Our smartphones have become an essential part of our daily modern lives. What was once just a tool to place calls has become an essential Swiss Army knife of tech that goes hand in hand with our work lives, education, and countless daily tasks. With the wide-ranging capacity of apps these days, even the latest smartphone won’t come out of the box at its full potential. You can largely thank the millions of apps available on marketplaces like the Google Play store for the power you now hold in your hand.

With the sheer number of available apps for your Android device, the choices can be overwhelming. With this guide, we’ve distilled a mammoth assortment of apps down to 100 of the very best. We’ve sorted them into neat categories, from core apps to lesser known selections — we believe there is something for everyone.

If you’re an iPhone loyalist, then check out our list of the best iOS apps instead, and if you’re more into gaming, check out our list of the best Android games.

Android essentials

Facebook

Can two billion people be wrong? The biggest social network on the planet has a decent official app. Keep up with your friends and family, jump into instant chats, and stay informed with push notifications. Best of all, Facebook isn’t just a place to share content stolen from Reddit and Twitter, as the world’s biggest social media site has also pushed out into sections for dating, shopping, and videos. Pair it with Messenger for the ultimate double-act.

Google Play

YouTube

Alright, you probably have YouTube already — but that doesn’t make it any less an essential. YouTube’s mobile app is sleek and intuitive, bringing the entirety of the video-sharing site to the palm of your hand. For those subscribed to YouTube Premium, you’ll have access to all the premium content, as well as special features like audio playback while the screen is off.

Google Play

Twitter

Sometimes unfairly viewed as the lesser version of Facebook, Twitter is the place where everything seems to happen instantly. Birthplace of the now now-ubiquitous internet facet, the hashtag, Twitter is the best place to be if you like to be on top of the latest breaking news as it happens. Follow your favorite content creators, actors, or crazes, and follow all the news, impressions, and opinions as they roll in.

Google Play

Google Home

If you’re spending more time at home than usual, you might finally have the time to get to that connected-home project you always swore you’d do. If you are the proud home owner of a Google Home device, then you already know the ins and outs of a digital assistant. The Google Home app takes this one step further, allowing you to control a plethora of connected smart home devices. It also serves as a command central for any native Google connected device and your Google connected accounts, like maps, contacts, calendars, and more.

Google Play

Movies and videos

Netflix

Netflix isn’t just one of the best video-streaming services; it’s the video-streaming service. There’s a huge selection of Netflix movies and TV shows for subscribers and the performance is silky smooth. It’s not just restricted to old favorites either, as Netflix has produced a huge amount of excellent exclusive content — though if you’re anything like us, you’ll just put The Office on again. This is as entertained as you can get from just $9 a month, or $16 a month if you want access to 4K content.

Google Play

Disney+

If you’re looking for anything from Disney, Star Wars, Marvel, or the musical sensation Hamilton, the only place to go is Disney+. The app allows you to stream everything from the latest Avengers blockbuster to those weird Disney Channel programs you used to watch back when you were a teenager. With the COVID-19 pandemic slowing down the reopening of theaters across the globe, Disney is even using Disney+ for major blockbusters like Mulan. There’s a seven-day free trial, and it’ll cost you $7 a month after that — though you can pay $70 for a year in advance to save $14.

Google Play

Hulu

Hulu’s the place to go if you want to see the latest episodes of thousands of shows or movies on Hulu, or catch up on some older classic movies. Running shows are updated as they air, while you can often also catch live sport on here too. Hulu offers various subscription models, including one that opens up the entire streaming library for $6 a month, and another that removes midstream ads for $12 a month. If you’re looking to cut the cord, Hulu also offers live TV with DVR starting at $61 a month, but be aware it costs a little more if you want to fast-forward through commercials on recorded episodes.

Google Play

Amazon Prime Video

These days, it seems all the content in the world isn’t enough to satiate those of us who suddenly find ourselves with far more time to watch a new show or movie at home. Amazon Prime offers a number of fantastic originals on its streaming platform, which also serves as a great home base for its extensive catalog. Prime Video also allows you to add all your favorite subscription channels to your feed. We’ve also found the best movies on Amazon prime to start watching today if you’re interested.

