If you or someone you know has just joined the Apple community by purchasing an iPhone for the first time, one of the big questions will be, "What apps should I download?" With more than 1.5 million apps, that is a difficult question to answer. But if your question is, "What are the apps I need right now?" We can help you out with that.
Whether you are a social butterfly, a busy bee, or a music-loving songbird there are a handful of must-have apps that are the basic starters for every new iPhone user. Once you've established your foundation, you can dig deeper, but here are the apps you need on day one.
Social Networking
Twitter may not be quite as saturated as Facebook, but the microblogging site still manages to permeate our daily lives pretty well. If you have a Twitter account, you'll want this app. Some will tell you that there are better third-party Twitter clients out there, but if you want Siri to post tweets for you, you'll need the official app.
When it comes to social photography, Instagram is second to none. When you follow your friends, celebrities, and trending topics, you'll be showered with pictures of food, feet, and duck faces. Meanwhile, you'll be able to grace the world with your perfectly poised selfies.
Messaging
It's fun. It's free. Lots of your friends are already signed up. It's WhatsApp and it's one of the most popular chat apps around. You can send chats internationally, start group audio and video calls, plan get-togethers, and it's cross-platform so your non-iPhone friends can join in the games, too.
Skype
Skype lets you stay in contact with your friends from anywhere in the world. It allows you to message each other, do audio or video calls, and you can also use Skype to call any number with fairly low rates. Skype has been a popular way to keep in contact with your favorite people for a while, and it's also commonly used for podcasting.
Productivity
1Password
If this is your first smart phone, you'll quickly realize just how many passwords you'll need for different apps and websites. 1Password stores those passwords for you, along with credit card information, profile data, and a whole lot more. The best part is, you will only have to actually remember the one password you use to log in. Even better, if your iPhone has Touch ID (iPhone 5s or newer), you can log in with your fingerprint.
Fantastical 2
Fantastical 2 is our favorite calendar app that also integrates Reminders seamlessly into it. With Fantastical, you get a beautiful and sleek interface that makes scheduling a breeze with natural language input. You can easily switch between the month view to a weekly ticker view, and see your entire agenda at once. It works with your native iOS Calendar, so no additional setup is necessary.
Microsoft Office
Word, Excel, PowerPoint (plus maybe OneNote and Outlook). These are the basic staples of the average computer-using human. There is a pretty good chance that you use one or all of these programs in your office environment. With Microsoft's Office 365 subscription, you can access all of your important files on your iPhone. Plus you can create, edit, and share documents on the go. It's a must-have for most of us.
Apple iWork
If you're throwing out everything you knew about anything non-Apple, then iWork is your replacement productivity bundle. It's the company's answer to Microsoft Office. Pages, Numbers, and Keynote will get you the same results with a different interface. And, if your working companions are on Microsoft, it's no problem. You can export your documents to their counterparts. With iCloud, you can store all of your work in the cloud for easy access from any iOS device, or on the web, whether you are using a Mac or PC.
Music
Apple Music
Now that you are a part of the Apple ecosystem, it is time to maximize your benefits. One of those choice bonuses is Apple Music. With it, you have access to Apple's wealth of tunes. You can listen to full albums in their entirety, create your own playlists with your favorite tracks, and listen to brand new music without having to buy it. You can also download everything for offline listening.
- $9.99 per month (first three months are free) - Learn how it works
Spotify
Spotify is similar to Apple Music, but basically just isn't Apple Music. If you are new to the Apple ecosystem, chances are you are a Spotify user. In that case, keep all of your history and playlists nearby with the official app. The benefit of having Spotify around is that you can still stream music without having to pay for it, you just have to listen in shuffle mode.
Pandora
Pandora is like the grandfather of streaming music. It works a lot differently than Spotify or Apple Music. It's more like a radio station that you are in charge of. Pandora is great for hitting the play button and letting the music flow. It should be in every music lover's arsenal.
Streaming media
Hulu
You can get your on-demand fix of thousands of TV shows and movies with Hulu. On the iPhone, you'll need a paid subscription. But, that means you can watch the latest and greatest of Hulu's catalog whenever you want. If you have a subscription to Hulu, you'll want it on your Home screen.
$7.99+ per month - Download now
Netflix
Similar to Hulu, Netflix lets you stream thousands of TV shows and movies right on your iPhone. But, you'll need a subscription to the streaming service. If you are already watching Netflix shows and movies on your computer or set-top box, you'll be happy to have the same great content delivered right to your mobile device.
$7.99+ per month - Download now
YouTube
The YouTube app almost belongs in the social networking section because it is much more than just a media streaming service. It is also a place where nobodies become famous and everyone has a chance at their five minutes of fame. With YouTube on your iPhone, you can film your next mini-movie, edit it, and publish it without having to switch over to another screen. Or, you could just watch cat videos all day.
Cloud storage
Dropbox
When it comes to keeping important files close by without taking up storage space on your iPhone, Dropbox is tops. You can store anything, movies, music, photos, PDFs, e-books, whatever, and even share it with others without having to give them access to your account. Thanks to cross-platform compatibility, everyone can use Dropbox, as long as they have access to the Internet. If you have a Dropbox account, get this app. You will need to pay for storage increases, however.
Google Drive
Google Drive is another great cloud storage service, but it requires a Google account. If you are signed up with Google, you can save documents, videos, pictures, and more. You can also work in Google Docs within the cloud storage service and collaborate in real-time with others. A lot of companies use Google Drive because it is so easy to share information with employees. If you are already signed up with Google, you'll appreciate having Google Drive on your Home screen.
