here is a great app for removing digital distractions:
https://freedom.to/
Freedom: Internet, App and Website Blocker
2011-01-01
Freedom to
<div><div>
<section>
<h2>
Control distractions. <br />Focus on what matters.
</h2>
<p>
Social media, shopping, videos, games...​these apps and websites are scienti­fically engineered to keep you hooked and coming back. The cost to your productivity, ability to focus, and general well-being can be staggering. Freedom gives you control.
</p>
<p>
Start your free trial today!
</p>
</section>
<section>
<h2>As seen in</h2>
<div>
<a href="/press">
</a>
</div>
</section>
<div>
<h2>Freedom blocks distracting websites and apps</h2>
<p>
Use Freedom to block distractions so you can get your work done.<br />
Block what you want, when you want, and be more productive.
</p>
</div>
<section>
<h2>
How Freedom is better
</h2>
<p>
Whether you use Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, or Chrome, Freedom can sync blocks across all of your devices.
Sit down to work knowing you're completely in control of distractions.
</p>
</section>
<div>
<h2> Schedule your<br />
focused time
</h2>
<p>
Start sessions on-the-fly or schedule your Freedom time in advance. Plan out sessions that recur daily or weekly. With Freedom, you’ll make time for productivity and things that matter most.
</p>
<ol>
<li>
Select Your Devices
</li>
<li>
Choose Sites &amp; Apps
</li>
<li>
Set Your Schedule
</li>
</ol>
</div>
<section>
<h2>Used by incredibly productive people</h2>
<div><p>
Freedom users report gaining an average of 2.5 hours of productive time each day.
We're proud to have helped our users reclaim 10,000,000 hours in the past year.
</p><p>
No wonder Freedom is used by people at the world's best companies and universities.
</p></div>
</section>
<section>
<h2>Hear from satisfied…</h2>
<div>
<div>
<p>
</p>
<div>
<p><a href="https://freedom.to/blog/tag/writers">
Writers on Freedom
</a></p><p>
“When I click that Freedom butterfly, I write.”
</p>
<div>
<p>Eloisa James</p>
<p>NYT Bestselling Author</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p>
</p>
<div>
<p><a href="https://freedom.to/blog/tag/writers">
Writers on Freedom
</a></p><p>
“Wow. I’ve written 14 novels and countless short stories with Freedom on.”
</p>
<div>
<p>J.T. Ellison</p>
<p>NYT Bestselling Author</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p>
</p>
<div>
<p><a href="/">
Researchers on Freedom
</a></p><p>
“I use Freedom and an online timer to streamline my work sessions.”
</p>
<div>
<p>Amber Jane Davis</p>
<p>Political Scientist + PhD Coach</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p>
</p>
<div>
<p><a href="https://freedom.to/blog/tag/writers">
Writers on Freedom
</a></p><p>
“I use Freedom religiously to keep me on task, both on my phone and my laptop.”
</p>
<div>
<p>Jessie Kwak</p>
<p>Author + Freelance Copywriter</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p>
</p>
<div>
<p><a href="https://freedom.to/blog/tag/illustrator">
Illustrators on Freedom
</a></p><p>
“My first kids’ book was completed directly due to the extra hours Freedom gave me.”
</p>
<div>
<p>John Kovalic</p>
<p>Cartoonist + Illustrator, <br />Creator of Dork Tower</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p>
</p>
<div>
<p><a href="https://freedom.to/blog/tag/coaches">
Coaches on Freedom
</a></p><p>
“Freedom saves my life. I could never have written my latest book (ironically on topic of attention) without this life-saving app.”
</p>
<div>
<p>Neen James</p>
<p>Attention Expert, <br />Author of “Attention Pays”</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p>
</p>
<div>
<p><a href="https://freedom.to/blog/tag/entrepreneurs">
Entrepreneurs on Freedom
</a></p><p>
“The Freedom app disciplines me when I don’t have the human strength to do so.”
</p>
<div>
<p>Maura Chanz</p>
<p>Actress, Artist, Entrepreneur, <br />Founder of Tribe</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p>
</p>
</div>
<div>
<p>
</p>
<div>
<p><a href="https://freedom.to/blog/tag/writers">
Writers on Freedom
</a></p><p>
“I honestly cannot fathom being able to write as much as I do without the help of Freedom!”
</p>
<div>
<p>Farrah Rochon</p>
<p>Bestselling author</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<section>
<h2>
Stay focused on what matters with Freedom
</h2>
<a href="/sign-up">
Get started now
</a>
<p>
Join over 2,500,000 people using Freedom to be more productive.
You can get started for free, and cover all your devices for less than $3.50 a month.
</p>
<p>
Stop being distrac­ted by your phone, tablet or computer - get Freedom.
</p>
</section>
</div></div>||||I|||| * Freedom
 * 
 * Features
 * Why Freedom?
 * Download
 * For Teams
 * Resources
 * Log In
 * Try For Free

 Freedom to be incredibly productive

 Freedom is the app and website blocker for Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, and Chrome, used by over 2,500,000 people to reclaim focus and productivity.
 Get started for free –
 no credit card required
 Already have an account? Log in here.

Control distractions.
Focus on what matters.

Social media, shopping, videos, games...​these apps and websites are scienti­fically engineered to keep you hooked and coming back. The cost to your productivity, ability to focus, and general well-being can be staggering. Freedom gives you control.

Start your free trial today!

As seen in

 Freedom blocks distracting websites and apps

 Use Freedom to block distractions so you can get your work done.
 Block what you want, when you want, and be more productive.

How Freedom is better

Whether you use Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, or Chrome, Freedom can sync blocks across all of your devices. Sit down to work knowing you're completely in control of distractions.

 Schedule your
 focused time

 Start sessions on-the-fly or schedule your Freedom time in advance. Plan out sessions that recur daily or weekly. With Freedom, you’ll make time for productivity and things that matter most.

 1. Select Your Devices
 2. Choose Sites & Apps
 3. Set Your Schedule

Used by incredibly productive people

 Freedom users report gaining an average of 2.5 hours of productive time each day. We're proud to have helped our users reclaim 10,000,000 hours in the past year.

 No wonder Freedom is used by people at the world's best companies and universities.

Hear from satisfied…

 Developers Screenwriters Coaches Teachers Entrepreneurs Editors Researchers Journalists Writers
 Writers on Freedom

 “When I click that Freedom butterfly, I write.”

 Eloisa James
 NYT Bestselling Author
 Writers on Freedom

 “Wow. I’ve written 14 novels and countless short stories with Freedom on.”

 J.T. Ellison
 NYT Bestselling Author
 Researchers on Freedom

 “I use Freedom and an online timer to streamline my work sessions.”

 Amber Jane Davis
 Political Scientist + PhD Coach
 Writers on Freedom

 “I use Freedom religiously to keep me on task, both on my phone and my laptop.”

 Jessie Kwak
 Author + Freelance Copywriter
 Illustrators on Freedom

 “My first kids’ book was completed directly due to the extra hours Freedom gave me.”

 John Kovalic
 Cartoonist + Illustrator,
 Creator of Dork Tower
 Coaches on Freedom

 “Freedom saves my life. I could never have written my latest book (ironically on topic of attention) without this life-saving app.”

 Neen James
 Attention Expert,
 Author of “Attention Pays”
 Entrepreneurs on Freedom

 “The Freedom app disciplines me when I don’t have the human strength to do so.”

 Maura Chanz
 Actress, Artist, Entrepreneur,
 Founder of Tribe
 Entrepreneurs on Freedom

 “Freedom is an essential tool in my work.”

 Taylor Pearson
 Author and Entrepreneur
 Writers on Freedom

 “I honestly cannot fathom being able to write as much as I do without the help of Freedom!”

 Farrah Rochon
 Bestselling author
 See more customer stories

Stay focused on what matters with Freedom

Get started now

Join over 2,500,000 people using Freedom to be more productive. You can get started for free, and cover all your devices for less than $3.50 a month.

Stop being distrac­ted by your phone, tablet or computer - get Freedom.

 * Get Started

 + Start a Free Trial
 + Freedom Premium
 + For Companies
 + For Schools

 * Do More

 + Get Perks
 + Partner with Us
 + Become an Affiliate
 + Learn

 * Support

 + Contact Us
 + Downloads
 + Knowledge Base
 + Troubleshooting
 + How to Block YouTube
 + How to Block TikTok
 + How to Block Twitter
 + How to Block Facebook
 + How to Block Instagram

 * Company

 + About Us
 + Blog
 + Podcast
 + Careers
 + Press
 © Freedom.to 2011–2023
 Privacy Policy Terms of Service
 * Podcast
 * SoundCloud
 * Twitter
 * Instagram
 * Pinterest
 * YouTube
 * LinkedIn
 * Medium
Control distractions. Focus on what matters.
Social media, shopping, videos, games...​these apps and websites are scienti­fically engineered to keep you hooked and coming back. The cost to your productivity, ability to focus, and general well-being can be staggering. Freedom gives you control.
Start your free trial today!
As seen in
Freedom blocks distracting websites and apps
Use Freedom to block distractions so you can get your work done.
Block what you want, when you want, and be more productive.
How Freedom is better
Whether you use Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, or Chrome, Freedom can sync blocks across all of your devices.
Sit down to work knowing you're completely in control of distractions.
 Schedule your
focused time
Start sessions on-the-fly or schedule your Freedom time in advance. Plan out sessions that recur daily or weekly. With Freedom, you’ll make time for productivity and things that matter most.
Select Your Devices
Choose Sites &amp; Apps
Set Your Schedule
Used by incredibly productive people
 
Freedom users report gaining an average of 2.5 hours of productive time each day.
We're proud to have helped our users reclaim 10,000,000 hours in the past year.
 
No wonder Freedom is used by people at the world's best companies and universities.
 
Hear from satisfied…
 
Writers on Freedom
  
“When I click that Freedom butterfly, I write.”
Eloisa James
NYT Bestselling Author
 
Writers on Freedom
  
“Wow. I’ve written 14 novels and countless short stories with Freedom on.”
J.T. Ellison
NYT Bestselling Author
 
Researchers on Freedom
  
“I use Freedom and an online timer to streamline my work sessions.”
Amber Jane Davis
Political Scientist + PhD Coach
 
Writers on Freedom
  
“I use Freedom religiously to keep me on task, both on my phone and my laptop.”
Jessie Kwak
Author + Freelance Copywriter
 
Illustrators on Freedom
  
“My first kids’ book was completed directly due to the extra hours Freedom gave me.”
John Kovalic
Cartoonist + Illustrator, Creator of Dork Tower
 
Coaches on Freedom
  
“Freedom saves my life. I could never have written my latest book (ironically on topic of attention) without this life-saving app.”
Neen James
Attention Expert, Author of “Attention Pays”
 
Entrepreneurs on Freedom
  
“The Freedom app disciplines me when I don’t have the human strength to do so.”
Maura Chanz
Actress, Artist, Entrepreneur, Founder of Tribe
 
Writers on Freedom
  
“I honestly cannot fathom being able to write as much as I do without the help of Freedom!”
Farrah Rochon
Bestselling author
Stay focused on what matters with Freedom
Get started now
Join over 2,500,000 people using Freedom to be more productive.
You can get started for free, and cover all your devices for less than $3.50 a month.
Stop being distrac­ted by your phone, tablet or computer - get Freedom.
Freedom: Internet, App and Website Blocker
https://freedom.to/
https://selfcontrolapp.com/
SelfControl
None
Charlie Stigler; Steve Lambert
<div><div>
<p>SelfControl is a free and open-source application for macOS that lets you block <strong>your own</strong> access to distracting websites, your mail servers, or anything else on the Internet. Just set a period of time to block for, add sites to your blocklist, and click "Start." Until that timer expires, you will be unable to access those sites—even if you restart your computer or delete the application.</p>
</div></div>||||I|||| SelfControl
 * Overview
 * Download
 * FAQ
 * Support
 * Donate
 * Code

 SelfControl

 A free Mac application to help you avoid distracting websites.

 Download SelfControl
 v4.0.2 for Mac OS X 10.10+

 Users of older OS versions can download SelfControl 3.0.3 for Mac OS X 10.8+.

 SelfControl is a free and open-source application for macOS that lets you block your own access to distracting websites, your mail servers, or anything else on the Internet. Just set a period of time to block for, add sites to your blocklist, and click "Start." Until that timer expires, you will be unable to access those sites—even if you restart your computer or delete the application.

 Brought to you by Charlie Stigler, Steve Lambert, and others. Here's our privacy policy.

 Icon by Joseph Fusco. Translated into 12 languages by these wonderful folks. Contributions from others are always welcome.

 Licensed under the GNU GPL. View and contribute to the code at GitHub.

SelfControl is a free and open-source application for macOS that lets you block your own access to distracting websites, your mail servers, or anything else on the Internet. Just set a period of time to block for, add sites to your blocklist, and click "Start." Until that timer expires, you will be unable to access those sites—even if you restart your computer or delete the application.
SelfControl
https://selfcontrolapp.com/
https://blocksite.co/
BlockSite: Easily block distracting websites and apps
2023-01-01
None
<div><div><div><p></p><p>Trusted by over 0+ productive users</p></div><div><p></p><h2>Your Productivity Tools</h2>Check the features BlockSite offers to help improve your productivity, stay focused, and avoid distractions<p></p><div><div><p></p><p>Block ListNo limit to the sites and apps you can block</p></div><div><p></p><p>Focus ModePrevent all distractions within a set amount of time</p></div><div><p></p><p>ScheduleBlock all your distractions during the hours you choose</p></div><div><p></p><p>InsightsExplore your browsing trends over time to become more productive</p></div><div><p></p><p>Sync on Multiple PlatformsBlock the same sites and apps on all your devices</p></div><div><p></p><p>Block by CategoryUse a category to block everything you need to block with one click</p></div><div><p></p><p>Block by KeywordBlock multiple sites and apps with a keyword</p></div><div><p></p><p>Site RedirectAutomatically redirect whenever you’re tempted to open a blocked site or app</p></div><div><p></p><p>Custom Block PageCreate a page to redirect and remind yourself of why you need to stay focused</p></div><div><p></p><p>Password ProtectionWhen you’re tempted to change your settings, you’ll have to enter your password</p></div><div><p></p><p>Uninstall PreventionHelp stay focused by preventing uninstalling BlockSite</p></div><div><p></p><p>SlackPrevent getting distracted by Slack messages from your coworkers during your focus times</p></div></div></div><div><div><p>Be productive at work</p><p>Find out how BlockSite has helped professionals around the world increase their productivity and improve their focus while at work.</p></div><p></p><div><p>Be productive at work</p><p>Find out how BlockSite has helped professionals around the world increase their productivity and improve their focus while at work.</p></div></div><div><h2>Take control of your </h2><div><div><div><p>Control Your Time</p><div><p>One of the most effective skills you can have in life is effective time management. If you’re not managing your time well, you won’t be able to reach your professional or personal goals. With the various features available on BlockSite your time management schedule will never look better.</p><p>You’ll be able to get everything you need to do done using the best time management techniques and still have time to browse your favorite sites and apps!</p></div></div><div><p>Boost Your Productivity</p><p>The time has come to increase productivity. So, whether you’re at work, studying at school or just looking for a way to get more done during the day, BlockSite has the best tools to help you improve your productivity and get the results you want quickly and effectively.</p></div></div><p></p></div></div></div></div>||||I|||| Product
 Resource
 Blog
 Product
 Resource
 Blog
 Follow us
 Available on
 Add to Chrome
 Sign Up
 Add to ChromeSignup

 * Get better grades at school

 Avoid distractions so you can learn faster and more efficiently
 Add to Chrome
 Available on

 * Avoid distractions.
 Be more focused.

 Remove distracting apps and sites and stay focused with BlockSite
 Add to Chrome
 Available on

 * Enjoy a Life Without Distractions

 Improve your focus when you need it so you can spend more time enjoying your life
 Add to Chrome
 Available on

 * Spend quality time with people you love

 Stop scrolling when you’re with your loved ones
 Add to Chrome
 Available on

 * Get better grades at school

 Avoid distractions so you can learn faster and more efficiently
 Add to Chrome
 Available on

 * Avoid distractions.
 Be more focused.

 Remove distracting apps and sites and stay focused with BlockSite
 Add to Chrome
 Available on
 Trusted by over 0+ productive users

 Your Productivity Tools

 Check the features BlockSite offers to help improve your productivity, stay focused, and avoid distractions
 Block ListNo limit to the sites and apps you can block
 Focus ModePrevent all distractions within a set amount of time
 ScheduleBlock all your distractions during the hours you choose
 InsightsExplore your browsing trends over time to become more productive
 Sync on Multiple PlatformsBlock the same sites and apps on all your devices
 Block by CategoryUse a category to block everything you need to block with one click
 Block by KeywordBlock multiple sites and apps with a keyword
 Site RedirectAutomatically redirect whenever you’re tempted to open a blocked site or app
 Custom Block PageCreate a page to redirect and remind yourself of why you need to stay focused
 Password ProtectionWhen you’re tempted to change your settings, you’ll have to enter your password
 Uninstall PreventionHelp stay focused by preventing uninstalling BlockSite
 SlackPrevent getting distracted by Slack messages from your coworkers during your focus times
 Be productive at work

 Find out how BlockSite has helped professionals around the world increase their productivity and improve their focus while at work.

 Be productive at work

 Find out how BlockSite has helped professionals around the world increase their productivity and improve their focus while at work.

 * Verney TétraultMarketing Specialist“Blocksite is the best app to improve your time management and increase your wellbeing.”
 * Scott MayProduct designer“It's Great! Helped me become so much more productive and set an actual time-frame for my work and leisure time!”
 * Eduarda AlvesMother of 2“Saved me probably an hour just today.”
 * Verney TétraultMarketing Specialist“Blocksite is the best app to improve your time management and increase your wellbeing.”
 * Scott MayProduct designer“It's Great! Helped me become so much more productive and set an actual time-frame for my work and leisure time!”

 Take control of your
 workday

 Control Your Time

 One of the most effective skills you can have in life is effective time management. If you’re not managing your time well, you won’t be able to reach your professional or personal goals. With the various features available on BlockSite your time management schedule will never look better.

 You’ll be able to get everything you need to do done using the best time management techniques and still have time to browse your favorite sites and apps!

 Boost Your Productivity

 The time has come to increase productivity. So, whether you’re at work, studying at school or just looking for a way to get more done during the day, BlockSite has the best tools to help you improve your productivity and get the results you want quickly and effectively.

 Take control of your time. Block distracting apps and sites. Make productivity your priority
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 © All rights reserved for BlockSite 2023
 Available on
Trusted by over 0+ productive users     Your Productivity ToolsCheck the features BlockSite offers to help improve your productivity, stay focused, and avoid distractions      Block ListNo limit to the sites and apps you can block     Focus ModePrevent all distractions within a set amount of time     ScheduleBlock all your distractions during the hours you choose     InsightsExplore your browsing trends over time to become more productive     Sync on Multiple PlatformsBlock the same sites and apps on all your devices     Block by CategoryUse a category to block everything you need to block with one click     Block by KeywordBlock multiple sites and apps with a keyword     Site RedirectAutomatically redirect whenever you’re tempted to open a blocked site or app     Custom Block PageCreate a page to redirect and remind yourself of why you need to stay focused     Password ProtectionWhen you’re tempted to change your settings, you’ll have to enter your password     Uninstall PreventionHelp stay focused by preventing uninstalling BlockSite     SlackPrevent getting distracted by Slack messages from your coworkers during your focus times      Be productive at work Find out how BlockSite has helped professionals around the world increase their productivity and improve their focus while at work.     Be productive at work Find out how BlockSite has helped professionals around the world increase their productivity and improve their focus while at work.    Take control of your     Control Your Time  One of the most effective skills you can have in life is effective time management. If you’re not managing your time well, you won’t be able to reach your professional or personal goals. With the various features available on BlockSite your time management schedule will never look better. You’ll be able to get everything you need to do done using the best time management techniques and still have time to browse your favorite sites and apps!    Boost Your Productivity The time has come to increase productivity. So, whether you’re at work, studying at school or just looking for a way to get more done during the day, BlockSite has the best tools to help you improve your productivity and get the results you want quickly and effectively.
BlockSite: Easily block distracting websites and apps
https://blocksite.co/
https://www.stayfocusd.com
None
2007-08-22
None
<div><div>
 <div>
 
 <p><a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/stayfree-website-blocker/elfaihghhjjoknimpccccmkioofjjfkf?utm_source=stayfocusd">
 
 </a>
 </p>
 
 
 <p><a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/amazon-shopping-assistant/nfhbanljdhplkglplfokinmadhehhidn?utm_source=stayfocusd">
 
 </a>
 </p>
 
 
 </div>
 <p>The Pomodoro Technique
 Widely seen as one of the top ways to stay productive. Work for 25 minutes, then take a 5 minute break. Try out these timers to see if it works for you:</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L2P9QFT?th=1&amp;linkCode=li3&amp;tag=stayfree03-20&amp;linkId=bcb6a3c5f132ea60408a6388bf640f64&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_il"></a>
 <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HWCWY6Z?&amp;linkCode=li3&amp;tag=stayfree03-20&amp;linkId=4e472d55aea5a63121fac8be6bb29a62&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_il"></a>
 <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08K9GFDMP?th=1&amp;linkCode=li3&amp;tag=stayfree03-20&amp;linkId=261a3f4d8dfdd8d0252b1014250f811e&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_il"></a>
 <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMLFWZTS?&amp;linkCode=li3&amp;tag=stayfree03-20&amp;linkId=fe630726332c07adb706a0867f394937&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_il"></a>
 <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08M95B91P?&amp;linkCode=li3&amp;tag=stayfree03-20&amp;linkId=e17db2facad64182caf95e685ba5aa78&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_il"></a>
 </p>
</div>||||I|||| >
 The Pomodoro Technique Widely seen as one of the top ways to stay productive. Work for 25 minutes, then take a 5 minute break. Try out these timers to see if it works for you:
The Pomodoro Technique
 Widely seen as one of the top ways to stay productive. Work for 25 minutes, then take a 5 minute break. Try out these timers to see if it works for you:
http://www.stayfocusd.com/
https://heyfocus.com/
Website Blocker for Mac — Focus
2019-11-04
None
<div><div>
<h2>Website &amp; App Blocker for Mac</h2>
<p>Focus is a <strong>website blocker</strong> that can <a href="https://heyfocus.com/docs/features/url-blocking/"><strong>block websites</strong></a> with precision in all major web browsers (like Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox).</p>
<p>This makes it easy to block sites like an entire domain or just the homepage. You can even use the powerful <a href="/docs/features/allowed-sites/">allowed sites</a> (whitelist) feature to block the entire Internet (or just allow a few pages).</p>
<p>Focus is also a powerful <strong>application blocker</strong> and can block applications on your computer like Slack, Skype or distracting games like Fortnite.</p>
<p>Blocklists work at the operating system level don't require a browser extension to work—blocking even works in Incognito mode!</p>
</div>||||I|||| Website blocker for macOS

 Reclaim your productivity by blocking distracting sites and applications, like Facebook and Fortnite. Stay on task and in flow to accomplish your best work!

 Download Trial

 Purchase Focus

 as seen on


 Website Blocker for Mac

 Focus is a distraction blocker that helps you improve your productivity

 Facebook? Twitter? Reddit? Social media services are great, but getting stuff done can be hard when they're one click away.

 Wouldn't it be great if there was a way to quickly create your ideal work environment on your computer?

 In the real world, it's easy to close the door or put on some headphones. But blocking out distractions on a computer is harder. We socialize and entertain ourselves on the same computers where we work. Interruptions make it hard to get into a state of flow.

 Focus is a Mac app that sits in your menu-bar and helps you find your zen. One click creates your optimal work environment.

 Website & App Blocker for Mac

 Focus is a website blocker that can block websites with precision in all major web browsers (like Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox).

 This makes it easy to block sites like an entire domain or just the homepage. You can even use the powerful allowed sites (whitelist) feature to block the entire Internet (or just allow a few pages).

 Focus is also a powerful application blocker and can block applications on your computer like Slack, Skype or distracting games like Fortnite.

 Blocklists work at the operating system level don't require a browser extension to work—blocking even works in Incognito mode!

 Getting Motivated to be Productive

 Getting back on track after you're distracted can be tricky, which is why Focus shows an inspirational quote to put you back in a productive mindset.

 Dozens of inspiring quotes are shipped by default, but you can always customize and add your own to personalize your motivation.

 "Action is the foundational key to all success." — Pablo Picasso

 Put your Productivity on a Schedule

 Be more productive by scheduling your productivity ahead of time and building a habit. Focus makes it easy to setup daily, weekly or weekend schedules (and to enforce them).

 If schedules aren't your thing, Focus has a pomodoro timer, a productivity technique of breaking work into small time limits to improve flow and mental agility.

 And don't worry, if you need a break, Focus can allow up to a certain amount of time every day. Over time, using Focus this way helps you build your discipline and self control.

 Unstoppable Productivity

 Sometimes procrastination creeps in and we need some extra help staying on task.

 Focus can enforce schedules and timers with a lock mode, which means when they're running, they cannot be stopped.

 Focus also offers password protection, requiring a password to change any preferences. This is for use with a trusted friend.

 Be careful, these modes once engaged cannot be stopped!


 Track Your Productivity

 Keep up with your productivity to ensure you're on track with Statistics.

 Track daily, weekly, monthly and yearly Focus sessions so you always know when you've been productive.

 Build a streak, and then keep it going!

 Hello Power Users!

 Focus has full BASH scripting support, which means it also supports your favorite programming language.

 Craft the productivity routine of your dreams, like automatically setting away status on Slack/Skype or setting Do Not Disturb mode on your Mac.

 It's even possible to call Focus from other applications, creating flexible productivity routines. Learn more about scripting with Focus.

 Break mode

 After a long Focus session, take a break. Breaks are configurable in the preferences and can be disabled entirely.

 Drag & Drop

 Quickly add and remove websites to Focus by dragging and dropping them onto the menubar icon.

 Global hotkey

 Instantly get in the zone from any application with a global hotkey you can configure (by default it's control+option+command+f).

 Focus at work

 Focus supports all networks, including complex ones you may find at work (like proxies or VPNs).

 Powerful Blocking

 Powerful URL Blocking allows you to block exactly what you want, from a page, to an entire website or the entire Internet itself.

 Privacy guaranteed

 Focus never sends your browsing data to our servers, everything is self-contained on your Mac.

 Rest easy knowing your privacy is safe.

 Focus is an application for Apple's macOS with iOS (iPhone and iPad), Android and Windows versions planned



 Get in the zone with 1-click

 Focus can't force you to work and that's not its goal.

 Focus helps you create your ideal environment with 1-click, so you can get high quality work done.

 When distractions pop-up, Focus is here to block them and set you back on track!




 Watch a quick video on how Focus works.

 People who use Focus love it

 Here are some of the nice things they've said:

 "Thanks for this incredible tool, for me it is the most important tool on my mac" — Prabhu
 "I really like the Focus application and it is tremendously helpful for me" —Robin
 "Thank you for creating such an amazing application; your app has especially served me well this week during finals!" —Clifford

 Recent blog entries

 * Can’t Focus During COVID-19? Here’s How to Maintain Your Productivity (November 17, 2020)
 * How to Manage Distractions When Working From Home (April 30, 2020)
 * Comparing 8 of the Best Website Blockers (April 09, 2020)
 * Focus vs Forest — Comparing Website Blockers (April 01, 2020)
 * How to Stop Mindless Internet Browsing (March 09, 2020)
 * 5 Goal Setting Techniques More Effective Than New Year's Resolutions (February 04, 2020)
 * Focus vs FocusMe — Comparing Website Blockers (January 29, 2020)
 * Focus vs LeechBlock — Comparing Website Blockers (January 21, 2020)
 * Access Every Mac Productivity Tool You Could Ever Need With Setapp (November 20, 2019)
 * How Does Focus Compare to the macOS Screen Time Feature (November 04, 2019)

 All blog entries »

 Improve your productivity today


 Focus is the best way to block distracting websites and apps, get in the zone and finally become more productive.