Google Play

HBO Max

The streaming race continues to heat up, and AT&T wasn’t about to let WarnerMedia go without a fight. HBO Max launched in the summer of 2020 and brings with it all the HBO content audiences are already familiar with, with the added benefit of original content produced exclusively for the streaming platform. Like other streaming giants, HBO has shelled out some serious cash to acquire content for its platform, like Doctor Who and Friends.

Google Play

Music and audio

Spotify

Spotify is probably the first name that springs to mind when you think about music apps and for good reason as it’s one of the best streaming services out there. There’s a massive selection of music on offer, from the latest huge releases to up and coming acts. Spotify also now offers video support for some of the best podcasts on their platform. There’s a free version if you want to try it out, but if you want ad-free listening, to download music, play any song, and have unlimited skips, then you’ll need to subscribe for $10 a month, though Spotify does offer a generous three-month free trial. Spotify also offers a family household plan for $15 a month, a student account at the reduced cost of $5 a month, and a “Duo” account covering 2 people in the same household for $13 a month.

Google Play

Soundcloud

If you’re looking for an all-you-can-eat buffet of sound with no ads and no subscription fees, you’ve found it. You can discover new music and stream it from the cloud, but this is no Spotify replacement — most of the music on Soundcloud is from relatively unknown artists, and if you’re not able to find it on Spotify, you can probably find it here. Listening is free, with the pro versions of SoundCloud mostly being for the artists themselves. It’s not just about music, though, as you’ll find a lot of podcasts on here too. A great complement to another music streaming service.

Google Play

Deezer

Deezer is a free online streaming service created in France in 2007. The streaming service currently boasts over 56 million licensed tracks with over 10 million monthly active users. Much like other music streaming apps, Deezer can create curated players and make suggestions based on users’ listening histories. The free version of the app supports these services with ads.

Google Play

Google Play Music

Google’s official streaming service is a worthy competitor to Spotify. Not only does the app provide a vast library of content, but it also allows users to upload up to 50,000 of their own songs for online storage. So if you’ve got a collection of MP3s from before the days when streaming was the normal way to consume music, upload them to Google Play Music and stream them from any of your mobile devices. Be warned though, it’s not long for this world.

Google Play

Apple Music

If you use a Mac or iPad on top of your Android phone, you may be better served with Apple Music over Spotify. Apple Music offers access to Apple’s massive library of music, as well as Apple’s Beats 1 radio station, which plays both current hits and up-and-coming music. The celebrity DJs and exclusive album streams are a plus, but you’ll have to subscribe before you can listen. There’s no free tier, so you’ll have to pony up $10 a month.

Google Play

News

The New York Times

One of America’s most hallowed publications also has one of the best news apps. The New York Times app arranges the publication’s content in a clean format and allows users to customize their newsfeed, and it comes with breaking news alerts to bring you the biggest news as it happens. If you’re looking for one of the best news apps out there, this is it.

Google Play

Vice News

If you prefer journalism that leans toward gonzo, Vice offers its robust library of written and video content in an app that is elegant and easy to navigate. The app includes estimated reading times, so users with a time-crunch can prioritize articles to suit their schedules.

Google Play

NPR News

The official app of National Public Radio provides a steady stream of straightforward reporting in both print and audio. Users can not only listen to news reports but also various programs such as All Things Considered and Radiolab.

Google Play

The Washington Post Select

One of America’s most noteworthy papers has a beautiful mobile app, with vivid images and colorful menus. The content is also top-notch, particularly the incisive political reporting. The app requires a subscription though.

Google Play

Google News

Though it may seem like a no-brainer, the Google News app is a worthwhile recommendation, thanks to its smart curation and diverse news feed. Google News puts together news from sources all over the world, which makes it likely that you’ll find your favorite news source from back home within its catalog.

Google Play

Nwsty

Ever feel like there’s just too much news to keep up with? Nwsty might well be the app for you. It’s aimed at those who don’t often read the news, and makes it easy to keep up with the daily headlines without spending too much time on them. Each day, you get six to 10 headlines in your digest that you can quickly and easily read in a matter of only a few minutes.

Google Play

Sports

Strafe Esports

If your favorite sports league isn’t in season or back on the air quite yet, then let yourself go down the rabbit hole of e-sports. The Strafe app covers all the most popular leagues and teams from League of Legends to Counter-Strike and everything in between. You can keep up with all the latest tournaments while reading all the most detailed statistics.

