A very important part of my job is doing cell phone analysis. Every cell phone I have available for review is considered a personal cell phone, so I have the SIM, but I also configure it as my personal Android cell phone. This is a process that takes some time, but it allows me to give the best possible review of the experience and the battery.

If you have bought a new cell phone or been given a new cell phone, let me tell you what they are. Apps I installed on my Android phone when I first started it. This is a very personal recommendation, but you may find something you like.

No, I don’t use backup

The first thing is that no, I don’t restore a backup when I start a new mobile phone. It might be worse this way but the truth is I like having control over my device and zero experience. If there’s one thing I found interesting about my previous phone, it’s the photos, and they’re already in Google Photos, so I don’t really lose anything.

Also, since my contacts and passwords are kept in my Google account, I cannot restore the backup. I complete the initial configuration by logging into my Google account, disable tracking and location options from all companies…and I go to the Play Store to download apps.

Google keyboard

This list is in no particular order but The first three apps I will tell you about are the ones I always install as soon as you launch a new mobile phone. If the terminal doesn’t have a Google keyboard by default, I go to the Store to download the Google or Gboard keyboard.

Yes, I know there are very good keyboards, but Google’s seems to be the best due to its layout and size (not the most complete, mind you). I’ve gotten very used to it and it’s the first keyboard I installed, as it’s vital for configuring both the phone and apps and for daily use.

Telegram

The second is Telegram. In your case it may be WhatsApp, but in mine it is a very secondary program because I use Telegram as my multipurpose app.

Both personal ordering system and mini cloud storage system are reminder system., the way to transfer photos to my computer without sacrificing quality, and of course my favorite messaging app. This is usually the second thing I install on a new mobile phone to see if someone tells me something.

edge

The third thing is usually Edge. Yes, although I use Chrome, I also use the Microsoft browser (which is already pre-installed) because I have a lot of passwords there because that’s the browser I use on the desktop, so it’s great for me.

It also allows me to get Microsoft Rewards, so I use this browser a lot right now. As soon as they remove this points program, I will probably go back to Chrome because I am also very comfortable using the Google browser.

music streaming app

And one thing that can’t be missing on my phone… music. I use Apple Music a lot, but I also love YouTube Music. I have a premium account on both systems and will most likely have some music playing in the background while I finish installing the rest of the apps.

There are many music streaming apps here, so in your case it could be Spotify, Tidal or others.

instagram

Let’s continue slowly with what I’ve already downloaded, but in no particular order. Instagram is my perfect social network. I’m generally not that interested in posting stories, but I consume them, talk to my friends, and most of all, watch cat videos.

I’m currently using Threads too, but it still hasn’t clicked for it to be one of the first apps I downloaded, and in fact on the last two phones I tried it out I remembered to download it almost immediately. . But Instagram cannot be missing.

idea

And Notion is one of the most important. It’s my agenda, my calendar, my work system, and where I put my ideas to create content. I use Notion on the desktop version every day for writing and editing, but I also think it’s an essential app on mobile.

This is because I often come up with ideas when I’m not in front of the computer, and Notion is a way for me to write them down quickly. Moreover,I liked the widget and most of the time I start articles directly from a blank Notion page on mobile.

Google Docs

Now, Notion needs an Internet connection, so if you don’t have one… it won’t let you type. If I don’t have Google Docs preloaded, I can use it to take notes or even use it to help me shape articles later. write entire articles while traveling.

It’s also online but has an offline mode that automatically syncs you to your cloud account when it finds a connection.

Google Keep

While I can make lists in Notion, I prefer to keep it as a work app. If I want to make shopping lists, order lists, or a daily to-do list, I use Google Keep.

It may not come installed on your mobile phone and I recommend you to try it as it works great. Also their new widgets work great.

waze

Although Google Maps comes pre-installed, my favorite app for travel is Waze. It’s an app I always download, configure and play with, probably once a month, but I want to have everything ready in the app when I get in the car, so it’s always one of those I load when I pull out a mobile phone. .

Authenticator

Let’s move on to a topic that you may not know about but is really useful in terms of security. Whether it’s Microsoft or Google (it’s a shame to share the same name), Authenticator is a great 2FA implementation.