 * Improve the quality of your work
 * Increase the value of your time
 * Get more done
 * Get in the flow
 * Get peace of mind


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 Documentation | Changelog | Quotes | Blog | Affiliates | Press Mentions | Privacy Policy | Support | [email protected]

 Made by Brad Jasper

Website &amp; App Blocker for Mac
Focus is a website blocker that can  block websites  with precision in all major web browsers (like Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox).
This makes it easy to block sites like an entire domain or just the homepage. You can even use the powerful allowed sites (whitelist) feature to block the entire Internet (or just allow a few pages).
Focus is also a powerful application blocker and can block applications on your computer like Slack, Skype or distracting games like Fortnite.
Blocklists work at the operating system level don't require a browser extension to work—blocking even works in Incognito mode!
Website Blocker for Mac — Focus
https://heyfocus.com/
https://brave.com/
Secure, Fast & Private Web Browser with Adblocker | Brave Browser
2023-04-11
None
<div><div>
<section>
 <div>
 <h2>The best privacy online</h2>
 <div>
 <p>Browse privately. Search privately. And ditch Big Tech.</p>
 <p>3x faster than Chrome. Better protection from Google and Big Tech.</p>
 <p><a href="https://laptop-updates.brave.com/download/BRV001">Download Brave</a>
 </p></div>
 </div>
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
</section>
<div>
 <div>
 <h3>Stop being followed online</h3>
 <p>By default, Brave blocks the trackers &amp; creepy ads on every website you visit. And that thing where ads follow you across the Web? We block that, too.</p>
 </div>
 <section>
 <div>
 <h3>Online privacy made simple</h3>
 <p>All the good of ad-blocking, incognito windows, private search, even VPN. All in a single download.</p>
 </div>
 
 
 
 </section>
 <section>
 <div>
 <h3>Switch in 60 seconds</h3>
 <p>Quickly import bookmarks, extensions, even saved passwords. Itâs the best of your old browser, only safer. And it only takes a minute to switch.</p>
 </div>
 
 
 
 </section>
 <section>
 
 
 
 
 </section>
 <section>
 <div>
 <h3>Privacy you can see</h3>
 <p>No creepy ads &amp; trackers means less stuff (visible or hidden) on the sites you visit. And that means faster page load, better battery life, even mobile data savings.</p>
 </div>
 
 
 
 </section>
 
 <section>
 <h2>Online privacy by default: Brave vs. other browsers</h2>
 <ul>
 <li>
 
 <p>Strong protection</p>
 </li>
 <li>
 
 <p>No protection</p>
 </li>
 <li>
 
 <p>Limited protection</p>
 </li>
 </ul>
 
	
 <div>
 
 
 <div>
 <p>Cross-site trackers blocked</p>
 
 </div>
 <div>
 <p>Third-party cookie tracking blocked</p>
 
 </div>
 <div>
 <p>Fingerprinting blocked (cookie-less trackers)</p>
 
 </div>
 <div>
 <p>Malware &amp; phishing protection*</p>
 
 </div>
 <div>
 <p>Protections against bounce tracking</p>
 
 </div>
 <div>
 <p>Anonymized network routing (Tor mode)</p>
 
 </div>
 </div>
 <p>* Google safe browsing + malware &amp; phishing protection from crowd-sourced lists. Table describes default desktop browser configurations.</p>
 
 </section>
 
 <section>
 <header>
 <h2>Advanced features</h2>
 <p>
 Only here for the privacy? We got you. Just 
 <a href="https://laptop-updates.brave.com/download/BRV001">download</a>
 and enjoyâ¦
 <br />
 Want a more bespoke experience? Braveâs got great customizations, too:</p>
 </header>
 <ul>
 <li>
 
 
 
 <h2>Advanced security</h2>
 <p>Built-in IPFS integration, onion routing with Tor, custom filter lists, and <a href="/privacy-features/">more security features</a>.</p>
 </li>
 <li>
 
 
 
 <h2>Brave Rewards</h2>
 <p><a href="/brave-rewards/">Earn crypto tokens for your attention</a> by opting in to privacy-preserving, first-party ads.</p>
 </li>
 <li>
 
 
 
 <h2>Crypto wallet</h2>
 <p><a href="/wallet/">A secure, browser-native wallet</a> to buy, store, send, and swap your crypto assets.</p>
 </li>
 </ul>
 </section>
</div>
<section>
 
 <div>
 <section>
 <h2>Join the more than 50 million people (and counting) who trust Brave for a faster, safer Web</h2>
 <p>Import bookmarks and extensions from your old browser in one click.</p>
 <a href="https://laptop-updates.brave.com/download/BRV001">Download Brave</a>
 </section><ul>
 
 <li>
 <h3>
 
 </h3>
 <div>
 <p>Brave is one of the <a href="/learn/most-secure-browser/">safest browsers</a> on the market today. It blocks privacy-invasive ads &amp; trackers. It blocks third-party data storage. It protects from browser fingerprinting. It upgrades every webpage possible to secure https connections. And it does all this by default.</p>
<p>It’s also built off the open-source Chromium Web core, which powers browsers used by billions of people worldwide. This source code is arguably vetted by more security researchers than any other browser. In short, not only is Brave safe to use, it’s much safer than almost any other browser. <a href="/privacy-features/">Learn more</a>.</p>
 </div>
 </li>
 
 <li>
 <h3>
 
 </h3>
 <p>
 Brave is available on nearly all desktop computers (Windows, macOS, Linux) and nearly every mobile device (Android and iOS). To get started, simply download the Brave browser <a href="/download/">for desktop</a>, <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brave.browser&amp;hl=en">for Android</a>, or <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/brave-private-web-browser/id1052879175?mt=8&amp;ign-mpt=uo%3D4">for iOS</a>.
 </p>
 </li>
 
 <li>
 <h3>
 
 </h3>
 <p>
 Yes! <a href="/firewall-vpn/">Brave Firewall + VPN</a> protects everything you do online, on your entire device, <em>even outside the Brave Browser</em>. It’s currently available for Android and iOS mobile devices, and will be available on desktop in the very near future.
 </p>
 </li>
 
 <li>
 <h3>
 
 </h3>
 <p>
 The Brave Browser is available in nearly 160 languages in all, including four different dialects of Chinese. Brave Search is currently available in English, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish, with support for many more languages coming soon.
 </p>
 </li>
 
 <li>
 <h3>
 
 </h3>
 <p>
 The Brave Browser, Brave Search, and all their various features are made by Brave Software Inc, an independent, privately-held company. Brave is not beholden to any other tech company, and works every single day to fight Big Tech’s terrible privacy abuses. Brave exists to help real people, not some faceless tech company.
 </p>
 </li>
 
 <li>
 <h3>
 
 </h3>
 <p>
 Yes. The Brave Browser is built on the open-source Chromium Web core and our own client code is released under the <a href="https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/MPL/2.0/">Mozilla Public License 2.0</a>.
 </p>
 </li>
 
 <li>
 <h3>
 
 </h3>
 <p>
 Simply put, the <a href="/compare/chrome/performance/">Brave Browser is 3x faster than Google Chrome</a>. By blocking all privacy-invading ads &amp; trackers by default, there’s less stuff to load on every single webpage you visit. That means pages load much faster, saving you time, money, and battery life. It also means you’re much safer online. <a href="/compare/chrome/performance/">Learn more</a>.
 </p>
 </li>
 
 <li>
 <h3>
 
 </h3>
 <div>
 <p>Yes, Brave is completely free to use. Simply download the Brave browser <a href="/download/">for desktop</a>, <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brave.browser&amp;hl=en">for Android</a>, or <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/brave-private-web-browser/id1052879175?mt=8&amp;ign-mpt=uo%3D4">for iOS</a> to get started. You can also use Brave Search free from any browser at search.brave.com, or <a href="https://search.brave.com/default">set it as your default search engine</a>.</p>
<p>Brave also has some great, subscription-based features, including <a href="/talk/">Brave Talk Premium</a> and <a href="/firewall-vpn/">Brave Firewall + VPN</a>.</p>
 </div>
 </li>
 
 <li>
 <h3>
 
 </h3>
 <div>
 <p>BAT is short for Basic Attention Token. BAT is a crypto asset, and a key (but totally optional) part of the Brave Rewards ecosystem. Here’s how it works:</p>
<p>Brave Rewards gives you the option to view first-party, privacy-protecting ads while you browse (these ads are from the Brave Private Ads network). If you choose to view them, you earn BAT, via <a href="/brave-rewards/">the Brave Rewards program</a>.</p>
<p>You can keep BAT like any other crypto asset, or use it to tip the content publishers you love. Brave even gives you a secure way to store BAT (and any other crypto asset), with <a href="/wallet/">Brave Wallet</a>. And, again, Brave Rewards is a totally optional program.</p>
<p>Other tech companies steal your data to sell ads—to them, <em>you</em> are the product. Brave is different. We think your attention is valuable (and private!), and that you should get a fair share of the revenue for any advertising you choose to view. That fair share is rewarded in BAT.</p>
 </div>
 </li>
 
 </ul>
 </div>
</section>
</div><section>
 <div>
 <p><a href="#"></a>
 </p>
 <p><a href="#"></a>
 </p>
 </div>
 <div>
 
 
 <h2>Almost thereâ¦</h2>
 <h5>Youâre just 60 seconds away from the best privacy online</h5>
 <p>
 If your download didnât start automatically,
 <a href="https://laptop-updates.brave.com/download/BRV001">click here</a>.
 </p>
 <ol>
 
 <li>
 <h3>Download Brave</h3>
 
 <p>Click âSaveâ in the window that pops up, and wait for the download to complete.</p>
 <p>Wait for the download to complete (you may need to click âSaveâ in a window that pops up).</p>
 
 </li>
 
 <li>
 <h3>Run the installer</h3>
 
 <p>Click the downloaded file at the bottom left of your screen, and follow the instructions to install Brave.</p>
 <p>Click the downloaded file at the top right of your screen, and follow the instructions to install Brave.</p>
 <p>Click the downloaded file, and follow the instructions to install Brave.</p>
 
 </li>
 
 <li>
 <h3>Import settings</h3>
 
 <p>During setup, import bookmarks, extensions, &amp; passwords from your old browser.</p>
 
 </li>
 
 </ol>
 <p><a href="https://support.brave.com/hc/en-us/articles/360025390311-How-do-I-download-and-install-Brave-">Need help?</a></p>
 
 
 </div>
 <p>
 
 Click this file to install Brave
 
 
 </p>
 <p>
 
 
 Click this file to install Brave
 
 </p>
 </section></div>||||I|||| |||
 * Browser
 Main menu

 Downloads

 + 
 + Desktop
 + Android
 + iOS
 + Linux
 + Beta release
 + Nightly release
 + All downloads
 + 

 Compare

 + 
 + Comparison guides
 Browser

 o Whatâs the fastest browser for surfing the Web?

 In this article, we look at the fastest web browser and discuss some of the factors that affect browser speed, including the browser engine and javascript engine.

 o What are the best private browsers to protect your online privacy?

 Many users rely on private browsers to keep their Internet habits away from prying eyes. But with so many options out there, what's the best private browser for you? In this article we examine the choices.

 o What's the most secure browser?

 In this article, we'll define what makes a secure browser, and look at some of the best secure browsers available today.

 See all Articles
 + Brave vs. Chrome
 + 
 * Products
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 + 
 + Search
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 + All browser features
 + Basic Attention Token
 + 
 * Privacy
 Main menu
 + 
 + Brave Shields
 + Advanced privacy
 + Privacy updates
 Privacy

 o "Google Sign-In" Permission

 Starting in version 1.51, Brave will increase user privacy by extending the brower's permission system to cover legacy Google Sign-Inâ¦

 o Grab bag 5: "Open in App" annoyances, further pool-party protections, and moreâ¦

 Starting in version 1.49 on Android and desktop (available since version 1.44 for iOS), Brave will hide "open in app" annoyances that appear â¦

 o HTTPS by Default

 Starting in version 1.50, Brave will include a new feature called âHTTPS by Defaultâ that improves Web security and privacy by increasing â¦

 See all Articles
 + Web standards
 + Privacy glossary
 + Our privacy policy
 + 
 * Resources
 Main menu
 + 
 + Brave blog
 Resources

 o Brave partners with Bonfida to offer Solana Name Service domain resolution in the Brave browser and Wallet

 o Brave Launches Self-Serve Ads Program

 o Brave partners with Transak to expand crypto purchases globally in Brave Wallet, with over 50 new assets and multiple payment methods

 See all Articles
 + Web3 guides
 Resources

 o What is Web3?

 Web3 is a whole new philosophy for how the Web should be managed and how users should access it. It's based on a version of the Internet that is decentralized and uses public blockchains to function. In this article, a primer on the fundamentals of Web3.

 o What kinds of DApps are being built on Web3?

 Web3 relies on new technologies. You may have started to hear a lot more about blockchains, nodes, cryptocurrency and wallets recently? In this article, we'll explain what these core terms have to do with DApps, the decentralized applications that are core to Web3.

 o An intro to blockchain and the technology thatâs powering Web3

 Blockchains, Nodes, Cryptocurrency, Walletsâ¦ In this article, weâll define some core Web3 terms, and scratch the surface of decentralized technologies.

 See all Articles
 + Our research
 + 

 Support

 + 
 + Help center home
 + Browser support
 + Rewards support
 + 

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 + 
 + Community home
 + Feature requests
 + 

 Release notes

 + 
 + Desktop
 + iOS
 + Android
 + 
 * Advertise
 Main menu
 + 
 + Overview
 + Ads audience
 + Ad formats
 + Case studies
 Advertise

 o Verizon R/GA

 Achieved 23.8 million ad views, 8% blended CTR, 57% 10+ second landing visits, and over 1000 Tweets

 o Dentsu

 Engaging the New âAd Chooserâ: A co-authored whitepaper from Brave Software and dentsu international

 o eToro

 Realized 230% increase in new customer registrations and achieved a CTR of 13.8%

 See all Case studies
 + Podcast
 Advertise

 o Decentraland Offers Brands Creative Freedom and Limitless Possibilities

 Marja Konttinen, Marketing Director of Decentraland Foundation, discusses â¦

 o Leveraging the Virtual Real Estate Market with SuperWorld

 Hrish Lotlikar, Co-founder and CEO at SuperWorld, discusses how theyâre blending â¦

 o Why Tokenization is the Core Building Block of Web3

 Matt Wurst, Founder of PointSymmetry and Co-Founder of Mint, discusses the role â¦

 See all Episodes
 + Advertiser resources
 Advertise

 o Sales One-Sheet

 Available ad units and high-level information about the Brave Ads platform.

 o Brave Ads Gallery

 A gallery of high impact New tab takeovers from top brands using Brave.

 See all Resources
 + 
 Download Brave Try Brave Search
 Download Brave Try Brave Search

 The best privacy online

 Browse privately. Search privately. And ditch Big Tech.

 3x faster than Chrome. Better protection from Google and Big Tech.

 Download Brave

 Stop being followed online

 By default, Brave blocks the trackers & creepy ads on every website you visit. And that thing where ads follow you across the Web? We block that, too.

 This is a Vimeo video. You'll need JavaScript enabled to view this.

 This is a Vimeo video. You'll need JavaScript enabled to view this.

 Online privacy made simple

 All the good of ad-blocking, incognito windows, private search, even VPN. All in a single download.

 Switch in 60 seconds

 Quickly import bookmarks, extensions, even saved passwords. Itâs the best of your old browser, only safer. And it only takes a minute to switch.

 The new super app

 Brave brings truly independent search, free video calls, offline playlists, even a customizable news feed. All fully private. All right to your browser super app.

 Privacy you can see

 No creepy ads & trackers means less stuff (visible or hidden) on the sites you visit. And that means faster page load, better battery life, even mobile data savings.

 Online privacy by default: Brave vs. other browsers

 * Strong protection
 * No protection
 * Limited protection

 Built-in features

 Brave
 Chrome
 DDG
 Edge
 Firefox
 Safari

 Invasive ads blocked

 Cross-site trackers blocked

 Third-party cookie tracking blocked

 Fingerprinting blocked (cookie-less trackers)

 Malware & phishing protection*

 Protections against bounce tracking

 Anonymized network routing (Tor mode)

 * Google safe browsing + malware & phishing protection from crowd-sourced lists. Table describes default desktop browser configurations.

 Advanced features

 Only here for the privacy? We got you. Just download and enjoyâ¦
 Want a more bespoke experience? Braveâs got great customizations, too:

 * Advanced security

 Built-in IPFS integration, onion routing with Tor, custom filter lists, and more security features.

 * Brave Rewards

 Earn crypto tokens for your attention by opting in to privacy-preserving, first-party ads.

 * Crypto wallet

 A secure, browser-native wallet to buy, store, send, and swap your crypto assets.

 Join the more than 50 million people (and counting) who trust Brave for a faster, safer Web

 Import bookmarks and extensions from your old browser in one click.

 Download Brave

 * Is the Brave Browser safe?

 Brave is one of the safest browsers on the market today. It blocks privacy-invasive ads & trackers. It blocks third-party data storage. It protects from browser fingerprinting. It upgrades every webpage possible to secure https connections. And it does all this by default.

 It’s also built off the open-source Chromium Web core, which powers browsers used by billions of people worldwide. This source code is arguably vetted by more security researchers than any other browser. In short, not only is Brave safe to use, it’s much safer than almost any other browser. Learn more.

 * How do I download & install Brave?

 Brave is available on nearly all desktop computers (Windows, macOS, Linux) and nearly every mobile device (Android and iOS). To get started, simply download the Brave browser for desktop, for Android, or for iOS.

 * Does Brave have a VPN?

 Yes! Brave Firewall + VPN protects everything you do online, on your entire device, even outside the Brave Browser. It’s currently available for Android and iOS mobile devices, and will be available on desktop in the very near future.

 * What languages is Brave available in?

 The Brave Browser is available in nearly 160 languages in all, including four different dialects of Chinese. Brave Search is currently available in English, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish, with support for many more languages coming soon.

 * Who owns Brave?

 The Brave Browser, Brave Search, and all their various features are made by Brave Software Inc, an independent, privately-held company. Brave is not beholden to any other tech company, and works every single day to fight Big Tech’s terrible privacy abuses. Brave exists to help real people, not some faceless tech company.

 * Is Brave open source?

 Yes. The Brave Browser is built on the open-source Chromium Web core and our own client code is released under the Mozilla Public License 2.0.

 * How does Brave compare to Chrome?

 Simply put, the Brave Browser is 3x faster than Google Chrome. By blocking all privacy-invading ads & trackers by default, there’s less stuff to load on every single webpage you visit. That means pages load much faster, saving you time, money, and battery life. It also means you’re much safer online. Learn more.

 * Is Brave free?

 Yes, Brave is completely free to use. Simply download the Brave browser for desktop, for Android, or for iOS to get started. You can also use Brave Search free from any browser at search.brave.com, or set it as your default search engine.

 Brave also has some great, subscription-based features, including Brave Talk Premium and Brave Firewall + VPN.

 * What is BAT, and how do I earn it?

 BAT is short for Basic Attention Token. BAT is a crypto asset, and a key (but totally optional) part of the Brave Rewards ecosystem. Here’s how it works:

 Brave Rewards gives you the option to view first-party, privacy-protecting ads while you browse (these ads are from the Brave Private Ads network). If you choose to view them, you earn BAT, via the Brave Rewards program.

 You can keep BAT like any other crypto asset, or use it to tip the content publishers you love. Brave even gives you a secure way to store BAT (and any other crypto asset), with Brave Wallet. And, again, Brave Rewards is a totally optional program.

 Other tech companies steal your data to sell ads—to them, you are the product. Brave is different. We think your attention is valuable (and private!), and that you should get a fair share of the revenue for any advertising you choose to view. That fair share is rewarded in BAT.

 Download Brave

 Resources

 * F.A.Q
 * Help center
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 * Learn

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 Support

 community.brave.com

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 adsales@brave.com Please only use this email address if you are interested in purchasing advertising with Brave. For support, please visit community.brave.com.

 Business

 bizdev@brave.com

 Press

 press@brave.com

 Developer docs

 * Wallet docs

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 * Overview
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 Offices

 Brave San Francisco

 580 Howard St. Unit 402,
 San Francisco, CA 94105

 Choose a language
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 Terms of use | Report a security issue Â© 2015 - 2023 Brave Software, Inc. | All rights reserved

 Almost thereâ¦

 Youâre just 60 seconds away from the best privacy online

 If your download didnât start automatically, click here .

 1. Download Brave

 Click âSaveâ in the window that pops up, and wait for the download to complete.

 Wait for the download to complete (you may need to click âSaveâ in a window that pops up).

 2. Run the installer

 Click the downloaded file at the bottom left of your screen, and follow the instructions to install Brave.

 Click the downloaded file at the top right of your screen, and follow the instructions to install Brave.

 Click the downloaded file, and follow the instructions to install Brave.

 3. Import settings

 During setup, import bookmarks, extensions, & passwords from your old browser.

 Need help?

 Get better privacy. Everywhere!

 Download Brave mobile for privacy on the go.

 Get better privacy. Everywhere!

 Download Brave mobile for privacy on the go.

 Click this file to install Brave
 Click this file to install Brave
123
The best privacy online
 
 Browse privately. Search privately. And ditch Big Tech.
 3x faster than Chrome. Better protection from Google and Big Tech.
  Download Brave
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Stop being followed online
 By default, Brave blocks the trackers &amp; creepy ads on every website you visit. And that thing where ads follow you across the Web? We block that, too.
 
 
 
 Online privacy made simple
 All the good of ad-blocking, incognito windows, private search, even VPN. All in a single download.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Switch in 60 seconds
 Quickly import bookmarks, extensions, even saved passwords. Itâs the best of your old browser, only safer. And it only takes a minute to switch.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Privacy you can see
 No creepy ads &amp; trackers means less stuff (visible or hidden) on the sites you visit. And that means faster page load, better battery life, even mobile data savings.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Online privacy by default: Brave vs. other browsers
 
 
 
 Strong protection
 
 
 
 No protection
 
 
 
 Limited protection
 
 
 
	
 
 
 
 
 Cross-site trackers blocked
 
 
 
 Third-party cookie tracking blocked
 
 
 
 Fingerprinting blocked (cookie-less trackers)
 
 
 
 Malware &amp; phishing protection*
 
 
 
 Protections against bounce tracking
 
 
 
 Anonymized network routing (Tor mode)
 
 
 
 * Google safe browsing + malware &amp; phishing protection from crowd-sourced lists. Table describes default desktop browser configurations.
 
 
 
 
 
 Advanced features
 
 Only here for the privacy? We got you. Just 
 download
 and enjoyâ¦
 
 Want a more bespoke experience? Braveâs got great customizations, too:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Advanced security
 Built-in IPFS integration, onion routing with Tor, custom filter lists, and more security features.
 
 
 
 
 
 Brave Rewards
  Earn crypto tokens for your attention by opting in to privacy-preserving, first-party ads.
 
 
 
 
 
 Crypto wallet
  A secure, browser-native wallet to buy, store, send, and swap your crypto assets.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Join the more than 50 million people (and counting) who trust Brave for a faster, safer Web
 Import bookmarks and extensions from your old browser in one click.
 Download Brave
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Brave is one of the safest browsers on the market today. It blocks privacy-invasive ads &amp; trackers. It blocks third-party data storage. It protects from browser fingerprinting. It upgrades every webpage possible to secure https connections. And it does all this by default.
It’s also built off the open-source Chromium Web core, which powers browsers used by billions of people worldwide. This source code is arguably vetted by more security researchers than any other browser. In short, not only is Brave safe to use, it’s much safer than almost any other browser. Learn more.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Brave is available on nearly all desktop computers (Windows, macOS, Linux) and nearly every mobile device (Android and iOS). To get started, simply download the Brave browser for desktop, for Android, or for iOS.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Yes! Brave Firewall + VPN protects everything you do online, on your entire device, even outside the Brave Browser. It’s currently available for Android and iOS mobile devices, and will be available on desktop in the very near future.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 The Brave Browser is available in nearly 160 languages in all, including four different dialects of Chinese. Brave Search is currently available in English, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish, with support for many more languages coming soon.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 The Brave Browser, Brave Search, and all their various features are made by Brave Software Inc, an independent, privately-held company. Brave is not beholden to any other tech company, and works every single day to fight Big Tech’s terrible privacy abuses. Brave exists to help real people, not some faceless tech company.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Yes. The Brave Browser is built on the open-source Chromium Web core and our own client code is released under the Mozilla Public License 2.0.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Simply put, the Brave Browser is 3x faster than Google Chrome. By blocking all privacy-invading ads &amp; trackers by default, there’s less stuff to load on every single webpage you visit. That means pages load much faster, saving you time, money, and battery life. It also means you’re much safer online. Learn more.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Yes, Brave is completely free to use. Simply download the Brave browser for desktop, for Android, or for iOS to get started. You can also use Brave Search free from any browser at search.brave.com, or set it as your default search engine.
Brave also has some great, subscription-based features, including Brave Talk Premium and Brave Firewall + VPN.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 BAT is short for Basic Attention Token. BAT is a crypto asset, and a key (but totally optional) part of the Brave Rewards ecosystem. Here’s how it works:
Brave Rewards gives you the option to view first-party, privacy-protecting ads while you browse (these ads are from the Brave Private Ads network). If you choose to view them, you earn BAT, via the Brave Rewards program.
You can keep BAT like any other crypto asset, or use it to tip the content publishers you love. Brave even gives you a secure way to store BAT (and any other crypto asset), with Brave Wallet. And, again, Brave Rewards is a totally optional program.
Other tech companies steal your data to sell ads—to them, you are the product. Brave is different. We think your attention is valuable (and private!), and that you should get a fair share of the revenue for any advertising you choose to view. That fair share is rewarded in BAT.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 Almost thereâ¦
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 If your download didnât start automatically,
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 Download Brave
 
 Click âSaveâ in the window that pops up, and wait for the download to complete.
 Wait for the download to complete (you may need to click âSaveâ in a window that pops up).
 
 
 
 
 Run the installer
 
 Click the downloaded file at the bottom left of your screen, and follow the instructions to install Brave.
 Click the downloaded file at the top right of your screen, and follow the instructions to install Brave.
 Click the downloaded file, and follow the instructions to install Brave.
 
 
 
 
 Import settings
 
 During setup, import bookmarks, extensions, &amp; passwords from your old browser.
 
 
 
 
  Need help? 
 
 
 
 
 
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Secure, Fast & Private Web Browser with Adblocker | Brave Browser
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https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-block-a-website-4177078
Stay Focused By Blocking Time Wasting Websites
2019-03-14
Jason Bennett
<div><div>
<article>
<div>
<h2>
How to Block a Website</h2>
<p>
Need to stay focused? Learn how to block distracting websites</p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p>
The most efficient way to block a website depends primarily on the device and <a href="https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-a-browser-446234">web browser</a> you're using. For example, when running a desktop browser that supports extensions, such as <a href="https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-google-chrome-4687647">Chrome</a>, <a href="https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-firefox-quantum-4177074">Firefox</a>, or <a href="https://www.lifewire.com/comparison-of-opera-mobile-and-mini-3486239">Opera</a>, an add-on works great. If you're using a web browser that doesn't support extensions, such as <a href="https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-microsoft-edge-4151828">Microsoft Edge</a>, editing your Windows Hosts file will get the job done. The Hosts file on <a href="https://www.lifewire.com/brief-history-of-microsoft-windows-3507078">Windows</a> and <a href="https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-a-mac-4155662">Mac</a> is the only way to block all browsers from visiting specific websites. <a href="https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-block-websites-android-4179021">Blocking sites on Android phones</a> and tablets with a <a href="https://www.lifewire.com/what-are-apps-1616114">mobile app</a> is quite useful. For <a href="https://www.lifewire.com/pick-best-iphone-for-you-1999293">iPhone</a> and <a href="https://www.lifewire.com/list-of-ipad-models-and-generations-1994232">iPad</a> users, <a href="https://www.lifewire.com/ios-screen-time-4172631">Screen Time</a> provides a straightforward method for blocking specific websites. For parents or guardians who wish to shield their children from potentially harmful content, blocking sites directly via the <a href="https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-a-router-2618162">router</a> ads an additional layer of protection.
</p>
<div>
<p>This article includes instructions for devices running: Windows 7/10, macOS, Android, and iOS.</p>
</div>
<figure>
</figure>
<h2> </h2>
<p>
The steps below demonstrate how to edit the Hosts file in Windows 10 and 7.
</p>
<ol>
<li>
<p>
Enter <strong>notepad</strong> into Windows search, then right-click <strong>Notepad</strong> (Desktop app), and then select <strong>Run as administrator</strong>.
</p>
<figure>
</figure>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Select <strong>Yes</strong> when the <strong>User Account Control</strong> window appears. If a UAC window doesn't appear, skip to the next step.
</p>
<figure>
</figure>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Go to <strong>File</strong>, then select <strong>Open</strong>.
</p>
<figure>
</figure>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Navigate to <strong>C:</strong> &gt; <strong>Windows</strong> &gt; <strong>System32</strong> &gt; <strong>drivers</strong> &gt; <strong>etc</strong>, choose the <strong>Hosts file</strong>, and then select <strong>Open</strong>. If you don't see the Hosts file, select <strong>All Files</strong> from the drop-down.
</p>
<figure>
</figure>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Add a line to the Hosts file by placing the cursor at the end of the last line, then press <strong>Enter</strong> or <strong>Return</strong>. Enter <strong>127.0.0.1</strong> <em>www.nameofsite.com</em> in the line you just created (below the last line). Repeat for each website you wish to block, keeping every web address on its own line, then go to <strong>File</strong> and select <strong>Save</strong>.
</p>
<figure>
</figure>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Reboot your system, then open your preferred browser and attempt to visit the website or sites that you added to your Hosts file.
</p>
<figure>
</figure>
</li>
</ol>
<h2> </h2>
<p>
The steps below illustrate how to edit your Mac's Hosts file using Terminal.
</p>
<ol>
<li>
<p>
Launch a <strong>Finder</strong> window.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Select <strong>Applications</strong> in the left pane.
</p>
<figure>
</figure>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Double-click <strong>Utilities</strong>.
</p>
<figure>
</figure>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Double-click on <strong>Terminal</strong>.
</p>
<figure>
</figure>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Enter the command <strong>sudo nano /etc/hosts</strong> into Terminal, then press <strong>return</strong>.
</p>
<figure>
</figure>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Enter your <em>password</em> (administrator), then press <strong>return</strong>. This will open the Nano text editor.
</p>
<figure>
</figure>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Move the cursor below the last line, enter <strong>127.0.0.1 </strong><em>www.sitename.com</em>, then press return. Repeat this for each website you wish to block.
</p>
<figure>
</figure>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Press <strong>Ctrl</strong> + <strong>O</strong> to save the file, then press <strong>Ctrl</strong> + <strong>X</strong> to exit the Nano text editor.
</p>
</li>
</ol>
<h2> </h2>
<h3> </h3>
<p>
The steps below show how to block websites using the Block Site extension for Google Chrome. If you're using Mac or Linux, launch Chrome, and go to the second step.
</p>
<ol>
<li>
<p>
Enter <strong>Chrome</strong> into <strong>Windows search</strong>, and select <strong>Google Chrome</strong>.
</p>
<figure>
</figure>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Open the <strong>vertical ellipsis</strong> menu in the upper right corner, and then select <strong>More</strong>. <strong>tools</strong> &gt; <strong>Extensions</strong>.
</p>
<figure>
</figure>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Open the <strong>hamburger</strong> menu next to Extensions.
</p>
<figure>
</figure>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Select <strong>Open Chrome Web Store</strong>.
</p>
<figure>
</figure>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Enter <strong>block site</strong> into the search box, then select <strong>Enter</strong>.
</p>
<figure>
</figure>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Select <strong>Add to Chrome</strong> next to Block Site - Website Blocker for Chrome™.
</p>
<figure>
</figure>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Select <strong>Add extension</strong>.
</p>
<figure>
</figure>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Select <strong>Agree.</strong>
</p>
<figure>
</figure>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Enter the website you wish to block, then select the (<strong>+</strong>) icon.
</p>
<figure>
</figure>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Open a new tab and attempt to visit the site or sites you just blocked.
</p>
<figure>
</figure>
</li>
</ol>
<h3> </h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Firefox Quantum</strong>: Install the uBlock Origin web extension found on Mozzila's Add-on site, then add the websites you wish to block via the dashboard.</li><li><strong>Opera</strong>: Install Block Site from Opera's Add-on site, then add domains you wish to block from options.</li>
</ul>
<h2> </h2>
<p>
The steps below show how to block websites using the Block Site mobile application.
</p>
<ol>
<li>
<p>
Go to <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.blocksite">Block Site's Play Store page</a>, tap <strong>INSTALL</strong>, and then <strong>OPEN</strong>.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Tap <strong>GO TO SETTINGS</strong>.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Tap <strong>GOT IT</strong>.
</p>
<figure>
</figure>
</li>
<li>
<p>
On the Accessibility screen, tap <strong>BlockSite</strong>.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Tap the <strong>toggle</strong> switch to enable accessibility.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Tap <strong>OK</strong>.
</p>
<figure>
</figure>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Tap the (<strong>+</strong>) sign in the lower right corner.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Enter the website address, then tap the <strong>checkmark</strong> in the upper right corner.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
All your blocked websites are below <strong>BLOCKED SITES AND APPS</strong>.
</p>
<figure>
</figure>
</li>
</ol>
<h2> </h2>
<p>
The steps below who how to block websites on an iPhone or iPad, using Screen Time.
</p>
<ol>
<li>
<p>
Tap <strong>Settings</strong>, then tap <strong>Screen Time</strong>.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Tap <strong>Turn On Screen Time</strong>.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Tap <strong>Continue</strong>.
</p>
<figure>
</figure>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Tap <strong>This is My iPhone</strong>, or <strong>This is My Child's iPhone</strong>.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Tap <strong>Content &amp; Privacy Restrictions</strong>.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Tap <strong>Content &amp; Privacy Restrictions</strong> to enable, then tap <strong>Content Restrictions</strong>.
</p>
<figure>
</figure>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Tap <strong>Web Content</strong>.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Tap <strong>Limit Adult Websites</strong>, and then <strong>Add Website</strong>.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Enter a website address, and tap <strong>Done</strong>.
</p>
<figure>
</figure>
</li>
</ol>
<h2> </h2>
<p>
The steps below generally outline how to block websites using your router. Because every router is different, the steps will vary slightly. In most cases, you'll need the username and password associated with your ISP account, as well as the administrative password for your router or modem. To connect with your router you'll need to access its control screen. Unfortunately, each router manufacturer does this differently, but we have an article on helping you <a href="https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-the-ip-address-of-a-broadband-router-818379">find your router's IP address</a>. We'll use a Belkin router in our example below.
</p>
<ol>
<li>Open a web browser, enter <strong>192.168.2.1</strong> into the address bar, then select <strong>Enter</strong> or <strong>Return</strong>.</li><li>Enter your <em>username</em> and <em>password</em> if prompted.</li><li>From your router's interface, select the privacy and security, restrictions, or blocking options.</li><li>Enter the websites you want to restrict access to and save or apply the changes. If prompted, enter your username and password to save the changes.</li>
</ol>
<div>
<p>If you intend to stay away from distracting websites, you can use a browser extension, your Hosts file (Windows and Mac), a mobile app (Android), or Screen Time (iOS). If your objective is to restrict children from accessing certain websites, blocking using your router or modem is the best method.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p>Thanks for letting us know!</p>
<div>
<p>
Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day</p>
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 Internet, Networking, & Security > Family Tech

 How to Block a Website

 Need to stay focused? Learn how to block distracting websites

 By
 Jason Bennett
 Jason Bennett
 * 
 Writer
 * George Brown College
 Jay Bennett is a former Lifewire writer and digital marketing consultant with 8 years' experience. His writing has appeared on the VisiHow website.
 lifewire's editorial guidelines
 Updated on June 16, 2022
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 

 In This Article

 Expand

 Jump to a Section

 * Block Websites in Windows
 * Block Websites on a Mac
 * Block Websites With a Browser
 * Block Websites on Android
 * Block Websites on iOS
 * Block Websites With a Router
 Trending Videos
 Close this video player

 The most efficient way to block a website depends primarily on the device and web browser you're using. For example, when running a desktop browser that supports extensions, such as Chrome, Firefox, or Opera, an add-on works great. If you're using a web browser that doesn't support extensions, such as Microsoft Edge, editing your Windows Hosts file will get the job done. The Hosts file on Windows and Mac is the only way to block all browsers from visiting specific websites. Blocking sites on Android phones and tablets with a mobile app is quite useful. For iPhone and iPad users, Screen Time provides a straightforward method for blocking specific websites. For parents or guardians who wish to shield their children from potentially harmful content, blocking sites directly via the router ads an additional layer of protection.

