Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 23 hrs ago
Aves Gallery offers an Android photo library without cloud uploads
A technology writer says they switched from Google Photos to Aves Gallery on Android.
Aves is an open-source gallery app that displays photos stored locally and does not require an account or upload images in the background.
The writer wanted more control over their photos and was uncomfortable with Google Photos’ facial recognition and AI features.
Google Photos can automatically back up images and use search tools to find people, pets and places, but those features were not worth the privacy trade-off for the writer.
Aves does not include face scanning, AI features or tracking, according to the writer.
The writer says it feels simpler and faster to use, while noting that Google Photos remains convenient for sharing and searching pictures.
For people who still want automatic backups, the writer points to another open-source option, Immich.
Aves Gallery is an open-source Android app that stores photos locally and does not upload them in the background.
The app does not require an account and, according to Android Police’s writer, has no tracking or telemetry.
The writer says Aves gives users ownership of their images and metadata and avoids face scanning and AI features.
The writer switched from Google Photos because of privacy concerns and frustration with prompts to increase cloud storage.
Google Photos offers automatic backups and tools to search for people, pets and images using prompts.
- Who
- Android users looking for a local photo gallery, including Android Police writer Akshay Bhalla.
- What
- Aves Gallery is an open-source, local-first photo gallery that does not upload images in the background.
- When
- The article was published on October 11, 2026; the date of the writer’s switch is not stated.
- Where
- On Android devices.
- Why
- The writer wanted more privacy and control over photos and was frustrated with Google Photos’ push for paid cloud storage.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- App
- Aves Gallery
- Platform
- Android
- Storage approach
- Local-first; no background uploads
- Account requirement
- None
- Article publication date
- October 11, 2026
What people are saying
Aves Gallery is a local-first gallery that is reminiscent of gallery apps from the early days of Android.
It's fast, private, doesn't require an account, and doesn't upload in the background.
I'm not comfortable with an app that uses facial recognition to identify family and friends.
Sources
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