These 5 free Android apps are all the time the primary ones I set up

Nothing feels fairly as satisfying as getting one thing without cost, and this could definitely be mentioned about smartphone apps. In a world saturated with in-app purchases, subscriptions, microtransactions, and ‘freemium’ enterprise fashions, free software program appears like an absolute breath of recent air.

There are a variety of apps on the market that I take into account to be non-negotiable at any time when I arrange a new Android phone, and, fortunately, a few of them come without charge by any means. Listed here are 5 apps that I personally all the time set up on day one.

1 KineStop

The go-to app for decreasing movement illness

KineStop: Automobile illness help

A well-built app for decreasing movement illness when in a car.

Again in Could, Apple announced plans to include a brand new ‘Automobile Movement Cues’ function into each iOS and iPadOS. The function embeds quite a lot of animated dots onto your display screen, which shift in accordance with car movement to cut back automobile illness in these troubled with the problem.

Fortunately, Android customers are capable of expertise a really comparable function utilizing the fully free KineStop app from the Play Retailer. The idea is roughly the identical, and the interface is straightforward and simple to arrange. When you’re vulnerable to feeling movement illness when utilizing your Android cellphone within the passenger seat of a automobile, KineStop is solely a must-download.

2 Feeder

A beautiful and open supply RSS reader

Feeder

A free and open-source RSS reader app that works with out fuss.

Actually easy syndication readers, normally acronymized as RSS readers, are streamlined programs for viewing information articles throughout your favourite publications. Within the age of social media, these apps aren’t as fashionable as they as soon as have been, however they’re nonetheless a useful gizmo for whenever you need to scale back distractions whereas nonetheless maintaining with present occasions.

Feeder is one such RSS reader out there on Android, and it is fully free and open-source. For an open-source app, the interface is genuinely beautiful, and the consumer expertise is equally intuitive. The one caveat right here is that it forces you to manually enter RSS feed hyperlinks to get began, however that is a reasonably small criticism total.

3 AntennaPod

A wonderful resolution for streaming your favourite podcasts

AntennaPod

A free and open resolution for all of your podcast streaming wants.

In the identical vein as Feeder, AntennaPod is a totally free and open-source Android software — however as an alternative of aggregating information articles, it is designed with podcast streaming in thoughts. The interface is clear, easy, and efficient, and I’ve no usability complaints.

Necessary inclusions like shownotes, casting assist, and a sleep timer are all current, which makes this a reasonably full-featured expertise. When you love listening to podcasts however need to avoid main gamers like Spotify, Apple, and Google, then AntennaPod is a superb selection that I would extremely suggest.

4 VLC

The notorious Home windows program can be at residence on Android

VLC for Android

A well known native media participant that is suitable with all kinds of file varieties.

VLC requires no introduction — the long-lasting media participant is a favourite amongst Home windows desktop customers, as a result of its open-source nature and its spectacular file format assist. If there’s ever an audio or video file in your laptop that merely refuses to open, you possibly can rely on VLC to play the file with out skipping a beat.

VLC on Android is equally open-source and highly effective. When you’re searching for a no-nonsense multimedia participant for native playback, then it is a must-download. The interface lacks a few of the refinement of another rivals available on the market, nevertheless it’s nice sufficient and makes up for this in its sheer flexibility.

5 Cloud Backup Checker

A useful utility for confirming whether or not apps are backed up

Cloud Backup Checker

A easy software for checking which apps are being backed as much as your Google Account.

Google gives a local cloud backup resolution for its Android working system, however many app builders additionally provide an ‘choose out’ selection. Sadly, it might get considerably complicated to maintain observe of which apps are backed up and which of them aren’t.

The place Google does not provide an incredible native software for checking the standing of backups, the free Cloud Backup Checker app steps as much as the plate. The software program is light-weight, speedy, and does precisely what it says on the tin. If and whenever you improve to a brand new Android cellphone, it is price downloading this app so you are not left blindsided.