 This article includes instructions for devices running: Windows 7/10, macOS, Android, and iOS.

 Block Websites Using the Windows Hosts File

 The steps below demonstrate how to edit the Hosts file in Windows 10 and 7.

 1. Enter notepad into Windows search, then right-click Notepad (Desktop app), and then select Run as administrator.

 2. Select Yes when the User Account Control window appears. If a UAC window doesn't appear, skip to the next step.

 3. Go to File, then select Open.

 4. Navigate to C: > Windows > System32 > drivers > etc, choose the Hosts file, and then select Open. If you don't see the Hosts file, select All Files from the drop-down.

 5. Add a line to the Hosts file by placing the cursor at the end of the last line, then press Enter or Return. Enter 127.0.0.1 www.nameofsite.com in the line you just created (below the last line). Repeat for each website you wish to block, keeping every web address on its own line, then go to File and select Save.

 6. Reboot your system, then open your preferred browser and attempt to visit the website or sites that you added to your Hosts file.

 Block Websites Using the Mac's Hosts File

 The steps below illustrate how to edit your Mac's Hosts file using Terminal.

 1. Launch a Finder window.

 2. Select Applications in the left pane.

 3. Double-click Utilities.

 4. Double-click on Terminal.

 5. Enter the command sudo nano /etc/hosts into Terminal, then press return.

 6. Enter your password (administrator), then press return. This will open the Nano text editor.

 7. Move the cursor below the last line, enter 127.0.0.1 www.sitename.com, then press return. Repeat this for each website you wish to block.

 8. Press Ctrl + O to save the file, then press Ctrl + X to exit the Nano text editor.

 Block Websites With Your Browser

 Block a Website in Google Chrome

 The steps below show how to block websites using the Block Site extension for Google Chrome. If you're using Mac or Linux, launch Chrome, and go to the second step.

 1. Enter Chrome into Windows search, and select Google Chrome.

 2. Open the vertical ellipsis menu in the upper right corner, and then select More. tools > Extensions.

 3. Open the hamburger menu next to Extensions.

 4. Select Open Chrome Web Store.

 5. Enter block site into the search box, then select Enter.

 6. Select Add to Chrome next to Block Site - Website Blocker for Chrome™.

 7. Select Add extension.

 8. Select Agree.

 9. Enter the website you wish to block, then select the (+) icon.

 10. Open a new tab and attempt to visit the site or sites you just blocked.

 How to Block Websites With Firefox or Opera

 * Firefox Quantum: Install the uBlock Origin web extension found on Mozzila's Add-on site, then add the websites you wish to block via the dashboard.
 * Opera: Install Block Site from Opera's Add-on site, then add domains you wish to block from options.

 Blocking Websites on Android

 The steps below show how to block websites using the Block Site mobile application.

 1. Go to Block Site's Play Store page, tap INSTALL, and then OPEN.

 2. Tap GO TO SETTINGS.

 3. Tap GOT IT.

 4. On the Accessibility screen, tap BlockSite.

 5. Tap the toggle switch to enable accessibility.

 6. Tap OK.

 7. Tap the (+) sign in the lower right corner.

 8. Enter the website address, then tap the checkmark in the upper right corner.

 9. All your blocked websites are below BLOCKED SITES AND APPS.

 Block a Website on iPhone and iPad

 The steps below who how to block websites on an iPhone or iPad, using Screen Time.

 1. Tap Settings, then tap Screen Time.

 2. Tap Turn On Screen Time.

 3. Tap Continue.

 4. Tap This is My iPhone, or This is My Child's iPhone.

 5. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.

 6. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions to enable, then tap Content Restrictions.

 7. Tap Web Content.

 8. Tap Limit Adult Websites, and then Add Website.

 9. Enter a website address, and tap Done.

 Use Router Settings to Block Websites

 The steps below generally outline how to block websites using your router. Because every router is different, the steps will vary slightly. In most cases, you'll need the username and password associated with your ISP account, as well as the administrative password for your router or modem. To connect with your router you'll need to access its control screen. Unfortunately, each router manufacturer does this differently, but we have an article on helping you find your router's IP address. We'll use a Belkin router in our example below.

 1. Open a web browser, enter 192.168.2.1 into the address bar, then select Enter or Return.
 2. Enter your username and password if prompted.
 3. From your router's interface, select the privacy and security, restrictions, or blocking options.
 4. Enter the websites you want to restrict access to and save or apply the changes. If prompted, enter your username and password to save the changes.

 If you intend to stay away from distracting websites, you can use a browser extension, your Hosts file (Windows and Mac), a mobile app (Android), or Screen Time (iOS). If your objective is to restrict children from accessing certain websites, blocking using your router or modem is the best method.

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How to Block a Website
Need to stay focused? Learn how to block distracting websites
The most efficient way to block a website depends primarily on the device and web browser you're using. For example, when running a desktop browser that supports extensions, such as Chrome, Firefox, or Opera, an add-on works great. If you're using a web browser that doesn't support extensions, such as Microsoft Edge, editing your Windows Hosts file will get the job done. The Hosts file on Windows and Mac is the only way to block all browsers from visiting specific websites. Blocking sites on Android phones and tablets with a mobile app is quite useful. For iPhone and iPad users, Screen Time provides a straightforward method for blocking specific websites. For parents or guardians who wish to shield their children from potentially harmful content, blocking sites directly via the router ads an additional layer of protection.
This article includes instructions for devices running: Windows 7/10, macOS, Android, and iOS.
 
The steps below demonstrate how to edit the Hosts file in Windows 10 and 7.
Enter notepad into Windows search, then right-click Notepad (Desktop app), and then select Run as administrator.
Select Yes when the User Account Control window appears. If a UAC window doesn't appear, skip to the next step.
Go to File, then select Open.
Navigate to C: &gt; Windows &gt; System32 &gt; drivers &gt; etc, choose the Hosts file, and then select Open. If you don't see the Hosts file, select All Files from the drop-down.
Add a line to the Hosts file by placing the cursor at the end of the last line, then press Enter or Return. Enter 127.0.0.1 www.nameofsite.com in the line you just created (below the last line). Repeat for each website you wish to block, keeping every web address on its own line, then go to File and select Save.
Reboot your system, then open your preferred browser and attempt to visit the website or sites that you added to your Hosts file.
 
The steps below illustrate how to edit your Mac's Hosts file using Terminal.
Launch a Finder window.
Select Applications in the left pane.
Double-click Utilities.
Double-click on Terminal.
Enter the command sudo nano /etc/hosts into Terminal, then press return.
Enter your password (administrator), then press return. This will open the Nano text editor.
Move the cursor below the last line, enter 127.0.0.1  www.sitename.com, then press return. Repeat this for each website you wish to block.
Press Ctrl + O to save the file, then press Ctrl + X to exit the Nano text editor.
 
 
The steps below show how to block websites using the Block Site extension for Google Chrome. If you're using Mac or Linux, launch Chrome, and go to the second step.
Enter Chrome into Windows search, and select Google Chrome.
Open the vertical ellipsis menu in the upper right corner, and then select More. tools &gt; Extensions.
Open the hamburger menu next to Extensions.
Select Open Chrome Web Store.
Enter block site into the search box, then select Enter.
Select Add to Chrome next to Block Site - Website Blocker for Chrome™.
Select Add extension.
Select Agree.
Enter the website you wish to block, then select the (+) icon.
Open a new tab and attempt to visit the site or sites you just blocked.
 
 Firefox Quantum: Install the uBlock Origin web extension found on Mozzila's Add-on site, then add the websites you wish to block via the dashboard.  Opera: Install Block Site from Opera's Add-on site, then add domains you wish to block from options.
 
The steps below show how to block websites using the Block Site mobile application.
Go to Block Site's Play Store page, tap INSTALL, and then OPEN.
Tap GO TO SETTINGS.
Tap GOT IT.
On the Accessibility screen, tap BlockSite.
Tap the toggle switch to enable accessibility.
Tap OK.
Tap the (+) sign in the lower right corner.
Enter the website address, then tap the checkmark in the upper right corner.
All your blocked websites are below BLOCKED SITES AND APPS.
 
The steps below who how to block websites on an iPhone or iPad, using Screen Time.
Tap Settings, then tap Screen Time.
Tap Turn On Screen Time.
Tap Continue.
Tap This is My iPhone, or This is My Child's iPhone.
Tap Content &amp; Privacy Restrictions.
Tap Content &amp; Privacy Restrictions to enable, then tap Content Restrictions.
Tap Web Content.
Tap Limit Adult Websites, and then Add Website.
Enter a website address, and tap Done.
 
The steps below generally outline how to block websites using your router. Because every router is different, the steps will vary slightly. In most cases, you'll need the username and password associated with your ISP account, as well as the administrative password for your router or modem. To connect with your router you'll need to access its control screen. Unfortunately, each router manufacturer does this differently, but we have an article on helping you find your router's IP address. We'll use a Belkin router in our example below.
Open a web browser, enter 192.168.2.1 into the address bar, then select Enter or Return. Enter your username and password if prompted. From your router's interface, select the privacy and security, restrictions, or blocking options. Enter the websites you want to restrict access to and save or apply the changes. If prompted, enter your username and password to save the changes.
If you intend to stay away from distracting websites, you can use a browser extension, your Hosts file (Windows and Mac), a mobile app (Android), or Screen Time (iOS). If your objective is to restrict children from accessing certain websites, blocking using your router or modem is the best method.
Thanks for letting us know!
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Stay Focused By Blocking Time Wasting Websites
https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-block-a-website-4177078
https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/7532419?hl=en
Allow or block access to websites
2023-01-09
None
<div><div> <article> <div><p><em>Applies to managed Chrome browsers and ChromeOS devices.</em></p>
<p>As a Chrome Enterprise admin you can block and allow URLs so that users can only visit certain websites. Restricting users’ internet access can increase productivity and protect your organization from viruses and malicious content found on some websites.</p>
<h2>When to block and allow URLs</h2>
<p>Use the blocklist and allowlist for basic URL management. If you need stronger filtering, use a content-filtering, web-proxy server or extension.</p>
<p>Use the URL blocklist and allowlist to:</p>
<ul>
 <li><strong>Allow access to all URLs except the ones you block</strong>—Use the blocklist to prevent users from visiting certain websites, while allowing them access to the rest of the web.</li>
 <li><strong>Block access to all URLs except the ones you allow</strong>—Use the blocklist to block access to all URLs. Then, use the allowlist to allow access to a limited list of URLs.</li>
 <li><strong>Define exceptions to very restrictive blocklists</strong>—Use the blocklist to block access to all URLs. Then, use the allowlist to let users access certain schemes, subdomains of other domains, ports, or specific paths.</li>
 <li><strong>Allow Chrome browser to open apps</strong>—Allow specific external protocol handlers so that Chrome browser can automatically open certain apps.</li>
</ul>
<p>Sometimes, the blocklist and allowlist does not work as expected. For example, if you block an entire website and allow a specific webpage URL for that site, users might be able to access other content on that website.</p>
<h4>URL blocking exceptions</h4>
<p>It is best practice to not block some URLs. These include:</p>
<ul>
 <li><strong>chrome://settings </strong></li>
 <li><strong>chrome://os-settings</strong></li>
 <li><strong>chrome-untrusted://</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>The c<strong>hrome://settings</strong> and <strong>chrome://os-settings</strong> URLs should be considered part of the operating system for ChromeOS and part of the browser for Chrome and should never be blocked.</p>
<p>Even if you do block some of them, some users might get around this policy by using JavaScript commands to navigate to these pages regardless. For example, if you block the Wi-Fi subpage <strong>chrome://os-settings/networks?type=WiFi</strong>, users can still go to the page by using the navigation code within settings from the JavaScript console.</p>
<p>ChromeOS system components use <strong>chrome-untrusted://</strong> to process data from users or the web and blocking it is not recommended as it will break some system components. This special url scheme allows Google to make sure any data not included with ChromeOS is handled safely with all the safeguards that the Chrome browser provides and that this data can't access functionality reserved for system components. Whenever a system component can process user-supplied data or content from the web, <strong>chrome-untrusted://</strong>URLs are used.</p>
<p>If you want to block <strong>chrome://settings</strong>, <strong>chrome://os-settings </strong>or <strong>chrome-untrusted://</strong>, use the <strong>SystemFeaturesDisableList</strong> policy. This blocks all the settings, not just part of it. Do not use <strong>URLallowList </strong>or<strong> URLblockList</strong> policies to do this. For details, see <a href="/chrome/a/answer/2657289#system_features_disable_list">Disabled system features</a>.</p>
<p>If you have a specific page you want to block, you should isolate what exactly in the page that you want to block from users. You can then alert Chrome or ChromeOS support about what policies you want implemented. Developers can then add a policy for the specific functionality that should be blocked instead.</p>
<h2>Step 1: Review policies</h2>
<table>
 <thead>
 <tr>
 <th>Policy</th>
 <th>Description</th>
 </tr>
 </thead>
 <tbody>
 <tr>
 <td>
 <p><a href="https://cloud.google.com/docs/chrome-enterprise/policies/?policy=URLBlocklist">URLBlocklist</a></p>
 </td>
 <td>
 <p>Prevent users from accessing a list of blocked URLs. Users can access all URLs except those that you block.</p>
 <p><strong>Unset:</strong> Users can access all website URLs without restriction.</p>
 </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>
 <p><a href="https://cloud.google.com/docs/chrome-enterprise/policies/?policy=URLAllowlist">URLAllowlist</a></p>
 </td>
 <td>
 <p>Use it with <strong>URLBlocklist</strong> to allow users to access specific URLs as exceptions to the URL blocklist. The allowlist takes precedence over the blocklist. To work, you need at least one entry in the blocklist.</p>
 <p><strong>Unset:</strong> There are no exceptions to the URL blocklist.</p>
 </td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table>
<h2>Step 2: Specify URLs Chrome users can visit</h2>
<p>Click below for the steps, based on how you want to manage these policies.</p>
<div><p><a>Admin console</a></p><div>
 <p><em>Can apply for signed-in users on any device or enrolled browsers on Windows, Mac, or Linux. For details, see <a href="/chrome/a/answer/2657289#how_settings_apply">Understand when settings apply</a>.</em></p>
 <ol>
 <li>
 
 </li>
 <li>
 <div> 
<p>From the Admin console Home page, go to <strong>Devices</strong><strong>Chrome</strong>.</p>
</div>
 </li>
 <li>Click <strong>Settings</strong><strong>Users &amp; browsers</strong>.</li>
 <li>To apply the setting to all users and enrolled browsers, leave the top organizational unit selected. Otherwise, select a child <a href="/a/topic/1227584">organizational unit</a>.</li>
 <li>Scroll to <strong>URL Blocking</strong> and enter URLs as needed:
 <ul>
 <li><strong>Blocked URLs</strong>—URLs that you want to prevent users from accessing.
 <p>For syntax and examples, see <a href="/chrome/a/answer/2657289#url_blocklist">Users &amp; browsers &gt; URL blocklist</a>.</p>
 </li>
 <li><strong>Blocked URL exceptions</strong>—URLs that you want to allow users to access (allowlist). Access is allowed even if the URLs are also defined in <strong>Blocked URLs</strong>.
 <p>For syntax and examples, see <a href="/chrome/a/answer/2657289#url_blocklist">Users &amp; browsers &gt; URL blocklist exceptions</a>.</p>
 </li>
 </ul>
 <p>You can block and allow up to 1,000 URLs.</p>
 </li>
 <li>Click <strong>Save</strong>.</li>
 </ol>
 
 <ul>
 <li><strong>Blocked URLs</strong> is not recognized by apps that use Android System WebView. To enforce a blocklist on these apps, define the blocked URLs in a text file and <a href="/chrome/a/answer/7131624#managedconfig">apply the blocklist to the Android apps on an app-by-app basis</a>. For apps that don’t use Android System WebView, see the app documentation for information on how to restrict access in a similar way.</li>
 <li><strong>Blocked URL exceptions</strong> is usually recognized by Android apps that use Android System WebView. However, other apps might not respect the blocklist. You can allow the apps that use Android System WebView and omit the ones that don’t. For information on allowing Android apps, see <a href="/chrome/a/answer/7131624#appinstall">Allow the installation of approved apps</a>.</li>
 </ul>
 </div>
</div>
<p><a>Windows</a></p><div>
 <p><em>Applies to Windows</em><em> users who sign in to a managed account on Chrome browser.</em></p>
 <h4>Using Group Policy</h4>
 <p>In your Microsoft Windows Group Policy Editor (Computer or User Configuration folder):</p>
 <ol>
 <li>Go to PoliciesAdministrative TemplatesGoogleGoogle Chrome.</li>
 <li>Enable <strong>Block access to a list of URLs</strong>.<br />
 <strong>Tip:</strong> If you don't see this policy, download the <a href="https://enterprise.google.com/chrome/chrome-browser/">latest policy template</a>.</li>
 <li>Add the URLs that you want to block.<br />
 Leaving this policy <strong>Not configured</strong> uses the <a href="/chrome/a/answer/7532419#urlblocklist">Unset </a>behavior described above.</li>
 <li>Enable <strong>Allows access to a list of URLs</strong>.</li>
 <li>Add the URLs that you want users to access.<br />
 Leaving this policy <strong>Not configured</strong> uses the <a href="/chrome/a/answer/7532419#urlallowlist">Unset</a> behavior described above.</li>
 <li>Deploy the update to your users.</li>
 </ol>
 <p>You can block and allow up to 1,000 URLs. For URL syntax, see <a href="/chrome/a/answer/9942583">Allow or block websites—URL filter format</a>.</p>
</div>
<p><a>Mac</a></p><div>
 <p><em>Applies to </em><em>Mac</em><em> users who sign in to a managed account on Chrome browser.</em></p>
 <p>In your Chrome policy configuration profile (.plist file):</p>
 <ol>
 <li>Add or update the following keys.
 <ul>
 <li>Add the URLs that you want to block to the <strong>URLBlocklist</strong> key.</li>
 <li>Add the URLs that you want users to access to the <strong>URLAllowlist</strong> key.</li>
 </ul>
 </li>
 <li>Deploy the changes to your users.</li>
 </ol>
 <p>You can block and allow up to 1,000 URLs. For URL syntax, see <a href="/chrome/a/answer/9942583">Allow or block websites—URL filter format</a>.</p>
 <p>The example shows how to block all URLs except mail.example.com, wikipedia.org, and google.com.</p>
 <p><code>&lt;key&gt;URLBlocklist&lt;/key&gt;<br />
 &lt;dict&gt;<br />
  &lt;array&gt;<br />
   &lt;string&gt;*&lt;/string&gt;<br />
 &lt;/array&gt;<br />
 &lt;/dict&gt;<br />
 &lt;key&gt;URLAllowlist&lt;/key&gt;<br />
 &lt;dict&gt;<br />
 &lt;array&gt;<br />
   &lt;string&gt;mail.example.com&lt;/string&gt;<br />
   &lt;string&gt;wikipedia.org&lt;/string&gt;<br />
   &lt;string&gt;google.com&lt;/string&gt;<br />
 &lt;/array&gt;<br />
 &lt;/dict&gt;</code></p>
</div>
<p><a>Linux</a></p><div>
 <p><em>Applies to Linux</em><em> users who sign in to a managed account on Chrome browser.</em></p>
 <p>Using your preferred JSON file editor:</p>
 <ol>
 <li>Go to your <strong>/etc/opt/chrome/policies/managed</strong> folder.</li>
 <li>Create or update a JSON file and enter URLs as needed:
 <ul>
 <li>In <strong>URLBlocklist</strong>, add the URLs that you want to block.</li>
 <li>In <strong>URLAllowlist</strong>, add the URLs that you want users to access.</li>
 </ul>
 </li>
 <li>Deploy the update to your users.</li>
 </ol>
 <p>You can block and allow up to 1,000 URLs. For URL syntax, see <a href="/chrome/a/answer/9942583">Allow or block websites—URL filter format</a>.</p>
 <p>The example shows how to block all URLs except mail.example.com, wikipedia.org, and google.com.</p>
 <p>First, create a file that contains the blocked URLs.</p>
 <p><code>{<br />
   "URLBlocklist": ["*"]<br />
 }</code></p>
 <p>Then, create a file that contains the allowed URLs.</p>
 <p><code>{<br />
     "URLAllowlist": ["mail.example.com", "wikipedia.org", "google.com"]<br />
 }</code></p>
</div>
<h2>Step 3 : Verify policies are applied</h2>
<p>After you apply any Chrome policies, users need to restart Chrome browser for the settings to take effect. You can check users’ devices to make sure the policy was applied correctly.</p>
<ol>
 <li>On a managed device, go to <strong>chrome://policy</strong>.</li>
 <li>Click <strong>Reload policies</strong>.</li>
 <li>For <strong>URLBlocklist</strong> and <strong>URLAllowlist</strong>, make sure Status is set to <strong>OK</strong>.</li>
 <li>For <strong>URLBlocklist</strong> and <strong>URLAllowlist</strong>, click <strong>Show value</strong> and make sure that the value fields are the same as what you set in the policy.</li>
</ol>
</div> <div><p>Was this helpful?</p><p>How can we improve it?</p></div> </article> </div>||||I||||Skip to main content
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 * Chrome browser on Windows (managed on premise)
 * Allow or block access to websites

 Planning your return to office strategy? See how Chrome OS can help.

 Allow or block access to websites

 Applies to managed Chrome browsers and ChromeOS devices.

 Want to customize ChromeOS browsing settings? Start your Chrome Enterprise Upgrade trial at no charge today

 As a Chrome Enterprise admin you can block and allow URLs so that users can only visit certain websites. Restricting users’ internet access can increase productivity and protect your organization from viruses and malicious content found on some websites.

 When to block and allow URLs

 Use the blocklist and allowlist for basic URL management. If you need stronger filtering, use a content-filtering, web-proxy server or extension.

 Use the URL blocklist and allowlist to:

 * Allow access to all URLs except the ones you block—Use the blocklist to prevent users from visiting certain websites, while allowing them access to the rest of the web.
 * Block access to all URLs except the ones you allow—Use the blocklist to block access to all URLs. Then, use the allowlist to allow access to a limited list of URLs.
 * Define exceptions to very restrictive blocklists—Use the blocklist to block access to all URLs. Then, use the allowlist to let users access certain schemes, subdomains of other domains, ports, or specific paths.
 * Allow Chrome browser to open apps—Allow specific external protocol handlers so that Chrome browser can automatically open certain apps.

 Sometimes, the blocklist and allowlist does not work as expected. For example, if you block an entire website and allow a specific webpage URL for that site, users might be able to access other content on that website.

 URL blocking exceptions

 It is best practice to not block some URLs. These include:

 * chrome://settings
 * chrome://os-settings
 * chrome-untrusted://

 The chrome://settings and chrome://os-settings URLs should be considered part of the operating system for ChromeOS and part of the browser for Chrome and should never be blocked.

 Even if you do block some of them, some users might get around this policy by using JavaScript commands to navigate to these pages regardless. For example, if you block the Wi-Fi subpage chrome://os-settings/networks?type=WiFi, users can still go to the page by using the navigation code within settings from the JavaScript console.

 ChromeOS system components use chrome-untrusted:// to process data from users or the web and blocking it is not recommended as it will break some system components. This special url scheme allows Google to make sure any data not included with ChromeOS is handled safely with all the safeguards that the Chrome browser provides and that this data can't access functionality reserved for system components. Whenever a system component can process user-supplied data or content from the web, chrome-untrusted://URLs are used.

 If you want to block chrome://settings, chrome://os-settings or chrome-untrusted://, use the SystemFeaturesDisableList policy. This blocks all the settings, not just part of it. Do not use URLallowList or URLblockList policies to do this. For details, see Disabled system features.

 If you have a specific page you want to block, you should isolate what exactly in the page that you want to block from users. You can then alert Chrome or ChromeOS support about what policies you want implemented. Developers can then add a policy for the specific functionality that should be blocked instead.

 Step 1: Review policies

 Policy Description    
 Prevent users from accessing a list of blocked URLs. Users can access all URLs except those that you block.  
 URLBlocklist    
 Unset: Users can access all website URLs without restriction.   
    
 Use it with URLBlocklist to allow users to access specific URLs as exceptions to the URL blocklist. The allowlist takes precedence over the blocklist. To work, you need at least one entry in the blocklist.
 URLAllowlist    
 Unset: There are no exceptions to the URL blocklist.   
    
 

 Step 2: Specify URLs Chrome users can visit

 Click below for the steps, based on how you want to manage these policies.

 Admin console

 Can apply for signed-in users on any device or enrolled browsers on Windows, Mac, or Linux. For details, see Understand when settings apply.

 1. Sign in to your Google Admin console.

 Sign in using your administrator account (does not end in @gmail.com).

 2. From the Admin console Home page, go to DevicesChrome.
 3. Click SettingsUsers & browsers.
 4. To apply the setting to all users and enrolled browsers, leave the top organizational unit selected. Otherwise, select a child organizational unit.
 5. Scroll to URL Blocking and enter URLs as needed:
 + Blocked URLs—URLs that you want to prevent users from accessing.

 For syntax and examples, see Users & browsers > URL blocklist.

 + Blocked URL exceptions—URLs that you want to allow users to access (allowlist). Access is allowed even if the URLs are also defined in Blocked URLs.

 For syntax and examples, see Users & browsers > URL blocklist exceptions.

 You can block and allow up to 1,000 URLs.

 6. Click Save.
 If you enabled Android apps on supported Chrome devices in your organization:
 * Blocked URLs is not recognized by apps that use Android System WebView. To enforce a blocklist on these apps, define the blocked URLs in a text file and apply the blocklist to the Android apps on an app-by-app basis. For apps that don’t use Android System WebView, see the app documentation for information on how to restrict access in a similar way.
 * Blocked URL exceptions is usually recognized by Android apps that use Android System WebView. However, other apps might not respect the blocklist. You can allow the apps that use Android System WebView and omit the ones that don’t. For information on allowing Android apps, see Allow the installation of approved apps.
 Windows

 Applies to Windows users who sign in to a managed account on Chrome browser.