Google Play

theScore

Whatever gets you excited, from NASCAR to the NFL, theScore will have you dancing in victory or crying in your beer. It brings you all the latest touchdowns, goals, and home runs as they happen.

Google Play

ESPN

Having the official ESPN app installed is a no-brainer for any die-hard sports fan, especially if you have ESPN+. You can quickly get the latest news on your favorite teams and leagues, including MLB, NFL, NCAA, MLS, NHL, and more.

Google Play

CBS Sports

Not only does the CBS Sports app have the latest news, standings, and scores for all major league sports, you can also watch live games and events like NCAA basketball and the PGA Tour, as well as CBS Sports original programming, like Fantasy Football Today.

Google Play

Social media

Tiktok

Essentially Vine for a new generation, TikTok is the home of short videos that are amusing, meme-laden, and just generally fit for a certain demographic. It says it’s there for raw, 15-second storytelling — but we know most people are there for the memes and song mimers. It’s fun, showcases some real creativity, and while it might not be for everyone, it is blowing up right now, and garnering attention all over the world. However, the future of TikTok is murkier than ever as we await the likely sale of the company’s U.S. operations to an American company, and Instagram turns up the heat with its competitor product, Reels. We’ve also found TikTok alternatives for those looking for options.

Google Play

Instagram

Instagram is ubiquitous in photography now, so you might as well have it on your phone. Owned by Facebook, the social network centered on photos offers great filters and connectivity with others. Instagram has also recently launched a TikTok competitor called Reels.

Google Play

Houseparty

Houseparty couldn’t possibly be more relevant for in 2020. This app allows you to stay in touch with friends by jumping in and out of “always-on” group hangouts. There’s also a great selection of games you can play while hanging out which are always being updated and improved. Perfect for hanging out with friends and family if you can’t hang out in person. Houseparty is a fun way to interact with friends, but you may want to consider turning location data off when using the app.

Google Play

Messaging

Skype

The original VOIP service is now owned by Microsoft and boasts more than 250 million users. Free international voice and video calls via your data or Wi-Fi connection are hard to pass up.

Google Play

Messenger & Messenger Kids

Facebook’s best feature is arguably its built-in messaging. Facebook now offers its messenger service as a stand-alone app, enabling you to chat with your Facebook friends and anyone in your contacts with the app installed — without having to be signed into Facebook or even have Facebook installed on your phone at all.

If you’re a parent, then Messenger Kids is a must-download on your child’s phone. Messenger Kids might seem like it’s built for kids, but it’s really built for parents. With the app, parents have control over their kids’ contact list, and messages can’t be deleted — meaning that parents can check in to take a look whenever they want. Of course, there are some pretty sweet features for kids, like kid-appropriate stickers, GIFs, emojis, and so on.

Messenger Messenger Kids

WhatsApp

The Google Play Store has no shortage of messaging apps, but WhatsApp’s secure end-to-end encryption and feature-rich interface mark it as one of the best. This cross-platform app lets you send and receive messages, pictures, audio notes, and video messages for completely free. A must-have for messaging addicts, even if the U.S. hasn’t fully embraced it yet.

Google Play

Zoom Cloud Meetings

Zoom has emerged as a darling of the work-from-home and stay-at-home lifestyle, and rightfully so. Connect with friends, family, and co-workers through simple group video chat features, and amplify your collaborating through file sharing, screen sharing, and instant messaging. If you’re looking for a solid and free video chat app, this one’s for you.

Google Play

Snapchat

Snapchat is all about sharing photos, short videos, and conversations that expire automatically after they’ve been viewed. You can use filters, decals, and effects to enhance your photos and videos, and take your Snap game to a whole new level.

Google Play

Dating

Tinder

Tinder is the ultimate dating app for mobile users, thanks to its location-centric features. Regardless of what its reputation may be, it’s still a great way to meet people. Your next match could be a swipe right away.

Google Play

Coffee Meets Bagel

This app is geared toward those who are looking for a real relationship, rather than a quick hookup or short fling. Every day at noon, you get sent a prospective match based on a specific set of criteria. You can Like them or Pass on. If you like them, you’ll be set up with icebreaker questions; if you pass, the app will learn your preferences and try again tomorrow.

