Android Apps
1. There are many Apps, that fall into specific groups, listed in the sub-pages.
2. The Table Of Contents, below, covers a number of individual topics.
1. There are many Apps, that fall into specific groups, listed in the sub-pages.
2. The Table Of Contents, below, covers a number of individual topics.
Groups included in sub-pages of this page
Table Of Content for this page
The Android Application Package (APK) is a file format used by the Android operating system for distribution and installation of Apps and Middleware.
Click here for a useful guide from AndroidPit that explains more about APKs and how you use them.
The Google Play Store is the default place to go for most users when they want to get an App or update existing ones. However the Play Store is just another App and it is possible for things to go wrong in some way [accidental deletion or corruption] and you will need to reinstall it.
Click here for a useful guide from AndroidPit will show you all you need to know, along with tips for installing Apps from other sources.
If you would like to know which Play Store App purchases have been made over the years for a given account [perhaps using different smartphones] then open the Play Store App or web page.
If using the App menu (via the three hamburger, or swiping from the left) tap on Account, then Order history
You can now scroll through your accounts entire purchase / download history.
N.B. This includes ALL devices ever owned by an individual user-id [your email] and may include Apps that are not currently installed on your current device but are still registered to your account and eligible for downloading.
Click here for Tips & Tricks by AndroidPit.
Here are a some links to AndroidPit pages that discuss a few trusted places you might like to explore for downloading other Apps - some paid for, but most are free.
Get your FREE Apps from Google Play Store, Amazon and AppGratis.
Best 6 places for Apps [other than Google Play Store]
If your device doesn’t have the Play Store then here are some other sources:
Amazon Appstore: This is on Kindle Fire tablets, but you can install it on an Android device, as well. Because it’s backed by Amazon, it’s a pretty safe app store to use.
APKPure: Similar to the Play Store, it has many of the same apps, including Google’s. It’s also a popular way to download region-locked apps and games.
F-Droid: An old Android app store that’s specifically for open-source apps. It’s not very big, but it does have some nice niche offerings.
Unfortunately the integrity of some Apps obtained from the Google Play Store, or some of the other 'trusted' sources, can occasionally be compromised. If in any doubt about the safety of an App you intend to install you should always research it's authenticity first.
Click here to see an Independent article about Fortnite that is an example of rogue Apps that can harm your device.
If your device starts to run out of space you can run the the built in cleanup process. Open Settings and select Storage then in the Storage window tap the FREE UP SPACE button. A new window will appear, listing all files that Android Pie suggests can be cleaned, that you can scroll through to make sure you're okay about them being deleted.
You will notice that they are listed under two categories:
Downloads [the content of your Downloads folder] and Infrequently Used Apps [apps not used in the last year]
Double check that you are happy with everything listed before giving the go ahead to delete as the list could contain Apps that you may not have used directly but are run automatically by other Apps such as a printer service plugin.
All Android devices come with a selection of Apps that the manufacture has seen fit to install, some good and some bad. Unfortunately you may not be able to remove the latter that is commonly referred to as 'bloatware'. However although you can't physically remove these Apps you may find you can 'hide' them from screen to cut down clutter, but unfortunately they will continue to occupy physical space on your device. Click here for a Google Support page that explains how to delete or disable Apps.
If there is one App we all need then it has to be a good, fast, reliable browser. Each to their own opinion but click here for more information on the very popular Google Chrome as well as mention of some similar products.
If you would like fast access for to up to sixteen of your favourite Apps you should try TUFFS that comes in free and paid for versions. Once you tailor it to your requirements you launch your favourites from any screen by simply dragging down the notifications shade and tapping them.
Click here to visit the developer's website where there is a lot more on offer.
In the same way as computer hackers try to get at your PC, laptop etc. there are folk out there trying to steal information held on your smartphone which makes it essential to protect it from their efforts with a trusted security product.
The Google Play Store is full of products to help [you can try searching for a keyword such as security or antivirus] but one example of a good free product you may like to try is 360 Security.
Click here for an AndroidPit article that discusses a range of popular products.
Note you should only install and run one such product at a time to avoid conflicts. So if you are testing out a few remember to delete each one you reject before going on to install the next one.
Click here for an AndroidPit article about fast battery drain and tips on how to make your battery last longer.
As you become familiar with the preinstalled Apps on your smartphone, plus those that you download yourself, you will soon find you have a preference for certain ones because they suite your purpose better than others.
Whether you like an App or not is all down to personal choice so it really is just a matter of exploring what is available and gaining your own experience and views.
This page has a list of stand out Apps for communicating, streaming content and getting organised.
Most versions of Android come with a basic file manager to let you view what is installed on your smartphone but after you've amassed lots of photo's, music etc. they can become more difficult to manage.
Again the Google Play Store has many products available to help and one worth mentioning is the Astro File Manager that has lots of extra features you may like.
Click here for a comprehensive AndroidPit review called "How to open and play all file types on Android" that covers the different types of file you are likely to encounter on your Android device and a selection of Apps for managing them.
