Setting up a new Android phone is exciting, but with millions of apps in the Google Play Store, deciding which ones to install first can feel overwhelming. Rather than downloading randomly, Smart Setup prioritizes essential apps that enhance security, productivity, communication, and entertainment. This guide covers the 20 must-have Android apps that every new phone owner should install immediately—covering password management, messaging, navigation, photography, productivity, media, security, and lifestyle tools that transform your device into a powerful digital companion.
Security & Privacy Essentials
1. Bitwarden – Password Manager
The absolute first app to install on any new phone is a password manager, and Bitwarden stands as the best free option available. This open-source password manager securely stores all your credentials, credit cards, and sensitive information behind military-grade encryption. With a master password or biometric unlock, you access everything while maintaining total security.
Bitwarden generates complex passwords, auto-fills login forms across apps and browsers, and lets you share sensitive information securely with others. The two-factor authentication support adds additional security layers. Most importantly, if Bitwarden ever gets compromised, your passwords remain encrypted and useless to attackers. Install this before logging into anything else.
Free | Premium available
2. Google Authenticator – Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is non-negotiable for account security, and Google Authenticator provides essential protection. This app generates time-based authentication codes for your accounts, preventing hackers from accessing accounts even if they steal your password.
Simply scan QR codes from websites where you enable 2FA, and the app generates new codes every 30 seconds. The setup takes minutes, and the protection lasts forever. Install this immediately and enable 2FA on critical accounts—email, banking, social media.
Free
3. Norton 360 Antivirus & Security
Comprehensive security protection comes from Norton 360, which stopped 100% of malware attacks in independent testing and earned top rankings across protection and usability. Norton combines antivirus, malware detection, VPN, password manager, and dark web monitoring in one cohesive package.
The real-time protection scans apps before you install them, defending against threats before they infect your device. Identity theft protection monitors dark web activity for stolen personal information. The VPN adds privacy during WiFi browsing.
Paid | Free trial available
4. NordVPN – Privacy & Security
While not strictly essential, NordVPN becomes necessary if you frequently connect to public WiFi networks. This VPN encrypts your internet traffic, preventing hackers and network operators from monitoring your activity.
With over 5,200+ servers across 60+ countries, NordVPN maintains high speeds for streaming and browsing. The built-in ad blocker reduces data usage and blocks malicious sites. Double VPN routes traffic through two servers for maximum privacy. Users consistently rate it 4.3/5 on Google Play.
Paid with a 30-day money-back guarantee
Communication Apps
5. WhatsApp – Messaging & Calling
WhatsApp dominates global messaging with over 3 billion users, making it nearly essential for staying connected worldwide. This app provides free messaging, voice calls, video calls, and file sharing over an internet connection rather than SMS.
End-to-end encryption protects all conversations, even from WhatsApp itself. Recent updates enable multi-device login so you can use WhatsApp on multiple phones simultaneously. The app is beautifully designed, intuitive, and feature-rich with stickers, voice messages, and reaction support.
Free
6. Telegram – Messaging with Advanced Features
Telegram offers a compelling WhatsApp alternative with superior multi-device support and larger group chat capabilities. Unlike WhatsApp, you can use Telegram simultaneously on multiple smartphones without workarounds. Create groups with up to 200,000 members or channels with unlimited subscribers.
The app emphasizes security and speed, optimized for weak mobile connections. Powerful photo and video editing tools, animated stickers, and fully customizable themes provide personalization options. Secret chats enable end-to-end encryption for sensitive conversations.
Free
Navigation & Mapping
7. Google Maps – Navigation & Exploration
While typically pre-installed on Android phones, Google Maps deserves emphasis as an essential app that transforms your device into a GPS navigation system. Real-time traffic updates route you around congestion, explore nearby restaurants and businesses, save favorite locations, and discover new places.
Offline map downloading enables navigation without an internet connection when traveling internationally. The real-time transit information helps navigate public transportation systems.
Free
Photography & Media
8. Snapseed – Photo Editing
Snapseed from Google provides professional photo editing capabilities with an approachable interface. Essential editing tools like crop, straighten, exposure, and color correction work beautifully. Instagram-like filters provide one-tap aesthetic enhancements without overwhelming complexity.
The selective editing tools let you adjust specific image areas rather than the entire photo. RAW image support enables advanced post-processing for photography enthusiasts. Best of all, it’s completely free.
Free
9. Pocket Casts – Podcast Listening
After Google Podcasts sunset, Pocket Casts emerged as the best podcast app, combining a beautiful design with core functionality. This app makes discovering, subscribing to, and managing your podcast library intuitive.
The discovery feed recommends new shows based on listening history, and account creation enables syncing across devices. Cloud save captures your listening position, so you continue from where you left off.
Paid | Limited free version available
10. VLC – Media Player
VLC serves as the universal media player for virtually any video or audio format. This free app handles codecs that native Android players cannot, making it invaluable for playing diverse media files. Subtitle support with customizable styling accommodates various languages.
