Whether you’re a veteran iPhone user or new to Apple, it’s always exciting to insert your SIM into a new iPhone and start installing or migrating apps that make your phone fun and functional.
There are more than two million apps on the Apple Store, so where should you look first?
To help get you started, we’ve put together some iOS recommendations. Install these five apps as soon as you get an iPhone for a more engaging, fun iPhone experience.
Let’s dig in!
Table of Contents
Facebook Messenger
Having recently increased the app’s security protocols, you can use Facebook Messenger to stay in private contact with your network via text, video calls, or voice calls. Not to mention, share images and record voice messages too. In addition, there’s a Group Chat function to message more than one person at a time.
Plus, if you’re about to meet a friend, you can tell them where you are by sending them a map of your location. Pretty neat, right?
Key features
- Audio calling
- Video chat
- Add special effects to video chats, such as fun masks and animations
- Make mobile payments
- Play games
- “Vanish Mode,” where the messages that you’ve seen disappear after you exit the app
- Privacy settings give you control over who can reach you via the app
Pros
- It’s free, including unlimited messages, phone, and video calls
Cons
- It’s only compatible with iOS 11.0 or later
Mint
From the makers of TurboTax and QuickBooks comes the popular app Mint.
Aimed at anyone who wants to organize their finances, Mint is a money management app used by over 24 million people. You can manage account balances, budgets, monthly spending, your credit score, and net worth, all from the convenience of one place.
Key features
- Cancel any subscriptions you’re currently paying for, directly from within the Mint app
- File and track your IRS tax return
- Generate Equifax credit scores and credit reports for free
- Benefit from multi-factor authentication, Touch ID, and security scanning to keep your data safe
- Set up bill reminders and alerts when you overspend
Pros
- It’s easy and free to use
- You can calculate credit ratings for free
- You can sync with your external accounts
Cons
- Intrusive ads recommend financial products
- Currently, it only connects with US and Canadian financial institutions
Facetune by Lightricks
Created in 2014, Facetune consistently features in Apple’s lists of the most downloaded apps. With over 200 million downloads and a nearly five-star rating, it’s a fun way for you to retouch your selfies and images using various filters and editing features.
Lightricks has designed the app to allow people to express themselves and share their images confidently. The latest features include generative AI image editing, including the ability to remove unwanted elements, change hairstyles with a prompt, or replace backgrounds with original creations that you describe.
Key features
- With the photo editing adjustment tools, you can edit your skin to make it look smoother. You can choose how much you want to airbrush your skin, add glow to your complexion, and/or mattify your skin if it has a shiny/oily look. You can even override blotchy or red patches.
- Using the facial editing tool, you can whiten teeth with a swipe, conceal under-eye bags, swipe away zits, and copy and paste over more noticeable skin imperfections to match an even skin tone.
- The makeup tool allows you to minimize or maximize certain features, such as your eyebrows or lips. You can also use the color picker to contour your features and create a complete makeup look with Facetune’s lipstick, eyeshadow, and blush colors. Finally, you can add a little sparkle with some glitter for a fun party look.
Pros
- There’s a free version plus paid-for options that unlock added functions
- The interface is simple
- There are lots of built-in selfie editing tools
- Sharing your final edits on Facebook, Instagram, Tinder, and beyond is easy.
Cons
- You have to pay to use all its functions, but it’s worth the money overall.
Hopper
Here’s one for frequent travelers. Launched in 2009, Hopper has helped more than 70 million people find the best time to purchase a flight.
The app accomplishes this by analyzing billions of flight prices to present you with the cheapest fare. The app notifies users when the flight price they’re looking for reaches its lowest point. It also works similarly for those looking to book hotels and rental cars.
Key features
- You can either freeze a price or compare the most flexible options for your destination.
- It predicts future travel prices to inform users when the lowest prices will be
- The app offers “Carrot Cashbacks,” a loyalty program with discounts for future bookings.
- Flexible date and refundable ticket options are available
Pros
- You’ll get a $30 welcome bonus when you download the app
- It promises 95% pricing accuracy up to one year in advance
- No ads, no spam
- There’s a 14-day free trial
Cons
- Some users complain about poor customer service
- It’s free to download, but to create an account, prices start at $19 per month.
Manual
Suppose the iPhone camera is your go-to app. In that case, Manual helps you control all of the settings for your iPhone camera so that you can override automatic focus, shutter, and exposure compensation.
You can also save images directly onto your iPhone camera roll and use the rule of thirds grid to accomplish better image composition.
Key features
- You can save images in JPG, DNG, RAW, and HEIF format
- Focus zoom
- Access to a “rule of thirds” grid
- The app monitors image exposure levels in real-time
- Access to light and dark themes
Pros
- The rule of thirds grid helps you improve image quality
- You can switch between taking automatic and manual images
Cons
- Requires iOS 11 or later
- RAW files are only available on iPhone SE, 6, and above
- HELF files are only available on iPhone 7 and above
Are You Ready to Download the Best iPhone Apps?
There are thousands of iOS apps available for you to enjoy when trying out your new iPhone. We hope these provide you with a good starting point. Whichever apps you decide to install as soon as you get a new iPhone, we hope you have fun!