Sometimes a pointer to useful information is all you need - the Sunday Times supplement has featured some popular EVs and listed Apps to help get the most from them. All free for Android and iOS
ZAP-MAP : Over 6,000 charging points which uses filters to narrow down results for compatibility with specific EV models
ELECTRIC HIGHWAY : Over 300 fast chargerpoints on British motorways
POD POINT : Over 2,000 charging points in British supermarket car parks etc.
GOOGLE MAPS : Search for "EV charging stations"
PLUGSURFING : For continental motoring
Click here to learn how to capture information being shown on your phone [both visible on-screen and the bits off-screen that you have scroll to] and how to create videos for sharing.
Click here to see the complete list of Apps that Microsoft have made available in the Play Store.
Click here to for a TechRepublic article to learn how to easily share files across devices.
If you would like to know more about what is going on in your device then take a look at this AndroidPit article called Best Apps for monitoring system performance.
See these two articles from AndroidPit and Pocket Lint for tips and tricks on how you can ‘master’ your Android device.
See also the “Voice Commands” entry below.
See this TechRepublic article for information about the App that does more than the standard Android backup system you get from Google. The free version has 1 Gig allowance of online storage - if you need more you can opt to pay for it. All of your personal data and files listed below can be backed up [you select the bits you want] but if you just go for the three entries highlighted below [and let Google look after the rest] then you should be well within the free 1 Gig allowance …
Contacts
Call log
Messages
Photos
Videos
WhatsApp data (if applicable)
Music
Documents
Calendars
System Settings
Browser data
This AndroidPit article shows you how to manage your phone contacts list and recover any that you may have deleted inadvertently.
Read this HowToGeek article to learn how to clear cache that fills up on your Android [or IOS] device.
Click here for an AndroidPit article called "Evernote tips and tricks: become a master of productivity."
Click here for a video from Simpletivity called "Let me show you 5 tips to get the most out of Evernote."
This links to the Play Store description of what the App is all about.
Read this AndroidPit article to find 17 games you can download and play anywhere.
Read this AndroidPit article to learn about gesture controlsthat you’ve probably never heard about.
Get this App for your smartphone and use it to scan any document, page, picture etc. Read this HowToGeek article that shows you how to automatically turn whatever you have scanned into searchable PDF files that will be stored in your Drive.
Read this AndroidPitt article to learn 10 great features you can use daily to help you get the most out of your Smartphone.
Read this AndroidPitt article to learn how to keep your for Android phone running like new. Also has some useful advice on those Apps to be avoided, and those that are good, as well handy tips for looking after settings on different manufacturer's phones and different versions of the Android OS. A good read !
See this App that lets you to make quick notes by simply dictating them. There is also optional manual typing / amending of text. The resultant notes can be saved in the App till later but you can also 'Share' them with other compatible Apps like Dropbox, Gmail, Wunderlist etc.
See this AndroidPit article for a pretty useful App from Google (that is available for both Android & IOS) to easily let you digitise old paper photos [or anything else you fancy, like business cards, receipts, recipes etc. etc.] for a professional job.
See this PC-Mag article for an honest review.
See this AndroidPit article and get snapping !
See this AndroidPit article and get snapping !
Fancy a Secret Button button for your phone then see this YouTube clip for a plug in device that gives you a smart solution.
Downloaded for Nvidia Shield from Google Play Store .o. Used a "Google Search" link that it provides to look for the teatv.net site from which you can download the apk and run it to install "TeaTV" - working fine.
See this AndroidPit clip for some great musical choices.
See this AndroidPit clip for instructions on how to use the windowing feature that was introduced in Android 7 [N] and above versions.
One of the many streaming Apps available but this one is special as it has key benefits for football fans by providing access to the Rangers and Celtic club streaming sites - unfortunately connection speed / quality can vary at times - it also uses the "Go Player" by default but you can link to alternatives like "MX Player" if you wish.
See this HowToGeek article and this AndroidPit article to learn how to use this great feature.
Tap on the wee microphone (on the right hand side of the Google search box) and say "show me what you got" to obtain a list (over 100 and growing) of what voice commands are currently available. Or read the full story in this AndroidPit article on a larger screen if you prefer.
See this Youtube clip to learn about VPNs and how to use a FREE app that gives you easy control over regions and how you access data from them.
See this AndroidPit article to learn how to use your computer to control your Android phone - albeit over a USB cable connection - not sure why you would need, or use, this - but it's quite clever in it’s own way.
This YouTube video shows you how to set up a link to an ‘open’ Wifi hotspot in another country. There may be a small initial charge for data usage during the setup process - but thereafter everything is FREE.
Quite often seemingly harmless Apps, that appear to work fine, can hide hidden features and do all kinds of bad things in the background without your permission.
Always 'google' an App before installing it [whether it is from the Play Store or from another source] to ensure that there are no negative comments associated with it.
From time to time vloggers on YouTube identify such Apps and recommend that you don't use them and / or remove them from your device straight away if you have already installed a copy.
Here are some that have hidden features and should be avoided / removed ...
Showbox
ES File Explorer
Dolphin Browser
Free VPN Master [or indeed any FREE VPN]
Hotspot
Cleanmaster [or similar with variations on the name]
Have tried Nitro TV and used it to install the Firestreams add-on. Was not impressed with either and have removed them both.