What to Install on a New Android Phone

A selection of useful free apps for your new Android Phone.

 

AirDroid
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sand.airdroid
Manage all the content and functions of your phone from a web browser including files, SMS, apps, photos, contacts, and music via a password-protected secure connection.

 

App 2 SD (move app to SD)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.a0soft.gphone.app2sd
Free up space on your phone by moving apps to the SD card. Also a good way to manage apps, cache and data.

 

Bike Hub Cycle Journey Planner
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bikehub.journeyplanner
Cyclist and walker-friendly journey planning app with GPS and links to OpenCycleMap

 

Dolphin Browser
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mobi.mgeek.TunnyBrowser
A much better browser than the standard Android browser.

 

Glympse
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.glympse.android.glympse
When you want to share your location with friends or family some of the time, but not all the time.

 

Textra SMS
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.textra
A much better SMS than the standard Android SMS.

 

Hotspot Toggle
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=bohlool.net.toogleHotspot
If you use your phone a lot as a MiFi, this widget turns it on and off quickly.

 

K-9 Mail
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fsck.k9
A much better email than the standard Android email.

 

OsmAnd
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.osmand
Free OpenStreetMap sat nav app that uses offline maps from mapsforge. Much quicker than Google Maps if you have offline maps.

 

RealCalc Scientific Calculator
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.nickfines.RealCalc
A powerful scientific calculator that’s also beautiful and easy to use.

 

Retro Clock Widget
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nl.jsource.retroclock.android
Very clear clock and date widgets that are also links to alarm and calendar respectively.

 

Seesmic (Facebook, Twitter)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.seesmic
Everyone has their own favourite Twitter app. This is mine.

 

StopWatch & Timer
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sportstracklive.stopwatch
A simple and clear-to-read stopwatch and timer app.

 

TeslaLED Flashlight
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teslacoilsw.flashlight
Use your phone’s camera LED as a torch.

 

The Guardian Anywhere
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.futureplatforms.android.guardian
Still better than the official Guardian app.

 

Where’s My Droid
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.alienmanfc6.wheresmyandroid
Find your lost or stolen phone with a text message.

 

WiFi Analyzer
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.farproc.wifi.analyzer
A better way of finding and selecting a WiFi network to connect to.

---