Google Play

Happn

Happn connects you with others you’ve passed in real life, making that shared glance at a coffee shop into a potential date. You can browse profiles of those you’ve crossed paths with, and if you both “like” one another, you’ll be able to begin a conversation.

Google Play

Grindr

The dating app of choice for gay, lesbian, bi, trans, and queer people of all sorts, Grindr is one of the biggest dating apps around. Using it is simple — let the app know your location, and you’ll be matched with other nearby members so you can chat, swap pictures, and hopefully meet up in person.

Google Play

Reading

Kindle

Don’t worry if you don’t have a Kindle — you can still read your ebook directly on your smartphone. From best-sellers to the classics, it’s all here, with more than 900,000 titles in Amazon’s store.

Google Play

Google Play Books

If you’re not a fan of Amazon, then Google’s Play Books is an excellent alternative. Google has a massive database of books to choose from, including all the classics — and you can even buy and play audiobooks too.

Google Play

Audible

Audible is the premier place to consume audiobooks on your Android device. There are thousands of audiobooks on offer, from classics to the most recent hits, and you get your first audiobook for free. A $15-per-month subscription gets you a credit per month to spend on any audiobook, and options for playback speed and cross-device syncing make listening even easier. There’s even a car mode for listening on the go.

Google Play

Comics

Comixology’s free app is a window into a staggering library of more than 40,000 titles, including all the big names from Marvel and DC. It’s the biggest comic book reader out there right now.

Google Play

Blogging

Medium

Medium is a high-profile yet minimalist blogging platform that anyone can use. Due to its popularity and presence, it draws numerous well-known journalists, authors, actors, and other personalities to the platform, meaning you’ll have a stream of high-quality articles and essays to read whenever you want.

Google Play

Tumblr

The Tumblr app makes it easy for you to share anything from anywhere. You can post any kind of content to multiple blogs, save drafts for later, schedule posts, and then join in the discussion.

Google Play

WordPress

This app mirrors the functionality of your WordPress blog and helps you create and edit posts. It’s a simplified version that’s easy to use, and it also displays reactions to your latest articles.

Google Play

Gaming

Steam

Steam is the biggest and most prolific community and storefront for PC gaming. Through the Android app, users can access the Steam community, browse the store, and purchase new games.

Google Play

PlayStation App

PlayStation Network can be accessed on your Android via the official PlayStation app. You’ll be able to sign in to your PSN account, interact with friends, make purchases, and even schedule downloads for your PlayStation 4.

Google Play

Xbox

Microsoft’s Xbox app not only brings your Xbox Live account and console interface to your phone, but it also opens up your gaming experience, with many games offering special, second-screen features, such as maps and bonus content.

Google Play

Facebook Gaming

Facebook has decided that now is the perfect time to launch a stand-alone gaming app. Competing with the like of Twitch and YouTube, Facebook is capitalizing on the rise in game streaming by taking it social for its 2.5 billion monthly active users.

Google Play

Nutrition, cooking, and food

Grubhub

While the world of food delivery apps is vast, Grubhub is one of the best. Their seamless integration with local restaurant menus make them one of the most user friendly experiences in food delivery. If you’ve developed a recent taste for ordering in, then check out the options on Grubhub.

Play Store

MyFitnessPal Calorie Tracker

If you want to lose weight and get in shape, then you need to start counting those calories, and this app, from MyFitnessPal, is an easy, accessible, and completely free way to do it.

Google Play

Food Network Kitchen

Find thousands of recipes from your favorite food network chefs and personalities, including recipes featured on their TV shows and specials. How-to videos and shopping list features will equip you with everything you need to make a great meal.

Google Play

Simple Macro

Tracking your macros is an important aspect of fitness. Whether you’re trying to lose weight, gain mass, or maintain your body composition, eating the right balance of protein, fats, and carbs is key. The macro tracker lets you set your preferred macro ratio, and track the foods you’ve eaten.

Google Play

Fitness and health



Peloton

The fitness sensation of Peloton is certainly hard to ignore. While the price of its bike or treadmill may be out of reach for some folks, its app offers a thorough library of workout videos with great production value and neat organization by fitness subject. The Peloton network also offers live classes by lively instructors and allows close health tracking to help keep you motivated. Peloton currently offers a 30-day free trial, and a full membership will run you $13 a month, though compared to a private trainer or gym membership, it’s a fitness app that seems well worth it.

