Best Apps to Install on a New Phone
What is the best app to install on a new phone? It wouldn’t make sense to provide just one answer here. Different kinds of people have different tasks they need on their smartphones. Based on the typical collection of apps already preloaded into most smartphones, here are a few more useful apps to download.
Recreational Apps
Most new smartphones tend to lack games and other apps that can be used for recreation. Don’t just install any game, though. Install games that can be enjoyed offline. Also, pay attention to technical specifications. Don’t get games that will overwork your smartphone and hog a device’s memory and processing power.
If you are not fond of games, you can install recreational apps that can be mentally stimulating. Consider getting some of the best mind training apps. These apps don’t require high-end technical specifications. They can even provide brain health benefits, especially when it comes to neuroplasticity or the ability of the brain to reorganize neural connections to better respond to incoming tasks. A 2013 study on brain training games revealed that young people who regularly play games designed to stimulate the brain are improved on executive functions, memories, and mental processing.
Better File Explorer Apps
Most smartphones or tablets come with their respective file explorers, but these may not be as good as third-party ones such as ES File Explorer. For your new smartphone, you may want to get a better file explorer app, one that provides more than just the basics. One example is ES File Explorer which offers a number of useful features, such as the ability to access computer files from a smartphone or smartphone files from a computer via Wi-Fi, the quick uninstallation of multiple apps, the ability to hide media from the gallery, and the ability to remove pre-installed system apps (for rooted devices). All of these added features can considerably improve your smartphone or tablet as they enable better control over the files you keep on your device.
Additionally, third-party file explorer apps can make devices more secure. These come with the ability to encrypt files or folders, so they can only be accessed with a password. These folders or files cannot be accessed even if the external SD card is removed from the device and opened using another device.
Automation Apps
There’s a fair number of useful automation apps for mobile devices. One example is IFTTT (If This Then That), an app created to automate smartphones or tablets. It’s a free app for Android and iOS devices that can do various automation schemes, such as schedule wallpaper changes, turn off the data connection when there’s Wi-Fi available, post automatically to social networks, and automatic data backups.
IFTTT also features “applets” that brings different services together. These applets can be used to connect IFTTT to Twitter, Google Drive, Twitch, Instagram, Google Home, Alexa, Nest, Philips Hue, and various other services. If you are a fan of automation, IFTTT is definitely an app you should have in your device.
Security Apps
Smartphones by default come with password protection features. The newer ones even have fingerprint scanners. However, these features are designed to completely prevent access to a device. There are times when you want to lend your device to someone, but you don’t want certain apps, files, or features to be accessible. That’s why it makes sense getting a security app like AppLock, which provides the option to password-protect certain apps, folders, or functions. With it, you can confidently lend your phone to someone and be assured that secret photos, videos, or files will not be accessed without permission.
VPN Apps
VPN apps are a great addition to mobile devices as they enable secure private connections with the sites you are trying to access. With these private connections, your online activity is concealed and your privacy is protected. VPN also makes it possible to access websites or web services that are being blocked by an ISP or by the network administrator of the Wi-Fi internet connection you are using.
Additionally, VPN apps prevent sniffing of passwords or private data when you use a public Wi-Fi network. Because of VPN’s tunneling, sniffing software cannot obtain the private data exchanged with the specific website or web service being accessed.
Before installing a VPN app, though, make sure that the app chosen is reliable and easy to use. Read reviews first and give the app a trial run before making it your permanent VPN app. The VPN app shouldn’t be difficult activating and deactivating the VPN connection. Give preference to a VPN app that automatically cuts your internet connection in case the VPN connection is disrupted. Some VPN apps crash and access the internet or a public Wi-Fi network without the protection of a private tunnel. A good VPN app completely cuts your network connection once the VPN connection is disrupted.
Fitness Apps
You likely have encountered others who have said that smartphones and tablet computers make people lazy. These devices supposedly discourage physical activity and promote sedentary lifestyles. Hence, they are bad for health. To counter these potential drawbacks of smart mobile devices, it’s advisable to install a fitness app. Consider getting Google Fit, for example.
Fitness apps can encourage physical activity as well as help motivate users with the knowledge of the number of steps they have taken for the day. Fitness apps can also help control calorie intake, monitor calories burned, and serve as a guide for healthy eating.
Again, it’s difficult to say which specific apps can be considered as the best apps to get for your device. Different people have different needs and preferences. The app types featured above, however, are some of the best ones worth considering.
—
We hope you enjoyed the promoted piece as much as we did!