 Using Group Policy

 In your Microsoft Windows Group Policy Editor (Computer or User Configuration folder):

 1. Go to PoliciesAdministrative TemplatesGoogleGoogle Chrome.
 2. Enable Block access to a list of URLs.
 Tip: If you don't see this policy, download the latest policy template.
 3. Add the URLs that you want to block.
 Leaving this policy Not configured uses the Unset behavior described above.
 4. Enable Allows access to a list of URLs.
 5. Add the URLs that you want users to access.
 Leaving this policy Not configured uses the Unset behavior described above.
 6. Deploy the update to your users.

 You can block and allow up to 1,000 URLs. For URL syntax, see Allow or block websites—URL filter format.

 Mac

 Applies to Mac users who sign in to a managed account on Chrome browser.

 In your Chrome policy configuration profile (.plist file):

 1. Add or update the following keys.
 + Add the URLs that you want to block to the URLBlocklist key.
 + Add the URLs that you want users to access to the URLAllowlist key.
 2. Deploy the changes to your users.

 You can block and allow up to 1,000 URLs. For URL syntax, see Allow or block websites—URL filter format.

 The example shows how to block all URLs except mail.example.com, wikipedia.org, and google.com.

 <key>URLBlocklist</key>
 <dict>
 <array>
 <string>*</string>
 </array>
 </dict>
 <key>URLAllowlist</key>
 <dict>
 <array>
 <string>mail.example.com</string>
 <string>wikipedia.org</string>
 <string>google.com</string>
 </array>
 </dict>

 Linux

 Applies to Linux users who sign in to a managed account on Chrome browser.

 Using your preferred JSON file editor:

 1. Go to your /etc/opt/chrome/policies/managed folder.
 2. Create or update a JSON file and enter URLs as needed:
 + In URLBlocklist, add the URLs that you want to block.
 + In URLAllowlist, add the URLs that you want users to access.
 3. Deploy the update to your users.

 You can block and allow up to 1,000 URLs. For URL syntax, see Allow or block websites—URL filter format.

 The example shows how to block all URLs except mail.example.com, wikipedia.org, and google.com.

 First, create a file that contains the blocked URLs.

 {
 "URLBlocklist": ["*"]
 }

 Then, create a file that contains the allowed URLs.

 {
 "URLAllowlist": ["mail.example.com", "wikipedia.org", "google.com"]
 }

 Step 3 : Verify policies are applied

 After you apply any Chrome policies, users need to restart Chrome browser for the settings to take effect. You can check users’ devices to make sure the policy was applied correctly.

 1. On a managed device, go to chrome://policy.
 2. Click Reload policies.
 3. For URLBlocklist and URLAllowlist, make sure Status is set to OK.
 4. For URLBlocklist and URLAllowlist, click Show value and make sure that the value fields are the same as what you set in the policy.
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Applies to managed Chrome browsers and ChromeOS devices. 
As a Chrome Enterprise admin you can block and allow URLs so that users can only visit certain websites. Restricting users’ internet access can increase productivity and protect your organization from viruses and malicious content found on some websites.
When to block and allow URLs
Use the blocklist and allowlist for basic URL management. If you need stronger filtering, use a content-filtering, web-proxy server or extension.
Use the URL blocklist and allowlist to:
  Allow access to all URLs except the ones you block—Use the blocklist to prevent users from visiting certain websites, while allowing them access to the rest of the web.
  Block access to all URLs except the ones you allow—Use the blocklist to block access to all URLs. Then, use the allowlist to allow access to a limited list of URLs.
  Define exceptions to very restrictive blocklists—Use the blocklist to block access to all URLs. Then, use the allowlist to let users access certain schemes, subdomains of other domains, ports, or specific paths.
  Allow Chrome browser to open apps—Allow specific external protocol handlers so that Chrome browser can automatically open certain apps.
Sometimes, the blocklist and allowlist does not work as expected. For example, if you block an entire website and allow a specific webpage URL for that site, users might be able to access other content on that website.
URL blocking exceptions
It is best practice to not block some URLs. These include:
  chrome://settings  
  chrome://os-settings 
  chrome-untrusted:// 
The chrome://settings and chrome://os-settings URLs should be considered part of the operating system for ChromeOS and part of the browser for Chrome and should never be blocked.
Even if you do block some of them, some users might get around this policy by using JavaScript commands to navigate to these pages regardless. For example, if you block the Wi-Fi subpage chrome://os-settings/networks?type=WiFi, users can still go to the page by using the navigation code within settings from the JavaScript console.
ChromeOS system components use chrome-untrusted:// to process data from users or the web and blocking it is not recommended as it will break some system components. This special url scheme allows Google to make sure any data not included with ChromeOS is handled safely with all the safeguards that the Chrome browser provides and that this data can't access functionality reserved for system components. Whenever a system component can process user-supplied data or content from the web, chrome-untrusted://URLs are used.
If you want to block chrome://settings, chrome://os-settings or chrome-untrusted://, use the SystemFeaturesDisableList policy. This blocks all the settings, not just part of it. Do not use URLallowList or URLblockList policies to do this. For details, see Disabled system features.
If you have a specific page you want to block, you should isolate what exactly in the page that you want to block from users. You can then alert Chrome or ChromeOS support about what policies you want implemented. Developers can then add a policy for the specific functionality that should be blocked instead.
Step 1: Review policies
 
 
 Policy
 Description
 
 
 
 
 
  URLBlocklist 
 
 
 Prevent users from accessing a list of blocked URLs. Users can access all URLs except those that you block.
  Unset: Users can access all website URLs without restriction.
 
 
 
 
  URLAllowlist 
 
 
 Use it with URLBlocklist to allow users to access specific URLs as exceptions to the URL blocklist. The allowlist takes precedence over the blocklist. To work, you need at least one entry in the blocklist.
  Unset: There are no exceptions to the URL blocklist.
 
 
 
Step 2: Specify URLs Chrome users can visit
Click below for the steps, based on how you want to manage these policies.
  Admin console  
  Can apply for signed-in users on any device or enrolled browsers on Windows, Mac, or Linux. For details, see Understand when settings apply. 
 
 
 
 
 
  
From the Admin console Home page, go to Devices Chrome.
 
 Click Settings Users &amp; browsers.
 To apply the setting to all users and enrolled browsers, leave the top organizational unit selected. Otherwise, select a child organizational unit.
 Scroll to URL Blocking and enter URLs as needed:
 
  Blocked URLs—URLs that you want to prevent users from accessing.
 For syntax and examples, see Users &amp; browsers &gt; URL blocklist.
 
  Blocked URL exceptions—URLs that you want to allow users to access (allowlist). Access is allowed even if the URLs are also defined in Blocked URLs.
 For syntax and examples, see Users &amp; browsers &gt; URL blocklist exceptions.
 
 
 You can block and allow up to 1,000 URLs.
 
 Click Save.
 
 
 
  Blocked URLs is not recognized by apps that use Android System WebView. To enforce a blocklist on these apps, define the blocked URLs in a text file and apply the blocklist to the Android apps on an app-by-app basis. For apps that don’t use Android System WebView, see the app documentation for information on how to restrict access in a similar way.
  Blocked URL exceptions is usually recognized by Android apps that use Android System WebView. However, other apps might not respect the blocklist. You can allow the apps that use Android System WebView and omit the ones that don’t. For information on allowing Android apps, see Allow the installation of approved apps.
 
 
 Windows  
  Applies to Windows  users who sign in to a managed account on Chrome browser. 
 Using Group Policy
 In your Microsoft Windows Group Policy Editor (Computer or User Configuration folder):
 
 Go to PoliciesAdministrative TemplatesGoogleGoogle Chrome.
 Enable Block access to a list of URLs.
 Tip: If you don't see this policy, download the latest policy template.
 Add the URLs that you want to block.
 Leaving this policy Not configured uses the Unset behavior described above.
 Enable Allows access to a list of URLs.
 Add the URLs that you want users to access.
 Leaving this policy Not configured uses the Unset behavior described above.
 Deploy the update to your users.
 
 You can block and allow up to 1,000 URLs. For URL syntax, see Allow or block websites—URL filter format.
 Mac  
  Applies to  Mac  users who sign in to a managed account on Chrome browser. 
 In your Chrome policy configuration profile (.plist file):
 
 Add or update the following keys.
 
 Add the URLs that you want to block to the URLBlocklist key.
 Add the URLs that you want users to access to the URLAllowlist key.
 
 
 Deploy the changes to your users.
 
 You can block and allow up to 1,000 URLs. For URL syntax, see Allow or block websites—URL filter format.
 The example shows how to block all URLs except mail.example.com, wikipedia.org, and google.com.
  &lt;key&gt;URLBlocklist&lt;/key&gt;
 &lt;dict&gt;
  &lt;array&gt;
   &lt;string&gt;*&lt;/string&gt;
 &lt;/array&gt;
 &lt;/dict&gt;
 &lt;key&gt;URLAllowlist&lt;/key&gt;
 &lt;dict&gt;
 &lt;array&gt;
   &lt;string&gt;mail.example.com&lt;/string&gt;
   &lt;string&gt;wikipedia.org&lt;/string&gt;
   &lt;string&gt;google.com&lt;/string&gt;
 &lt;/array&gt;
 &lt;/dict&gt; 
 Linux  
  Applies to Linux  users who sign in to a managed account on Chrome browser. 
 Using your preferred JSON file editor:
 
 Go to your /etc/opt/chrome/policies/managed folder.
 Create or update a JSON file and enter URLs as needed:
 
 In URLBlocklist, add the URLs that you want to block.
 In URLAllowlist, add the URLs that you want users to access.
 
 
 Deploy the update to your users.
 
 You can block and allow up to 1,000 URLs. For URL syntax, see Allow or block websites—URL filter format.
 The example shows how to block all URLs except mail.example.com, wikipedia.org, and google.com.
 First, create a file that contains the blocked URLs.
  {
   "URLBlocklist": ["*"]
 } 
 Then, create a file that contains the allowed URLs.
  {
     "URLAllowlist": ["mail.example.com", "wikipedia.org", "google.com"]
 } 
Step 3 : Verify policies are applied
After you apply any Chrome policies, users need to restart Chrome browser for the settings to take effect. You can check users’ devices to make sure the policy was applied correctly.
 On a managed device, go to chrome://policy.
 Click Reload policies.
 For URLBlocklist and URLAllowlist, make sure Status is set to OK.
 For URLBlocklist and URLAllowlist, click Show value and make sure that the value fields are the same as what you set in the policy.
  Was this helpful? How can we improve it?
Allow or block access to websites
https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/7532419?hl=en
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FLFE 20+ Core Features and Benefits
 All paid subscriptions include  EMF Mitigation . These features or “programs” are included in all FLFE Flagship services and your FLFE Free Trial. There’s no need to run a screen or choose which program to run. The FLFE high-consciousness field and your innate intelligence do all the work.
Many upgrades are included at no additional cost. The Smarter EMF product has fewer features (6), but the depth of each feature is the same. Features in bold are included in our value-priced Smarter EMF service. All paid subscriptions include  EMF Mitigation .  
   High-consciousness Field 
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Better Sleep
Anti-stagnation
Antioxidants
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 Immune Support 
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Meditation Support
Heart Chakra Support
Pet &amp; Plant Support
Support for clearing the negative history with others
Support for people to rise in consciousness
Support for people to have a positive intent toward the subscriber and those in the FLFE environment
Communication Support
Heightened level of awareness
Multitasking &amp; Concentration Support
Optimal Short-term Memory
Optimal Spatial Awareness
Optimize the body’s innate ability to protect itself
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https://www.davidjeremiah.org/resources/the-focused-life
Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah
2024-04-18T15:27:51Z

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<h3>Embark on a Life-Changing Journey</h3>
<h2>Timeless Wisdom for Everyday Success</h2>
<p><em>The Focused Life: Psalms and Proverbs Reading Plan</em> combines Psalms and Proverbs, helping you navigate life&#39;s storms with God&#39;s portable rules for living. Embark on a journey to transform your life with the undeniable wisdom of these enriching texts.</p>
<p>Let God’s Word guide your daily life as you discover advice on working hard, eating and drinking wisely, keeping your temper, guarding your tongue, avoiding unhealthy friendships and immoral living, handling money well, and making good decisions in matters great and small.</p>
<p>Together, Psalms and Proverbs can help you navigate any storm that comes your way.</p>
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</p><h2>“I personally use this simple yet impactful book in my own daily quiet time.”</h2>
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<h3>This Is one of our most requested devotional resources of all time!</h3>
<h2>Features of <em>The Focused Life</em> include:</h2>
<ul>
	<li>All 150 Psalms and 31 Proverbs in the New Living Translation</li>
	<li>Durable, leatherlike binding</li>
	<li>A topical reference guide</li>
	<li>Space for taking notes</li>
	<li>Interpretive notes</li>
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<h2>15 Benefits to Reading Psalms and Proverbs</h2>
<div>
<p>Change the oil in the car. Cook at home more often. Get adequate sleep. Play with the kids. Balance the budget. Walk the dog. Read the Bible. With so many worthwhile things to do, we often struggle to fit everything in. According to LifeWay Research, most Americans have a favorable view of the Bible, but only 57% say they’ve read at least half of it.<sup>1</sup></p>
<p>We may feel the effects of neglecting our physical needs first, but nothing could be more important than spending time in God’s Word. The books of Psalms and Proverbs are a perfect place to start. Both poetic and practical, they address every human emotion and instruct us in righteous living.</p>
<p>Consider these fifteen benefits of reading Psalms and Proverbs.</p>
<p>1. <strong>Connection with believers from every era.</strong> The book of Psalms is the hymnbook of God’s ancient people. To read its words is to read lyrics that once echoed off the walls of the temple in Jerusalem. It connects us to believers from ages past.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p>Change the oil in the car. Cook at home more often. Get adequate sleep. Play with the kids. Balance the budget. Walk the dog. Read the Bible. With so many worthwhile things to do, we often struggle to fit everything in. According to LifeWay Research, most Americans have a favorable view of the Bible, but only 57% say they’ve read at least half of it.<sup>1</sup></p>
<p>We may feel the effects of neglecting our physical needs first, but nothing could be more important than spending time in God’s Word. The books of Psalms and Proverbs are a perfect place to start. Both poetic and practical, they address every human emotion and instruct us in righteous living.</p>
<p>Consider these fifteen benefits of reading Psalms and Proverbs.</p>
<ol>
	<li><strong>Connection with believers from every era.</strong> The book of Psalms is the hymnbook of God’s ancient people. To read its words is to read lyrics that once echoed off the walls of the temple in Jerusalem. It connects us to believers from ages past.</li>
	<li><strong>Commemoration of significant events.</strong> When God’s people gather, whether in times of grief or celebration, they sing. The psalms are a rich source of lyrics for hymns and contemporary worship music. Through these timeless words, we find the perspective to acknowledge God’s sovereignty over every circumstance.</li>
	<li><strong>Permission to plead with God.</strong> Approximately one-third of the psalms are known as psalms of lamentation. Their writers plead with God to intervene on their behalf and beg questions that begin with “Why?” These heartfelt appeals encourage us to approach God’s throne of grace with boldness, seeking mercy and grace in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).</li>
	<li><strong>Confirmation of God&#39;s protection and provision when we feel weak.</strong> In Psalm 103:14, David reminds us that the Lord &#34;knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.&#34; Knowing who we are and what we wrestle with on earth, God gives us reassurance that He will sustain us through it all.</li>
	<li><strong>Expression of life&#39;s highs and lows.</strong> Perhaps no other book of the Bible can act as a companion in our daily lives, with its joys, heartaches, and dramas, as the book of Psalms does. A collection of songs, prayers, and poetry, it eloquently expresses the height and depth of human emotions.</li>
	<li><strong>Integration of body, mind, and soul.</strong> In Matthew 22, Jesus said the greatest commandment is to &#34;love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind&#34; (verse 37). The psalms show us how to worship God—with courage, memory, intellect, and our body.</li>
	<li><strong>Magnification of God in our heart and mind.</strong> Full of praise, the psalms magnify God in our heart, our mind, and our spirit. They stretch our mental picture of God into its proper context.</li>
	<li><strong>Inspiration to creatively worship God.</strong> The psalmists&#39; vivid imagery inspires us to worship God creatively. Although we may never capture the brilliance of these writers, their words inspire us to stretch our minds to grasp the vastness of God. When we fail to find the words ourselves, we can turn to the psalms for words of worship.</li>
	<li><strong>Information about core precepts of the Bible.</strong> Some of Christianity&#39;s most fundamental doctrines are described in the book of Psalms: evidence for the existence of God (Psalm 19:1-4), Creation (Psalm 104), God&#39;s plan for humanity&#39;s redemption (Psalm 18:49), His discipline (Psalm 89:30-32; 119:67-75), and the inerrancy of Scripture (Psalm 119:60).</li>
	<li><strong>Orientation to God&#39;s priorities.</strong> The book of Psalms reminds us to prioritize God&#39;s Kingdom, law, glory, and standards, while Proverbs provides instructions for maintaining healthy human relationships. Reading them together keeps us oriented to God&#39;s priorities and wisdom.</li>
	<li><strong>Instruction for righteous living.</strong> The sayings in the book of Proverbs were intended to instruct God&#39;s people on how to pursue righteous living. No book in the Bible sets out its purpose with greater clarity than Proverbs: &#34;to know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion&#34; (1:1-4).</li>
	<li><strong>Perception to discern and apply truth.</strong> The book of Proverbs draws a sharp contrast between the wisdom of living life skillfully in the Kingdom of God and the foolishness of living apart from the knowledge of God. It not only teaches us to seek wisdom but also to apply God&#39;s wisdom to the circumstances and relationships where we need it most.</li>
	<li><strong>Transmission of godly principles to future generations.</strong> The phrase &#34;my son&#34; occurs 23 times in Proverbs, highlighting one of the primary literary features of the book: the transmission of wisdom from parents to children. The family is viewed as life&#39;s primary context for imparting wisdom and understanding. Proverbs fits perfectly with the admonition to parents to be diligent in teaching children the ways of God and the skills for living a God-honoring life (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).</li>
	<li><strong>Correctional guidelines for authorities.</strong> Underlying Proverbs is the understanding that human beings need training, correction, and discipline. (In the Hebrew, the word for discipline occurs some thirty times in this book.) Because we all lack wisdom, instruction is needed, especially for children. Proverbs presents two kinds of correction: one initiated by parents or authorities, and one that flows naturally from violating God&#39;s principles (reaping what we sow).</li>
	<li><strong>Communication strategies for building healthy relationships.</strong> Proverbs highlights the importance of our speech: it can lead others to knowledge and bring healing to relationships, or it can be destructive when used recklessly or harshly. Throughout Proverbs, we are reminded that our words are powerful and must be weighed carefully by both speakers and listeners.</li>
</ol>
<p><sup>1. Bob Smietana, &#34;LifeWay Research: Americans Are Fond of the Bible, Don’t Actually Read It,&#34; <em>LifeWay Research</em>, April 25, 2017, https://lifewayresearch.com/2017/04/25/lifeway-research-americans-are-fond-of-the-bible-dont-actually-read-it/, accessed on December 5, 2019.</sup></p>
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<h2><em>The Jeremiah Study Bible</em></h2>
<p>Discover what the Bible says, what it means, and what it means for you with Dr. Jeremiah’s legacy resource—drawing on more than 40 years of his own personal Bible study!</p>
<p>Comprehensive in scope, yet easy to understand, <em>The Jeremiah Study Bible</em> is a 2,200-page, one-of-a-kind study tool featuring:</p>
<ul>
<li>Unique introductions to each book of the Bible from Dr. Jeremiah</li>
<li>8,000 individual study notes with both insightful and practical content</li>
<li>Words of Jesus in red-letter print</li>
<li>Hundreds of enriching sidebars with word studies, historical insights, and geographical and archeological information</li>
<li>More than 55 full-page articles exploring the essential themes of the Christian life</li>
<li>An 80-page general concordance plus a teacher’s topical index</li>
<li>Colorful maps, charts, and tables</li>
<li>And so much more!</li>
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<p>Request <em>The Focused Life</em> share pack together with <em>The Jeremiah Study Bible</em>—a powerful study combination that is sure to enhance your daily quiet time with the Lord. </p>
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<h3>DEBRA’S STORY</h3>
<h2>A Divine Appointment</h2>
<p>Recently, I was at a San Diego Padres baseball game with a pastor friend who had come to visit on vacation. In the section where our seats were located, a woman named Debra was serving food and concessions.</p>
<p>During the game Debra came over to where I was seated to ask: “Are you really David Jeremiah?”</p>
<p>She proceeded to tell me that she had recently gotten out of prison. While she was serving her sentence, someone had given her a copy of our monthly <em>Turning Points</em> devotional magazine, and she read it cover-to-cover in one sitting. When she got to the end of the magazine, where we always present the Gospel, <strong>she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior!</strong></p>
<p>The Lord has burdened my heart to reach more people like Debra in particular—people who are in prison across the country and across the border—through <strong>The Heart of Christmas Project</strong>.</p>
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<p>When you <a href="#">give to Turning Point</a>, you can have confidence knowing your gift will help spread the Gospel around the world. Administrative and fundraising costs account for just 13 percent of our budget—87 percent of every gift directly funds outreach initiatives.</p>
<p>Thanks to your generosity, Dr. David Jeremiah’s teaching is available in twelve languages, and he has received responses from viewers and listeners in 175 countries. Turning Point is not sponsored by any church or denomination—our work is entirely funded by friends like you.</p>
<p>God has blessed our ministry, and you are a part of it! Thank you for your support of our God-given mission: <em>Delivering the unchanging Word of God to an ever-changing world</em>.</p>
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Timeless Wisdom for Everyday Success
 The Focused Life: Psalms and Proverbs Reading Plan combines Psalms and Proverbs, helping you navigate life&#39;s storms with God&#39;s portable rules for living. Embark on a journey to transform your life with the undeniable wisdom of these enriching texts.
Let God’s Word guide your daily life as you discover advice on working hard, eating and drinking wisely, keeping your temper, guarding your tongue, avoiding unhealthy friendships and immoral living, handling money well, and making good decisions in matters great and small.
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15 Benefits to Reading Psalms and Proverbs
Change the oil in the car. Cook at home more often. Get adequate sleep. Play with the kids. Balance the budget. Walk the dog. Read the Bible. With so many worthwhile things to do, we often struggle to fit everything in. According to LifeWay Research, most Americans have a favorable view of the Bible, but only 57% say they’ve read at least half of it.1 
We may feel the effects of neglecting our physical needs first, but nothing could be more important than spending time in God’s Word. The books of Psalms and Proverbs are a perfect place to start. Both poetic and practical, they address every human emotion and instruct us in righteous living.
Consider these fifteen benefits of reading Psalms and Proverbs.
1. Connection with believers from every era. The book of Psalms is the hymnbook of God’s ancient people. To read its words is to read lyrics that once echoed off the walls of the temple in Jerusalem. It connects us to believers from ages past.
Change the oil in the car. Cook at home more often. Get adequate sleep. Play with the kids. Balance the budget. Walk the dog. Read the Bible. With so many worthwhile things to do, we often struggle to fit everything in. According to LifeWay Research, most Americans have a favorable view of the Bible, but only 57% say they’ve read at least half of it.1 
We may feel the effects of neglecting our physical needs first, but nothing could be more important than spending time in God’s Word. The books of Psalms and Proverbs are a perfect place to start. Both poetic and practical, they address every human emotion and instruct us in righteous living.
Consider these fifteen benefits of reading Psalms and Proverbs.
	 Connection with believers from every era. The book of Psalms is the hymnbook of God’s ancient people. To read its words is to read lyrics that once echoed off the walls of the temple in Jerusalem. It connects us to believers from ages past.
	 Commemoration of significant events. When God’s people gather, whether in times of grief or celebration, they sing. The psalms are a rich source of lyrics for hymns and contemporary worship music. Through these timeless words, we find the perspective to acknowledge God’s sovereignty over every circumstance.
	 Permission to plead with God. Approximately one-third of the psalms are known as psalms of lamentation. Their writers plead with God to intervene on their behalf and beg questions that begin with “Why?” These heartfelt appeals encourage us to approach God’s throne of grace with boldness, seeking mercy and grace in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
	 Confirmation of God&#39;s protection and provision when we feel weak. In Psalm 103:14, David reminds us that the Lord &#34;knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.&#34; Knowing who we are and what we wrestle with on earth, God gives us reassurance that He will sustain us through it all.
	 Expression of life&#39;s highs and lows. Perhaps no other book of the Bible can act as a companion in our daily lives, with its joys, heartaches, and dramas, as the book of Psalms does. A collection of songs, prayers, and poetry, it eloquently expresses the height and depth of human emotions.
	 Integration of body, mind, and soul. In Matthew 22, Jesus said the greatest commandment is to &#34;love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind&#34; (verse 37). The psalms show us how to worship God—with courage, memory, intellect, and our body.
	 Magnification of God in our heart and mind. Full of praise, the psalms magnify God in our heart, our mind, and our spirit. They stretch our mental picture of God into its proper context.
	 Inspiration to creatively worship God. The psalmists&#39; vivid imagery inspires us to worship God creatively. Although we may never capture the brilliance of these writers, their words inspire us to stretch our minds to grasp the vastness of God. When we fail to find the words ourselves, we can turn to the psalms for words of worship.
	 Information about core precepts of the Bible. Some of Christianity&#39;s most fundamental doctrines are described in the book of Psalms: evidence for the existence of God (Psalm 19:1-4), Creation (Psalm 104), God&#39;s plan for humanity&#39;s redemption (Psalm 18:49), His discipline (Psalm 89:30-32; 119:67-75), and the inerrancy of Scripture (Psalm 119:60).
	 Orientation to God&#39;s priorities. The book of Psalms reminds us to prioritize God&#39;s Kingdom, law, glory, and standards, while Proverbs provides instructions for maintaining healthy human relationships. Reading them together keeps us oriented to God&#39;s priorities and wisdom.
	 Instruction for righteous living. The sayings in the book of Proverbs were intended to instruct God&#39;s people on how to pursue righteous living. No book in the Bible sets out its purpose with greater clarity than Proverbs: &#34;to know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion&#34; (1:1-4).
	 Perception to discern and apply truth. The book of Proverbs draws a sharp contrast between the wisdom of living life skillfully in the Kingdom of God and the foolishness of living apart from the knowledge of God. It not only teaches us to seek wisdom but also to apply God&#39;s wisdom to the circumstances and relationships where we need it most.
	 Transmission of godly principles to future generations. The phrase &#34;my son&#34; occurs 23 times in Proverbs, highlighting one of the primary literary features of the book: the transmission of wisdom from parents to children. The family is viewed as life&#39;s primary context for imparting wisdom and understanding. Proverbs fits perfectly with the admonition to parents to be diligent in teaching children the ways of God and the skills for living a God-honoring life (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).
	 Correctional guidelines for authorities. Underlying Proverbs is the understanding that human beings need training, correction, and discipline. (In the Hebrew, the word for discipline occurs some thirty times in this book.) Because we all lack wisdom, instruction is needed, especially for children. Proverbs presents two kinds of correction: one initiated by parents or authorities, and one that flows naturally from violating God&#39;s principles (reaping what we sow).
	 Communication strategies for building healthy relationships. Proverbs highlights the importance of our speech: it can lead others to knowledge and bring healing to relationships, or it can be destructive when used recklessly or harshly. Throughout Proverbs, we are reminded that our words are powerful and must be weighed carefully by both speakers and listeners.
 1. Bob Smietana, &#34;LifeWay Research: Americans Are Fond of the Bible, Don’t Actually Read It,&#34; LifeWay Research, April 25, 2017, https://lifewayresearch.com/2017/04/25/lifeway-research-americans-are-fond-of-the-bible-dont-actually-read-it/, accessed on December 5, 2019. 
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DEBRA’S STORY
A Divine Appointment
Recently, I was at a San Diego Padres baseball game with a pastor friend who had come to visit on vacation. In the section where our seats were located, a woman named Debra was serving food and concessions.
During the game Debra came over to where I was seated to ask: “Are you really David Jeremiah?”
She proceeded to tell me that she had recently gotten out of prison. While she was serving her sentence, someone had given her a copy of our monthly Turning Points devotional magazine, and she read it cover-to-cover in one sitting. When she got to the end of the magazine, where we always present the Gospel, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior! 
The Lord has burdened my heart to reach more people like Debra in particular—people who are in prison across the country and across the border—through The Heart of Christmas Project.
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https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2381941/
Focus (2015) - IMDb
2015-02-27
None
<div><section><section><div><ul><li><a href="fullcredits/?ref_=tt_ql_cl">Cast &amp; crew</a></li><li><a href="reviews/?ref_=tt_ql_urv">User reviews</a></li><li><a href="trivia/?ref_=tt_ql_trv">Trivia</a></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><a href="/title/tt2381941/releaseinfo?ref_=tt_ov_rdat">2015</a>2015</li><li><a href="/title/tt2381941/parentalguide/certificates?ref_=tt_ov_pg">R</a>R</li><li>1h 45m</li></ul></div><div><div><p></p><a href="/title/tt2381941/mediaviewer/rm2184183296/?ref_=tt_ov_i"></a></div><div><div><div><p>In the midst of veteran con man Nicky's latest scheme, a woman from his past - now an accomplished femme fatale - shows up and throws his plans for a loop.In the midst of veteran con man Nicky's latest scheme, a woman from his past - now an accomplished femme fatale - shows up and throws his plans for a loop.In the midst of veteran con man Nicky's latest scheme, a woman from his past - now an accomplished femme fatale - shows up and throws his plans for a loop.</p></div><li><p><a href="https://pro.imdb.com/title/tt2381941/?rf=cons_tt_atf&amp;ref_=cons_tt_atf">See production, box office &amp; company info</a></p></li></div><div><ul><li><a href="/title/tt2381941/reviews/?ref_=tt_ov_rt">335User reviews</a></li><li><a href="/title/tt2381941/externalreviews/?ref_=tt_ov_rt">307Critic reviews</a></li><li><a href="/title/tt2381941/criticreviews/?ref_=tt_ov_rt">56Metascore</a></li></ul></div></div><li><p><a href="https://pro.imdb.com/title/tt2381941/?rf=cons_tt_atf&amp;ref_=cons_tt_atf">See more at IMDbPro</a></p></li></div></section></section><div><div><section><p><a href="/title/tt2381941/videogallery/?ref_=tt_vi_sm"><h3>Videos32</h3></a></p></section><section><h2>Margot Robbie Through the Years</h2></section><div><hgroup><h3>More like this</h3></hgroup></div><section><a href="https://contribute.imdb.com/review/tt2381941/add?bus=imdb&amp;return_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.imdb.com%2Fclose_me&amp;site=web&amp;ref_=tt_urv_add"><p>Review</p></a><div><div> <p>Never drop the con.</p><div><p>Focus is a con movie and it's at its best when it's trying to con you into believing you know what is going to happen. The plot unfolds at a steady pace and you are left guessing what is going to follow. There are many twists and it's hard to keep up, as you would expect. </p><p>The regular cons work best in the first half, when the movie is trying to be fun and entertaining. During the second half of the movie the plot deepens and works around character development. That's when Will Smith and Margot Robbie come to life, they are at their best when they are given more to work with and they keep the movie interesting. However the movie gets caught juggling too many cons which by the end of the movie may feel just a bit flat; but still make for an unexpected and enjoyable finale. </p><p>Definitely worth watching. PS. The directors did a good job showing the importance of FOCUS in keeping the camera Focused at the right place.</p></div></div><div><ul><li><a href="/user/ur56326351/?ref_=tt_urv_usr">pantekhis_iacovos</a></li><li>Mar 12, 2015</li></ul></div></div></section><section><p><a href="/title/tt2381941/faq?ref_=tt_faq_sm"><h3>FAQ1</h3></a></p></section><div><hgroup><h3>Contribute to this page</h3></hgroup><p>Suggest an edit or add missing content</p></div></div><div><section><p><hgroup><h3>More to explore</h3></hgroup></p></section></div></div>||||I|||| Menu
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 Focus

