Essential Apps: 12 Must-Haves for Your Smartphone

Today, everyone’s on their smartphones, with their lives dependent on these mobile devices.

From the alarm clocks you use every morning to the cashless apps you scan to buy things, phones have become an important part of everyday life. Here are some must-have apps that you will definitely need on your Android phone. 

1. Google Authenticator

Google Authenticator app displayed on phone MSN
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Google Authenticator strengthens the digital security of your phone by creating a safe and secure space for all your passwords, including your two-factor authenticator codes. You can manage your codes better, and you can add more accounts when you need to. 

This security app has its own security features, with an anti-screenshot feature to protect your accounts from getting stolen. 

2. CapCut

Capcut displayed on the phone MSN
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CapCut is an app that comes from Bytedance, the same creator behind TikTok. It is designed to help you create video content, from daily vlogs to professional-looking video resumes. 

CapCut has a reliable video editor with an amazing stock audio and video clips library. You can also use the video templates from the app for convenience. This app will reduce a video edit that takes several hours to minutes.

3. SurfShark 

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SurfShark is a virtual private network (VPN) you can use to protect your internet-connected devices from snooping and hacking. It hides your IP address and internet activities, making sure that your privacy is protected. It is hard to track because its VPN connections run worldwide. 

You can use SurfShark on unlimited devices, and you have control over which VPN connection you want to connect to. You can enjoy shows on Netflix from other countries you wouldn’t normally find in your country. 

4. Duolingo

Duolingo on the phone with laptop, coffee, and pen MSN
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Duolingo is the go-to app for people who want to learn a new language. Lessons are designed in smaller portions to avoid overwhelming students. With a user-friendly platform, you’ll start lessons by expanding your vocabulary to stringing sentences together. 

The app offers a wide variety of languages you can explore, like French, Italian, German, and yes, even Klingon. 

5. Tasker

Businessman reading documents with laptop
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Tasker is a mobile app that helps you effectively accomplish your daily tasks. While it doesn’t necessarily complete the tasks themselves, it automates your daily modern life. It suggests the next action to do after it gets triggered by a particular action. For example, once you connect your earbuds to your phone, it might suggest opening an app that plays music.

6. Your Phone Companion

Woman Smiling at Phone Behind Laptop
Image credit: cenchild/DepositPhotos.

Your Phone Companion is a mobile app created by Microsoft to be able to link your Windows 10 PC to your Android phone. This allows you to send or receive a text message, skim through images, and even set notifications on your device from your computer. You can send a text message even if your phone is charging. 

7. Pushbullet

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Pushbullet is a file-sharing app that lets you seamlessly transfer files from one device to another, whether it’s a table, phone, or computer. You just need to ensure that each device has the app installed to transfer files from one to the other.

If you’re going to use the app on your computer, a companion app is available, and you can even get a Google Chrome extension to make the transfers more convenient. 

8. Copy Me That

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If you’re a home chef and you like cooking scrumptious dishes, Copy Me That is an app perfect for you. It allows you to copy recipes online and recreate the dishes according to your preference. Categorize and group the recipes based on your taste and create a meal plan and shopping list too. 

9. MyFitnessPal

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MyFitnessPal is a health tracker equipped with both a calorie counter and an exercise tracker. It can assist you to lose weight through old-fashioned calorie counting. It has a barcode scanner that makes it easier to track your diet and an extensive food library for reference. It also recommends different types of exercises and fitness routines to try out. 

10. Messages by Google

Google message app on the phone MSN
Image Credit: DepositPhotos/sharafmaksumov.

Messages by Google is Google’s response to Apple’s iMessage. The app can be installed through the Play Store, but it’s pre-installed on Pixel phones. You can sort work messages from personal ones and filter out spam emails just to be more organized. 

It features an intuitive user interface with an aesthetic look that can easily match your phone. In short, it’s like Gmail became a texting app. 

11. Spotify

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Spotify is a music streaming app that allows you to listen to your favorite songs legally and for free. While there are ads in between, you can go premium if you prefer uninterrupted music. You can even create your own playlist and listen to podcasts of your favorite Hollywood personalities. 

12. Libby by Overdrive

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Libby by Overdrive is the perfect app for bookworms. With only a library card as a requirement, you can access thousands of magazines, novels, and audiobooks. You also get access to a media library of movies and documentaries if you choose the Kanopy app as an add-on. Technically, whatever service you get from this app is already paid for since it’s tax-funded. Use it to your advantage. 

10 Things That You Will Start to Dislike As You Grow Older

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I recently saw this question online, “What are you starting to dislike more as you get older?” Here are the top-voted responses.

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