ProPakistani’s List of Must Have Apps For New Smartphone Owners

Smartphones keep improving every year and you can’t help but yearn for new models with features that catch your eye. Some of you might have just switched to smartphones while some of you are still waiting for the right time to do so.

Whatever the case might be but when you get a new phone, you have to go through thousands of apps to find which ones are the most necessary and which ones are the best in their category. Of course choosing between these is not an easy job and neither is remembering which apps to download. Fortunately, ProPakistani has come up with a list of apps that are a must-have if you want to truly enjoy your new smartphone.

The list contains categories and each category is comprised of multiple apps. It’s not necessary to install all apps but if there are any must-have apps for a new smartphone, we have you covered. So let’s not keep you waiting. Let’s dig into the mobile apps list.

Browsers

Opera

Opera has come a long way since those Symbian days. The browser is now based on Google Chrome and offers data compression for all types of data to reduce internet consumption. It also has the ability to sync with PC browsers, make website shortcuts (like apps) and pull to refresh. That’s not it, as Opera has the fastest download speeds, smooth and light UI, battery optimisation and the option to customise the browser’s layout in three different styles.

They have an Opera Mini Browser as well which works great for phones with a weaker processing package.

Opera Browser: Play Store Link

Opera Mini: Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

UC Browser

UC Browser and their history of mobile browsers have seen a level of success, in the mobile world, that’s only matched by Opera. UC offers fast download speeds and data savings via compression. The browser features a built-in ad blocker, Facebook integration, Night mode, and a homepage that’s tailor-made for every country. The browser offers multiple device browser sync and cloud download features as well.

They also offer Mini versions of their browsers for the older or entry level devices.

UC Browser: Play Store Link, Tablet: Play Store Link, Internet.org: Play Store Link

UC Mini: Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

Mozilla Firefox

Firefox needs no introduction. Its desktop browser has been competing with Google Chrome for years. Mozilla’s browser offers extensive add-on support just like their desktop browser and a great UI but is a little heavy for older smartphones. Recommended for power users.

Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

Google Chrome

Google Chrome often comes preinstalled on most phones but if it doesn’t, you can still try it out. The browser offers a beautiful Material Design UI and data savings via compression. Just like Firefox, Chrome is quite heavy and can make a big impact on battery life when using a few tabs.

Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

Photography and Editing

Snapseed

Want an app that makes photo editing easy? Want to apply a bazillion filters, crop, rotate, transform, heal, tune, brush, vignette, HDR, frames or anything of the sort? Snapseed can do this for you with an easy to use interface. Ever since Google bought the app, they’ve made it even more simpler to use.

Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

Retrica

Retrica was listed amongst Google’s top apps from 2015. If you love selfies or just want some basic editing app, Retrica has you covered. The app offers real-time filters, layouts, collages, stamps, timer, exposure and direct sharing to social networks.

Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

VSCO

Another popular selfie and editing app is VSCO. It offers photo editing and has its own photo sharing platform called Grid. People, from around the globe, share their edited photos on the network. The app also supports direct uploads to all social networks. It is the app that avid photographers must have.

Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

Cloud Storage

Unclouded – Cloud Manager

If you use multiple cloud storage services but don’t want to install an app for each service you use, Unclouded is the answer for you. The app allows users to explore, analyse, manage and clean your cloud and device storage. Unclouded supports Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, BOX and Mega accounts. It is really the only app that you will need if you love cloud storage.

Play Store Link

Mega

If you require a safe, private and encrypted usage and loads of cloud storage space then there’s no better option than Mega. The service offers 50GB of space which is completely encrypted and only the user has the key to it. Mega app also supports direct camera uploads so photo backup becomes easy.

Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

Gallery Apps

Google Photos

Google Photos offers free unlimited back storage for all your pictures and videos. All you need is a Google account and that’s it. Other than being a great gallery, the app offers extensive photo and video editing options. Google uses an AI which automatically tags everything and the user can search for any visual object from the photos. Sharing and multi-user albums are also a possibility.

Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

Focus

If you want a plain and simple gallery app that’s smooth and gets the job done, Focus is your answer. The gallery has a material design interface and offers one of its kind tagging mechanism that makes the task much easier. There are some unique privacy and customisation features in there too that make the app unlike its competitors.

Play Store Link

Quickpic

Quickpic has often been called the best gallery app on Android (it’s not available for iOS) because of the extensive ease of usability. Files are easily arranged in a simple UI and the app offers 1TB of backup space for all photos and videos.

Play Store Link

Keyboards

SwiftKey Keyboard

The default Google Keyboard is good but doesn’t come close to SwiftKey and its contextual word predictions. The keyboard works with Urdu as well and users can make the keyboard learn from their SMS and emails. There are plenty of free themes and other customisation options as well.

Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

TouchPal Keyboard

TouchPal Keyboard is as popular amongst users as SwiftKey but it takes a different approach towards prediction and users get to swipe up on predictions as they appear atop alphabets. Other than that it’s a direct equal to everything that SwiftKey has on offer.

Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

Ginger Keyboard

Ginger hasn’t been in the keyboard business for as long as its competitors but offers everything that they offer plus grammar check, a first for any keyboard. The keyboard has unique abilities like a few games to keep the user busy while they wait. There’s a news and infotainment section with the app as well.

Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

Customization

Nova Launcher

Have you got a laggy Qmobile model or a phone without an app drawer (Oppo, Huawei etc.)? You can have stock Android like looks but with added customisability and smoothness, thanks to Nova Launcher. There are many others on the Play Store but Nova has been rated as one of the best. It’s a must try if you are not satisfied with the default launcher on your phone.

Play Store Link

Zedge

Zedge has been around for ages. Its app offers an easy way to change wallpapers, icons, ringtones, and much more. It’s an all-in-one customisation app for smartphones.

Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

Communication

WhatsApp

When you get a new phone, you would obviously want to connect with your friends online and there isn’t a messaging app that’s more popular than WhatsApp.

Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

Telegram

Telegram has become increasingly popular these days thanks to its private and encrypted messaging which is safe from the likes of NSA. As far as the messaging part is concerned, Telegram offers fast paced messaging, cloud syncing of all messages, a PC client and bots (via @ commands) that make sharing stuff easier.

Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

Skype

Users who want video calling and like to have the same messaging clients everywhere must know of Skype. It needs no introductions and offers group video calling, international calling, keeping it well above its competitors in that sector.

Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

Hike Messenger

Hike has also been gaining popularity recently thanks to its humongous feature list. The messenger offers basic texting and group calling plus nearby chats and file sharing without internet, privacy features, file sharing, themes, a personal assistant, news and filters. The best feature might be its ability to send SMS to contacts who are offline without any cost to the sender. Offline contact’s replies also show up on hike instead like normal messages.

Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

Messenger (Facebook)

Of course, our online communications don’t finish without a mention of Facebook. The network has over a billion users and most of them available via their Messenger app. Messenger has become a platform, supporting other apps to integrate with it while offering an unmatched bubbly messaging experience.

Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

Network Self Care apps

When you get a smartphone why waste time remembering all your packages and going to your network provider’s website or call the helpline when all of that is easily available via their smartphone apps.

These apps inform the user about their remaining balance to the subscribed packages. There info about new packages and how to subscribe them. Self-care apps are an easy way to manage your mobile number.

Mobilink: Not Available

Telenor: Not Available

Ufone: Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

Warid: Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

Zong: Play Store Link

Google Apps

Most of Google’s apps come pre-installed on Android smartphones but for those people who don’t get them by default, these are a must-have nowadays.

YouTube

YouTube is the multimedia service online. The platform has everything from songs, dramas, movies, reviews and exclusive content in the form of millions of videos. Anyone who wants to watch a video, YouTube should be their go-to platform.

Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

Gmail

Gmail supports gestures, easy filters, categories, massive storage space and material design. While previously the app was restricted to people who used Google’s Gmail email service, the app now works with other email providers as well such as Outlook and Yahoo!

Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

Google Maps

Google has the widest and latest global coverage of maps thanks to user interaction. While there might be better alternatives limited to local areas, Maps keeps improving everyday due to user input. The app now supports live traffic info in some cities of Pakistan and users also get the option of downloading offline maps, making it one of the best map apps available.

Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

Productivity

Google Keep

For those who want to keep notes and make lists to organise their daily life, Google’s Keep is a very nice and fluid app offering everything a basic user could need. Of course more advanced users can have Todoist or Evernote to keep them happy.

Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

Pushbullet

Pushbullet is the app you need if you want to be seamlessly connected to your phone whether you are using your PC or any other smart gadget. Pushbullet lets users push files and links between devices and receive and remotely interact with any notifications they get on their phone.

Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

AirDroid

AirDroid started off as a remote phone management app but now offers features similar to Pushbullet. Users can access anything on their phone via Airdroid app, website or PC client. File transfers are AirDroid’s strength but push notifications and remote phone management work great too.

Play Store Link

Teamviewer

Teamviewer lets users remotely access and control their PC. It is the most popular remote PC management client and its smartphone offers users to control their PCs while on the move and without having to access another computer. The app supports file, audio and video transmission as well.

Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

File Management

ES File Explorer

If you require a file manager that can do adequately for file management and has cloud storage support, easy to use and modern interface then ES File Explorer is one the best around. Other than that it also offers media browser, remote file manager, file viewer (jpg, mp4, rar etc.), text editor, Bluetooth browser, FTP support, cache cleaner and phone optimiser.

Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

Zapya (File transfer)

Zapya has been gaining popularity because of its ability to send files over the fastest medium available. Instead of using Bluetooth, Zapya makes use of WiFi to transfer files quickly. All of this is handled through the apps interface. The app even supports sending files to contacts over the internet.

Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

Automation

Tasker

For those who want to take full advantage of their Android smartphone and can manage slightly complex tasks, Tasker can help them automate their lives. The app can do anything other apps can do based on any criteria you set like location, file, time, network, state etc. If you think flowcharts are simpler, then Automate is a good alternate to Tasker.

Play Store Link

IF by IFTTT

IFTTT means “IF This Than That” meaning that if a certain condition is met, do some other predefined task. This app can do anything from sharing Instagram photos to other social networks to texting your family when you are in a grocery store. The app has virtually limitless applications with multiple plugins like LIFTTT, DO Camera, DO Button etc.

Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

Miscellaneous

Opera Max

From saving data to controlling which apps can access the internet, Opera Max gives its users complete control over their limited data. As long as internet packages come with limited data, Opera Max is a must-have so you can save data and money. Social packages trick people as their background usage costs them money. Opera Max gives them control over which apps can use the background data for internet.

Play Store Link

Android Device Manager

Phone security is a must and at the very least you need to have Android Device Manager running on it to locate your lost devices. If internet access is available, you can wipe it clean or pinpoint its location. It also has a Remote locking feature.

Play Store Link

Super Backup

Just in case that your smartphone stops working, a regular backup is always advised. Super Backup is an easy to use app to back up your SMS, contacts, call history, apps, app data, bookmarks etc. to internal storage, micro SD card or any cloud storage service. This can also be used when switching from an old Android phone to a new one. That way everything and data is preserved.

Play Store Link

360 Security

Don’t let the name fool you (completely) as 360 security is not just an antivirus. The app works as a phone booster and junk cleaner as well. An antivirus is obviously necessary nowadays with app stores having difficulty in removing malware from infected apps because of the sheer number of apps available. It also works great as a phone booster and doesn’t bother users with a million notifications every hour.

Play Store Link, iTunes Store Link

Lite Version: Play Store Link (for entry level phones)

 

So what do you think of this list folks? Let us know some of your must have apps on your smartphone as well in the comments below. Want to know how to use WhatsApp on Laptop? Click on the link and read the article then.