 * 2015 2015
 * R R
 * 1h 45m
 IMDb RATING
 6.6 / 10
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 This video file cannot be played.(Error Code: 224003)
 Play trailer 2 :03
 32 Videos
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 Comedy Crime Drama
 In the midst of veteran con man Nicky's latest scheme, a woman from his past - now an accomplished femme fatale - shows up and throws his plans for a loop. In the midst of veteran con man Nicky's latest scheme, a woman from his past - now an accomplished femme fatale - shows up and throws his plans for a loop. In the midst of veteran con man Nicky's latest scheme, a woman from his past - now an accomplished femme fatale - shows up and throws his plans for a loop.
 IMDb RATING
 6.6 / 10
 254K
 YOUR RATING
 Rate
 POPULARITY
 1,593
 138
 * Directors
 + Glenn Ficarra
 + John Requa
 * Writers
 + Glenn Ficarra
 + John Requa
 * Stars
 + Will Smith
 + Margot Robbie
 + Rodrigo Santoro
 Top credits
 * Directors
 + Glenn Ficarra
 + John Requa
 * Writers
 + Glenn Ficarra
 + John Requa
 * Stars
 + Will Smith
 + Margot Robbie
 + Rodrigo Santoro
 * See production, box office & company info
 Watch on The Roku Channel
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 * 335 User reviews
 * 307 Critic reviews
 * 56 Metascore
 * See more at IMDbPro
 * Awards
 + 3 nominations

 Videos 32

 Trailer 2:03
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 Trailer 2:19
 Watch Teaser Trailer
 Clip 1:20
 Watch Ive Been Thinking
 Clip 1:00
 Watch This Is A Game Of Focus
 Clip 1:03
 Watch Youre Still Sleeping
 Clip 1:04
 Watch I Just Want In
 Clip 0:28
 Watch You Should Hit That
 Clip 0:50
 Watch Invite Him To Lunch
 Clip 0:58
 Watch Die With The Lie
 Clip 0:44
 Watch Congratulations Youre A Criminal
 Clip 0:55
 Watch Focus: Die With The Lie

 Photos 227

 Top cast

 Edit
 Will Smith
 * Nicky
 Margot Robbie
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 Rodrigo Santoro
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 Adrian Martinez
 * Farhad
 Gerald McRaney
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 Brennan Brown
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 * Directors
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 Margot Robbie Through the Years

 Margot Robbie Through the Years

 Take a look back at Margot Robbie's career on and off the screen.
 View the full gallery

 More like this

 6.5
 Mr. & Mrs. Smith
 Watch options
 7.2
 Now You See Me
 Watch options
 6.4
 Lucy
 Watch options
 6.6
 Hitch
 Watch options
 6.4
 Hancock
 Watch options
 7.4
 Limitless
 Watch options
 6.4
 Now You See Me 2
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 7.2
 I Am Legend
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 8.0
 The Pursuit of Happyness
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 7.7
 The Hangover
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 6.7
 In Time
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 6.5
 The Hangover Part II
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 Storyline

 Edit

 Did you know

 Edit
 * Trivia
 Margot Robbie was vacationing with her brother on an island in Croatia when she got the call that the directors wanted her to audition. She had arrived at the hotel at 6 a.m., and needed to catch a flight the same day. She packed everything in 20 minutes and took a catamaran to the main island, then a bus to the airport. She waited in the airport for six hours, flew to France, then got a six-hour flight to New York. When she arrived in New York, she found out her luggage had been lost. However, she got to the audition on time, wearing denim shorts, a t-shirt, and no makeup. When Will Smith arrived late, saying he "was coming from Queens", Robbie said "Yeah? Well, I just came from an island off Croatia and I'm here on time." Robbie believes that reply got her the role.
 * Goofs
 When the handbag is returned and they are speaking over glasses of wine, the levels in the glasses change as does the size of one of the wine glasses.
 * Quotes

 Nicky: It's about distraction. It's about focus. The brain is slow and it can't multitask. Tap him here, take from there.

 * Connections
 Featured in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Will Smith/Rosamund Pike/Jack White (2015)
 * Soundtracks
 I'm A Manchild
 Written and Performed by Bruno Hovart
 Courtesy of Soulab Records

 User reviews 335

 Review
 Review
 Featured review
 7 / 10
 Never drop the con.
 Focus is a con movie and it's at its best when it's trying to con you into believing you know what is going to happen. The plot unfolds at a steady pace and you are left guessing what is going to follow. There are many twists and it's hard to keep up, as you would expect.

 The regular cons work best in the first half, when the movie is trying to be fun and entertaining. During the second half of the movie the plot deepens and works around character development. That's when Will Smith and Margot Robbie come to life, they are at their best when they are given more to work with and they keep the movie interesting. However the movie gets caught juggling too many cons which by the end of the movie may feel just a bit flat; but still make for an unexpected and enjoyable finale.

 Definitely worth watching. PS. The directors did a good job showing the importance of FOCUS in keeping the camera Focused at the right place.
 helpful • 69
 37
 * pantekhis_iacovos
 * Mar 12, 2015

 FAQ 1

 * In the end scene, the piano music in the background sounds very like Keane's Somewhere only we know - but that track isn't listed in the music credits...

 Details

 Edit
 * Release date
 + February 27, 2015 (United States)
 * Countries of origin
 + United States
 + Argentina
 * Official site
 + Official site
 * Languages
 + English
 + Spanish
 * Also known as
 + Thánh Lừa
 * Filming locations
 + Buenos Aires, Federal District, Argentina
 * Production companies
 + K&S Films
 + RatPac-Dune Entertainment
 + Zaftig Films
 * See more company credits at IMDbPro

 Box office

 Edit
 * Budget
 + $50,100,000 (estimated)
 * Gross US & Canada
 + $53,862,963
 * Opening weekend US & Canada
 + $18,685,137
 + Mar 1, 2015
 * Gross worldwide
 + $158,762,963
 See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

 Technical specs

 Edit
 * Runtime
 1 hour 45 minutes
 * Color
 + Color
 * Sound mix
 + Dolby Digital
 + Datasat
 * Aspect ratio
 + 1.85 : 1

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Cast &amp; crew   User reviews   Trivia       20152015  RR 1h 45m             In the midst of veteran con man Nicky's latest scheme, a woman from his past - now an accomplished femme fatale - shows up and throws his plans for a loop.In the midst of veteran con man Nicky's latest scheme, a woman from his past - now an accomplished femme fatale - shows up and throws his plans for a loop.In the midst of veteran con man Nicky's latest scheme, a woman from his past - now an accomplished femme fatale - shows up and throws his plans for a loop.    See production, box office &amp; company info       335User reviews   307Critic reviews   56Metascore       See more at IMDbPro           Videos32     Margot Robbie Through the Years    More like this     Review    Never drop the con.  Focus is a con movie and it's at its best when it's trying to con you into believing you know what is going to happen. The plot unfolds at a steady pace and you are left guessing what is going to follow. There are many twists and it's hard to keep up, as you would expect.  The regular cons work best in the first half, when the movie is trying to be fun and entertaining. During the second half of the movie the plot deepens and works around character development. That's when Will Smith and Margot Robbie come to life, they are at their best when they are given more to work with and they keep the movie interesting. However the movie gets caught juggling too many cons which by the end of the movie may feel just a bit flat; but still make for an unexpected and enjoyable finale.  Definitely worth watching. PS. The directors did a good job showing the importance of FOCUS in keeping the camera Focused at the right place.      pantekhis_iacovos  Mar 12, 2015        FAQ1      Contribute to this page  Suggest an edit or add missing content       More to explore
Focus (2015) - IMDb
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2381941/
https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/decreasing-digital-distractions/
Digital Distractions – Learning Center
2018-07-10
None
<div><div>
 	
	 <p>Do you frequently check your phone during class, work, or social settings? When you are attending class online from home, are you interrupted or distracted by notifications or the impulse to check for them? Do you stop studying every few minutes to text, check your social media, or watch a YouTube video? If this is you, know that you are not alone. While digital distractions are certainly not uncommon, they can be harmful to your study habits, breaking your concentration and rendering your reading or studying habits ineffective.</p>
<p>The good news is that there are techniques that can help you break negative technology habits and recenter your focus on your studies. This handout shares tips and tools to help you minimize distractions and stay on track when it matters most.</p>
<h2>Tips to manage your technology</h2>
<h3>Remove distractions.</h3>
<p>Anything that limits the interruptions or temptations caused by technology will help you stay focused on your studies and enter the deep concentration needed for effective learning. Try any of the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>Turn off technology during class and study time.</li>
<li>Put your phone in your bookbag so you don’t see it.</li>
<li>Turn off notifications on your phone.</li>
<li>Turn off unnecessary websites or apps that aren’t necessary for the task at hand.</li>
<li>Move tempting apps to the third or fourth page of your phone screen so that you have time to catch yourself mindlessly opening them.</li>
<li>Leave your phone and computer in your dorm during class and study time.</li>
<li>Put your phone in another room when you are working at home.</li>
<li>Use noise-cancelling headphones or listen to white noise or instrumental music if you are studying in the same room as someone watching TV or viewing media on their computer</li>
</ul>
<p>You can also try practicing <a href="/tips-and-tools/metacognitive-study-strategies/">metacognition</a>, or “thinking about thinking.” Observe the moods, thoughts, and other mental states (boredom, frustration, fatigue) that tempt you to pick up your phone or flick to your Twitter tab. With practice, you’ll be able to recognize the times when you’re prone to distraction.</p>
<h3>Motivate and inspire yourself.</h3>
<p><strong>Remember your goals.</strong> Write a message or letter to your future self to remind yourself of your goals. Read this message when you find yourself being pulled into distractions. Put sticky notes and reminders to stay focused on your laptop, on the wall, and on your phone background.</p>
<p><strong>Remember your reasons.</strong> Write down your WHY—why you want to do well in school and what you are working for. Your reason could be to make your family proud, to be the first one in your family to graduate from college, to get a high enough GPA to get into law school, or to do well enough to secure a good job after college. Post your WHY somewhere visible where you will see it frequently to remind yourself of what you are working for and why you need to focus. Check out these <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ytFB8TrkTo">videos</a> for further <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XIGu3Kxg2I">inspiration</a> and explanation.</p>
<p><strong>Convert your distractions into rewards.</strong> Some distractions are just idle habits. But if you’re feeling distracted by something you really want to do, try promising yourself that you’ll dedicate your time and attention to the distraction after you’ve finished the task you’ve set for yourself. For example, you could try a Pomodoro method, where 45 minutes of studying earns 10 minutes of something you enjoy. Promising yourself that you’ll watch the next episode of your show after you’ve finished an assignment may help you focus your efforts in a way that watching the show before working on the assignment may not.</p>
<h3>Use creative tools to stay focused.</h3>
<p><strong>Make staying focused a game.</strong> <a href="https://www.forestapp.cc/en/">Forest</a> is an app that allows you to build a tree on your phone whenever you want to focus. Once you start growing the tree, if you leave the app and go somewhere else on your phone, the tree dies. The app records how many trees you grow over the course of time. The Forest team partners with real life tree-planting organizations; when you spend coins you earn in Forest, they donate to tree planting.</p>
<p><strong>Make a list.</strong> Use a list-making or to-do app, like <a href="http://www.toodledo.com/">Toodledo</a>, <a href="http://workflowy.com/">Workflowy</a>, <a href="https://www.rememberthemilk.com/">Remember The Milk</a>, or <a href="http://evernote.com/">Evernote.</a></p>
<p><strong>Track your progress.</strong> <a href="http://phocusapp.com/">Phocus App</a> includes timers, progress bar, pace-settings for work and break time.</p>
<p><strong>Control what you see.</strong> When writing, use a full-screen mode, distraction-free writing program on your computer to reduce distractions. All you’ll see are your words and nothing else. Consider downloading a writing program designed to provide a focused writing environment like these:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://gottcode.org/focuswriter/">Focus Writer</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ommwriter.com/">Omm Writer</a></li>
<li><a href="http://writemonkey.com/">Write Monkey</a></li>
<li>Full-screen mode in <a href="http://www.apple.com/iwork/pages/">Pages</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Limit or block your internet use</h3>
<p>You can put your device in airplane mode to disconnect entirely. There are also many programs and browser extensions that can help you limit internet access:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/leechblock-ng/">Leech Block</a>: “a Firefox add-on that lets you specify which sites to block and when to block them.”</li>
<li><a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/laankejkbhbdhmipfmgcngdelahlfoji">Stay Focused</a>: A Google Chrome extension that “restricts…time you can spend on time-wasting websites. Once your allotted time has been used up, the sites you have blocked will be inaccessible for the rest of the day.”</li>
<li><a href="http://macfreedom.com/">Mac Freedom</a> “…locks you away from the internet on Mac or Windows computers for up to eight hours at a time…”</li>
<li><a href="http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/31289/selfcontrol">Self Control</a>: “an OS X application which blocks access to incoming and/or outgoing mail servers and websites for a predetermined period of time.”</li>
</ul>
<h3>Plan your time and set goals.</h3>
<p><strong>Time yourself.</strong> Set <a href="http://www.online-stopwatch.com/">stopwatches and timers</a> to keep you on schedule. Use a mindfulness bell. Or try the Pomodoro technique for a simple, structured way to build in breaks. Set a timer for 25 minutes, work completely focused during that time, and take a 5-minute break when the timer goes off. Rinse, repeat. It’s a great way to avoid burnout!</p>
<p><strong>Schedule your check-ins.</strong> Designate times each day to check your email and other necessary websites. Turn off notifications and put your laptop and phone away when you can to eliminate checking these websites during times that you have not planned.</p>
<p><strong>Organize your time.</strong> Use a <a href="/tips-and-tools/using-planners/">calendar</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu3oi6E0xfc">planner</a> to create a schedule for every day and record your to-do items. Include small breaks for movement and checking technology, but stay focused on work when it’s work time.</p>
<p><strong>Have a purpose.</strong> Set times and goals for each event, study session, or to-do item on your calendar. Having specific goals and action items for each study time keeps you purposeful and on task. Check out some of these resources from the Learning Center to create goals and schedules:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="/tips-and-tools/weekly-action-plan/">Weekly Action Plan</a></li>
<li><a href="/tips-and-tools/priorities-worksheet-must-do-should-do-could-do/">Priorities List</a></li>
<li><a href="/tips-and-tools/goal-tracker/">Goal Tracker</a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Chunk your study time.</strong> Keep your study or school work sessions fairly short (30-60 minutes). It’s important to take mental breaks, even if only for five or ten minutes, during a study block. If you have a long period of time to work, break it up into sessions with breaks in between. Using shorter study sessions can decrease your tendency to wander or turn to technology.</p>
<p><strong>Anticipate your distractions.</strong> Before you start working, try to anticipate potential roadblocks. If you are studying at the library, when you run into a friend, how will you limit how much time you spend talking? If you are working from home, how will you stay on track when you have to pause to take the dog out? If you have loud or distracting roommates, what steps can you take to stay focused?</p>
<h3>Seek accountability.</h3>
<p>Keeping technology away during class and study time can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone.</p>
<ul>
<li>Make an appointment with an <a href="/services/academic-coaching/">academic coach</a> at the Learning Center to discuss how technology affects your study time, implement strategies, and stick to them.</li>
<li>Ask a classmate or friend to keep you accountable. Give your phone to this person or have them check in with you about how your studying is going.</li>
<li>If you are working at home, ask someone you live with to help keep you on track by checking in with you every thirty minutes or every hour to see how things are going. </li>
<li>Meet up with a friend in-person or virtually to get work done. Work independently, and check in occasionally with each other to share your progress.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Keep going</h2>
<p>Using some of these strategies can help you minimize distractions and focus regularly. Not every single one of these strategies may work for you, and that’s okay. Experiment with them and find a few that do work for you, then use them with fidelity. Remember that it’s okay to slip back into your distracting technology habits every now and then—you are only human. However, keep yourself aware of when you are doing that and get yourself back on track as soon as you can.</p>
<div>
<h2>Works consulted</h2>
<p>Duhigg, Charles. (2010). <em>The power of habits: why we do what we do in life and business.</em> New York: Random House.</p>
<p>Newport, Cal. (2007). <em>How to become a straight-A student.</em> New York: Broadway Books.</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/"></a> This work is licensed under a <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 License</a>.<br />
You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Learning Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill</p>
<p>If you enjoy using our handouts, we appreciate contributions of acknowledgement.</p>
<p><a href="https://learningcenter.unc.edu/donate/">Make a Gift</a></p>
 
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 Home / Tips & Tools / Digital Distractions

 Digital Distractions

 Do you frequently check your phone during class, work, or social settings? When you are attending class online from home, are you interrupted or distracted by notifications or the impulse to check for them? Do you stop studying every few minutes to text, check your social media, or watch a YouTube video? If this is you, know that you are not alone. While digital distractions are certainly not uncommon, they can be harmful to your study habits, breaking your concentration and rendering your reading or studying habits ineffective.

 The good news is that there are techniques that can help you break negative technology habits and recenter your focus on your studies. This handout shares tips and tools to help you minimize distractions and stay on track when it matters most.

 Tips to manage your technology

 Remove distractions.

 Anything that limits the interruptions or temptations caused by technology will help you stay focused on your studies and enter the deep concentration needed for effective learning. Try any of the following:

 * Turn off technology during class and study time.
 * Put your phone in your bookbag so you don’t see it.
 * Turn off notifications on your phone.
 * Turn off unnecessary websites or apps that aren’t necessary for the task at hand.
 * Move tempting apps to the third or fourth page of your phone screen so that you have time to catch yourself mindlessly opening them.
 * Leave your phone and computer in your dorm during class and study time.
 * Put your phone in another room when you are working at home.
 * Use noise-cancelling headphones or listen to white noise or instrumental music if you are studying in the same room as someone watching TV or viewing media on their computer

 You can also try practicing metacognition, or “thinking about thinking.” Observe the moods, thoughts, and other mental states (boredom, frustration, fatigue) that tempt you to pick up your phone or flick to your Twitter tab. With practice, you’ll be able to recognize the times when you’re prone to distraction.

 Motivate and inspire yourself.

 Remember your goals. Write a message or letter to your future self to remind yourself of your goals. Read this message when you find yourself being pulled into distractions. Put sticky notes and reminders to stay focused on your laptop, on the wall, and on your phone background.

 Remember your reasons. Write down your WHY—why you want to do well in school and what you are working for. Your reason could be to make your family proud, to be the first one in your family to graduate from college, to get a high enough GPA to get into law school, or to do well enough to secure a good job after college. Post your WHY somewhere visible where you will see it frequently to remind yourself of what you are working for and why you need to focus. Check out these videos for further inspiration and explanation.

 Convert your distractions into rewards. Some distractions are just idle habits. But if you’re feeling distracted by something you really want to do, try promising yourself that you’ll dedicate your time and attention to the distraction after you’ve finished the task you’ve set for yourself. For example, you could try a Pomodoro method, where 45 minutes of studying earns 10 minutes of something you enjoy. Promising yourself that you’ll watch the next episode of your show after you’ve finished an assignment may help you focus your efforts in a way that watching the show before working on the assignment may not.

 Use creative tools to stay focused.

 Make staying focused a game. Forest is an app that allows you to build a tree on your phone whenever you want to focus. Once you start growing the tree, if you leave the app and go somewhere else on your phone, the tree dies. The app records how many trees you grow over the course of time. The Forest team partners with real life tree-planting organizations; when you spend coins you earn in Forest, they donate to tree planting.

 Make a list. Use a list-making or to-do app, like Toodledo, Workflowy, Remember The Milk, or Evernote.

 Track your progress. Phocus App includes timers, progress bar, pace-settings for work and break time.

 Control what you see. When writing, use a full-screen mode, distraction-free writing program on your computer to reduce distractions. All you’ll see are your words and nothing else. Consider downloading a writing program designed to provide a focused writing environment like these:

 * Focus Writer
 * Omm Writer
 * Write Monkey
 * Full-screen mode in Pages

 Limit or block your internet use

 You can put your device in airplane mode to disconnect entirely. There are also many programs and browser extensions that can help you limit internet access:

 * Leech Block: “a Firefox add-on that lets you specify which sites to block and when to block them.”
 * Stay Focused: A Google Chrome extension that “restricts…time you can spend on time-wasting websites. Once your allotted time has been used up, the sites you have blocked will be inaccessible for the rest of the day.”
 * Mac Freedom “…locks you away from the internet on Mac or Windows computers for up to eight hours at a time…”
 * Self Control: “an OS X application which blocks access to incoming and/or outgoing mail servers and websites for a predetermined period of time.”

 Plan your time and set goals.

 Time yourself. Set stopwatches and timers to keep you on schedule. Use a mindfulness bell. Or try the Pomodoro technique for a simple, structured way to build in breaks. Set a timer for 25 minutes, work completely focused during that time, and take a 5-minute break when the timer goes off. Rinse, repeat. It’s a great way to avoid burnout!

 Schedule your check-ins. Designate times each day to check your email and other necessary websites. Turn off notifications and put your laptop and phone away when you can to eliminate checking these websites during times that you have not planned.

 Organize your time. Use a calendar or planner to create a schedule for every day and record your to-do items. Include small breaks for movement and checking technology, but stay focused on work when it’s work time.

 Have a purpose. Set times and goals for each event, study session, or to-do item on your calendar. Having specific goals and action items for each study time keeps you purposeful and on task. Check out some of these resources from the Learning Center to create goals and schedules:

 * Weekly Action Plan
 * Priorities List
 * Goal Tracker

 Chunk your study time. Keep your study or school work sessions fairly short (30-60 minutes). It’s important to take mental breaks, even if only for five or ten minutes, during a study block. If you have a long period of time to work, break it up into sessions with breaks in between. Using shorter study sessions can decrease your tendency to wander or turn to technology.

 Anticipate your distractions. Before you start working, try to anticipate potential roadblocks. If you are studying at the library, when you run into a friend, how will you limit how much time you spend talking? If you are working from home, how will you stay on track when you have to pause to take the dog out? If you have loud or distracting roommates, what steps can you take to stay focused?

 Seek accountability.

 Keeping technology away during class and study time can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone.

 * Make an appointment with an academic coach at the Learning Center to discuss how technology affects your study time, implement strategies, and stick to them.
 * Ask a classmate or friend to keep you accountable. Give your phone to this person or have them check in with you about how your studying is going.
 * If you are working at home, ask someone you live with to help keep you on track by checking in with you every thirty minutes or every hour to see how things are going.
 * Meet up with a friend in-person or virtually to get work done. Work independently, and check in occasionally with each other to share your progress.

 Keep going

 Using some of these strategies can help you minimize distractions and focus regularly. Not every single one of these strategies may work for you, and that’s okay. Experiment with them and find a few that do work for you, then use them with fidelity. Remember that it’s okay to slip back into your distracting technology habits every now and then—you are only human. However, keep yourself aware of when you are doing that and get yourself back on track as soon as you can.

 Testimonials

 Check out how other students are managing digital distractions!

 Kicking Social Media Addiction: A UNC Sophomore chronicles efforts to rescue time from social media.

 Blocking Distractions with Serene: Learn more about a UNC student’s experience using Serene to block distracting websites for thirty-minute intervals.

 Starting Cold Turkey, or Seeing the Trees through Forest: A UNC student describes using the apps Cold Turkey and Forest to increase productivity and focus.

 Works consulted

 Duhigg, Charles. (2010). The power of habits: why we do what we do in life and business. New York: Random House.

 Newport, Cal. (2007). How to become a straight-A student. New York: Broadway Books.

 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 License.
 You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Learning Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

 If you enjoy using our handouts, we appreciate contributions of acknowledgement.

 Make a Gift

 View All Tips & Tools

 Visit Our Blog

 Blog Posts on Digital Distractions

 * Kicking Social Media Addiction
 * Blocking Distractions with Serene
 * Starting Cold Turkey, or Seeing the Trees through Forest
 * Fighting Procrastination in an Online Class
 * Staying on Track with MultiTimer

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Do you frequently check your phone during class, work, or social settings? When you are attending class online from home, are you interrupted or distracted by notifications or the impulse to check for them? Do you stop studying every few minutes to text, check your social media, or watch a YouTube video? If this is you, know that you are not alone. While digital distractions are certainly not uncommon, they can be harmful to your study habits, breaking your concentration and rendering your reading or studying habits ineffective.
The good news is that there are techniques that can help you break negative technology habits and recenter your focus on your studies. This handout shares tips and tools to help you minimize distractions and stay on track when it matters most.
Tips to manage your technology
Remove distractions.
Anything that limits the interruptions or temptations caused by technology will help you stay focused on your studies and enter the deep concentration needed for effective learning. Try any of the following:
Turn off technology during class and study time.
Put your phone in your bookbag so you don’t see it.
Turn off notifications on your phone.
Turn off unnecessary websites or apps that aren’t necessary for the task at hand.
Move tempting apps to the third or fourth page of your phone screen so that you have time to catch yourself mindlessly opening them.
Leave your phone and computer in your dorm during class and study time.
Put your phone in another room when you are working at home.
Use noise-cancelling headphones or listen to white noise or instrumental music if you are studying in the same room as someone watching TV or viewing media on their computer
You can also try practicing metacognition, or “thinking about thinking.” Observe the moods, thoughts, and other mental states (boredom, frustration, fatigue) that tempt you to pick up your phone or flick to your Twitter tab. With practice, you’ll be able to recognize the times when you’re prone to distraction.
Motivate and inspire yourself.
 Remember your goals. Write a message or letter to your future self to remind yourself of your goals. Read this message when you find yourself being pulled into distractions. Put sticky notes and reminders to stay focused on your laptop, on the wall, and on your phone background.
 Remember your reasons. Write down your WHY—why you want to do well in school and what you are working for. Your reason could be to make your family proud, to be the first one in your family to graduate from college, to get a high enough GPA to get into law school, or to do well enough to secure a good job after college. Post your WHY somewhere visible where you will see it frequently to remind yourself of what you are working for and why you need to focus. Check out these videos for further inspiration and explanation.
 Convert your distractions into rewards. Some distractions are just idle habits. But if you’re feeling distracted by something you really want to do, try promising yourself that you’ll dedicate your time and attention to the distraction after you’ve finished the task you’ve set for yourself. For example, you could try a Pomodoro method, where 45 minutes of studying earns 10 minutes of something you enjoy. Promising yourself that you’ll watch the next episode of your show after you’ve finished an assignment may help you focus your efforts in a way that watching the show before working on the assignment may not.
Use creative tools to stay focused.
 Make staying focused a game. Forest is an app that allows you to build a tree on your phone whenever you want to focus. Once you start growing the tree, if you leave the app and go somewhere else on your phone, the tree dies. The app records how many trees you grow over the course of time. The Forest team partners with real life tree-planting organizations; when you spend coins you earn in Forest, they donate to tree planting.
 Make a list. Use a list-making or to-do app, like Toodledo, Workflowy, Remember The Milk, or Evernote. 
 Track your progress. Phocus App includes timers, progress bar, pace-settings for work and break time.
 Control what you see. When writing, use a full-screen mode, distraction-free writing program on your computer to reduce distractions. All you’ll see are your words and nothing else. Consider downloading a writing program designed to provide a focused writing environment like these:
 Focus Writer 
 Omm Writer 
 Write Monkey 
Full-screen mode in Pages 
Limit or block your internet use
You can put your device in airplane mode to disconnect entirely. There are also many programs and browser extensions that can help you limit internet access:
 Leech Block: “a Firefox add-on that lets you specify which sites to block and when to block them.”
 Stay Focused: A Google Chrome extension that “restricts…time you can spend on time-wasting websites. Once your allotted time has been used up, the sites you have blocked will be inaccessible for the rest of the day.”
 Mac Freedom “…locks you away from the internet on Mac or Windows computers for up to eight hours at a time…”
 Self Control: “an OS X application which blocks access to incoming and/or outgoing mail servers and websites for a predetermined period of time.”
Plan your time and set goals.
 Time yourself. Set stopwatches and timers to keep you on schedule. Use a mindfulness bell. Or try the Pomodoro technique for a simple, structured way to build in breaks. Set a timer for 25 minutes, work completely focused during that time, and take a 5-minute break when the timer goes off. Rinse, repeat. It’s a great way to avoid burnout!
 Schedule your check-ins. Designate times each day to check your email and other necessary websites. Turn off notifications and put your laptop and phone away when you can to eliminate checking these websites during times that you have not planned.
 Organize your time. Use a calendar or planner to create a schedule for every day and record your to-do items. Include small breaks for movement and checking technology, but stay focused on work when it’s work time.
 Have a purpose. Set times and goals for each event, study session, or to-do item on your calendar. Having specific goals and action items for each study time keeps you purposeful and on task. Check out some of these resources from the Learning Center to create goals and schedules:
 Weekly Action Plan 
 Priorities List 
 Goal Tracker 
 Chunk your study time. Keep your study or school work sessions fairly short (30-60 minutes). It’s important to take mental breaks, even if only for five or ten minutes, during a study block. If you have a long period of time to work, break it up into sessions with breaks in between. Using shorter study sessions can decrease your tendency to wander or turn to technology.
 Anticipate your distractions. Before you start working, try to anticipate potential roadblocks. If you are studying at the library, when you run into a friend, how will you limit how much time you spend talking? If you are working from home, how will you stay on track when you have to pause to take the dog out? If you have loud or distracting roommates, what steps can you take to stay focused?
Seek accountability.
Keeping technology away during class and study time can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Make an appointment with an academic coach at the Learning Center to discuss how technology affects your study time, implement strategies, and stick to them.
Ask a classmate or friend to keep you accountable. Give your phone to this person or have them check in with you about how your studying is going.
If you are working at home, ask someone you live with to help keep you on track by checking in with you every thirty minutes or every hour to see how things are going. 
Meet up with a friend in-person or virtually to get work done. Work independently, and check in occasionally with each other to share your progress.
Keep going
Using some of these strategies can help you minimize distractions and focus regularly. Not every single one of these strategies may work for you, and that’s okay. Experiment with them and find a few that do work for you, then use them with fidelity. Remember that it’s okay to slip back into your distracting technology habits every now and then—you are only human. However, keep yourself aware of when you are doing that and get yourself back on track as soon as you can.
Works consulted
Duhigg, Charles. (2010). The power of habits: why we do what we do in life and business. New York: Random House.
Newport, Cal. (2007). How to become a straight-A student. New York: Broadway Books.
   This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 License.
You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Learning Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
If you enjoy using our handouts, we appreciate contributions of acknowledgement.
 Make a Gift
Digital Distractions – Learning Center
https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/decreasing-digital-distractions/#:~:text=While%20digital%20distractions%20are%20certainly,your%20focus%20on%20your%20studies.
https://hbr.org/2015/06/conquering-digital-distraction
Conquering Digital Distraction
2015-06-01
None
<div><p>
	<p>Many people today regard their computers, tablets, and smartphones as indispensable, both professionally and personally. But they can also be dangerous: Research shows that spending too much time on e-mail and social media reduces your productivity and engagement at home and at work.</p>
<p>So how can you avoid digital overload? In this article, two experts offer dramatically different strategies. Larry Rosen, a psychologist, advocates pulling away from technology in order to refocus. His advice: Limit the time you spend with your devices, using behavioral techniques to gradually wean yourself away; when you <em>are</em> using technology, take periodic breaks to exercise, meditate, or otherwise recharge; and avoid on-screen activities before bedtime, to ensure that you get proper rest.</p>
<p>Alexandra Samuel, a pioneer in electronic engagement, recommends the opposite tack: Embrace technology and make smarter use of digital tools to manage information overload. She suggests filtering your e-mail and using a newsreader app to customize the stream of articles and blog items you receive. You can also automate your postings to social networks.</p>
<p>The authors’ approaches needn’t be mutually exclusive. Indeed, combining them may be the best way to combat digital distraction.</p>
<p>HBR Reprint R1506J</p>
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<p>Digital overload may be the defining problem of today’s workplace. All day and night, on desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, we’re bombarded with so many messages and alerts that even when we want to focus, it’s nearly impossible. And when we’re tempted to procrastinate, diversions are only a click away.</p> 
<p>This culture of constant connection takes a toll both professionally and personally. We waste time, attention, and energy on relatively unimportant information and interactions, staying busy but producing little of value. As the late Clifford Nass and his colleagues at Stanford University <a href="http://news.stanford.edu/news/2009/august24/multitask-research-study-082409.html">have shown,</a> people who regularly juggle several streams of content do not pay attention, memorize, or manage their tasks as well as those who focus on one thing at a time. The result is reduced productivity and engagement, both in the office and at home. The Information Overload Research Group, a nonprofit consortium of business professionals, researchers, and consultants, <a href="http://iorgforum.org/about-iorg/media-releases/">reports</a> that knowledge workers in the United States waste 25% of their time dealing with their huge and growing data streams, costing the economy $997 billion annually.</p> 
 