Google Play

Zombies, Run!

If you’re trying to jump on the running bandwagon but need a little extra motivation, then try gamifying your workout experience. Zombies, Run! is exactly what it sounds like and precisely what it needs to be. This app runs you through (pun intended) an engrossing story plot as the world gives way to a zombie apocalypse. So, you better run!

Google Play

Adidas Running App by Runtastic

Runtastic is a smartphone staple, with a simple interface that doesn’t sacrifice advanced features. The no-frills app uses your smartphone’s sensors to track metrics, such as your distance and relative pace, as well as calories burned and your heart rate. A few extra features, such as 3D mapping and a workout diary, only complement the app’s wearable integration. Runtastic is now owned by Adidas, adding an extra element of branding to the app, but it still functions much the same way as before.

Google Play

Strava Running and Cycling GPS

Strava is an excellent tracking app that monitors your runs or cycling routes via GPS. It gamifies your cardio workout and pairs your progress with leaderboards, achievements, and challenges, bringing a competitive spirit to your routine. It also has Android Wear support.

Google Play

Sleep as Android

Sleep as Android is one of the biggest sleep tracking apps on Android, and there are a bunch of reasons it’s popular. You can track your sleep, movement, and snoring, you can play soothing noises to put you to sleep, and it syncs data with quite a few other apps and devices, including Google Fit and Philips HUE smart bulbs.

Google Play

Daily Yoga

Yoga is unbelievably powerful. It strengthens your core, increases flexibility and focus, and decreases stress. Plus, it can help you lose weight and stay healthy. This app will guide you through daily yoga routines of varying difficulty and length, and step-by-step, HD videos showing exactly how to do each pose.

Google Play

Self-improvement

Calm

Taking a moment of calm can be crucial for your mental health, and Calm is one of the leading meditation and sleep-promotion apps in the Play Store. It has guided meditations, breathing exercises to reduce anxiety, sleep stories, and more. There are guides for beginners and experts alike, and while you’ll need to pay to get access to most, there’s still a lot here for free users who aren’t sure if they’ll enjoy it.

Google Play

Udemy

Whether you’re looking to learn something new for work or just for yourself, Udemy probably has a course to help you. With over 130,000 video courses taught by expert instructors, you can use Udemy to pick up skills with coding languages, Photoshop, yoga, and even more. You can download individual lessons to learn on-the-go, and there’s an audio-only mode if you’d rather learn in places like the car. Most courses will cost you money, but there are deals and discounts available for many.

Google Play

Duolingo

Anyone looking to learn a language should start here because it’s fun and accessible for all ages. It has free courses for Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, English, and more.

Google Play

Fabulous — motivate me!

With science-based coaching as its backbone, Fabulous – Motivate Me! Will help instill healthy, positive habits and routines into your life — everything from better sleep, sticking to a morning routine, finding time for creativity, daily meditation, losing weight, and more.

Google Play

Finances and money

Acorns

Looking to save a little more money? Acorns helps you invest by rounding off your credit card or debit purchases to the nearest dollar. Once you’ve accumulated a little money, it’s easy to transfer the funds to your bank account. Acorns also offers retirement accounts like a Traditional IRA, so you can start saving for retirement now.

Google Play

Mint

Mint is our favorite money management website, but it also has a terrific app. Mint can keep track of multiple bank accounts or credit cards to help you stay on budget and out of the red.

Google Play

Venmo

Venmo allows users to send money for free. The transactions can be sent to any bank and occur overnight. This makes paying back your friends simple and quick.

Google Play

Cash App

Create your “Cashtag” and you can receive payments for just about anything. Formerly known as “Square Cash”, Cash App lets you quickly transfer money between other users for free, using a passcode of your choosing and 128-bit encryption as an added security measure.

Google Play

Google Pay

Mobile payments are slowly becoming commonplace, and Google Pay is Google’s latest attempt at a mobile payment app. Using Google Pay, you can purchase items at any NFC-capable payment terminal, provided you’re in a country that supports Google Pay and have previously set it up on your NFC-capable phone.

Google Play

Shopping

Depop

Depop’s ultra-minimal, online marketplace takes little more than a photo to get started. Once captured, share it on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter before striking a secure deal with a host of potential buyers via the built-in chat function.

