15 Most Useful Android Apps Every User Must Install

As an experienced editorial writer, I am frequently asked by family and friends for recommendations on new Android apps. However, determining which apps will be useful to each person can be a challenge. People have different interests and preferences, such as music, reading, or socializing through photos and videos. Consequently, each individual’s app list will vary accordingly.

After numerous interactions, I have narrowed down a list of 15 useful apps for everyday scenarios that should be explored. Please note that we will not be discussing common apps such as Spotify, Evernote, Google Drive, Dropbox, and Google Keep. Additionally, we have created a video covering these apps which you can find below. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

1. Solid File Explorer

If it were 2015, I’d recommend ES File Explorer. However, the developers have ruined the app to the point where it shouldn’t be on the Play Store anymore. Solid File Explorer is a must-have file manager for all devices. It does much more than just transferring files. It has a 14-day trial period, and I highly recommend purchasing the pro version after trying out its features.

The app is based on material design and supports FTP, SFTP, WebDav, SMB/CIFS clients, and cloud storage like Dropbox, Box, OneDrive, Google Drive, Sugarsync, and more. Root access makes Solid Explorer a fully functional root explorer, and Indexed Search finds your files quickly. The app can also read and extract ZIP, 7ZIP, RAR, and TAR archives, even when encrypted.

2. SHAREit: File Transfer, Sharing

Need to transfer files, videos, photos quickly between Android, iPhone, and Windows Mobile devices? This app is perfect for the job. SHAREit creates a local Wi-Fi network by generating a hotspot on the sender’s phone. The recipient’s phone must also have the app installed. It offers faster speeds compared to Bluetooth and works on almost all major smartphone operating systems available today.

You can use the app to transfer files between your PC and phone. Establishing a connection is easy and the app can create a Wi-Fi network if there is none available.

3. Universal Copy

How do you feel when you can’t copy/paste text on your Android? It’s irritating, especially when you want to share it with other apps and developers have imposed restrictions.

There’s an app that can solve this problem: Universal Copy. It allows you to copy any un-selectable text to your clipboard and paste it in another app. Just activate the app and tap on the notification icon when you want to select text from an app. Universal Copy uses OCR technology to recognize and copy the text from a screenshot to your device’s clipboard. We’ve already reviewed this app, so you might want to check it out.

4. Boomerang Notifications

Android notifications are often poorly managed on Android. Once you clear or open them, they are gone and retrieving them is difficult. However, with Boomerang Notifications, you can save individual notifications for later and set a reminder for a more convenient time to read them.

This is useful when you receive a text or email that you have to reply to, but don’t have time to do so at the moment. Just add the notification to view later, and the app will remind you to take care of it at the appropriate time.

5. Smart Tools

Smart Tools is a unique app on the Play Store that offers 6 sets of tools in one package. This includes 6 Pro sets, giving you a total of 15 tools. With this app, you can use your phone as a ruler, leveler, compass, sound meter, and more. Please note that the ruler and distance calculator readings may not be completely accurate since they rely on the camera, but they should still give you a general idea.

The app costs $2.99 on Play Store and works offline. It’s a great companion for home DIY tasks.

6. CamScanner

CamScanner uses your device’s camera and image processing software to allow you to scan documents directly from your camera. It can scan receipts, notes, invoices, whiteboard discussions, business cards, certificates, and more, producing sharp and detailed photos.

Scanned documents can be shared as PDF or JPEG files via email or cloud share links. Premium users can also extract text using OCR.

7. MacroDroid – Device Automation

This app is for advanced users who love automating their devices but dislike Tasker’s complex interface. Adding a macro is simple: select a trigger and configure its specific settings. You can also add constraints to the task if desired.

MacroDroid offers over 100 preconfigured templates for automating tasks on Android. The free version of the app is limited to five macros and displays ads. Upgrading to the premium version removes these restrictions.

8. CM Lock and Fingerprint Lock

There are many apps to lock other apps on Android, but CM Lock and Fingerprint Lock stand out for their ability to lock apps with the fingerprint sensor. With this app, you can lock any app, as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings, using the fingerprint hardware on Samsung or any other Android phone running on Android Marshmallow.

The app has no ads, making it more preferable than other similar apps. The support for themes allows for customization.

9. Maps.Me

Maps.me is a featured app for offline survival. It downloads map and navigation data on Wi-Fi, allowing offline access and navigation without cellular data.

The app provides information about local shops, ATM, and gas stations to help you during a holiday without an internet connection. Simply download the map data on Wi-Fi before departing.

10. Dumpster

This app has become my recent favorite. To explain it in the easiest way possible, it’s like a recycle bin for Android. After installing the app, when you delete a file, image, or video, it will be stored in Dumpster for a few days before being deleted automatically.

Having a failsafe for all your Android files can be incredibly useful in case you accidentally delete something and need to restore it.

11. KinScreen

This app is ideal for readers who struggle to keep their Android screen awake. KinScreen is a straightforward app that detects orientation or movement of the Android device and keeps the screen active without any interaction required.

There are additional options in the app to check out. We have done a detailed review of the same which you must check out.

12. Flynx Browser

Flynx Browser is an app for opening links without leaving your current app. It provides floating link bubbles when you click a link from Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and other apps.

The link bubbles are similar to Facebook Chat Heads, which can be minimized as a floating icon. You can tap on them over any app. They can load the page in the background, and you can tap on them to read the web. Simple and helpful.

13. Parallel Space

Parallel Space is the perfect solution if you want to use two WhatsApp, Clash of Clans, or Snapchat. It can clone any app in a separate environment, allowing you to have two instances of the same app without sharing data. This means you can use the official WhatsApp app with two different numbers on your Android device.

14. Twilight

Twilight is a blue light filter for devices without a built-in reading mode. The app warms your screen, making it easier to read in low light before bed. Simply open the app, turn on the filter, and the settings will take effect. You can also schedule the filter to activate at specific times.

This app is essential if you experience sleep loss or eye strain from using your smartphone for long periods. It’s free and contains ads to help the developer.

15: Clip Stack

Last but not least, Clip Stack concludes the list. This app improves the Android clipboard by adding memory to it. If you need to copy multiple items to your Android clipboard, there is no straightforward way to do so. However, with Clip Stack, you can gather all the copied content and easily access it when pasting by using a floating button.

We have covered 4 similar apps on the Play Store, but due to its free and open source nature, Clip Stack is my personal favorite.

Know More About These Apps in Our Video

Conclusion

Those are the top 15 must-have apps for Android in my opinion. If you know of a lesser-known app that can help with day-to-day Android usage, please let us know.