 <h4>Further Reading</h4> 
 <div> 
 <ul> 
 <li> 
 <figure> 
 </figure> <h6><a href="/2013/09/make-time-for-the-work-that-matters">Make Time for the Work That Matters</a></h6> 
 <div> 
 <p>Delegation 
 Feature</p> 
 <ul> 
 <li>Julian Birkinshaw and Jordan Cohen</li> 
 </ul> 
 <p>It’s easier said than done. 
 </p> 
 
 <ul> 
 <li><a href="#"><i></i> Save</a></li> 
 
 <li><time></time></li> 
 </ul> 
 
 </div> </li> 
 </ul> 
 </div> 
 
<p>Most people agree on the solution: Control the digital overload rather than letting it control you. But how, exactly, does one do that? We asked two experts: Larry Rosen, a psychologist, and Alexandra Samuel, a technologist. We suspected that their disparate backgrounds would lead them to offer dramatically different advice, and we were right. Rosen believes that we should systematically turn away from the information stream and focus on more energy-enhancing activities. Samuel argues that the best way to fight digital distraction is with the strategic use of digital tools. Taken together, their solutions offer a useful primer on how we can begin to tackle this huge and growing challenge.</p> 
<h2>Take a Break</h2> 
<p><em>by Larry Rosen</em></p> 
<p>Marco, a 38-year-old manager at an educational app company, used to start every day with his smartphone, checking it and replying to messages before getting out of bed. Over breakfast he read news on his CNN app, and even when driving to work, he couldn’t resist looking at his phone. At the office he was so distracted by incoming e-mails and texts that he had trouble completing important tasks, and colleagues grumbled about his failure to engage in meetings. Evenings at home were spent on his phone or laptop instead of interacting with his wife and kids. Marco confessed all this to me after I spoke at his children’s school, and then he asked if I could help him change his habits. I assured him that I could, and that he wasn’t alone.</p> 
<div> 
 <p>Use behavioral principles to wean yourself from your digital devices.</p> 
</div> 
<p>For the past few years, psychologists have been examining the recent dramatic changes in humans’ relationship to technology. Consider a <a href="http://www.csudh.edu/psych/Multitasking_Across_Generations_Carrier_Rosen_Cheever_Benitez_Chang_2009.pdf">study</a> that colleagues and I conducted in 2008 and replicated last year. We gave people in three age groups—Baby Boomers, Generation X, and the Net Generation (born in the 1980s)—a list of 66 pairs of activities to find out which ones they typically did in tandem. Questions included, for example, “Do you go online and text simultaneously?” and “Do you e-mail and eat at the same time?” In 2008, Baby Boomers responded yes for 59% of the pairs, on average; the numbers were 67% for Gen Xers and 75% for the Net Gen. In 2014 the percentages were higher—67% for Baby Boomers, 70% for Gen X, and 81% for the Net Gen. Meanwhile, members of the iGeneration (born in the 1990s), whom we added to the second study, were engaging in an astonishing 87% of the paired activities, even when they found one in the pair difficult all by itself.</p> 
<p>Unfortunately, the evidence shows that multitasking isn’t always successful: Doing two things well at the same time is possible only when at least one task is automatic. So, yes, you can walk and chew gum simultaneously. But check e-mail while participating in a conference call? Look at your Facebook feed and still do meaningful work? Researchers have demonstrated that the mere presence of a phone makes people <a href="http://usm.maine.edu/publicaffairs/mere-presence-cell-phone-distracting-says-usm-professor">less productive</a> and <a href="http://www.livescience.com/29482-cellphone-conversation-distraction.html">less trusting,</a> and that students who are interrupted while studying <a href="http://ejournals.library.ualberta.ca/index.php/EBLIP/article/downloadSuppFile/8258/1206">take longer to learn the material and feel more stressed.</a> Gloria Mark, of the University of California, Irvine, <a href="http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.77.7612&amp;rep=rep1&amp;type=pdf">has shown</a> that workers typically attend to a task for about three minutes before switching to something else (usually an electronic communication) and that it takes about 20 minutes to return to the previous task.</p> 
<p>Why are we allowing ourselves to be so debilitated by technological distractions? Some people refer to the overuse of digital devices as an addiction. But since most of us don’t appear to gain much pleasure from the behavior—a defining feature of addiction—I wouldn’t classify it as such. More accurate are terms such as FOMO (fear of missing out), FOBO (fear of being offline), and nomophobia (fear of being out of mobile phone contact)—all forms of anxiety that border on obsession or compulsion. People are constantly checking their laptops, tablets, and phones because they worry about receiving new information after everyone else, responding too slowly to a text or an e-mail, or being late to comment on or like a social media post.</p> 
<p>Numerous studies support this diagnosis of the problem. In my lab <a href="http://www.csudh.edu/psych/Out_of_sight_is_not_out_of_mind-Cheever,Rosen,Carrier,Chavez_2014.pdf">we’ve found</a> that many people, regardless of age, check their smartphones every 15 minutes or less and become anxious if they aren’t allowed to do so. My colleague Nancy Cheever brought 163 students into a lecture hall, asked them to sit without talking, doing work, or using their phones, and then assessed their anxiety over the next hour. Although light smartphone users showed no change, moderate users experienced initial alarm that leveled off, and those accustomed to checking their phones all day long felt their anxiety spike immediately and continue to increase.</p> 
<p>How do we calm the anxiety and thereby avoid the distraction? When I speak to students, parents, teachers, and business leaders, I recommend three strategies—all of which involve turning away from technology at times to regain focus.</p> 
<p>First, use behavioral principles to wean yourself from your digital devices. Allow yourself to check all modes of e-communication, but then shut everything down and silence your phone. Set an alarm for 15 minutes, and when it rings give yourself one minute for a tech check-in. Repeat this process until you are comfortable increasing your off-grid time to an hour or several hours.</p> 
<p>A second strategy is inspired by the research of Nathaniel Kleitman, who established that our brains work in 90-minute rest-activity cycles not only when we sleep but also when we’re awake. So you should take a recharging break every hour and a half, especially if you’re multitasking with technology, which makes the brain overly active. Even a 10-minute walk in nature is enough to have a calming effect. You might also listen to music, look at art, exercise, or meditate.</p> 
<h4>Try it yourself! <i></i></h4> 
<div> 
 <ul> 
 <li> 
 <p> 
 </p> <h6><a href="/resources/pdfs/JUN15_Rosen-tool-v5.pdf">Download these exercises for fighting distraction.</a></h6> </li> 
 </ul> 
</div> 
<p>Finally, keep technology out of your bedroom. The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) and Mayo Clinic have noted that the use of blue-light-emitting LED devices is detrimental to your sleep—a critical period that cements what you learned during the day, while removing useless information and the toxic byproducts of daily neuronal activities. NSF recommends that you abstain from viewing digital material for one hour before bedtime, while Mayo Clinic suggests dimming screens used at night, keeping them 14 inches from your face, and removing them from the room when you’re ready to sleep. The aim is to block the release of neurotransmitters that energize your brain and instead promote the production of melatonin, which allows you to rest.</p> 
<p>I persuaded Marco to periodically disconnect and, when using technology, take recharging breaks. He started going for short walks outside his office and putting his phone in a kitchen drawer at night. Within a month he was able to ignore his devices for half-hour intervals, and he felt happier and more energetic, as well as more attentive and productive.</p> 
<p>Although we turn to technology to soothe our anxieties, overdosing on it just exacerbates them. To break the cycle, we must limit the use of our devices. Only then can we regain our ability to focus.</p> 
<h2>Fight Fire with Fire</h2> 
<p><em>by Alexandra Samuel</em></p> 
<p>Given all the ways that technology imposes demands on our time, we forget that digital tools are actually supposed to make our lives easier. And used correctly, they can. From my two decades researching how people use technology, I’ve learned that it’s not only possible to fight fire with fire—it’s essential.</p> 
<p>“Turning off” is simply not a tenable solution in the digital age; with so much work, communication, and socializing taking place on screens, few of us can afford to be off-line for significant portions of the workday (or even evenings and weekends). A recent <a href="http://www.tatacommunications.com/sites/default/files/ConnectedWorldII.pdf">survey</a> by Tata Communications showed that people in the U.S., Europe, and Asia spend an average of more than five hours a day on the internet, and 64% worry when they don’t have access.</p> 
<p>Tiffany Sauder, the founder and president of Element Three, a branding and marketing agency, knows the challenge that always-on connectivity poses for an executive in a growing business. After enjoying breakout success in 2011 and landing a retainer arrangement with a large client, she was ready to create a stronger public identity for the company and herself. She knew she needed to start using Twitter, but developing a social media presence felt like a big job for someone who was already overwhelmed by the messages flying at her each day. “E-mail was a nightmare,” she says. “It felt like I worked for my in-box and not for myself.”</p> 
 
 <h4>Further Reading</h4> 
 <div> 
 <ul> 
 <li> 
 <div> 
 <figure> 
 
 </figure> 
 
 </div></li> 
 </ul> 
 </div> 
 
<p>Technology wasn’t Tiffany’s problem; her use of it was. Like many executives I see, she wasn’t exploiting tools designed to make online communications as focused and productive as possible.</p> 
<p>The first step is to abandon the myth of “keeping up”—the belief that you will be able to process all your e-mails, read everything important in the media, and send thoughtful posts to your networks without fail. Instead your goals should be to sort and limit the information you receive and to streamline the work of reading, responding to, and sharing what matters.</p> 
<p>For example, few e-mails need immediate attention, and some industry news simply isn’t relevant to your job. It can be a challenge to restrict what comes into your in-box; most people I’ve advised are terrified they’ll miss something. But once they start to filter out the noise and busywork, they find that they’re more effective at communicating with clients and colleagues, staying informed about their fields, and building their social profiles, all with relatively modest investments of time.</p> 
<p>E-mail can be one of the biggest distractions. If you always have a backlog cluttering your in-box, or if you’re so diligent about replying to messages that you can’t seem to find time for the rest of your work, then automating at least part of the job offers huge benefits. Outlook, Gmail, and most other major e-mail tools will allow you to set rules and filters to ensure that only the most essential messages reach you right away. You can direct less urgent messages into other folders automatically and review those later.</p> 
<p>The kinds of e-mails you probably don’t need to see immediately include newsletters, purchase receipts, internal company notices, social media alerts, messages on which you are only copied, and even meeting requests (if they show up in your calendar and can be reviewed there instead). Remember that these messages aren’t disappearing—they’re in folders waiting to be read at your convenience. Designate an hour for that every day or week, depending on the content.</p> 
<p>Filtering your e-mail will make it easier and faster to triage and review the messages that do make it to your in-box. And if you’re worried that an important message will fall through the cracks, you can always periodically skim through everything you’ve received (select “All Mail” in Gmail, or search your mail for the letter “a” to bring up a comprehensive display).</p> 
<div> 
 <p>Automation tools can streamline the process of deciding what gets your attention.</p> 
</div> 
<p>When it comes to news consumption, automation offers the same rewards. Most of us tune in to a wide range of outlets, thought leaders, and conversations, but if you’re hunting all over the internet or scanning lots of social media posts or articles you shouldn’t bother with, you’re wasting time. Instead, make the most relevant information come to you by using a newsreader app such as feedly (my top recommendation, because it works on both computers and mobile devices), Flipboard, or Reeder. You can follow or subscribe to your favorite news sources, blogs, and topic discussions to collect the most pertinent items all in one place. Then set aside specific times—once a day, or even just a few times a week—to read them.</p> 
<p>You’ll get the biggest gains from this approach if you’re very specific about the kinds of articles that come your way. To set up a custom article feed, for example, experiment with different combinations of keywords, hashtags, and operators in a search engine (such as “productivity AND #automation”) and then turn your results into one or more RSS (really simple syndication) feeds. Not every search service offers RSS feeds, and some make them a little hard to find, but once you have URLs for the ones you’ve created, you can copy them into your newsreader app.</p> 
<p>Remember that you can’t and don’t need to read <em>everything;</em> you’re looking for significant stories and insights in your field, plus a little extra content that gives you something new to think about—and something unique to share.</p> 
<p>What about your digital output? Liking, favoriting, and tweeting help to build your professional credibility and spark new relationships, but maintaining that online presence takes a lot of time. That’s why I advise overloaded executives to automate at least some of the work.</p> 
<p>One easy way is with the newsreader you’ve set up. Most of these applications offer one-click options for posting to Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. But it’s even more efficient to use a tool like Hootsuite, Buffer, or Social Inbox, all of which let you reach multiple networks from one place and schedule posts in advance. Once you’ve set up a system like this, you can create a week’s worth of updates in less than an hour. While reading through the stories in your newsreader, simply put worthwhile items into your queue to go out, adding commentary as needed. This natural, low-effort extension of your reading ensures that you have a reliable daily presence on social media even when you don’t have time to look for the latest shareable links.</p> 
<p>Today Tiffany is reaping the benefits of automation. She relies on Gmail filters to separate marketing newsletters and social media notifications from must-see items, so when she checks her e-mail during the day, she can focus on the messages that matter most. She sets aside a couple of periods each week to catch up on the others, and she uses Social Inbox to send out posts based on what she finds in industry newsletters. She’s no longer working for her in-box; she’s reclaimed evening hours for herself; and Element Three is thriving.</p> 
<p>Automation can’t eliminate digital distraction, but it can help you fight the battle. E-mail filters, newsreaders, post schedulers, and other tools can significantly streamline the process of deciding what gets your attention. That will help you feel less overwhelmed and better able to focus on your most important tasks, at work or at home, online or off.</p>
	<p>A version of this article appeared in the <a href="/archive-toc/BR1506">June 2015</a> issue (pp.110–113) of <em>Harvard Business Review</em>.</p>
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 Technology and analytics

 Conquering Digital Distraction

 Two experts on managing the overload
 by
 * Larry Rosen
 and
 * Alexandra Samuel
 by
 * Larry Rosen
 and
 * Alexandra Samuel
 From the Magazine (June 2015)
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 Summary.

 Many people today regard their computers, tablets, and smartphones as indispensable, both professionally and personally. But they can also be dangerous: Research shows that spending too much time on e-mail and social media reduces your productivity and engagement at home and at work.

 So how can you avoid digital overload? In this article, two experts offer dramatically different strategies. Larry Rosen, a psychologist, advocates pulling away from technology in order to refocus. His advice: Limit the time you spend with your devices, using behavioral techniques to gradually wean yourself away; when you are using technology, take periodic breaks to exercise, meditate, or otherwise recharge; and avoid on-screen activities before bedtime, to ensure that you get proper rest.

 Alexandra Samuel, a pioneer in electronic engagement, recommends the opposite tack: Embrace technology and make smarter use of digital tools to manage information overload. She suggests filtering your e-mail and using a newsreader app to customize the stream of articles and blog items you receive. You can also automate your postings to social networks.

 The authors’ approaches needn’t be mutually exclusive. Indeed, combining them may be the best way to combat digital distraction.

 HBR Reprint R1506J

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 Sinan Koçaslan/iStockphoto
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 Digital overload may be the defining problem of today’s workplace. All day and night, on desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, we’re bombarded with so many messages and alerts that even when we want to focus, it’s nearly impossible. And when we’re tempted to procrastinate, diversions are only a click away.

 This culture of constant connection takes a toll both professionally and personally. We waste time, attention, and energy on relatively unimportant information and interactions, staying busy but producing little of value. As the late Clifford Nass and his colleagues at Stanford University have shown, people who regularly juggle several streams of content do not pay attention, memorize, or manage their tasks as well as those who focus on one thing at a time. The result is reduced productivity and engagement, both in the office and at home. The Information Overload Research Group, a nonprofit consortium of business professionals, researchers, and consultants, reports that knowledge workers in the United States waste 25% of their time dealing with their huge and growing data streams, costing the economy $997 billion annually.

 Further Reading

 * Make Time for the Work That Matters

 Delegation Feature
 + Julian Birkinshaw and Jordan Cohen
 It’s easier said than done.
 + Save
 + Share
 + 

 Most people agree on the solution: Control the digital overload rather than letting it control you. But how, exactly, does one do that? We asked two experts: Larry Rosen, a psychologist, and Alexandra Samuel, a technologist. We suspected that their disparate backgrounds would lead them to offer dramatically different advice, and we were right. Rosen believes that we should systematically turn away from the information stream and focus on more energy-enhancing activities. Samuel argues that the best way to fight digital distraction is with the strategic use of digital tools. Taken together, their solutions offer a useful primer on how we can begin to tackle this huge and growing challenge.

 Take a Break

 by Larry Rosen

 Marco, a 38-year-old manager at an educational app company, used to start every day with his smartphone, checking it and replying to messages before getting out of bed. Over breakfast he read news on his CNN app, and even when driving to work, he couldn’t resist looking at his phone. At the office he was so distracted by incoming e-mails and texts that he had trouble completing important tasks, and colleagues grumbled about his failure to engage in meetings. Evenings at home were spent on his phone or laptop instead of interacting with his wife and kids. Marco confessed all this to me after I spoke at his children’s school, and then he asked if I could help him change his habits. I assured him that I could, and that he wasn’t alone.

 Use behavioral principles to wean yourself from your digital devices.

 For the past few years, psychologists have been examining the recent dramatic changes in humans’ relationship to technology. Consider a study that colleagues and I conducted in 2008 and replicated last year. We gave people in three age groups—Baby Boomers, Generation X, and the Net Generation (born in the 1980s)—a list of 66 pairs of activities to find out which ones they typically did in tandem. Questions included, for example, “Do you go online and text simultaneously?” and “Do you e-mail and eat at the same time?” In 2008, Baby Boomers responded yes for 59% of the pairs, on average; the numbers were 67% for Gen Xers and 75% for the Net Gen. In 2014 the percentages were higher—67% for Baby Boomers, 70% for Gen X, and 81% for the Net Gen. Meanwhile, members of the iGeneration (born in the 1990s), whom we added to the second study, were engaging in an astonishing 87% of the paired activities, even when they found one in the pair difficult all by itself.

 Unfortunately, the evidence shows that multitasking isn’t always successful: Doing two things well at the same time is possible only when at least one task is automatic. So, yes, you can walk and chew gum simultaneously. But check e-mail while participating in a conference call? Look at your Facebook feed and still do meaningful work? Researchers have demonstrated that the mere presence of a phone makes people less productive and less trusting, and that students who are interrupted while studying take longer to learn the material and feel more stressed. Gloria Mark, of the University of California, Irvine, has shown that workers typically attend to a task for about three minutes before switching to something else (usually an electronic communication) and that it takes about 20 minutes to return to the previous task.

 Why are we allowing ourselves to be so debilitated by technological distractions? Some people refer to the overuse of digital devices as an addiction. But since most of us don’t appear to gain much pleasure from the behavior—a defining feature of addiction—I wouldn’t classify it as such. More accurate are terms such as FOMO (fear of missing out), FOBO (fear of being offline), and nomophobia (fear of being out of mobile phone contact)—all forms of anxiety that border on obsession or compulsion. People are constantly checking their laptops, tablets, and phones because they worry about receiving new information after everyone else, responding too slowly to a text or an e-mail, or being late to comment on or like a social media post.

 Numerous studies support this diagnosis of the problem. In my lab we’ve found that many people, regardless of age, check their smartphones every 15 minutes or less and become anxious if they aren’t allowed to do so. My colleague Nancy Cheever brought 163 students into a lecture hall, asked them to sit without talking, doing work, or using their phones, and then assessed their anxiety over the next hour. Although light smartphone users showed no change, moderate users experienced initial alarm that leveled off, and those accustomed to checking their phones all day long felt their anxiety spike immediately and continue to increase.

 How do we calm the anxiety and thereby avoid the distraction? When I speak to students, parents, teachers, and business leaders, I recommend three strategies—all of which involve turning away from technology at times to regain focus.

 First, use behavioral principles to wean yourself from your digital devices. Allow yourself to check all modes of e-communication, but then shut everything down and silence your phone. Set an alarm for 15 minutes, and when it rings give yourself one minute for a tech check-in. Repeat this process until you are comfortable increasing your off-grid time to an hour or several hours.

 A second strategy is inspired by the research of Nathaniel Kleitman, who established that our brains work in 90-minute rest-activity cycles not only when we sleep but also when we’re awake. So you should take a recharging break every hour and a half, especially if you’re multitasking with technology, which makes the brain overly active. Even a 10-minute walk in nature is enough to have a calming effect. You might also listen to music, look at art, exercise, or meditate.

 Try it yourself!

 * Download these exercises for fighting distraction.

 Finally, keep technology out of your bedroom. The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) and Mayo Clinic have noted that the use of blue-light-emitting LED devices is detrimental to your sleep—a critical period that cements what you learned during the day, while removing useless information and the toxic byproducts of daily neuronal activities. NSF recommends that you abstain from viewing digital material for one hour before bedtime, while Mayo Clinic suggests dimming screens used at night, keeping them 14 inches from your face, and removing them from the room when you’re ready to sleep. The aim is to block the release of neurotransmitters that energize your brain and instead promote the production of melatonin, which allows you to rest.

 I persuaded Marco to periodically disconnect and, when using technology, take recharging breaks. He started going for short walks outside his office and putting his phone in a kitchen drawer at night. Within a month he was able to ignore his devices for half-hour intervals, and he felt happier and more energetic, as well as more attentive and productive.

 Although we turn to technology to soothe our anxieties, overdosing on it just exacerbates them. To break the cycle, we must limit the use of our devices. Only then can we regain our ability to focus.

 Fight Fire with Fire

 by Alexandra Samuel

 Given all the ways that technology imposes demands on our time, we forget that digital tools are actually supposed to make our lives easier. And used correctly, they can. From my two decades researching how people use technology, I’ve learned that it’s not only possible to fight fire with fire—it’s essential.

 “Turning off” is simply not a tenable solution in the digital age; with so much work, communication, and socializing taking place on screens, few of us can afford to be off-line for significant portions of the workday (or even evenings and weekends). A recent survey by Tata Communications showed that people in the U.S., Europe, and Asia spend an average of more than five hours a day on the internet, and 64% worry when they don’t have access.

 Tiffany Sauder, the founder and president of Element Three, a branding and marketing agency, knows the challenge that always-on connectivity poses for an executive in a growing business. After enjoying breakout success in 2011 and landing a retainer arrangement with a large client, she was ready to create a stronger public identity for the company and herself. She knew she needed to start using Twitter, but developing a social media presence felt like a big job for someone who was already overwhelmed by the messages flying at her each day. “E-mail was a nightmare,” she says. “It felt like I worked for my in-box and not for myself.”

 Further Reading

 * Work Smarter with Social Media

 Communication Book
 + Alexandra Samuel
 20.00 Add to Cart
 + Save
 + Share

 Technology wasn’t Tiffany’s problem; her use of it was. Like many executives I see, she wasn’t exploiting tools designed to make online communications as focused and productive as possible.

 The first step is to abandon the myth of “keeping up”—the belief that you will be able to process all your e-mails, read everything important in the media, and send thoughtful posts to your networks without fail. Instead your goals should be to sort and limit the information you receive and to streamline the work of reading, responding to, and sharing what matters.

 For example, few e-mails need immediate attention, and some industry news simply isn’t relevant to your job. It can be a challenge to restrict what comes into your in-box; most people I’ve advised are terrified they’ll miss something. But once they start to filter out the noise and busywork, they find that they’re more effective at communicating with clients and colleagues, staying informed about their fields, and building their social profiles, all with relatively modest investments of time.

 E-mail can be one of the biggest distractions. If you always have a backlog cluttering your in-box, or if you’re so diligent about replying to messages that you can’t seem to find time for the rest of your work, then automating at least part of the job offers huge benefits. Outlook, Gmail, and most other major e-mail tools will allow you to set rules and filters to ensure that only the most essential messages reach you right away. You can direct less urgent messages into other folders automatically and review those later.

 The kinds of e-mails you probably don’t need to see immediately include newsletters, purchase receipts, internal company notices, social media alerts, messages on which you are only copied, and even meeting requests (if they show up in your calendar and can be reviewed there instead). Remember that these messages aren’t disappearing—they’re in folders waiting to be read at your convenience. Designate an hour for that every day or week, depending on the content.

 Filtering your e-mail will make it easier and faster to triage and review the messages that do make it to your in-box. And if you’re worried that an important message will fall through the cracks, you can always periodically skim through everything you’ve received (select “All Mail” in Gmail, or search your mail for the letter “a” to bring up a comprehensive display).

 Automation tools can streamline the process of deciding what gets your attention.

 When it comes to news consumption, automation offers the same rewards. Most of us tune in to a wide range of outlets, thought leaders, and conversations, but if you’re hunting all over the internet or scanning lots of social media posts or articles you shouldn’t bother with, you’re wasting time. Instead, make the most relevant information come to you by using a newsreader app such as feedly (my top recommendation, because it works on both computers and mobile devices), Flipboard, or Reeder. You can follow or subscribe to your favorite news sources, blogs, and topic discussions to collect the most pertinent items all in one place. Then set aside specific times—once a day, or even just a few times a week—to read them.

 You’ll get the biggest gains from this approach if you’re very specific about the kinds of articles that come your way. To set up a custom article feed, for example, experiment with different combinations of keywords, hashtags, and operators in a search engine (such as “productivity AND #automation”) and then turn your results into one or more RSS (really simple syndication) feeds. Not every search service offers RSS feeds, and some make them a little hard to find, but once you have URLs for the ones you’ve created, you can copy them into your newsreader app.

 Remember that you can’t and don’t need to read everything; you’re looking for significant stories and insights in your field, plus a little extra content that gives you something new to think about—and something unique to share.

 What about your digital output? Liking, favoriting, and tweeting help to build your professional credibility and spark new relationships, but maintaining that online presence takes a lot of time. That’s why I advise overloaded executives to automate at least some of the work.