Google Play

eBay

There’s very little that you can’t buy or sell on eBay. The app is full-featured and much easier to use than the website. Bid on items, track your orders, and sell all of your unwanted stuff right here.

Google Play

Amazon Prime Now

While the selection on Amazon Prime Now may not be as good as what you find on Amazon, the upshot is free delivery within two hours. If you’re in a real-time crunch, some products and locations offer one-hour delivery available for a small fee. With Amazon’s recent acquisition of Whole Foods, Amazon Prime Now even offers a decent selection of groceries.

Google Play

PayPal

The easiest online checkout method right on your smartphone. You’ll be able to manage your PayPal account, send and receive payments, and more. The app can also notify you of transactions, offering handy reminders and alerts when you use PayPal as a payment method or have an upcoming bill due.

Google Play

Travel and events

Google Maps

Google Maps has been stopped us from getting lost for fifteen years now, and it’s never been better. Get voice-guided navigation for trips, different instructions for driving, walking, cycling, or taking public transport, and search for anything you need. If you’re using some Pixel phones, you can even get AR-based walking directions, which is pretty neat.

Google Play

Uber

If you need to get somewhere and don’t have wheels of your own, hop in someone else’s ride. Uber allows you to call upon a private driver in your city who will help you get to where you need to go. It’s all the ease of a taxi, at a lower cost, and without the fumbling for cash at the end.

Google Play

Lyft

Lyft is another private cab service, that helps you to find a — well — lift whenever you need one. Basically an alternative to Uber, you can hail a cab and pay directly in the app, and can even split the tab with a friend easily.

Google Play

Airbnb

Forego the headache of trying to find and book a hotel, and instead find an open room or home to stay at on your travels. Users can search for accommodations, communicate directly with hosts, and book, all without leaving the app.

Google Play

Google Translate

Translate speech or text between more than 70 languages with this app. It can act as your interpreter, enabling you to decipher signs and menus and enable two-way conversations. You can download translation files if you know you’ll be without a data connection, and it can even translate signs with Google Lens.

Google Play

Going out

Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor is the ultimate going out app, with millions of recommendations and reviews from people all around the world, covering the best things to do wherever you are. Plan ahead with Tripadvisor’s tools, allowing you to organize your hotel bookings, restaurant trips, and attractions. You can even book them from the app with Google Pay access. It’s also great when you’re traveling, thanks to support for mobile tickets and bookings.

Google Play

Yelp

Craving a decent microbrew, a breakfast burrito, or a good latte? Yelp will help you scratch that itch. It’s packed with user reviews, directions, and tips for almost every place around, making it invaluable for almost every trip out.

Google Play

StubHub

StubHub allows you to buy and sell tickets to virtually any event, from sports to concerts. StubHub protects its users with its “FanProtect Guarantee,” meaning you can buy and sell tickets on their app without risk.

Google Play

Fandango

A streamlined glance at your local theater listings with trailers and reviews of all the top releases, this app can also work as a mobile ticket at participating cinemas. Check times, select seats, and pay, all within the same app.

Google Play

YP — The Real Yellow Pages

YP is a robust tool to help you find local businesses, venues, and restaurants. You’re able to browse menus, book tables or tickets, and you can even check out the local gas prices, so you can plan your next outing with ease.

Google Play

Foursquare City Guide

With over 60 million quick reviews of the best (and worst) places to eat, drink, and more in any city all over the world, you’ll know exactly where to go — and where to avoid — while you’re out and about.

Google Play

Device performance

Avast!

This comprehensive package includes malware protection, privacy advice, anti-virus scanning, filtering to block nuisance calls, and anti-theft tools. There’s even a firewall for rooted devices.

Google Play

Files by Google

Google’s Files app is an all-around excellent utility app that allows you to find files quickly and free up space on your phone. You can also easily exchange files with other people close by with Files, similar to Apple’s AirDrop. While there are other similar Android apps on the market, Files is less cluttered and not bogged down with ads.

Google Play

Google Find My Device

Google’s official phone tracking service helps you locate your phone, remotely erase its data, and reset the screen lock PIN, and it works with any device associated with your Google account.

Google Play

Gboard

There are many keyboard apps out there, but Gboard is generally considered one of the best. Coming straight from Google, Gboard is loaded with a tonne of features, including swipe typing, inbuilt Google search, GIFs, and emojis.