Free
Productivity & Organization
11. Google Keep – Note-Taking
Google Keep provides simple, reliable note-taking with visual updates and powerful features. Create notes, checklists, and voice memos that sync instantly across all your devices. The 12 color options let you organize notes by category at a glance.
Subtasks within checklists enable detailed project planning, and Drive integration seamlessly saves important notes to your cloud storage. The simplicity makes it the most-used note-taking app for many Android users.
Free
12. Todoist – Task Management
Todoist transforms task management through natural language processing that understands commands like “Submit report every Monday at 9 am #work p1”. The app automatically sets recurring tasks with correct project assignment and priority. Android widgets provide quick task addition without opening the full app.
Trusted by major companies including Amazon, Disney, and Facebook, Todoist proves its reliability through enterprise adoption. Location-based reminders alert you about tasks when arriving at specific places.
Free | Premium offers advanced features
13. Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Drive, Calendar)
Google Workspace comprises interconnected productivity tools that work seamlessly together. Gmail handles email management with smart compose, suggesting relevant responses based on your writing style. Google Docs, Sheets, and Drive enable collaborative document creation and cloud storage.
The integrated notifications intelligently prioritize alerts across all apps. Smart storage management automatically downloads frequently accessed files for offline access. Cross-app intelligence creates events in Calendar from Gmail and suggests relevant files in Meet. Android widgets for each app provide quick access to critical features.
Free tier | Business plans available
14. Notion – Project Management & Notes
Notion provides ultimate customization for your organization by building blocks you arrange into personalized systems. Create databases, project management boards, wikis, and CRM systems entirely from scratch. The customization depth appeals to users wanting complete control over their organizational system.
Free | Premium subscription available
15. Any.do – To-Do & Reminders
Any.do keeps you organized through beautiful to-do lists with customizable tasks and reminders. Create multiple lists for different areas of your life, and the intuitive interface makes task management feel effortless. Recurring tasks handle regular obligations automatically.
Free | Premium offers advanced features
Lifestyle & Utilities
16. LocalSend – File Transfer
LocalSend simplifies file sharing between your phone and computer, tablet, or other devices through local network transfer. This free, open-source app works entirely offline over WiFi without relying on cloud servers or internet connections. The interface is clean and ad-free, making transfers fast and private.
Perfect for sharing photos from your phone to your computer, documents between devices, or large files that email cannot accommodate. Over 1 million downloads and a 4.7/5 rating validate its reliability.
Free
17. Libby – Free Library eBooks
Libby lets you borrow eBooks and audiobooks directly from your local library for free, just like checking out physical books. Simply verify your library card or sign up for an ecard online. The discovery features help find new reads, and seamless syncing saves your reading progress.
Free
18. Credit Karma – Financial Management
Credit Karma provides free credit score monitoring without paying a penny. Check your score, get personalized approval odds for credit products, and monitor identity theft protection. Understanding your credit score empowers financial decisions and alerts you to potential fraud.
Free
19. Robinhood – Investment & Trading
Robinhood makes stock trading and cryptocurrency investment accessible with low barriers to entry. The straightforward interface demystifies investment, allowing fractional shares so you don’t need thousands of dollars to begin. Commission-free trading eliminates fees that traditional brokers charge.
Free | Some features require a deposit
20. ProCam X – Advanced Camera
ProCam X unlocks your phone’s camera potential with professional controls typically unavailable in standard apps. Adjust ISO, white balance, shutter speed, and other parameters for photography enthusiasts. RAW photo support enables advanced post-processing unmatched by automatic modes.
Paid
Installation Strategy for New Phones
Prioritize installation in this order:
- Security first – Bitwarden, Google Authenticator, Norton/antivirus
- Communication – WhatsApp, Telegram
- Productivity – Google Keep, Gmail, Drive
- Navigation & Media – Google Maps, VLC
- Utility apps – LocalSend, File manager
This approach secures your device and communications immediately while gradually adding features.
Tips for App Setup Success
Sync Your Google Account: Upon setup, link your Google account to automatically restore previously installed apps, contacts, calendar events, and passwords. This saves tremendous setup time.
Enable Auto-Updates: Configure app auto-update settings so security patches install automatically. Outdated apps expose security vulnerabilities.
Organize Folders: Create home screen folders organizing apps by category—Productivity, Communication, Entertainment. This keeps your home screen clean and apps easily accessible.
Review App Permissions: After installing apps, review what permissions they request. Deny unnecessary permissions like camera access for text editors.
Use Backup Services: Enable Google Photos, Google Drive, and other backup services to protect your data. If your phone is lost or damaged, you’ll recover everything.
Conclusion
These 20 must-have Android apps provide the foundation for a secure, productive, and enjoyable smartphone experience. Starting with security and communication tools, then adding productivity and lifestyle apps, creates a device perfectly suited to your needs.
The beauty of Android lies in customization—you can personalize your phone exactly to match your priorities. These 20 apps represent the starting point from which you discover additional apps tailored to your unique interests and lifestyle.
Install these apps today, and you’ll transform your new Android phone into a powerful digital companion that enhances every aspect of your day. Your device is only as good as the apps it contains—choose wisely and enjoy years of reliable, secure, productive mobile computing.