IOS ESSENTIALS
Want to find nearby restaurants or track a package using your voice? Well, the official Google app allows users to have full-fledged conversations with their phone. It’s just like Siri, except it connects with your Google accounts.
Google Chrome
Google Chrome is an upgrade from the default browser, Safari. The app can sync your history and bookmarks across devices and includes features like search bar autocomplete and unlimited tab functionality.
Facebook is the social network. If you want to make your phone Facebook official, you should download this app. A must-have for nearly anyone, as many other social apps connect through Facebook to acquire vital information.
YouTube
YouTube used to come with your phone, but with iOS 6, Apple removed it. Luckily, Google brought it back. If you need to know what YouTube is, please meet us back in 2005. It now features YouTube Red, a monthly subscription service that allows downloaded playlists to be used offline and playback with no ads.
Bitmoji
Bitmoji allows you to customize everything from your cartoon avatar’s hair and eye color to its outfits and accessories. With a huge library of stickers that include your Bitmoji, you can send dozens of different personal emojis through iMessage and any other apps that support the copy/paste feature. You can also link the app to Snapchat, to make your Snaps and Snap stories even more fun.
It may be owned by Facebook, but Instagram is still the best social network for sharing pictures and ruining them with silly filters. We say ruining, but we put X Pro II on just about everything.
COMMUNICATION AND MESSAGING
GroupMe
For those who find themselves participating in a ton of group chats, GroupMe makes it easier to keep track of them all. You can name your groups, set avatars, and also save your photos and videos within the group chats to refer back to later.
Messenger
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 — and without having to be signed into Facebook. We recommend this app for the sheer volume of messaging that happens via Facebook, though it’s a little frustrating that the Facebook app itself no longer includes messaging functionality.
Skype
The de facto VOIP service that is owned by Microsoft, Skype is used by more than 250 million users worldwide. Free international voice and video calls are tough to pass up.
Google Duo
Want to make video calls without a hassle? Google Duo is a great alternative to FaceTime. You can connect with everyone regardless if they have an Android or iPhone. It works on Wi-Fi and cellular, and there is now support for the iPad.
WhatsApp, which is a great choice for anyone who doesn’t have unlimited texting and spends a lot of time connected to Wi-Fi, lets you send and receive messages, pictures, audio notes, and video messages.
Slack
Slack is the premier messaging app for teams and companies, allowing for clear communication throughout every level of your organization. Slack instantly syncs across all devices and is compatible with dozens of other apps and services (like Dropbox) to make your job simpler and easier.
DATING
Tinder
Tinder is a terrible app if you want to date. It only shows you someone’s picture and age. But it’s fun to swipe people away as Hot or Not. If someone thinks you’re hot, you can chat.
Bumble
Bumble flips the web dating paradigm on its head by forcing women to make the first move. Match with someone (the app functions pretty much exactly like Tinder) and the woman has 24 hours to send a message or the match expires.
Hinge
If you would prefer to do your dating with people your friends can vouch for, check out Hinge. It hooks you up with the best matches in your extended network, connecting you with friends of friends.
Coffee Meets Bagel
Coffee Meets Bagel takes the guesswork out of finding a match. Based on its smart algorithm, you’ll only get 21 options every day at noon from people who have already liked you. There’s also a video section with prompts that allow you to gain more insight into a potential match’s personality, rather than relying only on photos.
Grindr
Grindr is the largest social networking app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people. Using your phone’s location, you can find other members close by to talk to, swap photos with, or meet in person.
FOOD
Tasty
Tasty is responsible for some of our favorite step-by-step video recipes, and the app is just as good at guiding you to culinary success. But we didn’t expect such a well made app too. You can search by ingredients, filter out particular ingredients you’re not keen on, or filter by your particular diet.
NYT Cooking
With more than 18,000 recipes, the New York Times Cooking app not only provides stunning photography but also easy-to-follow steps. You can search for recipes by meal type, preparation method, and more. While the app is free to download, you’ll need a subscription to access content — you can either pay $5 per month or $40 for an entire year.
Oh She Glows ($2)
Oh She Glows includes more than 95 plant-based recipes that aren’t only healthy, but also look extremely stunning. Aside from exemplary photos of each recipe, you’re provided with a description of the dish, step-by-step instructions, a list of tips, and nutritional information.
Food Network In the Kitchen
Looking for an easy-to-follow app while cooking? Food Network’s In the Kitchen app now helps you make meals with voice commands. The app gives you access to more than 70,000 recipes, whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert.
Uber Eats: Food Delivery
With Uber Eats, ordering food is simple — especially if you’ve used Uber before. Browse the menu of available restaurants to order from and pay straight through the app by linking your credit or debit card. You’ll then be given an estimated delivery time and you can track the location of your order in real time.