When I can protect my passwords with two factors, I do it through these applications because More secure than SMS or biometric methods.

instant seed

I love photography, but I rarely like the final version of photos in the camera app for my personal use. So, when my phone allows, and I repeat, for photos for personal use, I shoot in RAW mode and then edit in Snapseed.

It’s an app that Google bought a few years ago and hasn’t been updated with significant new features for many years, but It is still a powerful application for retouching imagesIt is very easy to use and performs very well on mobile phones of all ranges.

instant seed

Snapseed is a complete professional photo editor developed by Google.

Download for free

Streaming video apps

This happens like with music applications, each installs its own application. In my case, I have Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, Dazn, Skyshowtime, and HBO Max, at least until the price of one of them increases again and leaves me off my list.

There are many applications but I also consume a lot of content on my mobile phone The good thing is that the passwords are saved in my Google account so I don’t have to remember them. log in because it is almost automatic.

And no, I don’t have a password manager because I like the default Google app.

Just watch

I need it with so many streaming apps An app that tells me where to see what I want to see. Just Watch is perfect for this because, in addition to letting you make lists of things to watch, it lets you know at a glance which streaming platform the TV show or movie you want to watch is on.

Just watch

On JustWatch, you can easily browse your favorite movies or TV series to see if they’re available on your favorite providers.

Download for free

In addition to showing you what platform it’s on, you’ll also be told if it’s available to rent, buy, or if it’s on the content schedule you can view through a basic subscription. And yes, there are times when I crave movies on many platforms that are not available on any of them.

Xbox Game Pass

In addition to watching a lot of TV series on my mobile phone, I also play more and more games in the cloud. I love Luna and GeForce Now, but they’re not the apps I install on every new device. Xbox Game Pass is one of the first applications I installed on my new phone.

You need an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription It allows you to play more than 100 games unlimitedly and without installing anything. Just choose what you want to play and enjoy. And yes, on Netflix, I also take advantage of the games section to enjoy the little gems that come to the catalog, but they need to be installed.

Xbox Game Pass

Get unlimited access to over 100 great games, including highly anticipated Xbox exclusives, for just a small portion each month.

Download for free

miDGT, My Citizen Folder and Cl@ve

Two indispensable applications are miDGT and My Citizen Folder. The latter allows me to carry out and consult on various matters, and the former seems very important for me not to carry my identity with me all the time. You can check the points with miDGT, for example, but the most important thing is that your driver’s license is there.

And I think Cl@ve needs no introduction in Spain. It is an essential application to perform many administrative operations. and it is always good to have it configured on your new mobile phone.

Renfe

I don’t usually take the train as much as I used to, but I have and configured the Renfe app (in Spain this may be different in your country) is always a good idea. This way, I have the loyalty program, my data, my Renfe card and my tickets.

It wasn’t one of the first things I set up before, but I realized that if I didn’t do this in the initial configuration of the phone, I would forget and have to fiddle around when I went to use it. downloading, entering passwords, etc. So a few years ago I decided that this would be one of my first downloads on my mobile phone.

bank app

And more of the same with the bank. Since I use my mobile phone for everything, I think it’s important to configure the banking app initially. In addition to checking finances, setting up a payment method is also crucial. Wallet works for this too and is also the first thing I configured.

Alexa and Google Home

Last but not least, Alexa and Google Home. I automated almost my entire house with Alexa and Google Home and these apps are always one of the first apps on my system. It’s obvious why, but their widgets are also very good and very important to me on a daily basis.

A trick where you have to constantly install the same apps

These are the top 20 apps I download when I get a new phone. You probably think these are not very exotic applicationsbut I really use mobile phones like everyone else and these are always the first ones I download because these are the ones I want to have on hand and the ones I configure from the beginning.

Then obviously I’m installing games and apps to try; some like ChatGPT, but the basic ones are what I described in the paragraphs above. And… no, I’m not looking for them one by one, as the Play Store makes it easy for us to navigate to the repository of the apps we download.

To do this, simply go to the store and select your avatar in the top right. Click on ‘My apps & games’ and in the new window you should go to the ‘Manage’ tab. There, select ‘Not installed’ and tick the individual apps you want to install; so apps are downloaded in bulk and you don’t have to browse the Store by downloading them one by one.

I’m happy if it was useful to you or if you discovered an application. And if you’re buying a new cell phone, enjoy it.

Xataka on Android | How to unlock and recover your Android if you forgot the pattern or password?