Gander

Gander is a free, open-source Android app for viewing files offline. It opens documents, spreadsheets, presentations, photos, video, audio, Markdown, code, ZIP archives, and STL models, but it does not edit them. Supported formats include PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OpenDocument, and Rich Text. You can choose files through Android’s document picker, open them from another app, or browse a granted folder. ZIP contents are shown like a folder, and files can be viewed from an archive without extracting them to the phone. Tools include file search, folder browsing, recent files, printing, PDF text selection and copying, and night mode for PDFs and Word files. Gander says it has no ads, tracking, accounts, or INTERNET permission, and renders files on the device. It runs on Android 8.0 and newer; PDF viewing requires Android System WebView 125 or newer. Installation and updates are listed through Google Play, GitHub APK releases, and Obtainium.

Gander brings offline viewing for many file types to Android, with practical browsing and PDF tools. Check the PowerPoint and spreadsheet limits if those files are central to your needs.

Gander suits Android users who need to view a range of files offline without editing them. It may also fit users who want to inspect ZIP contents without extracting files.

Gander is a free, open-source Android viewer for documents, media, code, archives and 3D models. It suits people who need one offline utility for opening varied files without accounts or network access. Its broad format coverage and privacy posture are compelling, but users who depend on legacy PowerPoint or chart-heavy spreadsheets should look elsewhere.

Overview

Gander focuses on viewing rather than editing. It opens files from Android’s file picker, a folder you grant, or another app’s Open with action, then keeps navigation practical with folder browsing, recent files and search. ZIP archives appear as folders, and files inside can be opened without first extracting them onto the phone.

The app supports PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OpenDocument, Rich Text, images, video, audio, Markdown, code, ZIP and STL models. That range makes it a useful general-purpose reader on a phone, especially when your files come from several sources and formats.

Key features

Offline, device-side viewing

Gander declares no INTERNET permission, and says it has no ads, tracking or accounts. Files are rendered on the device, which is a strong fit for private documents or locations with unreliable connectivity. Its build is intended to fail if a dependency adds a permission, while the About screen shows the permissions Android reports, giving security-conscious users a way to check the app’s access.

Document tools

PDF text can be selected and copied, and PDFs and Word files offer a night mode. Printing is supported. In-file search, text and code preview, and office-file preview make Gander more useful than a simple gallery, although it remains read-only and cannot edit any of these files.

Android integration

Files can be handed to Gander through Android’s share sheet or Open with intents, while the system document picker lets you browse folders. Those entry points reduce the friction of opening attachments and files stored in different locations.

Pricing

Gander is free and open source under the MIT license. There is no free trial because the app has no paid tier, account requirement or subscription. The source is published on GitHub, and the maker invites issues and small pull requests. Organizations seeking managed-device use or additional features can contact the maker for discussion.

Installation and updates are offered through Google Play, GitHub APK releases and Obtainium. F-Droid is described as requested and in progress, so users who require that catalog should use one of the currently listed channels instead.

Platforms

Gander runs on Android 8.0 and newer. PDF viewing requires Android System WebView 125 or later, so older WebView installations can prevent that part of the app from working until updated.

Who it's for

This is a strong choice for Android users who want a private, offline way to inspect mixed office files, media, Markdown, source code, archives and STL models. It also makes sense for organizations considering managed-device deployment, since the maker explicitly invites those enquiries. It is less suitable as an office workflow tool: there is no editing, legacy .ppt support is absent, complex PowerPoint decks may render approximately, and spreadsheet charts are not drawn.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Broad support covers office documents, media, code, archives and 3D models in one Android app.
• Pro: Offline, on-device rendering with no declared internet permission, ads, tracking or accounts benefits privacy-sensitive use.
• Pro: PDF copy and night mode, search, printing, recent files and folder browsing provide useful reading tools.
• Pro: ZIP contents open directly without extraction, saving storage and an extra step.
• Con: It is a viewer only, so editing or annotating files requires another app.
• Con: Legacy .ppt files are unsupported; complicated presentations may not match their original layout.
• Con: Spreadsheet charts are not drawn, limiting confidence when charts carry the meaning of a workbook.
• Con: Security fixes go into the next release and older versions are not patched, making updates important.

Alternatives

For a broader cross-platform option with a free tier and trial, consider Universal File Opener; it runs on Android and Windows, though its free plan has file-size and compatibility limits.

File Viewer for Android is another Android choice if an ad-supported free plan is acceptable, with a paid Pro tier also offered.

Choose ViewAnyFile.app when you need viewing across Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows, including batch processing.

File Viewer Plus fits users willing to pay for 400-plus formats, two PCs per household and continuous updates at €22 per user per year.

Polaris Viewer Plus is a cross-platform commercial viewer with pricing handled through sales.

Linux users may prefer Evince or Okular, both free software for desktop platforms.

XnConvert is aimed at image conversion rather than general document viewing.

See the broader File Viewer Software list for more choices.

Verdict

Choose Gander if you want a no-cost, open-source Android viewer that keeps varied files offline and adds useful PDF and browsing tools without accounts or tracking. Look elsewhere if you need to edit documents, display spreadsheet charts, or depend on legacy or highly complex PowerPoint files.