Mobile Apps: Buying Advice, Tips, and News
The Apple App Store and Google Play are packed with millions of mobile apps, but only a fraction are truly worth your time. Our expertly curated guide highlights the best apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices across dozens of essential categories, featuring the standout tools, games, and services that deserve a spot on your phone or tablet.
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Our Favorite iPhone Apps for 2026Your iPhone is only as powerful as the apps you use—so how do you find the best ones in the crowded Apple App Store? We've done the work for you, with our top 113 app picks across 12 essential categories.
By Jordan Minor
Latest Mobile App Stories
iScanner goes beyond basic scanning with PDF editing, signatures, annotations, file management, watermarks, and PIN-protected folders and files. And today only, it's 87% off.
A video showcasing the 'Duo-Man' app has gone viral for its ability to turn Apple's foldable iPhone into a retro music player.
From toning down Liquid Glass to bringing back the battery percentage, these simple setting tweaks make iOS so much better.
From Bach to modern favorites, Flowkey Classic lets you learn songs while using interactive tools to work through the parts that give you trouble. And right now, a five-year membership is 91% off.
Instead of letting a growing reading list collect dust, Headway gives you a quicker way to work through the ideas inside those books. Right now, lifetime access is 83% off.
Pok Pok gives your child a set of ad-free digital toys that are as educational as they are fun. There are no in-app purchases, either, and a lifetime subscription is on sale for 76% off.
Learn everything from basic notes and chords to advanced arrangements with interactive lessons designed to help you build confidence at the piano. Grab 5 years of Flowkey for 91% off!
The Classic Plan includes every course and exercise, plus more than 1,000 classical and public-domain songs. This 92% off offer ends after September 10.
Roots Daily Reflections that translates classical philosophy for a modern audience in short, accessible lessons you can finish in 2-3 minutes every day. And it's only $30 right now!
Micro teams of just one or two members have been cut down by 50%. Meanwhile, only 1% of Uber's total workforce will work remotely.
Google also puts Gemini Live to work in Android's Guided Vision tool to describe the things in front of you, and adds a setting to help people feel less motion sickness.
If a driver opts in, parents can tap a notification and begin streaming their teen's ride.
This AI-powered scanning app handles documents, IDs, and receipts all from your phone's regular camera. And right now, a lifetime subscription is 85% off!
Carrier Pidge and Roost Social intentionally delay message delivery to emulate one of the oldest ways of communicating across long distances.
The Flowkey app listens while users play and provides real-time feedback on notes and chords. The subscription works across laptops, phones, and tablets, and it's yours for 92% off!
Cache is all the data your phone stores locally, but it can build up over time and slow things down. Here's how to clear your cache and start fresh.
The ride-hailing company is partnering with drone delivery provider Zipline to pull off the ambitious goal which will involve Uber Eats.
Flowkey listens while you play and gives you feedback in real time. You can study the masters or just practice your finger placement, and a five-year subscription is on sale now for 92% off!
Trim down or bulk up, run faster, or bike farther—no matter how you exercise, our favorite workout apps help you stay committed to physical fitness.
Tired of pulling out your ID at the airport? You can add your driver's license and passport to your phone for easy scanning at TSA checkpoints and other supported locations.