Google Play

Photo editing and management

Adobe Lightroom

Lightroom, a program built upon Photoshop, is an essential photo editing tool for photographers. The mobile app takes the features of the desktop application and puts them on your Android device.

Google Play

Adobe Photoshop Express

While not as feature filled or extensive as the desktop version, Adobe Photoshop Express still offers an impressively wide array of tools for editing and creating images directly on your Android device.

Google Play

Snapseed

Developed by Google, Snapseed is a full-featured free photo editing tool. You’ll find familiar customization tools that help you achieve your photographic vision. If you’re looking for a bit more variety than social media in-app photo editing provides, then Snapseed could be a great fit.

Google Play

Imgur

The official app for one of the most procrastination-friendly sites on the internet. Browse through near-endless GIFs and images from almost any topic you can imagine.

Google Play

Google Photos

A centralized location for all your photos. Google Photos will automatically backup your photo libraries on your phone to your Google Drive, saving them in a special folder that only you can access.

Google Play

Documents, web, and email

OfficeSuite

It’s one of the most downloaded apps on the Play Store, and that’s for a very good reason. OfficeSuite is a full-featured alternative for Microsoft Office, and includes tools to view, edit, and create Word, Excel, and Powerpoint documents, as well as including support for various PDF operations. It’s an all-in-one solution for your document woes, and it’s free to get most of the features. OfficeSuite Premium gets you the ability to work on password-protected files, 50GB of cloud storage, the ability to export PDFs to other formats, and more.

Google Play

Google Drive

Downloading Google Drive should be a given. it’s one of the biggest sharing and cloud saving platforms out there, with 15GB for free and the ability to access your files and photos wherever you might need them. It’s tied into Google’s other services as well, including Gmail and Docs, making it the natural choice for anyone invested in Google’s ecosystem.

Google Play

Dropbox

Dropbox is another cloud saving service, and while you think you have that covered with Google Drive, Dropbox is still useful to download and use, because it often works with a number of third-party apps Drive doesn’t. It only gives you 2GB for free, but if you use it primarily for smaller files you should be okay with that amount.

Google Play

Evernote

Who needs to carry a notepad when you have your phone and Evernote? Evernote’s app is an elegant and extremely useful solution for note-taking, and can be used for everything from simple to-do lists, to notes with accompanying photos. You can scan in typed notes with your camera, create separate notebooks, share your notes with other people — and best of all, everything is searchable so you’ll never lose that important note.

Google Play

Andropen Office

Power to the people! Or at least spreadsheets. Andropen is an Android port of OpenOffice, an open-source suite of productivity software allowing you free access to what basically amounts to a slimmer version of Microsoft Office. Andropen allows you a free workspace to open and manipulate word documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more.

Google Play

Productivity

Recorder

It disappeared for a little while, but now Google’s Recorder app has returned and is happily back in its position as our favorite recording app. Recorder is more than just your usual voice recorder — it uses Google’s powerful AI to transcribe conversations as you record them, meaning you can reread conversations and even search for specific phrases. While its transcription feature isn’t perfect, it’s still a very powerful tool and worth including in your toolbox.

Google Play

Adobe Scan

Adobe Scan eliminates the need for you to have a dedicated scanner in your home or office — simply take a photo of the document, and the app will crop it and make it look like a scanned document.

Google Play

Toggl

When it comes to productivity, few things are more important than time management. Toggl is a great timesheet and time-tracking app that helps you keep track of how much you’ve worked and on what. Toggl can sync with your calendar, produce detailed reports on your time use, and even make suggestions for increasing efficiencies.

Google Play

Google Assistant

This app doesn’t bring Google Assistant to your phone if you don’t have it, but it does allow for a much easier way to access Assistant — by adding a shortcut to your home screen. If squeezing the edge, long-pressing the home button, or using a dedicated key isn’t your style, you can add the shortcut to your home screen easily thanks to this app.

Google Play

CloudCal

CloudCal offers one of the most unique ways of showing you how busy you are on any given day. The Android exclusive uses a system it calls Magic Circles, which turns the days of the month into clock faces and shows different colored circles, or segments of a circle. We also like that you can attach photos, audio files, and Dropbox files to specific events.

Google Play

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