 One easy way is with the newsreader you’ve set up. Most of these applications offer one-click options for posting to Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. But it’s even more efficient to use a tool like Hootsuite, Buffer, or Social Inbox, all of which let you reach multiple networks from one place and schedule posts in advance. Once you’ve set up a system like this, you can create a week’s worth of updates in less than an hour. While reading through the stories in your newsreader, simply put worthwhile items into your queue to go out, adding commentary as needed. This natural, low-effort extension of your reading ensures that you have a reliable daily presence on social media even when you don’t have time to look for the latest shareable links.

 Today Tiffany is reaping the benefits of automation. She relies on Gmail filters to separate marketing newsletters and social media notifications from must-see items, so when she checks her e-mail during the day, she can focus on the messages that matter most. She sets aside a couple of periods each week to catch up on the others, and she uses Social Inbox to send out posts based on what she finds in industry newsletters. She’s no longer working for her in-box; she’s reclaimed evening hours for herself; and Element Three is thriving.

 Automation can’t eliminate digital distraction, but it can help you fight the battle. E-mail filters, newsreaders, post schedulers, and other tools can significantly streamline the process of deciding what gets your attention. That will help you feel less overwhelmed and better able to focus on your most important tasks, at work or at home, online or off.

 A version of this article appeared in the June 2015 issue (pp.110–113) of Harvard Business Review.
 New!
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 Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Digital Intelligence . Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
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 Read more on Technology and analytics or related topics Stress management and Business communication
 * Larry Rosen is a psychology professor at California State University, Dominguez Hills, author of iDisorder and coauthor of The Distracted Mind . Learn more at drlarryrosen.com .
 * Alexandra Samuel is a tech speaker and data journalist who creates data-driven reports and workshops for companies around the world. She is the co-author of Remote, Inc.: How to Thrive at Work…Wherever You Are (with Robert C. Pozen) and the author of HBR’s Work Smarter With Social Media . Follow her on Twitter at @awsamuel .
 * Tweet
 * Post
 * Share
 * Annotate
 * Save
 * Get PDF
 * Buy Copies
 * Print
 New!
 HBR Learning
 Digital Intelligence Course
 Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Digital Intelligence . Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
 Excel in a world that's being continually transformed by technology.
 Start Course
 Learn More & See All Courses
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Many people today regard their computers, tablets, and smartphones as indispensable, both professionally and personally. But they can also be dangerous: Research shows that spending too much time on e-mail and social media reduces your productivity and engagement at home and at work.
So how can you avoid digital overload? In this article, two experts offer dramatically different strategies. Larry Rosen, a psychologist, advocates pulling away from technology in order to refocus. His advice: Limit the time you spend with your devices, using behavioral techniques to gradually wean yourself away; when you are using technology, take periodic breaks to exercise, meditate, or otherwise recharge; and avoid on-screen activities before bedtime, to ensure that you get proper rest.
Alexandra Samuel, a pioneer in electronic engagement, recommends the opposite tack: Embrace technology and make smarter use of digital tools to manage information overload. She suggests filtering your e-mail and using a newsreader app to customize the stream of articles and blog items you receive. You can also automate your postings to social networks.
The authors’ approaches needn’t be mutually exclusive. Indeed, combining them may be the best way to combat digital distraction.
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 Sinan Koçaslan/iStockphoto 
  
 
Digital overload may be the defining problem of today’s workplace. All day and night, on desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, we’re bombarded with so many messages and alerts that even when we want to focus, it’s nearly impossible. And when we’re tempted to procrastinate, diversions are only a click away. 
This culture of constant connection takes a toll both professionally and personally. We waste time, attention, and energy on relatively unimportant information and interactions, staying busy but producing little of value. As the late Clifford Nass and his colleagues at Stanford University have shown, people who regularly juggle several streams of content do not pay attention, memorize, or manage their tasks as well as those who focus on one thing at a time. The result is reduced productivity and engagement, both in the office and at home. The Information Overload Research Group, a nonprofit consortium of business professionals, researchers, and consultants, reports that knowledge workers in the United States waste 25% of their time dealing with their huge and growing data streams, costing the economy $997 billion annually. 
 
 Further Reading 
  
  
  
  
   Make Time for the Work That Matters  
  
 Delegation 
 Feature 
  
 Julian Birkinshaw and Jordan Cohen 
  
 It’s easier said than done. 
  
 
  
     Save  
 
     
  
 
   
  
  
 
Most people agree on the solution: Control the digital overload rather than letting it control you. But how, exactly, does one do that? We asked two experts: Larry Rosen, a psychologist, and Alexandra Samuel, a technologist. We suspected that their disparate backgrounds would lead them to offer dramatically different advice, and we were right. Rosen believes that we should systematically turn away from the information stream and focus on more energy-enhancing activities. Samuel argues that the best way to fight digital distraction is with the strategic use of digital tools. Taken together, their solutions offer a useful primer on how we can begin to tackle this huge and growing challenge. 
Take a Break 
 by Larry Rosen  
Marco, a 38-year-old manager at an educational app company, used to start every day with his smartphone, checking it and replying to messages before getting out of bed. Over breakfast he read news on his CNN app, and even when driving to work, he couldn’t resist looking at his phone. At the office he was so distracted by incoming e-mails and texts that he had trouble completing important tasks, and colleagues grumbled about his failure to engage in meetings. Evenings at home were spent on his phone or laptop instead of interacting with his wife and kids. Marco confessed all this to me after I spoke at his children’s school, and then he asked if I could help him change his habits. I assured him that I could, and that he wasn’t alone. 
 
 Use behavioral principles to wean yourself from your digital devices. 
 
For the past few years, psychologists have been examining the recent dramatic changes in humans’ relationship to technology. Consider a study that colleagues and I conducted in 2008 and replicated last year. We gave people in three age groups—Baby Boomers, Generation X, and the Net Generation (born in the 1980s)—a list of 66 pairs of activities to find out which ones they typically did in tandem. Questions included, for example, “Do you go online and text simultaneously?” and “Do you e-mail and eat at the same time?” In 2008, Baby Boomers responded yes for 59% of the pairs, on average; the numbers were 67% for Gen Xers and 75% for the Net Gen. In 2014 the percentages were higher—67% for Baby Boomers, 70% for Gen X, and 81% for the Net Gen. Meanwhile, members of the iGeneration (born in the 1990s), whom we added to the second study, were engaging in an astonishing 87% of the paired activities, even when they found one in the pair difficult all by itself. 
Unfortunately, the evidence shows that multitasking isn’t always successful: Doing two things well at the same time is possible only when at least one task is automatic. So, yes, you can walk and chew gum simultaneously. But check e-mail while participating in a conference call? Look at your Facebook feed and still do meaningful work? Researchers have demonstrated that the mere presence of a phone makes people less productive and less trusting, and that students who are interrupted while studying take longer to learn the material and feel more stressed. Gloria Mark, of the University of California, Irvine, has shown that workers typically attend to a task for about three minutes before switching to something else (usually an electronic communication) and that it takes about 20 minutes to return to the previous task. 
Why are we allowing ourselves to be so debilitated by technological distractions? Some people refer to the overuse of digital devices as an addiction. But since most of us don’t appear to gain much pleasure from the behavior—a defining feature of addiction—I wouldn’t classify it as such. More accurate are terms such as FOMO (fear of missing out), FOBO (fear of being offline), and nomophobia (fear of being out of mobile phone contact)—all forms of anxiety that border on obsession or compulsion. People are constantly checking their laptops, tablets, and phones because they worry about receiving new information after everyone else, responding too slowly to a text or an e-mail, or being late to comment on or like a social media post. 
Numerous studies support this diagnosis of the problem. In my lab we’ve found that many people, regardless of age, check their smartphones every 15 minutes or less and become anxious if they aren’t allowed to do so. My colleague Nancy Cheever brought 163 students into a lecture hall, asked them to sit without talking, doing work, or using their phones, and then assessed their anxiety over the next hour. Although light smartphone users showed no change, moderate users experienced initial alarm that leveled off, and those accustomed to checking their phones all day long felt their anxiety spike immediately and continue to increase. 
How do we calm the anxiety and thereby avoid the distraction? When I speak to students, parents, teachers, and business leaders, I recommend three strategies—all of which involve turning away from technology at times to regain focus. 
First, use behavioral principles to wean yourself from your digital devices. Allow yourself to check all modes of e-communication, but then shut everything down and silence your phone. Set an alarm for 15 minutes, and when it rings give yourself one minute for a tech check-in. Repeat this process until you are comfortable increasing your off-grid time to an hour or several hours. 
A second strategy is inspired by the research of Nathaniel Kleitman, who established that our brains work in 90-minute rest-activity cycles not only when we sleep but also when we’re awake. So you should take a recharging break every hour and a half, especially if you’re multitasking with technology, which makes the brain overly active. Even a 10-minute walk in nature is enough to have a calming effect. You might also listen to music, look at art, exercise, or meditate. 
Try it yourself!    
 
  
  
  
   Download these exercises for fighting distraction.   
  
 
Finally, keep technology out of your bedroom. The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) and Mayo Clinic have noted that the use of blue-light-emitting LED devices is detrimental to your sleep—a critical period that cements what you learned during the day, while removing useless information and the toxic byproducts of daily neuronal activities. NSF recommends that you abstain from viewing digital material for one hour before bedtime, while Mayo Clinic suggests dimming screens used at night, keeping them 14 inches from your face, and removing them from the room when you’re ready to sleep. The aim is to block the release of neurotransmitters that energize your brain and instead promote the production of melatonin, which allows you to rest. 
I persuaded Marco to periodically disconnect and, when using technology, take recharging breaks. He started going for short walks outside his office and putting his phone in a kitchen drawer at night. Within a month he was able to ignore his devices for half-hour intervals, and he felt happier and more energetic, as well as more attentive and productive. 
Although we turn to technology to soothe our anxieties, overdosing on it just exacerbates them. To break the cycle, we must limit the use of our devices. Only then can we regain our ability to focus. 
Fight Fire with Fire 
 by Alexandra Samuel  
Given all the ways that technology imposes demands on our time, we forget that digital tools are actually supposed to make our lives easier. And used correctly, they can. From my two decades researching how people use technology, I’ve learned that it’s not only possible to fight fire with fire—it’s essential. 
“Turning off” is simply not a tenable solution in the digital age; with so much work, communication, and socializing taking place on screens, few of us can afford to be off-line for significant portions of the workday (or even evenings and weekends). A recent survey by Tata Communications showed that people in the U.S., Europe, and Asia spend an average of more than five hours a day on the internet, and 64% worry when they don’t have access. 
Tiffany Sauder, the founder and president of Element Three, a branding and marketing agency, knows the challenge that always-on connectivity poses for an executive in a growing business. After enjoying breakout success in 2011 and landing a retainer arrangement with a large client, she was ready to create a stronger public identity for the company and herself. She knew she needed to start using Twitter, but developing a social media presence felt like a big job for someone who was already overwhelmed by the messages flying at her each day. “E-mail was a nightmare,” she says. “It felt like I worked for my in-box and not for myself.” 
 
 Further Reading 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
   
  
  
 
Technology wasn’t Tiffany’s problem; her use of it was. Like many executives I see, she wasn’t exploiting tools designed to make online communications as focused and productive as possible. 
The first step is to abandon the myth of “keeping up”—the belief that you will be able to process all your e-mails, read everything important in the media, and send thoughtful posts to your networks without fail. Instead your goals should be to sort and limit the information you receive and to streamline the work of reading, responding to, and sharing what matters. 
For example, few e-mails need immediate attention, and some industry news simply isn’t relevant to your job. It can be a challenge to restrict what comes into your in-box; most people I’ve advised are terrified they’ll miss something. But once they start to filter out the noise and busywork, they find that they’re more effective at communicating with clients and colleagues, staying informed about their fields, and building their social profiles, all with relatively modest investments of time. 
E-mail can be one of the biggest distractions. If you always have a backlog cluttering your in-box, or if you’re so diligent about replying to messages that you can’t seem to find time for the rest of your work, then automating at least part of the job offers huge benefits. Outlook, Gmail, and most other major e-mail tools will allow you to set rules and filters to ensure that only the most essential messages reach you right away. You can direct less urgent messages into other folders automatically and review those later. 
The kinds of e-mails you probably don’t need to see immediately include newsletters, purchase receipts, internal company notices, social media alerts, messages on which you are only copied, and even meeting requests (if they show up in your calendar and can be reviewed there instead). Remember that these messages aren’t disappearing—they’re in folders waiting to be read at your convenience. Designate an hour for that every day or week, depending on the content. 
Filtering your e-mail will make it easier and faster to triage and review the messages that do make it to your in-box. And if you’re worried that an important message will fall through the cracks, you can always periodically skim through everything you’ve received (select “All Mail” in Gmail, or search your mail for the letter “a” to bring up a comprehensive display). 
 
 Automation tools can streamline the process of deciding what gets your attention. 
 
When it comes to news consumption, automation offers the same rewards. Most of us tune in to a wide range of outlets, thought leaders, and conversations, but if you’re hunting all over the internet or scanning lots of social media posts or articles you shouldn’t bother with, you’re wasting time. Instead, make the most relevant information come to you by using a newsreader app such as feedly (my top recommendation, because it works on both computers and mobile devices), Flipboard, or Reeder. You can follow or subscribe to your favorite news sources, blogs, and topic discussions to collect the most pertinent items all in one place. Then set aside specific times—once a day, or even just a few times a week—to read them. 
You’ll get the biggest gains from this approach if you’re very specific about the kinds of articles that come your way. To set up a custom article feed, for example, experiment with different combinations of keywords, hashtags, and operators in a search engine (such as “productivity AND #automation”) and then turn your results into one or more RSS (really simple syndication) feeds. Not every search service offers RSS feeds, and some make them a little hard to find, but once you have URLs for the ones you’ve created, you can copy them into your newsreader app. 
Remember that you can’t and don’t need to read everything; you’re looking for significant stories and insights in your field, plus a little extra content that gives you something new to think about—and something unique to share. 
What about your digital output? Liking, favoriting, and tweeting help to build your professional credibility and spark new relationships, but maintaining that online presence takes a lot of time. That’s why I advise overloaded executives to automate at least some of the work. 
One easy way is with the newsreader you’ve set up. Most of these applications offer one-click options for posting to Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. But it’s even more efficient to use a tool like Hootsuite, Buffer, or Social Inbox, all of which let you reach multiple networks from one place and schedule posts in advance. Once you’ve set up a system like this, you can create a week’s worth of updates in less than an hour. While reading through the stories in your newsreader, simply put worthwhile items into your queue to go out, adding commentary as needed. This natural, low-effort extension of your reading ensures that you have a reliable daily presence on social media even when you don’t have time to look for the latest shareable links. 
Today Tiffany is reaping the benefits of automation. She relies on Gmail filters to separate marketing newsletters and social media notifications from must-see items, so when she checks her e-mail during the day, she can focus on the messages that matter most. She sets aside a couple of periods each week to catch up on the others, and she uses Social Inbox to send out posts based on what she finds in industry newsletters. She’s no longer working for her in-box; she’s reclaimed evening hours for herself; and Element Three is thriving. 
Automation can’t eliminate digital distraction, but it can help you fight the battle. E-mail filters, newsreaders, post schedulers, and other tools can significantly streamline the process of deciding what gets your attention. That will help you feel less overwhelmed and better able to focus on your most important tasks, at work or at home, online or off.
	A version of this article appeared in the June 2015 issue (pp.110–113) of Harvard Business Review.
Conquering Digital Distraction
https://hbr.org/2015/06/conquering-digital-distraction
https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2018/08/digital-distraction
Dealing With Digital Distraction
2018-08-10
None
<div><div>
<p>SAN FRANCISCO — Our digital lives may be making us more distracted, distant and drained, according to research presented at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association.</p>
<p>For instance, even minor phone use during a meal with friends was enough to make the diners feel distracted and reduced their enjoyment of the experience, one study found. </p>
<p>“People who were allowed to use their phones during dinner had more trouble staying present in the moment,” said Ryan Dwyer, MA, of the University of British Columbia, lead author of a study that was presented during a symposium on how digital technology is affecting relationships. “Decades of research on happiness tell us that engaging positively with others is critical for our well-being. Modern technology may be wonderful, but it can easily sidetrack us and take away from the special moments we have with friends and family in person.” </p>
<p>Dwyer and his colleagues conducted two studies — a field experiment in a restaurant and a survey. The restaurant experiment included more than 300 adults and university students in Vancouver, British Columbia. Participants were either asked to keep their phones on the table with the ringer or vibration on or to put their phones on silent and place them in a container on the table during the meal. </p>
<p>After eating, the participants filled out a questionnaire detailing their feelings of social connectedness, enjoyment, distraction and boredom, as well as the amount of phone use and what they did on their phones during the meal.</p>
<p>The researchers found that people who had their phones easily accessible during the experiment not only used them more than those with their phones put away, but they also reported feeling more distracted and enjoyed the experience less. </p>
<p>The survey portion included more than 120 participants from the University of Virginia. Participants were surveyed five times a day for one week and were asked to report on how they were feeling and what they had been doing in the 15 minutes before completing the survey. </p>
<p>Results showed that people reported feeling more distracted during face-to-face interactions if they had used their smartphone compared with face-to-face interactions where they had not used their smartphone. The students also said they felt less enjoyment and interest in their interaction if they had been on their phone. </p>
<p>“The survey findings were especially notable because of the negative effects of phone use among university students, who are commonly known as digital natives,” said Elizabeth Dunn, PhD, of the University of British Columbia and co-author of the study and symposium presenter. “We assumed that this generation would be more adept at multi-tasking between using their phones and interacting with others, but we found out even moderate levels of phone use undermined the benefits of engaging with others.”</p>
<p>Another study presented in the session found that compassionate people spend less time on social media than people who are more self-centered and narcissistic.</p>
<p>In addition, people with lower emotional intelligence, or those who have difficulty identifying, describing and processing their emotions, used social media more often than those who are more in touch with their feelings, according to the study.</p>
<p>“People who are uncomfortable with their own and others’ emotions may be more comfortable online,” said Sara Konrath, PhD, of Indiana University. “We think that they may prefer text-based interactions that allow them more time to process social and emotional information.”</p>
<p>This study built upon previous research that has shown that more narcissistic people use social more often than less narcissistic people. Virtually no research has been done on how emotional intelligence relates to social media use, according to Konrath.</p>
<p>She and her colleagues analyzed data from four studies of more than 1,200 adult participants and used existing scales that assessed narcissism, empathy, emotional intelligence and emotion recognition. The studies also asked questions about how frequently participants checked and posted on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.</p>
<p>More empathic people used Twitter less frequently than those who were not as caring and compassionate toward others, the researchers found. Also, people who were more likely to be able to see the world from another’s perspective did not spend as much time on Facebook and Instagram. Another interesting finding was that people who scored high on a test of reading others’ emotions used Twitter and Facebook less often.</p>
<p>Conversely, more narcissistic people and those who feel overwhelmed by the emotional experiences of others spent more time on all three social media sites.</p>
<p>“Does being more emotionally intelligent and empathic cause people to avoid social media, or are lower empathy people more drawn to it? It could also be the opposite: Perhaps frequently using social media can impair empathy and emotional intelligence,” said Konrath. “We cannot determine causality with this study. We need more research to better understand how online digital technology affects people, for better or for worse.”</p>
<p>Other research presented found that preteens became better at reading nonverbal cues from their peers after five days with no screen time and college-age participants bonded better with their friends during in-person interactions versus video chat, audio chat or instant messaging.</p>
<p>Symposium, Friday, Aug. 10, 11 a.m. PDT, Room 308, Level Three-South Building, Moscone Center, 747 Howard St., San Francisco.</p>
<h2>Contact</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="mailto:edunn@psych.ubc.ca">Elizabeth Dunn, PhD</a></li>
<li><a href="mailto:skonrath@iupui.edu">Sara Konrath, PhD</a></li>
</ul>
<p><em>The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. APA's membership includes nearly 115,700 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people's lives.</em></p>
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 Home News & advocacy Press room Press releases 2018
 Last updated: April 20, 2022 Date created: August 10, 2018

 Dealing With Digital Distraction

 * Parenting, Families, Relationships
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 Being ever-connected comes at a cost, studies find

 Cite This Press Release
 American Psychological Association. (2022, April 20). Dealing with digital distraction [Press release]. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2018/08/digital-distraction
 Comment:

 SAN FRANCISCO — Our digital lives may be making us more distracted, distant and drained, according to research presented at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association.

 For instance, even minor phone use during a meal with friends was enough to make the diners feel distracted and reduced their enjoyment of the experience, one study found.

 “People who were allowed to use their phones during dinner had more trouble staying present in the moment,” said Ryan Dwyer, MA, of the University of British Columbia, lead author of a study that was presented during a symposium on how digital technology is affecting relationships. “Decades of research on happiness tell us that engaging positively with others is critical for our well-being. Modern technology may be wonderful, but it can easily sidetrack us and take away from the special moments we have with friends and family in person.”

 Dwyer and his colleagues conducted two studies — a field experiment in a restaurant and a survey. The restaurant experiment included more than 300 adults and university students in Vancouver, British Columbia. Participants were either asked to keep their phones on the table with the ringer or vibration on or to put their phones on silent and place them in a container on the table during the meal.

 After eating, the participants filled out a questionnaire detailing their feelings of social connectedness, enjoyment, distraction and boredom, as well as the amount of phone use and what they did on their phones during the meal.

 The researchers found that people who had their phones easily accessible during the experiment not only used them more than those with their phones put away, but they also reported feeling more distracted and enjoyed the experience less.

 The survey portion included more than 120 participants from the University of Virginia. Participants were surveyed five times a day for one week and were asked to report on how they were feeling and what they had been doing in the 15 minutes before completing the survey.

 Results showed that people reported feeling more distracted during face-to-face interactions if they had used their smartphone compared with face-to-face interactions where they had not used their smartphone. The students also said they felt less enjoyment and interest in their interaction if they had been on their phone.

 “The survey findings were especially notable because of the negative effects of phone use among university students, who are commonly known as digital natives,” said Elizabeth Dunn, PhD, of the University of British Columbia and co-author of the study and symposium presenter. “We assumed that this generation would be more adept at multi-tasking between using their phones and interacting with others, but we found out even moderate levels of phone use undermined the benefits of engaging with others.”

 Another study presented in the session found that compassionate people spend less time on social media than people who are more self-centered and narcissistic.

 In addition, people with lower emotional intelligence, or those who have difficulty identifying, describing and processing their emotions, used social media more often than those who are more in touch with their feelings, according to the study.

 “People who are uncomfortable with their own and others’ emotions may be more comfortable online,” said Sara Konrath, PhD, of Indiana University. “We think that they may prefer text-based interactions that allow them more time to process social and emotional information.”

 This study built upon previous research that has shown that more narcissistic people use social more often than less narcissistic people. Virtually no research has been done on how emotional intelligence relates to social media use, according to Konrath.

 She and her colleagues analyzed data from four studies of more than 1,200 adult participants and used existing scales that assessed narcissism, empathy, emotional intelligence and emotion recognition. The studies also asked questions about how frequently participants checked and posted on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 More empathic people used Twitter less frequently than those who were not as caring and compassionate toward others, the researchers found. Also, people who were more likely to be able to see the world from another’s perspective did not spend as much time on Facebook and Instagram. Another interesting finding was that people who scored high on a test of reading others’ emotions used Twitter and Facebook less often.

 Conversely, more narcissistic people and those who feel overwhelmed by the emotional experiences of others spent more time on all three social media sites.

 “Does being more emotionally intelligent and empathic cause people to avoid social media, or are lower empathy people more drawn to it? It could also be the opposite: Perhaps frequently using social media can impair empathy and emotional intelligence,” said Konrath. “We cannot determine causality with this study. We need more research to better understand how online digital technology affects people, for better or for worse.”

 Other research presented found that preteens became better at reading nonverbal cues from their peers after five days with no screen time and college-age participants bonded better with their friends during in-person interactions versus video chat, audio chat or instant messaging.

 Symposium, Friday, Aug. 10, 11 a.m. PDT, Room 308, Level Three-South Building, Moscone Center, 747 Howard St., San Francisco.

 Contact

 * Elizabeth Dunn, PhD
 * Sara Konrath, PhD

 The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. APA's membership includes nearly 115,700 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people's lives.

 Contact

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 (202) 336-5706

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SAN FRANCISCO — Our digital lives may be making us more distracted, distant and drained, according to research presented at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association.
For instance, even minor phone use during a meal with friends was enough to make the diners feel distracted and reduced their enjoyment of the experience, one study found. 
“People who were allowed to use their phones during dinner had more trouble staying present in the moment,” said Ryan Dwyer, MA, of the University of British Columbia, lead author of a study that was presented during a symposium on how digital technology is affecting relationships. “Decades of research on happiness tell us that engaging positively with others is critical for our well-being. Modern technology may be wonderful, but it can easily sidetrack us and take away from the special moments we have with friends and family in person.” 
Dwyer and his colleagues conducted two studies — a field experiment in a restaurant and a survey. The restaurant experiment included more than 300 adults and university students in Vancouver, British Columbia. Participants were either asked to keep their phones on the table with the ringer or vibration on or to put their phones on silent and place them in a container on the table during the meal. 
After eating, the participants filled out a questionnaire detailing their feelings of social connectedness, enjoyment, distraction and boredom, as well as the amount of phone use and what they did on their phones during the meal.
The researchers found that people who had their phones easily accessible during the experiment not only used them more than those with their phones put away, but they also reported feeling more distracted and enjoyed the experience less. 
The survey portion included more than 120 participants from the University of Virginia. Participants were surveyed five times a day for one week and were asked to report on how they were feeling and what they had been doing in the 15 minutes before completing the survey. 
Results showed that people reported feeling more distracted during face-to-face interactions if they had used their smartphone compared with face-to-face interactions where they had not used their smartphone. The students also said they felt less enjoyment and interest in their interaction if they had been on their phone. 
“The survey findings were especially notable because of the negative effects of phone use among university students, who are commonly known as digital natives,” said Elizabeth Dunn, PhD, of the University of British Columbia and co-author of the study and symposium presenter. “We assumed that this generation would be more adept at multi-tasking between using their phones and interacting with others, but we found out even moderate levels of phone use undermined the benefits of engaging with others.”
Another study presented in the session found that compassionate people spend less time on social media than people who are more self-centered and narcissistic.
In addition, people with lower emotional intelligence, or those who have difficulty identifying, describing and processing their emotions, used social media more often than those who are more in touch with their feelings, according to the study.
“People who are uncomfortable with their own and others’ emotions may be more comfortable online,” said Sara Konrath, PhD, of Indiana University. “We think that they may prefer text-based interactions that allow them more time to process social and emotional information.”
This study built upon previous research that has shown that more narcissistic people use social more often than less narcissistic people. Virtually no research has been done on how emotional intelligence relates to social media use, according to Konrath.
She and her colleagues analyzed data from four studies of more than 1,200 adult participants and used existing scales that assessed narcissism, empathy, emotional intelligence and emotion recognition. The studies also asked questions about how frequently participants checked and posted on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
More empathic people used Twitter less frequently than those who were not as caring and compassionate toward others, the researchers found. Also, people who were more likely to be able to see the world from another’s perspective did not spend as much time on Facebook and Instagram. Another interesting finding was that people who scored high on a test of reading others’ emotions used Twitter and Facebook less often.
Conversely, more narcissistic people and those who feel overwhelmed by the emotional experiences of others spent more time on all three social media sites.
“Does being more emotionally intelligent and empathic cause people to avoid social media, or are lower empathy people more drawn to it? It could also be the opposite: Perhaps frequently using social media can impair empathy and emotional intelligence,” said Konrath. “We cannot determine causality with this study. We need more research to better understand how online digital technology affects people, for better or for worse.”
Other research presented found that preteens became better at reading nonverbal cues from their peers after five days with no screen time and college-age participants bonded better with their friends during in-person interactions versus video chat, audio chat or instant messaging.
Symposium, Friday, Aug. 10, 11 a.m. PDT, Room 308, Level Three-South Building, Moscone Center, 747 Howard St., San Francisco.
Contact
 Elizabeth Dunn, PhD 
 Sara Konrath, PhD 
 The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. APA's membership includes nearly 115,700 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people's lives.
Dealing With Digital Distraction
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TheÂ fastest way to clean your email Unsubscribe from mailing lists and delete old emails in one click.                Unsubscribe from spam Trimbox scans your inbox for mailing lists and lets you unsubscribe from them with just one click         Delete old junk mail Trimbox can help you delete all of the old emails clogging up your inbox and regain storage space.         Enjoy your clean inbox Spend less time dealing with junk mail and more time focusing on the emails that actually matter.      Privacy Designed for your privacy Your emails are your business. We've taken the necessary steps to keep your data secure.      Verified by Google's data privacy team We work directly with Google to ensure that your personal data is handled securely       We never save or sell your email data Trimbox lives in your browser, so your email data never even leaves your device              Reviews Don't just take our word for it...       âMost useful extension EVER! Fantastic!â  Kimberly Yarrington      "My email had become a trashcan over the last 20 years. Excellent tool and incredibly cathartic"  Brandon Campbell        "This makes it so easy to clean up your inbox and unsubscribe from mailing lists."  Emily Coleman      "Works great - a huge timesaver. Â This should be built into Gmail!"  John Winger        "I feel free!! I cleaned out so much junk so fast."  Lisa Pinkham      "Great for people with shopping problems and inbox OCD. Works 10/10"  Katrina Nguyen
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Here are some examples of inputs with their correct outputs extracted.</td><td>I am a very smart computer.<br />I am able to, given a<br />call transcript, predict<br />whether it contains signs<br />of insider trading or<br />not. If there is insider trading, I will output “insider trading”. If there are no signs of insider trading, I will output “not insider trading”. Here are some examples of calls with their correct outputs extracted.</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div><p>instant ml</p><p>Vision</p><p>Image classification, segmentation, and detection, fine-tuned on your image data.</p><div><p>taxis15-fwgtt7</p><p>METRICS: Mean Acerage Precision</p><table><thead><tr><th>CLASS</th><th>TEST</th><th>TRAIN</th><th>VALIDATION</th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>All classes</td><td>10.228%</td><td>0.189%</td><td>17.317%</td><td> </td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div><p>Apply AI to Specific Business Challenges:</p></div><hr /><div><h2>Learn How We Serve Enterprises Large and Small</h2><h2>Case Studies &amp; Resources </h2></div><hr /><div><div><h2>Customers</h2><h2>We have changed the game of AI data—hear it from our customers. </h2></div><div><div><div><p></p></div><div><blockquote>“ChatGPT is a great research capability, but Scale AI’s production-ready LLM not only learned from decades of intelligence collection but also explains how and when it received its mission critical intelligence. 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I think it’s well positioned to help a company assess where it is, what’s the state of its data, what’s the state of its systems, and what kind of capability and preparedness to use sophisticated algorithms.”</blockquote><h4>Jeff Wilke</h4><p>Retired CEO, Amazon Worldwide Consumer, Amazon Worldwide Consumer</p></div></div><div><div><p></p></div><div><blockquote>“One of the things we love about Scale is the fact that we can fully label the world. We can label 2D bounding boxes, 3D bounding boxes, but also semantic segmentation, including in 3D, to understand as much as possible, including scenarios we don’t foresee today.”</blockquote><h4>Adrien Gaidon</h4><p>Machine Learning Lead, Toyota Research Institute</p></div></div></div></div><hr /><div><h2>The future of your industry starts here!</h2></div><hr /></div></main></div></div>||||I|||| A letter from our CEO, introducing our new Generative AI platforms - Donovan and EGP Read Here →

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 on

 Insider_trading_classification.csv
 Parameters Baseline  Smarter    
  I am a very smart computer.   
 I am a very smart computer. I am able to, given a    
 Prompts I am able to extract  call transcript, predict   
 parameters from inputs whether it contains signs   
 and outputs. Here are some examples of inputs with their correct outputs extracted. of insider trading or    
  not. If there is insider trading, I will output “insider trading”. If there are no signs of insider trading, I will output “not insider trading”. Here are some examples of calls with their correct outputs extracted.
 

