You’re on your phone and you need to read a GitHub repository’s README file, documentation, or code. The GitHub mobile app shows rendered Markdown, but it doesn’t support Mermaid diagrams, has limited code highlighting, and can’t export or bookmark documentation for offline reading.
Here’s how to properly view GitHub README files on Android with full rendering support.
The Problem with GitHub Mobile
GitHub’s official Android app renders basic Markdown, but falls short in several areas:
| Feature | GitHub Mobile | MerMD |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Markdown rendering | ✅ | ✅ |
| Mermaid diagrams | ❌ Shows raw code | ✅ Full rendering |
| KaTeX math equations | ❌ | ✅ |
| Syntax highlighting themes | Basic | ✅ 5+ themes |
| Export to PDF | ❌ | ✅ |
| Export to image | ❌ | ✅ |
| Offline reading | ❌ | ✅ |
| Bookmarks | ❌ | ✅ |
| Custom reading themes | ❌ | ✅ Dark/Light/Auto |
Method 1: Use MerMD (Recommended)
MerMD connects directly to GitHub, letting you browse repositories and render README files with full Mermaid diagram and KaTeX math support.
Step-by-Step:
- Download MerMD from mermd.tech
- Open the app and tap the navigation drawer (hamburger menu)
- Tap GitHub under cloud integrations
- Sign in with your GitHub account (one-time OAuth)
- Browse your repositories or search for any public repo
- Tap any
.mdfile to view it with full rendering
What You Get:
- Mermaid diagrams render inline (flowcharts, sequence diagrams, Gantt charts)
- Code blocks are syntax-highlighted with your choice of theme
- Tables are properly formatted with alignment
- Math equations render via KaTeX
- Images load and display inline
- Export the rendered doc as PDF, HTML, or image
Pro Tips:
- Bookmark frequently-accessed repos for quick access later
- Star specific files to build a reading list
- Use the Table of Contents for long documents
- Switch to dark theme for comfortable night reading
Method 2: GitHub Mobile App (Basic)
If you only need basic Markdown rendering without diagrams or math:
- Install GitHub from Google Play
- Search for the repository
- Navigate to the README or any
.mdfile - The app renders basic Markdown (tables, images, links, code blocks)
Limitations: No Mermaid diagrams, no KaTeX math, no export, no offline reading.
Method 3: Raw URL + Browser (Quick & Dirty)
For a one-off view of a raw Markdown file:
- Open the file on GitHub in Chrome
- Tap the Raw button
- GitHub shows the raw text — but without any rendering
This method is only useful if you can read raw Markdown syntax comfortably.
Which GitHub Docs Benefit Most from MerMD?
| Documentation Type | Why MerMD Helps |
|---|---|
| Architecture docs | Mermaid flowcharts and sequence diagrams render properly |
| API documentation | Code examples are syntax-highlighted |
| STEM papers | LaTeX math equations render via KaTeX |
| Project READMEs | Beautiful rendering with badges, tables, and images |
| Technical wikis | Table of contents navigation for long documents |
| Setup guides | Code blocks with proper highlighting, task lists with checkboxes |
FAQ
Can I browse private repositories?
Yes — MerMD uses OAuth authentication with GitHub. Once signed in, you can access your private repos.
Can I browse other people’s public repos?
Yes — you can browse any public repository on GitHub through MerMD.
Does it work offline?
Once you’ve opened a file, MerMD caches it for offline reading. However, browsing GitHub repos requires an internet connection.
Can I browse GitHub organizations?
Yes — MerMD shows your personal repos and all organizations you belong to.
The Bottom Line
For the best experience reading GitHub documentation on Android, use MerMD. It’s the only free app that combines direct GitHub browsing with Mermaid diagram rendering, KaTeX math, and professional export — all in a lightweight, ad-free package.
Download: mermd.tech
Browse GitHub Repos on Android
MerMD connects directly to GitHub — browse repos, view READMEs, and render Mermaid diagrams. Free.