Simply received a brand new Android smartphone for the vacations? If it’s your first one, it might be somewhat intimidating, so to get you began, listed below are a number of apps you must instantly set up or arrange on a brand new Android gadget. Alternatively, if you happen to’re not already utilizing these apps, it may be time to present them a shot!
Use a password supervisor!!
All of us have a ton of on-line accounts, and the easiest way to each handle and defend that knowledge is with a password supervisor. Password managers normally work by encrypting your knowledge behind a “Grasp Password” or another means whereas permitting you to prepare that knowledge by the positioning it really works with or in folders.
Getting a password supervisor is among the most vital but additionally one of many best methods to boost your on-line safety.
Certainly one of our favourite password managers is 1Password, with inexpensive pricing, glorious safety that makes use of each a grasp password and a “Secret Key,” and an easy-to-use app.
DashLane works equally but additionally has an choice to mechanically change your passwords for you and some free performance, too. If you actually need a very free possibility, although, Bitwarden is a superb possibility. ProtonPass is a more recent possibility that additionally integrates with ProtonMail, a safe electronic mail consumer. It additionally features a neat characteristic the place you possibly can create electronic mail deal with aliases to keep away from spam. The password supervisor itself is free, however a number of the options require a subscription.
The one password supervisor we at present don’t actively suggest is LastPass. Whereas it has a stable free tier, the corporate has had a number of notable safety breaches, together with one only in the near past the place password vaults from clients had been stolen. It’s nonetheless higher than nothing, however the free tier is just not definitely worth the problem anymore.
Up your messaging recreation
Google Messages (RCS)
Within the US, at the very least, messaging has historically been a sore level of Android smartphones. Fortunately, Google has been arduous at work attempting to repair that in latest months, and now, the answer referred to as RCS (Wealthy Communication Providers) is out there to each Android smartphone on the planet at this level.
How are you going to get RCS in your gadget, and extra importantly, what’s the profit? The profit, firstly, is that RCS is way more succesful than SMS/MMS. Photos will be despatched in increased high quality, typing indicators, and extra all arrive with RCS. Group chats additionally get an enormous improve too. On high of that, RCS chats are actually encrypted to supply higher safety.
Mainly, RCS is like Apple’s iMessage, however for Android telephones. Quickly, Apple will probably be bringing RCS to the iPhone, which can enhance media sharing, options, and doubtless group chats, too. The inexperienced bubble received’t be gone, nevertheless it’ll be means higher than it’s right now.
To get RCS in your Android cellphone, all you have to do is obtain Google Messages.
The free app is an SMS app at coronary heart, however it might additionally allow RCS messaging on any provider and any Android smartphone too. Merely obtain, set it as your default SMS app, and anticipate the immediate to activate RCS. We’ve received a extra detailed tutorial on the method as nicely, plus some suggestions and tips on the finest options you must activate. RCS through Google Messages is end-to-end encrypted for each 1-on-1 messages and group chats.
Telegram, Sign, & different messaging apps
If you would like an app for even higher messaging, you possibly can transcend the RCS and typical SMS. Telegram is one in every of our favourite messaging apps, and it really works loads just like the tremendous in style WhatsApp. Not like that app, although, Telegram works simply on a number of smartphones or tablets at one time and backs up all your messages mechanically. Plus, the whole lot continues to be encrypted, and you’ve got each voice and video calls out there. The app is all the time getting higher by means of updates and has improved its messaging expertise enormously alongside including a extra strong video name app, too.
Discord is one other nice messaging various, providing non-public messages in addition to “servers” to host a number of associates or tons of, all with rooms and chat admins. It’s an awesome expertise and one which’s particularly glorious for avid gamers.
In the meantime, Sign is an much more privacy-focused messaging app that turned particularly in style when Meta-owned WhatsApp was underneath fireplace for brand spanking new privateness insurance policies. In fact, we’d be remiss if we didn’t point out the recognition of WhatsApp and Fb Messenger each globally and within the US. Whereas many are uncomfortable with Meta, these apps are nonetheless much better than the standard SMS you’d in any other case be utilizing. Fb Messenger now even defaults to end-to-end encryption, which is an enormous deal!
Staying related
Google Meet
Video calling is an effective way to maintain up with family and friends past simply texts and audio calls, and there are some nice providers to do it. Utilizing Google Meet for calling family and friends is totally free, and it really works throughout a ton of gadgets. Android telephones and tablets. Chromebooks. Home windows and macOS. It even works on iOS!
Consider it as Apple’s FaceTime however not locked down to at least one ecosystem.
The app works together with your electronic mail deal with and options enjoyable filters and even display screen sharing on some gadgets. Its finest characteristic, although, may simply be how nicely it really works on less-than-ideal connections.
