Kern

MaxJ

About this app

Kern is a fast, lightweight app for reading Markdown files on your Android device.

Browse your device for Markdown files with the built-in file browser, or open any .md or .markdown file from the system picker, file manager, or another app. Kern renders your documents beautifully with full CommonMark and GitHub Flavored Markdown support:

- Headings, bold, italic, and strikethrough text
- Code blocks with syntax highlighting for 18+ languages
- Tables, lists, and task lists
- Blockquotes and nested formatting
- HTTPS images and clickable web or email links
- GitHub-style footnotes

Reading Features:
- Three themes: Dark, Light, and Sepia
- Adjustable font size
- Pinch-to-zoom text scaling
- Adjustable screen brightness with auto-brightness support
- Immersive reading mode — tap to toggle the toolbar
- Scrollbar overlay showing your position in the document
- Text selection support

File Browser:
- Scan your device for all Markdown files
- Search files by name
- See file size and last modified time
- Open files directly or use the system file picker

Privacy First:
- No accounts, no tracking, no ads
- Local documents need no network connection
- Documents are read directly and are not uploaded, indexed, retained, or added to a reading history
- The optional browser scans for Markdown files only after you grant storage access
- HTTPS image hosts receive requests only when images are displayed; external link destinations may receive requests only after you activate their links

Kern is designed to do one thing well: let you read Markdown files comfortably on your phone or tablet.

What’s new

A compact spinner now shows file scanning progress while you keep browsing. Improved responsiveness and stability when opening complex Markdown files. Stronger privacy controls for remote images and file access, plus safer image memory use.