GAMING
Xbox
Microsoft’s mobile companion app for the Xbox One allows you to navigate Xbox menus using your smartphone. The Xbox app offers compatibility with otherwise tedious Xbox apps like messaging and achievements.
PlayStation
The PlayStation app offers the same basic functionality as SmartGlass, except it’s for your PlayStation 4. View trophies, compose messages, and browse the PlayStation store with this app. Some games also include second-screen functionality for a deeper play experience.
Nintendo Switch Online
While it may not be the perfect solution — forcing you to use your phone in addition to your Switch console for voice chat — Nintendo’s just-released Online app offers the most convenient way to play Splatoon 2 with friends, and thus earns a spot on this list. Currently, Splatoon 2 is the only game the app supports, though this is sure to change over the coming months. Next year, Nintendo will begin charging a $20 yearly fee to use the Switch’s online features — but until then, the app remains free.
Twitch
Twitch’s mobile app brings the wide world of game streaming to your fingertips. Chat with other Twitch users, view your favorite streamers’ channels, or watch recorded video of top gamers and events. The Twitch app is AirPlay and Chromecast compatible.
Strafe eSports
If you love to keep up with the latest news and scores from your favorite esports, then give Strafe eSports a try. It covers news from a variety of games, including League of Legends, Hearthstone, and Rocket League — and it even allows you to gamify your esports experience by pitting your predictions against other users.
GOING OUT
Yelp
Yelp is good for looking up almost any location, be it a restaurant or hardware store. Yelpers write in-depth reviews, and you can read all their nasty and nice comments. It has a helpful map view, too.
StubHub
With StubHub, you can buy and sell tickets straight from the app — whether it’s for a concert or sports event — up until the day it’s happening. You can also pick and choose your favorite bands or sports teams, so StubHub can provide you with event recommendations that you’ll be interested in.
Fandango
If you want to browse showtimes and/or buy movie tickets in advance, Fandango is for you. The iPhone app works well and can mean the difference between making a sold-out show or going home brokenhearted.
Ticketmaster
If you’re looking to buy tickets for a concert, sporting event, or theater show, then you will find them here. You can also use this app to sell or transfer tickets and get alerts on artists or events that might interest you.
Open Table
Open Table is great for planning dinner on the fly. The free app allows you to search for new restaurants, explore menus, and even reserve a table.
HEALTH AND FITNESS
Couch to 5K ($3)
Whether your goal is to run a 5K or just to improve your running, Couch to 5K will help get you there. With the program, you spend 20 to 30 minutes running, three times a week for nine weeks, gradually improving on your runs each time. By the end, you should be able to make it through three miles with ease.
Calm
Calm is a meditation app that offers guided sessions for beginners, along with programs for those on intermediate and advanced levels. You can choose from different breathing exercises, adult bedtime stories, or soothing nature sounds to use during yoga.
Nike+ Training Club
Nike’s free workout app is, unsurprisingly, full of familiar faces. Celebrities and world-class athletes — such as Ellie Goulding and Ashton Eaton — use the app to present their favorite workouts. The app also allows you to track your exercise habits and sync with various social media sites.
Daily Yoga
Daily Yoga features several different ways to get in touch with your inner yogi. Short courses with accompanying music are free, but more advanced users can shell out some cash to get more poses, routines, and tunes.
Headspace
Whether it’s in the morning, while at work, or in the evening, Headspace provides you with meditation sessions whenever you need them. With more than 100 guided meditations, you can choose from a wide variety of topics like focus, exercise, travel, sleep, and more. There are even sessions for children as well.
MUSIC
Spotify
Spotify is changing the game for the entire music industry. It’s free on PCs and tablets, but $10 a month if you want to fully use it on iPhone. It’s worth it. You can listen to full albums and create playlists.
Pandora
If you haven’t used Pandora by now, go turn your AM radio back on. Pandora uses music science to create stations around a song or artist. You tell it what you like and what you hate. It learns.
Soundcloud
SoundCloud is the audio player that has become a favorite of musicians, talk shows and podcasts alike. The iOS app gives access to favorites, playlists, and trending audio, and lets you follow and listen with friends.
YouTube Music
YouTube’s music streaming service provides music playlists and recommendations based on your taste in music, location, and time of day. A $14 monthly subscription fee will provide ad-free listening, offline downloads, and the ability to listen to music even when you’re in another app or when your phone is locked.
Amazon Music
Amazon Prime members have access to more than just free two-day shipping. With Amazon Music, you can stream popular songs or download your favorite albums for offline playback.
Apple Music
Apple Music works with your iTunes account to give you personal recommendations based on your library. You can create your own profile and playlists, and follow friends to check out their tunes. Depending on the membership you choose — student, individual, or family — you’ll have to pay a fee ranging from $5 to $15 per month.
