KDE developer proposes Photos app to replace Gwenview

KDE developer Nate Graham has proposed the Photos application, formerly known as Koko, as a potential successor to Gwenview, the long-standing flagship image viewer used by KDE for over 25 years.

While Gwenview remains a feature-rich application, Graham notes that its underlying technical architecture limits modern improvements. Key areas for advancement include better handling of large image libraries, GPU acceleration, mobile device support, and the transition to a more flexible QtQuick interface. Additionally, developer contributions to Gwenview have reportedly declined in recent years.

Photos, which began development around 2017 primarily for Plasma Mobile, has undergone recent development supported by Techpaladin Software to achieve parity with Gwenview as a desktop application. The app features a UI compatible with both desktop and mobile environments, utilizes Spectacle’s annotation system, and offers views based on timelines and locations. KDE has not officially retired Gwenview, and the transition remains a proposal for community feedback and distribution consideration.