Zoom and extra
Some of the in style video calling/conferencing instruments through the pandemic was Zoom. By its reputation alone, that is an app you must have put in. The service gives conferences that you may connect with with only a hyperlink or a password, simply connecting with family members and associates or utilizing it for enterprise conferences. Many colleges are additionally utilizing Zoom for distant studying. It’s a robust app and one which’s not going to price you something until you’re the one internet hosting, and even then, it’s received a free providing.
Different nice video-calling apps embrace:
- Skype is among the authentic video calling apps that also works nice, particularly for family and friends.
- Fb Messenger, a service that numerous individuals within the US at present use, has a wonderful video calling possibility alongside its messaging options.
Again up your footage and movies
Google Photographs
One of many first issues you must set up on a brand new Android smartphone – or an iPhone, for that matter – is Google Photographs. For the overwhelming majority of Android customers, the app will probably be pre-installed in your gadget, however you’ll nonetheless have to get issues arrange.
To try this, merely open the app, sign up together with your most popular Google account, and resolve on backup choices. Photographs will mechanically backup your footage and movies within the background, however you’ll want to inform it if you’d like that carried out over Wi-Fi solely or on mobile knowledge, as nicely.
From there, you’ll simply have to resolve on high quality. Google gives full-resolution backup in addition to a barely compressed, data-saving possibility that can lose a little bit of high quality, however you’ll be hard-pressed to inform the distinction. Plus, there are some killer options out there with a Google One subscription, such as Magic Eraser and a ton of useful modifying options.
You’ll get 15GB of storage at no cost, with charges beginning at $1.99/month for added storage by means of Google One, which provides storage to not solely Photographs, but additionally Drive and Gmail.
Amazon Photographs and extra
Exterior of Google, there are another stable choices for storing your pictures. Amazon Photographs has top-of-the-line values, with limitless picture storage for Prime clients, whereas OneDrive has inexpensive charges and a strong setup for each pictures and recordsdata alike.
Improve your keyboard
Gboard
The keyboards pre-installed on a whole lot of right now’s hottest Android smartphones are, nicely, not nice. Whereas a lot of it comes down to non-public desire, you will get extra options and, in lots of circumstances, higher performance out of a special keyboard.
Our high decide? Google’s personal Gboard. This keyboard has an awesome structure that’s snug for typers of all types and helps options corresponding to gesture/swipe typing, GIF search and enter, and a lot extra. There are even distinctive options such because the “Emoji Kitchen,” which may create some wacky emoji stickers on the fly. It’s also possible to theme Gboard to your coronary heart’s want.
There’s additionally a helpful toolbar that you may customise!
Put merely, it’s a wonderful keyboard that’s completely free, and if it wasn’t already in your cellphone (it’s not put in by default on Samsung Galaxy gadgets, for instance), you must give it a strive. Test it out on the Play Retailer.
SwiftKey and extra
If Gboard isn’t fairly your fashion, there’s one other nice possibility on the Play Retailer within the Microsoft-owned SwiftKey. This keyboard has been one of the in style Android apps for the reason that platform’s app retailer existed. Lately acquired by Microsoft, the app gives glorious gesture typing and options the neat trick of studying and adapting to your typing fashion and your spelling errors too. SwiftKey helps over 400 languages and is free. It even helps syncing your clipboard with Home windows PCs.
One other keyboard you may like is Grammarly. It was popularized as a Chrome extension however works nice on Android, too. The Grammarly keyboard for Android goes past primary spell verify to supply grammar fixes and alternate phrasing to enhance the way you ship texts and emails, and it additionally has some helpful AI options too.
Don’t lose your cellphone or your knowledge
Set Up Discover My Machine
Right here’s one other app that ought to already be put in on any new Android smartphone. “Discover my Machine” is a Google app designed that will help you maintain observe of your smartphone ought to it’s misplaced. If the app isn’t put in in your gadget for some purpose, Discover My Machine is out there through the Play Retailer.
While you open up Discover My Machine, you’ll be prompted to sign up with a Google account and enter your password, as nicely. As soon as that’s carried out, you’ll be capable of see your gadget in addition to any others hooked up to your account. You possibly can then ring, lock, or wipe any gadget in your account. The identical applies to your new cellphone in addition to every other Android gadget you personal, a buddy’s Android cellphone, and even only a net browser. As a aspect be aware, the core performance of really discovering your cellphone with this app is on by default in Google Play Providers, however by utilizing the app, you’ll get a bit extra management in addition to with the ability to discover your different Android gadgets by means of the app in addition to serving to associates to seek out their telephones.
The Discover My Machine app can be the way you’ll use AirTag-like trackers designed for Android. These trackers will be accessed by means of the app and use a community of Android telephones that will help you discover them in the event that they’re misplaced.
On Samsung gadgets, you’ll additionally need to arrange SmartThings Discover for comparable performance.
