Simple Gallery is an Android photo and video gallery app for browsing, organizing, editing, and protecting media files. It is designed for people who want more control over how their photos and videos are displayed and managed.
The app can be used to browse photos and videos, organize media, make basic edits, recover deleted files, and protect selected content. It also supports a wide range of image and video formats, including JPEG, PNG, MP4, MKV, RAW, SVG, GIF, and panoramic photos.
Simple Gallery also focuses on customization. Users can change parts of the interface and the function buttons shown on the bottom toolbar. A dark theme and Material Design are included.
The current Google Play version contains ads and in-app purchases. This is important for anyone who remembers the older version of Simple Gallery as an ad-free app. The developer says the Premium version does not show ads.
Key Features
Photo and video organization
Simple Gallery gives users tools for browsing and managing their photos and videos. Media can be viewed and organized from the gallery, making it easier to handle a collection of files from one place.
Basic photo editing
The built-in editor supports common actions such as cropping, flipping, rotating, and resizing photos. It also includes filters. These tools are useful when you want to make quick changes without opening a separate editing application.
Wide file support
The app supports many image and video formats. The Google Play listing specifically mentions JPEG, PNG, MP4, MKV, RAW, SVG, GIF, panoramic photos, and videos. This makes the gallery useful for handling different types of media files.
Customization
Simple Gallery allows users to adjust parts of its appearance and controls. The interface and bottom toolbar buttons can be customized, giving users more control over how the gallery looks and works.
Deleted file recovery
The app includes a feature for recovering deleted photos and videos. This can be useful when a file is removed accidentally and needs to be restored.
Private media protection
Selected photos and videos can be protected using a PIN, pattern, or device fingerprint. The app can also lock itself or specific functions. Hidden galleries are another option for keeping selected media away from the normal gallery view.
Testing Experience
Simple Gallery is built around everyday gallery tasks, so the main experience is focused on browsing and managing media rather than complicated editing. The basic layout is intended to be easy to understand, while the customization options allow users to change how the interface works.
The built-in editing tools are suitable for quick changes. Cropping, rotating, flipping, resizing, and applying filters can all be done within the app. This reduces the need to move to another application for simple edits.
However, the current free version has an important drawback: advertising. Recent Google Play reviews mention full-screen ads and banner ads, with some users reporting that ads appeared before they could use the gallery. The developer confirms that ads are normally shown in the free version and says the Premium version has no ads.
There are also some user complaints about how photos can be ordered. One recent review said that the user could not freely move pictures into a preferred custom order because sorting or grouping options determined their position. This may matter if you want complete control over the order of photos inside albums.
The current Google Play listing shows the app was updated with improvements, while the developer’s website highlights organization, editing, recovery, customization, and privacy features.
Overall, the feature set is broad for a gallery app, but the advertising in the current free version is something users should consider before installing it.
Privacy & Safety
Privacy information needs some attention because the current Google Play listing says the app may share app information and performance data and device or other IDs with third parties. It also says the app may collect the same types of data. Google Play states that data is encrypted in transit and cannot be deleted.
The app’s listing also describes protection features for private photos and videos, including PIN, pattern, and fingerprint protection. It says the app does not require internet access, which the developer presents as a privacy and security benefit.
The important point is that the current free version and the older Pro version should not be treated as identical. The current listing contains ads and in-app purchases, while the Pro listing describes an ad-free version.
Storage & Data Usage
Simple Gallery is primarily a local gallery and media-management application. It works with photos and videos stored on the device and supports many common file formats.
The developer says the app does not require internet access. However, the current Google Play Data Safety section still lists app information, performance information, and device or other IDs under data that may be collected or shared.
The available information does not give a specific cache limit or exact storage requirement, so those figures should not be assumed.
What I Liked
- Photo and video organization tools are easy to understand.
- Built-in editing covers common photo adjustments.
- Supports many image and video formats.
- Deleted photos and videos can be recovered.
- PIN, pattern, and fingerprint protection are available.
What Could Be Better
- The current free version includes ads.
- Some users have reported intrusive advertising.
- Custom photo ordering may not meet everyone’s needs.
- Privacy information should be checked before installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Simple Gallery used for?
Simple Gallery is used to browse, organize, edit, protect, and recover photos and videos on Android devices.
Can Simple Gallery edit photos?
Yes. It includes tools for cropping, flipping, rotating, resizing, and applying filters to photos.
Can I recover deleted photos with Simple Gallery?
Yes. The app includes a feature for recovering deleted photos and videos.
Can I lock private photos?
Yes. Selected photos and videos can be protected with a PIN, pattern, or fingerprint. The app also supports hidden galleries.
Does Simple Gallery have ads?
The current Google Play version contains ads and in-app purchases. The developer says the Premium version has no ads.
Aklak Studio Verdict
Simple Gallery remains a feature-rich option for Android users who want more than basic photo viewing. Its useful points include built-in editing, support for many file formats, deleted-file recovery, customization, and protection for private media.
The main issue is the current free version’s advertising. Recent reviews show that some users find the ads disruptive, while the developer confirms that ads are part of the free version.
If you want a gallery with editing and privacy tools and do not mind the current free-version experience, Simple Gallery is worth considering. If intrusive advertising is a major concern, the Premium version or another gallery app may be a better choice. Users should also review the current Google Play Data Safety information before installing.
Final Scorecard
- Ease of Use: ★★★★☆ (4.2/5)
- Performance: ★★★★☆ (4.0/5)
- Features: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
- Privacy & Safety: ★★★☆☆ (3.5/5)
- Value for Money: ★★★★☆ (4.0/5)
Overall Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.0/5)