Setting up a new Android phone is always exciting, but once you’re done with the initial setup, installing your favorite apps is usually the next step. These apps essentially set the tone for your entire experience. While stock apps cover the basics, there’s no shortage of free tools that can significantly boost productivity, enhance privacy, and improve usability.
From automating routine tasks and sharing files seamlessly to handling image editing and uncovering hidden device features, there are apps that aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re essential. I install them on every phone I test or use, and they consistently make my Android experience smarter, faster, and more efficient.
Batch editing made simple
Most Android phones already come with Google Photos or a built-in Gallery app, and they do a solid job when it comes to basic editing like cropping, rotating, or adding filters. But what about when you need something more practical, like quickly resizing an image so it’s small enough to email, compressing a photo to save storage, or converting a picture into a different format?
Image Toolbox is a free, open-source app that acts like a Swiss Army knife for your photos. Beyond basic edits, it lets you strip out metadata for privacy, add watermarks for online sharing, or even stitch images together into collages. It also includes filters, but its real strength lies in its batch editing feature, which lets you apply changes to dozens of photos at once instead of adjusting them one by one. For anyone who works with images regularly, Image Toolbox feels indispensable.
Create shortcuts for everyday tasks
Activity Launcher is one of those underrated apps that makes your phone feel smarter and more efficient. It lets you create shortcuts to specific menus and hidden app features, so instead of navigating through endless settings screens, you can get straight to what you need.
For example, I check Notification History quite often on my phone. Normally, I’d have to navigate through Settings > Notifications > Advanced Settings > Notification History. That’s four taps deep every single time. With Activity Launcher, I can place a shortcut right on your home screen and access it with a single tap.
You can create shortcuts to battery usage stats, developer options, or even hidden activities within apps themselves. Simply tap an app inside Activity Launcher, browse the available activities, and pick the one you want. If the labels look a little cryptic, you can quickly test them using the Launch activity option.
Use macros to simplify your life
If there’s one app that can instantly make your phone feel smarter, it’s MacroDroid. You set up simple “if this, then that” rules, called macros, and let your phone handle the rest. For example, you could set it to automatically turn off notifications when you open the camera app, silence alerts at bedtime, or launch your music app whenever you plug in your headphones.
What makes MacroDroid so user-friendly is how approachable it is compared to other automation apps. The interface guides you step by step: choose a trigger, select an action, and you’re done. There’s even a large library of community-shared macros in the Templates tab if you want ideas or don’t feel like starting from scratch. While the app is no longer completely free, you can still use it at no cost by watching ads.
Fast, cross-platform file sharing
While Android already has Quick Share for sending files to other Android phones and even a Windows PC, LocalSend is an open-source app that solves all my file-sharing headaches. It’s completely free and works across every major platform, including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and even Google TV. I make a point of installing it on every device I own.
Sharing a photo, video, or document is ridiculously simple. Just select the file, choose the nearby device you want to send it to, and the recipient taps to accept. The file appears instantly. It feels like Quick Share or AirDrop, but without locking you into a single brand ecosystem.
Discovering open-source apps
F-Droid is like a hidden treasure chest for Android users who love open-source apps. Unlike the Google Play Store, it exclusively lists apps that are both privacy-friendly and open-source. It’s a fantastic place to discover hidden gems you won’t find on the Play Store. I use it to install and update some of my favorite open-source apps, like URLCheck, KeePassDX, Open Camera, and more.
Everything on the platform is vetted for privacy, so you know you’re not getting unwanted trackers bundled in your downloads. For anyone who enjoys exploring apps beyond the mainstream, F-Droid is a must-have.
Installing the right apps can completely transform how you use your Android phone. While the apps you choose will depend on how you use your device, most of the options above can boost productivity, simplify everyday tasks, and enhance privacy—all without any extra cost. So, go ahead, make sure you try them once.
