6 Essential Android Apps I Install on Any New Phone

I love discovering new apps for my Android phone. The Play Store is full of gems that often don’t make the front page, but are worth browsing the lists of new apps. However, while these apps are nice additions to my Android phone, there are a few basics that I always take with me when I upgrade to a new device.

These are the apps I haven’t found a better replacement for yet. I always make sure to set them up immediately on any new device, as they are essential to my daily life. Best of all, most of them are available on Android and iOS devices. So without further ado, let’s dive into the Android apps I can’t live without.

6 Citymapper – To navigate with precision

Google Maps comes preinstalled on every Android phone I own, but these days I mainly use it to check restaurant reviews. I don’t own a car or a driver’s license, so I rely heavily on public transportation, which is why Citymapper replaced Google Maps as my primary navigation tool.

Citymapper is a crucial app for anyone without a car. It provides much more detail about available modes of transportation than Google Maps, and I generally find it to be more accurate. Not only does it provide detailed information on public transportation schedules, but it’s packed with useful features like prioritizing well-lit streets for walking directions, a live feed of transportation news in your city, and a search tool. search for electric scooters. The problem is that it is only available in certain cities. Either way, I find it invaluable, whether I’m navigating the London Underground network or identifying the safest routes through Seattle.

5 Backdrops – For the highest quality wallpapers

Wallpaper apps are sold by the dozen on the Play Store, and I’ve tried more than I can count, including pre-installed options like the Google Pixel AI wallpaper generator. However, Décors has been my go-to for years. Not only does it offer a growing number of wallpapers curated by talented artists, but it also has handy features like automatically updating your wallpaper every day, themed collections, and a Favorites tab.

Some features, like automatic wallpaper updates, are locked behind a one-time purchase, but if you don’t fall for this reasonable deal, the free version offers an impressive amount of content. Although its features are great, I love Backdrops because the wallpapers are much higher quality than most other wallpaper apps.

4 Libby – To read free e-books wherever I am

I’m an avid reader, but I hate carrying bulky books when I travel. I rely heavily on e-books to keep me entertained on the go, and that’s where Libby comes in handy. Libby gives you digital access to your library’s selection of e-books, all you need is a library card. This is an invaluable asset to me because I can browse the selection of ebooks and audiobooks available, borrow them, read them, and then return them, all from one app.

Libby is my savior if I suddenly find myself without something to read. I don’t have to worry about spending money, I just open the app and borrow something in seconds. I’ve never been caught without something to read since I started using it.

3 Wikipedia – To stay up to date with the latest news

It may seem silly to prioritize Wikipedia over password management tools or cloud storage solutions, but the Wikipedia app is the best way to browse the online encyclopedia and stay up to date. Current news. This last point is why I love the Wikipedia app. To this day, I can’t find a news app that doesn’t try to provide me with personalized “news” alongside what’s actually happening, which is why I usually check Wikipedia for notable events.

I customized my Wikipedia home page to show me what topics are trending first, giving me an unbiased, albeit limited, look at the world. Paired with today’s most-read articles, it’s a fantastic way to get a brief overview of the world without wading through sensationalist headlines.

2 Audible – To build my audiobook collection

I was hesitant about Audible for a long time, weighing the benefits of a subscription against its cost. However, I’ve come to realize that the subscription is worth it if you make sure to check in every month and claim your audiobook to keep. Sometimes I don’t find time to listen to audiobooks and the titles pile up in my library. But if I cancel my subscription, I can still listen to all the songs I requested. So even when I’m not paying for my subscription, I keep Audible on my phone so I can access my hundreds of hours of audiobooks at any time. I recommend downloading it with Libby, as the two apps are an unbeatable combination that spoils me with a huge selection of e-books and audiobooks, all for less than $10 per month.

1 Spotify – To listen to music with ease

Every few months I find that the bundled YouTube Premium and Music subscription offers much better value than Spotify, so I cancel my Spotify subscription and switch to YouTube Music. However, after a few weeks, I became so frustrated with the YouTube Music app’s clunky layout, forced recommendations based on my YouTube viewing history, and poor search tools, that I returned to it first. the end of the month.

I can’t deny that you get more bang for your buck with YouTube Music, but Spotify still offers the easiest, fastest way to find and listen to the music I want. Unless YouTube Music gets a UI overhaul, Spotify will continue to follow me from phone to phone.

Your phone should be a source of pleasure

There are many important apps that you need to install on your phone. Password managers, note-taking apps, cloud storage solutions, and VPNs are all useful tools that I recommend you sort out as soon as possible. But there are plenty of useful apps available on the Play Store that are also fun to use, and these are the ones I prioritize installing first.