Google One
Should you do lose or break your cellphone, you don’t need to lose your knowledge. That’s the place Google One turns out to be useful. With any Google One storage plan (beginning at simply $2/month), you’ll get improved backups of your cellphone. By default, Android already backs up core knowledge at no cost to your Google account, however the One app can again up SMS messages and MMS messages alongside together with your pictures and movies.
Backup (and switch!) your SMS
Should you’re nonetheless dealing with a whole lot of your messaging by means of SMS, it’s good follow to again that up. SMS Backup & Restore is a useful little consumer that may again up your SMS and MMS messages to Google Drive or different cloud storage for safekeeping, however the particularly useful half is restoring messages. This may be helpful as you arrange a brand new cellphone or if you happen to’re planning to make the change in a while.
Handle your cash
Google Pockets – Handle faucet to pay and extra
Cell NFC funds are tremendous handy, and setting them up on Android is simpler than ever. Google Pockets is a free and fairly easy app that allows you to add credit score/debit playing cards to your cellphone for NFC funds, in addition to holding your loyalty playing cards, present playing cards, COVID-19 vaccination knowledge, airline passes, and a lot extra. It’s additionally engaged on including help for driver’s licenses in choose US States, lots of which are actually out there.
Google Pockets is pre-installed on most Android gadgets, however you might need to manually obtain it on a Samsung gadget, for instance. On Samsung gadgets, you may also use Samsung Pay for comparable options.
Cash switch apps
Sending cash has gotten a complete lot simpler with apps, and there are some glorious selections to take action. Listed below are a number of in style choices.
- PayPal: The basic, PayPal is an effective way to ship cash to your family and friends however can be tremendous helpful for on-line purchasing in addition to promoting.
- Venmo & Money App: Each utilizing the identical primary mannequin, Venmo and Money App are glorious apps for sending cash between family and friends with usernames for sharing and simple linking to your financial institution. Plus, since they’re broadly used, most people are normally going to have at the very least one in every of these two.
These are preferable to Zelle, which you possible have linked to your checking account. Whereas Zelle works nicely, it’s infamous for fraud to the purpose of an ongoing federal lawsuit.
The perfect note-taking Android apps
Google Maintain Notes
Conserving observe of reminders, lists, and extra will be made a lot simpler by utilizing a note-taking app. Personally, my favourite note-taking app on Android is Google Maintain Notes, and it’s one thing that simply appears to maintain getting higher over time.
Google Maintain is totally free and allows you to retailer notes, lists, and even drawings within the app. There are additionally some AI options which have been added just lately. Notes are synced to your Google account, which implies you possibly can entry them on every other gadget, together with computer systems. With a fast setup, you possibly can even use Google Assistant audio system, such because the Nest Mini, to handle a purchasing checklist.
Different note-taking apps
If you would like one thing that’s not from Google and has a number of extra superior options, Microsoft OneNote is a superb possibility. The app is totally free, although it really works higher with different Microsoft apps utilizing a Microsoft 365 subscription. You possibly can again up notes and drawings and insert footage within the app, and like Google’s app, they’ll sync throughout gadgets together with your Microsoft account.
Different good choices embrace Joplin, an open-source and multiplatform note-taking app, in addition to Notion, a well-liked app that works throughout platforms and integrates some AI options.
Maintain related to your pc
Hyperlink to Home windows
Should you spend all day at a desk, it may be tremendous handy to maintain your Android cellphone related to your PC. With the Hyperlink to Home windows app, that’s tremendous simple.
After connecting, Hyperlink to Home windows permits Android customers to take cellphone calls on their PC, use messages, convey their notifications to their pc, and even entry their pictures and movies with out hooking up any wires. You possibly can even mirror Android apps out of your cellphone as much as your pc. Microsoft continues to construct on the app and add new options and deeper integration with Home windows.
Learn how to arrange Chromebook Cellphone Hub
Alternatively, in case you have a Chromebook, you possibly can arrange “Cellphone Hub.” This gives many of the similar options as Hyperlink to Home windows however additional builds on it with help for establishing a hotspot and utilizing your cellphone as a “key” to unlock your ChromeOS gadget. You don’t need to obtain something to arrange Cellphone Hub both, simply observe the directions under.
Just a few extra noteworthy apps:
- Waze: Whereas Google Maps will do the trick for a lot of, Waze gives crowdsourced dwell visitors knowledge and experiences for velocity traps and extra.
- Feedly: Need to maintain observe of the information utilizing personalised RSS feeds? Feedly is among the finest apps for the job, and it’s free!
- Google Residence/Amazon Alexa: Obtained some good dwelling audio system or shows? You’ll need to have the Google Residence or Amazon Alexa apps put in, relying on what gadgets you personal.
- Get a Third-party launcher: Putting in a brand new launcher is an effective way to totally customise the homescreen in your new Android cellphone. Nova Launcher is a superb possibility for added flexibility, however Niagara Launcher offers a novel and customizable expertise that’s totally different from something you’ve ever tried.
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Final replace: 12/25/2024
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