OneDrive
Microsoft's cloud storage service is not just for Office. You can store documents (non-Office ones, too), photos, music, videos, contacts, and more. You can easily share documents with others and because OneDrive is cross-platform, you can access your account from any device. If you have a Microsoft 365 account, your features grow exponentially.
Navigation
Google Maps
Apple's Maps app has grown into its own over the past few years and works incredibly well on the iPhone. But, there are still a few missing features, or tools that don't work in all areas. That's why you'll need Google Maps as a backup. Google Maps has just been around a lot longer, and so has a more polished feature set that works in more locations.
Waze
When it comes to beating traffic, nothing compares to Waze. It's part social, part magical. Using real-time data from drivers currently on the road, Waze can determine traffic conditions right where you are. If an accident just happened a few minutes ago, it'll be reported in Waze and alternate routes will be determined to help get you through the traffic jam the best way possible.
Rideshare
Lyft
Having a rideshare app on your phone is always going to come in handy, especially when traveling to a new city or if you can't get a ride from family or friends. Lyft offers cheaper rates than Uber (slightly, but it does make a difference) and they do offers quite often. I prefer using Lyft whenever possible, and there are different levels of rides to suit your needs.
Uber
If Lyft is not available, you can always go for the one that started it all — Uber. The rates may be a dollar or so more than Lyft, but there may be more drivers available. There are also different levels of Uber rides available, and Uber has a reward system that rewards you the more you use it. Plus they have their own credit card with decent bonuses, and if you use Apple Card, you get 3% Daily Cash with Uber and UberEats.
Reading
Kindle Reader
Just because you are not using a Kindle, doesn't mean you can't read your Kindle books. Amazon makes it possible for you to download and read your purchased Kindle books on your iPhone. You can even listen to your Amazon audiobooks. You have to buy books through Amazon, but once purchased, you can download them right onto your iPhone and read whenever you want.
Fitness and Health
Fitbit
You're going to need some way of counting those steps you take every day and logging them into Apple's Health app if you don't also own an Apple Watch. Fitbit's fitness app is great because you don't have to have any additional equipment for basic walk and run tracking. But, if you own any of the company's many wearable fitness trackers, you can store all of your data on your iPhone. If you don't already own an Apple Watch, or you are leaning more toward FitBit for your health and fitness needs, you'll enjoy the features that the Fitbit app has to offer.
Nike+ Run Club
If you are an avid runner, or even if you are just starting out, the Nike+ Run Club app is a personal trainer that will help you reach your goals. It tracks and stores your runs and coaches you along the way, no matter what your level. You can compete with other members of the Run Club to help motivate you to get moving. It connects to Apple Music for inspirational beats. You also can share your activities with friends so they can encourage your success.
Gyroscope Pro
Ever wish you could see all of your health and fitness data in a single app with a unique and easy-to-follow interface? That's what Gyroscope is, and it also has third-party app integrations for your computer as well, so you can really get a comprehensive overview of your daily activity, as well as how to improve your lifestyle to a more healthy one. You can see your steps, workouts, computer time, sleep, places you've been, and so much more.
Weather
Dark Sky
Apple's Weather app has everything you need to check the forecast ahead, but Dark Sky has one fantastic feature that the native Weather app doesn't. It lets you know, within minutes, whether it is going to start raining or snowing. So, during the wet seasons, you can use it to plan your immediate outdoor activities. Hoping to go for a walk? Check Dark Sky to see how much time you have before the rain will start to fall again. Use the Weather app for your daily reports and Dark Sky for checking in on impending downpours.
CARROT Weather
If you want a weather app that is more fun, then CARROT Weather is worth a download. It has a beautiful and colorful interface that matches the current weather conditions, and CARROT is a fantastic AI that provides you with a daily dose of snark and sarcasm. If it's too much, you can customize the personality settings to tone it down a bit. CARROT Weather has a customizable widget and an Apple Watch app as well.
Finance
Venmo
These days, no one really carries cash with them anymore. Peer-to-peer payment services have gained in popularity, because they're so much faster and easier to send and receive money from each other. Venmo is one of the most popular options available, and it connects to your bank account so you can send money instantly, and get money too. Just say, "hey, mind Venmo-ing me that money?"
Square Cash
Another popular option, and one that I use more myself, is Square Cash. It's from the same company that does Square POS payments at many businesses, and it makes it super easy to send and receive money. Just connect it to your bank account, and you just input the amount you want to send or request someone pay you back. Square Cash also has their own physical card that you can request and use just like a regular debit card.
Works with Maps
Yelp
If you are looking for a place to eat, shop, drink, get gas, or practically anything that is open to the public, you can find out more detailed information from others who have patronized the business with Yelp integration in Apple Maps. It is the easiest way to learn from real people about a business you may want to visit soon.
OpenTable
After you've found a place to eat using Apple Maps, you can then make reservations, right from the app thanks to OpenTable integration. Find a restaurant you want to go to. If it takes reservations and is set up with OpenTable, you can find a date and time while still on the map. If there are no reservations available, you won't have to switch between apps to go back and search for something different. OpenTable also works with Siri now, so you can have the digital personal assistant do the work for you.
Entertainment
Fandango
Find out what movies are playing in your area and share them with the crew. Fandango shows movies that are playing locally, plus, you can add a show time and pick a specific theater. If you and your friends are ready for a movie, just purchase your tickets directly in the app and head on over. It doesn't get easier than that.
Your must-haves?
These are the apps we think every new iPhone owner should download right out of the box, but there are so many more great apps that are worth downloading once you've gone around the block once or twice. To our regular readers - let the noobs know what you think are other great apps they should look into.
Updated December 2019: Updated with the latest apps.
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