As an Android enthusiast who's managed photo libraries on everything from Pixel devices to Samsung Galaxy series, I've found the Simple Gallery app to be a standout replacement for missing stock gallery features. Unlike Google Photos, which prioritizes cloud syncing over local organization, Simple Gallery excels at keeping your media tidy and accessible on devices like Mi A2, Google Pixel, and Samsung Notes.
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With its built-in editor and intuitive tools, this free app packs serious power under a clean interface. Here are 13 proven tips I've used to get the most out of it.
Contents
1. Turn off folder mode
2. Play slideshow in All Images mode
3. Change sort mode
4. Pin Folders
5. Select by dragging
6. Change folder cover image
7. Hide Folder
8. Change the number of columns
9. Filter media
10. Favorite Images
11. Edit images
12. Manage substantive actions
13. Change app theme colors
Simplicity wins
Simple Gallery offers flexible viewing options for your media on phones or tablets. By default, content is organized by folders, but you can switch to a thumbnail grid of all photos for quicker browsing.
Open the app, tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner, and select Show contents of all folders.
Need a quick slideshow without extra apps? Switch to all-folders view as above, tap the three-dot menu, and choose Slideshow. Tweak settings like timing and transitions to suit your style.
Customize how your files appear—by date taken, modified, size, path, or name, with ascending or descending order. In folder view, it's right on the top bar; in all-images mode, access via the three-dot menu.
Pinned folders stay at the top for instant access amid large collections. Long-press a folder and tap the pin icon.
Speed up multi-select: Tap the first item, then drag across others without lifting your finger—perfect for batch operations.
Pick a custom thumbnail instead of the default last image. Select the folder, tap the three-dot menu, and choose Change Cover Image.
Declutter by hiding folders or files: Select the item, tap the three-dot menu, and choose Hide.
In grid view, adjust columns via the three-dot menu or pinch-to-zoom for optimal layout and less scrolling.
Show only images, videos, GIFs, RAW, or SVGs: Tap Filter Media in the three-dot menu and uncheck unwanted types.
Star photos or videos for quick access—they land in a pinned Favorites album. Tap the star icon at the bottom.
The built-in editor handles crop, rotate, flip, filters, and more. Open an image, tap the pencil icon, and select Editor.
Customize the bottom toolbar icons (Star, Edit, Share, Delete). Go to Settings > Manage Visible Actions to swap them.
Personalize accents and themes: Settings > Customize Colors.
Simple Gallery delivers robust features without clutter. These tips, drawn from my daily use across devices, will elevate your workflow. The active developer ensures quick updates—reach out via the app for support.
