Gander in 2026: An Android file browser that requires no permissions – is this a privacy revolution?

Mobile apps are demanding more and more permissions, but Gander is bucking the trend. It is an Android file browser that requires no access to your device's storage at all. Is this a revolution in privacy protection, or just a clever compromise? We examine how Gander performs in practice, what its limitations are, and whether it is actually worth using.

What is Gander and why is it unique?

Gander is a free, open-source file browser for Android that is one of the few to require no permissions to function. Unlike popular file managers such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer, Gander does not ask for access to internal storage, SD cards, or the cloud. Instead, it utilizes the Storage Access Framework (SAF) mechanism built into Android.

This approach has a key advantage: the app has no access to your files until you ask it to. Even then, it only sees the directories you manually select using the system file picker. This is an ideal solution for users who do not want to grant apps full insight into their data – but does it work in daily use?

What files does Gander support?

Gander is not a typical file manager. It does not allow for editing, moving, or deleting data, and its functionality is limited to viewing. Here is what you can do:

• Text files: Supports formats such as .txt, .md, .csv, .json, or .xml. You cannot edit them directly in the app, but you can conveniently open and read them.
• Images: Displays popular graphic formats, including .jpg, .png, .gif, or .webp. However, you won't find editing features here, such as cropping or filters.
• Audio and video: Plays .mp3, .ogg, .wav (audio) and .mp4, .webm (video) files, offering a basic player without advanced control options.
• Office documents and archives: Does not directly support .docx, .xlsx, .pdf, or .zip files. You can open them as raw data, but without the ability to read the actual content (e.g., you won't be able to read formatted text in a PDF).

For many people, this may be a significant hindrance. If you frequently work with documents or archives, Gander will quickly prove insufficient. On the other hand, if you only need a quick and secure preview of basic files, the app will perform its task well.

How does Gander work without permissions?

The key to the app's operation is the aforementioned Storage Access Framework (SAF). This mechanism allows apps to access files without the need for permissions such as READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE. Instead, the user must manually indicate the directories to which the app should have access.

In practice, it works as follows:

1. You open Gander and want to browse files.
2. The app triggers the system file picker (the same one you see when sharing files between apps).
3. You point to a specific directory that Gander should have access to.
4. The app displays the contents of that directory – but only that one, without the ability to freely navigate to other, unselected folders.

This approach has clear advantages:

• Privacy: The app does not scan the entire device storage, only the folders you have selected.
• Security: Even if a vulnerability is discovered in the app, a potential attacker will not automatically gain access to all your files.
• No unnecessary tracking: Gander does not collect telemetry data or send it to external servers.

However, you must keep the downsides in mind:

• Less convenience: You have to manually select folders, which can be tedious with frequent use.
• Lack of advanced features: Forget about editing, moving, or deleting files from within the app.
• No direct cloud support: Gander does not automatically integrate with services like Google Drive or Dropbox.

It is also worth noting the limitations of the Android system itself. Through SAF, you will not gain access to system files (e.g., in the /data directory) or password-protected files inside encrypted archives.

Gander vs. the competition: how does it compare to other file browsers?

To better understand the app's position in the market, we have compared it with popular Android file managers:

The comparison clearly shows that Gander is the most uncompromising option regarding privacy protection, but this comes at the cost of convenience. If you care about traditional file management, cloud integration, or network features, open-source alternatives like Material Files or Amaze File Manager might be better choices.

What do users and experts think of Gander?

In app stores and on tech enthusiast forums, Gander receives very good reviews from people looking for privacy-focused alternatives. The community primarily praises the lack of ads, the absence of trackers, and the transparent source code.

"A great option for anyone who cares about privacy – zero unnecessary tracking," writes one user.

"Finally an app that doesn't demand access to my entire phone just so I can open one file," adds another.

However, there are also voices tempering the enthusiasm. Some people point out that daily use of SAF can simply be tiring:

"Selecting a folder every single time becomes tedious in the long run," notes a skeptical reviewer.

"It's a shame it can't handle PDFs or ZIP archives, because the idea itself is brilliant," reads another opinion.

Experts in network security and privacy also look favorably upon this project. In lists of apps that prioritize data protection, Gander is often cited as a model of minimalism regarding permissions. The project creator, a developer under the pseudonym Mokshablr, explains in the documentation that the main goal was to create a tool that does not require blind trust from the user. The app simply does not have the physical capability to view files until you manually point it to a specific folder.

Who is Gander for?

Gander is a niche app. Due to its limitations, it won't be for everyone, but for a specific group of users, it will be a bullseye. It is a good choice for:

• Privacy-conscious individuals: If you avoid granting apps broad permissions, Gander is one of the best solutions on the market.
• Users who value minimalism: If you only need a simple preview of downloaded text documents or images without unnecessary bells and whistles.
• Open-source software advocates: Clean code without hidden advertising or analytical scripts.

Gander will likely not be suitable for:

• People who need to edit files: The lack of ability to modify, rename, or move files is an insurmountable barrier for many.
• Cloud and network drive users: No built-in, convenient integration with external network services.
• People working with many formats: Lack of native support for PDF files or ZIP archives forces the use of external tools.

Development plans: what's next for Gander?

Despite its minimalist nature, the project is constantly being developed by the community gathered around GitHub. Among the planned and discussed changes are:

• Cloud integration via SAF: Discussions and initial attempts to implement better integration with services like Nextcloud are underway (Issue #18).
• File search: Users have reported a need to add a search engine within shared directories (Issue #9), which would make navigation in larger folders easier.

The app maintains full compatibility with newer versions of Android because it relies on standard, system-level SAF libraries, which are continuously supported by Google. The project on GitHub receives regular bug fixes and code updates, which shows that it has not been abandoned.

Is Gander the future of private mobile apps?

Gander is an interesting proof that Android apps can function without invasive permissions. It shows that with the proper use of system tools, it is possible to create a secure environment for working with files. However, this is not a universal solution and is unlikely to fully replace full-featured file managers for demanding users.

The growing interest in such projects, however, shows that awareness regarding data protection is increasing. Users are increasingly looking for simple, transparent alternatives to programs overloaded with ads and telemetry.

If you are looking for a file browser that guarantees complete discretion, Gander is worth testing. However, if you need classic device storage management, it is worth checking out projects like Material Files or Amaze File Manager. Making informed choices about your tools is the first and most important step toward better protecting your privacy online.

Summary: Is it worth using Gander?

• Pros:
  • Full privacy due to no storage permissions.
  • Open-source project, completely free of ads and trackers.
  • Lightweight and clean interface.
• Cons:
  • No ability to edit, move, or delete files.
  • Requirement to manually select folders using SAF.
  • No native support for PDF files or ZIP archives.
• For whom?:
  • For privacy enthusiasts and those looking for a simple, secure preview of basic documents or photos.
• Not for whom?:
  • For those looking for a full-fledged, advanced file manager for daily document work.

Gander remains a great, albeit niche, tool. It shows a new path for mobile app development, where the user has full and physical control over what they share with programs on their phone and when.

Sources

• https://github.com/mokshablr/gander
• https://github.com/mokshablr/gander#features
• https://github.com/mokshablr/gander#limitations
• https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/providers/document-provider
• https://github.com/mokshablr/gander/issues/12
• https://github.com/mokshablr/gander#how-it-works
• https://github.com/mokshablr/gander/issues/5
• https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pl.solidexplorer2
• https://github.com/zhanghai/MaterialFiles
• https://f-droid.org/packages/com.amaze.filemanager/