun.maniyani.com/gander/",
  "deploy_shape": "Mobile",
  "additional_dependencies": "Android 8.0 or later; Android System WebView 125+ for PDFs; Permission to install the chosen release source; Some requirements have not been verified. Check the official setup instructions.",
  "direct_setup": "Moderate: an APK is available, but sideloading may require approving an installation source",
  "ai_assisted_setup": "Easy: AI can explain official package choices, permissions, and documented errors; successful installation is not guaranteed",
  "operational_burden": "Low: keep the app and Android System WebView updated",
  "operational_risk": "Moderate: verify APK provenance and treat untrusted documents cautiously",
  "knowledge_requirement": "Low: basic Android file picking and installation-source permissions",
  "license": "MIT",
  "install_steps": [
    "Download the Gander APK from the official release page, or use the Google Play link in the current README if available in your region",
    "Install the application through the chosen source; enable that source for APK installation only if needed",
    "Choose a document with the system file picker or Open with; keep Android System WebView current for PDF viewing"
  ],
  "good_for": "Viewing local attachments without an online upload; Opening several document and media types from one Android app",
  "avoid_if": "Editing Office documents; Users needing exact rendering of every complex presentation or spreadsheet"
}

Gander

About this project

Why it is worth a look

Before you use it

What it can do

Who it fits

Getting started

Alternatives to consider