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 Vision

 Image classification, segmentation, and detection, fine-tuned on your image data.

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 taxis15-fwgtt7

 METRICS: Mean Acerage Precision

 CLASS TEST TRAIN VALIDATION 
 All classes 10.228% 0.189% 17.317% 
 

 Apply AI to Specific Business Challenges:

 forge

 Automated Advertising

 Use the power of Generative AI to create fully automated ad campaigns.

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 Predict claims outcomes to reduce settlement time and improve claims management efficiency.

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 Automatically identify trends in your content platforms through advanced clustering and content understanding.

 spellbook

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 Compare

 Variant 1

 to

 Variant 2

 on

 Insider_trading_classification.csv
 Parameters Baseline  Smarter    
  I am a very smart computer.   
 I am a very smart computer. I am able to, given a    
 Prompts I am able to extract  call transcript, predict   
 parameters from inputs whether it contains signs   
 and outputs. Here are some examples of inputs with their correct outputs extracted. of insider trading or    
  not. If there is insider trading, I will output “insider trading”. If there are no signs of insider trading, I will output “not insider trading”. Here are some examples of calls with their correct outputs extracted.
 

 instant ml

 Vision

 Image classification, segmentation, and detection, fine-tuned on your image data.

 NYC Taxis Demo Branches Task Setup Models Quality Lab Metrics

 taxis15-fwgtt7

 METRICS: Mean Acerage Precision

 CLASS TEST TRAIN VALIDATION 
 All classes 10.228% 0.189% 17.317% 
 

 Apply AI to Specific Business Challenges:

 forge

 Automated Advertising

 Use the power of Generative AI to create fully automated ad campaigns.

 social media / content platforms

 Trend Detection

 Automatically identify trends in your content platforms through advanced clustering and content understanding.

 insurance

 Claims Intelligence

 Predict claims outcomes to reduce settlement time and improve claims management efficiency.

 social media / ecommerce

 Trust and Safety

 Unsafe content detection for user-generated content and AI-generated content.

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 Morgan Bishop

 Computer Scientist, Air Force Research Laboratory

 “The U.S. intelligence community has spent an enormous amount of resources on collection but the sheer volume that returns is a huge problem. Scale’s LLMs are the tool that will allow the IC to finally and fully exploit all of that intelligence that has been collected.”

 Michael Burns

 Deputy Director of Analysis, Central Intelligence Agency

 “Thanks to companies like Scale, a lot of these SaaS tools are building intelligent capabilities into their products[...] that’s a path for a lot of companies to get value from AI without becoming AI shops, which is a really formidable challenge”

 Bret Taylor

 Retired President & COO, Salesforce

 “Scale has a great focus on helping companies improve the quality of their data and the usability of their data. Scale has seen so many different applications of AI across so many different kinds of companies. I think it’s well positioned to help a company assess where it is, what’s the state of its data, what’s the state of its systems, and what kind of capability and preparedness to use sophisticated algorithms.”

 Jeff Wilke

 Retired CEO, Amazon Worldwide Consumer, Amazon Worldwide Consumer

 “One of the things we love about Scale is the fact that we can fully label the world. We can label 2D bounding boxes, 3D bounding boxes, but also semantic segmentation, including in 3D, to understand as much as possible, including scenarios we don’t foresee today.”

 Adrien Gaidon

 Machine Learning Lead, Toyota Research Institute

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https://www.androidauthority.com/best-android-apps-312570/
15 best Android apps available right now
2023-02-01
Joe Hindy
<div><div><div><div><p>Joe Hindy / Android Authority</p></div></div><p>Here it is, ladies and gentlemen. The crème de la crème. These are the Android apps that stand alone at the top of an ever-growing pantheon. These apps have become ubiquitous with <a href="https://www.androidauthority.com/tag/android-p/">Android</a>, and if you’re looking for the good stuff, this is where you start. There are a ton of amazing Android apps out there. However, there are a few that stand out above the rest. These apps are useful to just about everyone, no matter what their use case may be. Without further delay, here are the best Android apps currently available.</p><p>Most people should be relatively familiar with most of these apps. They are the best, after all, and people tend to gravitate toward the best. That is, after all, what makes them the best. You can also <a href="https://www.androidauthority.com/best-android-apps-released-2022-3249876/">check out our picks for the best apps released in 2022</a> for a few extra ideas.</p><p></p><h3>The best Android apps available right now:</h3>
<p></p><div><div><ol>
<li><a href="#1">1Weather</a></li>
<li><a href="#2">Google Drive</a></li>
<li><a href="#3">Waze and Google Maps</a></li>
<li><a href="#4">Google Search / Assistant / Feed</a></li>
<li><a href="#5">LastPass</a></li>
<li><a href="#6">Microsoft Swiftkey</a></li>
<li><a href="#7">Nova Launcher</a></li>
<li><a href="#8">Pocket Casts</a></li>
</ol></div><div><ol>
<li><a href="#9">Poweramp</a></li>
<li><a href="#10">Solid Explorer</a></li>
<li><a href="#11">Tasker and IFTTT</a></li>
<li><a href="#12">Textra</a></li>
<li><a href="#13">TickTick</a></li>
<li><a href="#14">YouTube and YouTube Music</a></li>
<li><a href="#15">Zedge</a></li>
</ol></div></div><div><h2>1Weather</h2>
<p><strong>Price: </strong>Free / $1.99</p>
</div><p>1Weather is arguably the best weather app out there. It features a simple, paginated design that shows you the current weather, forecast for up to 12 weeks, a radar, and other fun stats. Along with that, you’ll get a fairly decent set of lightly customizable widgets and the standard stuff like severe weather notifications and a radar so you can see the storms approaching. There is also a video element with two or three-minute weather updates for your region. The UI is logical and reasonably easy to navigate as well. The radar occasionally hangs while loading, but it’s usually not too big of a deal.</p><div><p>The free version has every feature with some mild, inoffensive advertising. The single $1.99 in-app purchase removes advertising. Most will also likely enjoy the range of weather fun facts as well when you open the app. We <a href="https://www.androidauthority.com/best-weather-apps-and-weather-widgets-for-android-256942/">have a list of the best weather apps and widgets</a> if you want more options.</p>
</div><div><h2>Google Drive</h2>
<p><strong>Price: </strong>Free / $1.99-$299.99 per month</p></div><div></div><div><p>Google Drive is a cloud storage solution available on Android where all new users get 15GB for free permanently upon signing up. You can, of course, buy more if needed. What makes Google Drive so special is the suite of Android apps that are attached to it. They include Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Photos, Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Keep. It just covers so many bases, and it’s so cheap that it’s impossible not to recommend it to just about anybody.</p></div><div><p>Some of the features of these apps include live collaboration, deep sharing features, and compatibility with Microsoft Office documents. It’s easy to use, you get 15GB of free storage for your documents, and the cross-platform support is pretty good. You can find more <a href="https://www.androidauthority.com/best-cloud-storage-apps-for-android-657338/">cloud storage apps here</a> and <a href="https://www.androidauthority.com/best-office-apps-for-android-281250/">more office apps here</a> if you want something different.</p>
</div><div><h2>Google Maps and Waze</h2>
<p><strong>Price: </strong>Free</p></div><div></div><div><p>Google Maps virtually owns the navigation apps scene and it remains of the best Android apps ever. It gets frequent, almost weekly updates that seem to only add to its incredibly generous list of existing features. Aside from the very basics, Google Maps gives you access to places of interest, traffic data, directions to things like rest stops or gas stations, and you can download maps for offline use.</p></div><div><p>If you add to that the <a href="https://www.androidauthority.com/what-is-waze-3130373/">Waze</a> experience, which includes tons of its own features, and you won’t need another navigation app. Ever. Google also owns and operates Waze so we list them together. Both navigation apps work on Android Auto and usually, they work better than car navigation systems. Of course, we have <a href="https://www.androidauthority.com/best-gps-app-and-navigation-app-for-android-357870/">more GPS apps options</a> as well here if you need them.</p>
</div><div><h2>Google Search / Assistant / Feed</h2>
<p><strong>Price: </strong>Free</p></div><div></div><div><p>This is one seriously powerful app. It also works on most Android devices. You simply download the app and then enable it. From there, you can ask it whatever you want. It also supports a variety of commands. You can control smart home products, ask it just about any question, and it can even do simple math problems for you. It’s included with a variety of products such as Google Home speakers.</p></div><div><p>There is also a second Google Assistant app for those who want a quick launch icon on the home screen. The hardware stuff costs money, but Google Assistant is free. There are other decent personal assistants like Amazon Alexa, and you <a href="https://www.androidauthority.com/best-personal-assistant-apps-android-667299/">can check them out here</a>.</p>
</div><div><h2>LastPass</h2>
<p><strong>Price: </strong>Free / $12 per year</p>
</div><p>LastPass is one of those must-have Android apps. It’s a password manager that lets you save your login credentials safely and securely. On top of that, it can help generate nearly impossible passwords for you to use on your accounts. It’s all controlled with a master password. It has cross-platform support (premium version only) so you can use it on computers, mobile devices, tablets, or whatever.</p><div><p>There are others, but LastPass seems to be one step ahead most of the time. Additionally, the premium version is reasonably inexpensive. You can also grab LastPass Authenticator to go along with it for added security. There are <a href="https://www.androidauthority.com/best-password-manager-apps-android-353684/">other options for great password managers here</a> and some <a href="https://www.androidauthority.com/best-free-lastpass-alternatives-1202758/">free LastPass alternatives</a> if the new, more restricted free version isn’t doing it for you. LastPass also has an authenticator app for additional security.</p>
</div><div>
<hr />
<p><strong>Read more:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.androidauthority.com/best-free-android-apps-329422/">15 best FREE Android apps available right now</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.androidauthority.com/best-android-tablet-apps-267476/">10 best tablet apps that all tablet owners should have</a></li>
</ul>
</div><div><h2>Microsoft SwiftKey</h2>
<p><strong>Price: </strong>Free</p></div><div></div><p>Microsoft SwiftKey Keyboard is one of the most powerful and customizable third-party keyboards available. It hit the market several years ago with a predictive engine unlike anything any other keyboard had and the app has grown a lot over the years. It’s a free download with free themes so you don’t have to pay a dime.</p><div><p>Other features include a dedicated number row, SwiftKey Flow which allows for gesture typing, multiple language support, cross-device syncing of your library, and much more. It’s about as good as it gets in the keyboard space. It’s true that Microsoft now owns SwiftKey, but so far they have managed not to mess it up. Gboard, Google’s keyboard app, is also exceptionally good and the only reason it’s not on the list is to avoid having three consecutive Google apps here. There are <a href="https://www.androidauthority.com/best-android-keyboards-198452/">some other great Android keyboards here</a> as well.</p>
</div><div><h2>Nova Launcher</h2>
<p><strong>Price: </strong>Free / $4.99</p></div><div></div><div><p>Initially, we weren’t going to put any launchers on this list. Nova Launcher seems to be extending beyond what normal launchers are. It’s been around for years, it’s been consistently updated, and thus it’s always been a great launcher replacement option. It comes with a host of features, including the ability to backup and restore your home screen set-ups, icon theming for all of your Android apps, tons of customization elements for the home screen and app drawer, and more. It was <a href="https://www.androidauthority.com/nova-branch-3188029/">purchased by an analytics company</a>, but so far no bad changes have been made.</p></div><div><h2>Pocket Casts</h2>
<p><strong>Price: </strong>Free / $0.99 per month / $9.99 per year</p></div><div></div><div><p>Pocket Casts is one of the most popular podcast apps. It received some ire years ago for moving to a subscription model. However, changes since then have made the app more or less usable by anyone, even without a subscription. The app houses a ton of podcasts, good sharing options, and you can set things like auto download and playback speed. The UI is clean, easy to read, and easy to navigate. There isn’t much Pocket Casts does wrong.</p></div><div><p>The subscription is mostly optional and includes cross-platform support, more themes, 10GB of cloud storage to store podcasts, and more. We used to be quite against subscriptions, but since most podcast players now do it, but I’m able to use this without the subscription without much issue. Podcast Addict and CastBox are other excellent options in this space, and we have a list of <a href="https://www.androidauthority.com/best-podcast-apps-for-android-223536/">even more great podcast apps here</a>.</p>
</div><div><h2>Poweramp</h2>
<p><strong>Price: </strong>Free trial / $4.99</p></div><div></div><div><p>Poweramp is one of Android’s most popular and functional local music players. It has basically all of the features, including hi-res audio support, Android Auto, an equalizer, gapless smoothing, and support for virtually any audio codec you can find. The UI has a tiny bit of a learning curve, but it’s one of the better-looking music players as well with optional themes in the Google Play Store.</p></div><div><h2>Solid Explorer</h2>
<p><strong>Price: </strong>Free trial / $2.99</p>
</div><p>File browsing is something everyone inevitably has (or wants) to do, so you might as well do it with a capable, fantastic file browser. Solid Explorer is pretty much as good as it gets in the file explorer apps realm. It features Material Design, archiving support, support for the most popular cloud services, and even some more power-user stuff like FTP, SFPT, WebDav, and SMB/CIFS support.</p><div><p>It looks great, is incredibly stable, and just works well. There is a 14-day free trial with a $2.99 price tag at the end of it. Other file browsers have more features, but few blend together looks, ease of use, and features like Solid Explorer does. If this doesn’t work for you, <a href="https://www.androidauthority.com/file-manager-explorer-apps-android-279800/">here are some other outstanding file browsers</a>.</p>
</div><div><h2>Tasker and IFTTT</h2>
<p><strong>Price: </strong>$2.99 and Free, respectively</p></div><div></div><p>Tasker and <a href="https://www.androidauthority.com/what-is-ifttt-3255229/">IFTTT</a> are two of the most powerful Android apps. They are automation apps where you can create various triggers to perform actions when specific things happen. For instance, you can use IFTTT or Tasker to automatically turn your Philips Hue lights on at night and off in the morning. Generally speaking, Tasker is the power-user option and has a much steeper learning curve than IFTTT. IFTTT is not only easier to use, but there is a boatload of fun things you can do with it. </p><div><p>Tasker is free on Google Play Pass. IFTT is free for most stuff but there is a subscription if you want a few extras. There are some <a href="https://www.androidauthority.com/best-android-tools-and-utility-apps-584920/">other great Android tools and utility apps</a>, but none of them can step up to Tasker and IFTTT.</p>
</div><div><h2>Textra</h2>
<p><strong>Price: </strong>Free / $4.49</p></div><div></div><div><p>Textra is arguably the best and most stable texting app for Android. It comes with a variety of themes, most of which are editable by you. It does basically everything you need an SMS app to do without much hassle. It even has a tutorial built-in that makes it work with Android Auto better than most other texting apps. We like it for its simplicity. It’s better than most OEM SMS apps and we’d easily recommend it over most of those.</p></div><div><h2>TickTick</h2>
<p><strong>Price: </strong>Free / $27.99 per year</p></div><div></div><div><p>TickTick isn’t as popular as other to-do list apps. However, it may be the best one. It covers the basics like recurring tasks, reminders, push notifications, various organizational features, and categories. The app also lets you share tasks and entire categories with other people. This makes it great for family use, small teams at work, or other such groups. It’s also great for stuff like grocery lists, honey-do lists, or any other list.</p></div><div><p>You get all of the features for free, albeit in a somewhat limited capacity, such as two reminders per task (premium makes that infinite). Our only major gripe is the lack of Wear OS support, which we hope to see the developers add eventually. Some other excellent options in the space include Todoist and Microsoft To-Do. Yes, we also have a <a href="https://www.androidauthority.com/best-to-do-list-apps-for-android-677569/">full list of the best to-do list apps</a> too.</p>
</div><div><h2>YouTube and YouTube Music</h2>
<p><strong>Price: </strong>Free / $12.99+</p></div><div></div><div><p>We don’t typically recommend streaming services to people. After all, everybody has their own preferences and there are plenty of great options out there. However, we really like the combination of YouTube Music and YouTube. For one price, you get unlimited music from YouTube Music with more than enough tracks to compete with Spotify and Apple Music. However, you also get ad-free YouTube along with background video play and offline downloads..</p></div><div><h2>Zedge</h2>
<p><strong>Price: </strong>Free / $0.99 per month / $4.99 per year</p>
</div><p>Last, but certainly not least on our list is Zedge. This is a wallpaper, ringtones, notification tones, and alarm tones app that gives you an unbelievable number of options to customize the most basic parts of your device. On top of having an exhaustive collection of things, Zedge also promotes various items during holiday seasons making it easy to theme your phone up for Christmas, Halloween, and other holidays.</p><div><p>It’s not 100% perfect. It does have the occasional bug and some of the worst advertising practices of any mobile app. Zedge Premium is a new initiative to provide premium content at a reasonable price. You watch ads or fill out surveys to earn Zedge credits as well. There are other<a href="https://www.androidauthority.com/best-android-apps-for-ringtones-651491/"> great ringtone apps</a> and <a href="https://www.androidauthority.com/best-backgrounds-and-wallpaper-apps-for-android-653338/">great wallpaper apps</a>. However, Zedge is the only one that reliably does both well and its library is massive.</p>
</div><div></div><div><p> ExpressVPN (Sponsored)
</p><p>ExpressVPN is one of the most trusted, secure brands in the virtual private network industry, and that’s for good reason. It’s super fast and extremely safe, boasting an SSL-secured network with 256-bit encryption and, get this, unlimited bandwidth and speed. ExpressVPN has servers in 94 countries (including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, and others) in over 145 locations around the world, so there will always be a location near you to give you the best experience possible. What’s more, the service even has stealth servers in Hong Kong. They are to evade the GFW specifically. It doesn’t even look like you’re using a VPN!<br />
</p></div><a href="https://andauth.co/ExpressVPNOffer"><div></div></a><div></div></div>||||I|||| Best daily deals

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 MobileAndroid apps

 15 best Android apps available right now

 Android evolves more every year, but apps remain just as important as ever. Here are the best apps you can get right now.
 By Joe Hindy
 •
 February 1, 2023
 Joe Hindy / Android Authority

 Here it is, ladies and gentlemen. The crème de la crème. These are the Android apps that stand alone at the top of an ever-growing pantheon. These apps have become ubiquitous with Android, and if you’re looking for the good stuff, this is where you start. There are a ton of amazing Android apps out there. However, there are a few that stand out above the rest. These apps are useful to just about everyone, no matter what their use case may be. Without further delay, here are the best Android apps currently available.

 Most people should be relatively familiar with most of these apps. They are the best, after all, and people tend to gravitate toward the best. That is, after all, what makes them the best. You can also check out our picks for the best apps released in 2022 for a few extra ideas.

 The best Android apps available right now:

 1. 1Weather
 2. Google Drive
 3. Waze and Google Maps
 4. Google Search / Assistant / Feed
 5. LastPass
 6. Microsoft Swiftkey
 7. Nova Launcher
 8. Pocket Casts
 1. Poweramp
 2. Solid Explorer
 3. Tasker and IFTTT
 4. Textra
 5. TickTick
 6. YouTube and YouTube Music
 7. Zedge

 1Weather

 Price: Free / $1.99

 1Weather is arguably the best weather app out there. It features a simple, paginated design that shows you the current weather, forecast for up to 12 weeks, a radar, and other fun stats. Along with that, you’ll get a fairly decent set of lightly customizable widgets and the standard stuff like severe weather notifications and a radar so you can see the storms approaching. There is also a video element with two or three-minute weather updates for your region. The UI is logical and reasonably easy to navigate as well. The radar occasionally hangs while loading, but it’s usually not too big of a deal.

 The free version has every feature with some mild, inoffensive advertising. The single $1.99 in-app purchase removes advertising. Most will also likely enjoy the range of weather fun facts as well when you open the app. We have a list of the best weather apps and widgets if you want more options.

 Google Drive

 Price: Free / $1.99-$299.99 per month

 Google Drive is a cloud storage solution available on Android where all new users get 15GB for free permanently upon signing up. You can, of course, buy more if needed. What makes Google Drive so special is the suite of Android apps that are attached to it. They include Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Photos, Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Keep. It just covers so many bases, and it’s so cheap that it’s impossible not to recommend it to just about anybody.

 Some of the features of these apps include live collaboration, deep sharing features, and compatibility with Microsoft Office documents. It’s easy to use, you get 15GB of free storage for your documents, and the cross-platform support is pretty good. You can find more cloud storage apps here and more office apps here if you want something different.

 Google Maps and Waze

 Price: Free

 Google Maps virtually owns the navigation apps scene and it remains of the best Android apps ever. It gets frequent, almost weekly updates that seem to only add to its incredibly generous list of existing features. Aside from the very basics, Google Maps gives you access to places of interest, traffic data, directions to things like rest stops or gas stations, and you can download maps for offline use.

 If you add to that the Waze experience, which includes tons of its own features, and you won’t need another navigation app. Ever. Google also owns and operates Waze so we list them together. Both navigation apps work on Android Auto and usually, they work better than car navigation systems. Of course, we have more GPS apps options as well here if you need them.

 Google Search / Assistant / Feed

 Price: Free

 This is one seriously powerful app. It also works on most Android devices. You simply download the app and then enable it. From there, you can ask it whatever you want. It also supports a variety of commands. You can control smart home products, ask it just about any question, and it can even do simple math problems for you. It’s included with a variety of products such as Google Home speakers.

 There is also a second Google Assistant app for those who want a quick launch icon on the home screen. The hardware stuff costs money, but Google Assistant is free. There are other decent personal assistants like Amazon Alexa, and you can check them out here.

 LastPass

 Price: Free / $12 per year

 LastPass is one of those must-have Android apps. It’s a password manager that lets you save your login credentials safely and securely. On top of that, it can help generate nearly impossible passwords for you to use on your accounts. It’s all controlled with a master password. It has cross-platform support (premium version only) so you can use it on computers, mobile devices, tablets, or whatever.

 There are others, but LastPass seems to be one step ahead most of the time. Additionally, the premium version is reasonably inexpensive. You can also grab LastPass Authenticator to go along with it for added security. There are other options for great password managers here and some free LastPass alternatives if the new, more restricted free version isn’t doing it for you. LastPass also has an authenticator app for additional security.

 Read more:

 * 15 best FREE Android apps available right now
 * 10 best tablet apps that all tablet owners should have

 Microsoft SwiftKey

 Price: Free

 Microsoft SwiftKey Keyboard is one of the most powerful and customizable third-party keyboards available. It hit the market several years ago with a predictive engine unlike anything any other keyboard had and the app has grown a lot over the years. It’s a free download with free themes so you don’t have to pay a dime.

 Other features include a dedicated number row, SwiftKey Flow which allows for gesture typing, multiple language support, cross-device syncing of your library, and much more. It’s about as good as it gets in the keyboard space. It’s true that Microsoft now owns SwiftKey, but so far they have managed not to mess it up. Gboard, Google’s keyboard app, is also exceptionally good and the only reason it’s not on the list is to avoid having three consecutive Google apps here. There are some other great Android keyboards here as well.

 Nova Launcher

 Price: Free / $4.99

 Initially, we weren’t going to put any launchers on this list. Nova Launcher seems to be extending beyond what normal launchers are. It’s been around for years, it’s been consistently updated, and thus it’s always been a great launcher replacement option. It comes with a host of features, including the ability to backup and restore your home screen set-ups, icon theming for all of your Android apps, tons of customization elements for the home screen and app drawer, and more. It was purchased by an analytics company, but so far no bad changes have been made.

 You can even make it look like the Pixel Launcher if you want to. If you go premium, you can tack on gesture controls, unread count badges for apps, and icon swipe actions. Those looking for something simpler may want to try Lawnchair Launcher or Hyperion Launcher. Of course, we have a list of the best Android launchers with even more options as well. We also have a tutorial specifically for Nova Launcher if you want to learn more.

 Pocket Casts

 Price: Free / $0.99 per month / $9.99 per year

 Pocket Casts is one of the most popular podcast apps. It received some ire years ago for moving to a subscription model. However, changes since then have made the app more or less usable by anyone, even without a subscription. The app houses a ton of podcasts, good sharing options, and you can set things like auto download and playback speed. The UI is clean, easy to read, and easy to navigate. There isn’t much Pocket Casts does wrong.

 The subscription is mostly optional and includes cross-platform support, more themes, 10GB of cloud storage to store podcasts, and more. We used to be quite against subscriptions, but since most podcast players now do it, but I’m able to use this without the subscription without much issue. Podcast Addict and CastBox are other excellent options in this space, and we have a list of even more great podcast apps here.

 Poweramp

 Price: Free trial / $4.99

 Poweramp is one of Android’s most popular and functional local music players. It has basically all of the features, including hi-res audio support, Android Auto, an equalizer, gapless smoothing, and support for virtually any audio codec you can find. The UI has a tiny bit of a learning curve, but it’s one of the better-looking music players as well with optional themes in the Google Play Store.

 There are other great music apps here, but the top slot arguably Poweramp’s title to lose. Poweramp also has an equalizer app (Google Play link) if you want a better equalizer app.

 Solid Explorer

 Price: Free trial / $2.99

 File browsing is something everyone inevitably has (or wants) to do, so you might as well do it with a capable, fantastic file browser. Solid Explorer is pretty much as good as it gets in the file explorer apps realm. It features Material Design, archiving support, support for the most popular cloud services, and even some more power-user stuff like FTP, SFPT, WebDav, and SMB/CIFS support.

 It looks great, is incredibly stable, and just works well. There is a 14-day free trial with a $2.99 price tag at the end of it. Other file browsers have more features, but few blend together looks, ease of use, and features like Solid Explorer does. If this doesn’t work for you, here are some other outstanding file browsers.

 Check out some excellent hardware as well:

 * The best Android phones
 * The best Android tablets

 Tasker and IFTTT

 Price: $2.99 and Free, respectively

 Tasker and IFTTT are two of the most powerful Android apps. They are automation apps where you can create various triggers to perform actions when specific things happen. For instance, you can use IFTTT or Tasker to automatically turn your Philips Hue lights on at night and off in the morning. Generally speaking, Tasker is the power-user option and has a much steeper learning curve than IFTTT. IFTTT is not only easier to use, but there is a boatload of fun things you can do with it.

 Tasker is free on Google Play Pass. IFTT is free for most stuff but there is a subscription if you want a few extras. There are some other great Android tools and utility apps, but none of them can step up to Tasker and IFTTT.

 Textra

 Price: Free / $4.49

 Textra is arguably the best and most stable texting app for Android. It comes with a variety of themes, most of which are editable by you. It does basically everything you need an SMS app to do without much hassle. It even has a tutorial built-in that makes it work with Android Auto better than most other texting apps. We like it for its simplicity. It’s better than most OEM SMS apps and we’d easily recommend it over most of those.

 Messages by Google (Google Play) is another great option and it even has the ability to stream your texts to your computer (via web browser). We have a full list of excellent SMS apps here as well if these don’t work for you.

 TickTick

 Price: Free / $27.99 per year

 TickTick isn’t as popular as other to-do list apps. However, it may be the best one. It covers the basics like recurring tasks, reminders, push notifications, various organizational features, and categories. The app also lets you share tasks and entire categories with other people. This makes it great for family use, small teams at work, or other such groups. It’s also great for stuff like grocery lists, honey-do lists, or any other list.

 You get all of the features for free, albeit in a somewhat limited capacity, such as two reminders per task (premium makes that infinite). Our only major gripe is the lack of Wear OS support, which we hope to see the developers add eventually. Some other excellent options in the space include Todoist and Microsoft To-Do. Yes, we also have a full list of the best to-do list apps too.

 YouTube and YouTube Music

 Price: Free / $12.99+

 We don’t typically recommend streaming services to people. After all, everybody has their own preferences and there are plenty of great options out there. However, we really like the combination of YouTube Music and YouTube. For one price, you get unlimited music from YouTube Music with more than enough tracks to compete with Spotify and Apple Music. However, you also get ad-free YouTube along with background video play and offline downloads..

 That one-two punch is right up there with the Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ bundle for $12.99 per month as one of the best deals for video and audio streaming. Other music streaming services are usually better, but ad-free YouTube without the need for sideloading is excellent. Audiophiles may want to check out Hi-Fi options like Tidal or Deezer even if those services come at a premium or one of these music streaming apps as well.

 Zedge

 Price: Free / $0.99 per month / $4.99 per year

 Last, but certainly not least on our list is Zedge. This is a wallpaper, ringtones, notification tones, and alarm tones app that gives you an unbelievable number of options to customize the most basic parts of your device. On top of having an exhaustive collection of things, Zedge also promotes various items during holiday seasons making it easy to theme your phone up for Christmas, Halloween, and other holidays.

 It’s not 100% perfect. It does have the occasional bug and some of the worst advertising practices of any mobile app. Zedge Premium is a new initiative to provide premium content at a reasonable price. You watch ads or fill out surveys to earn Zedge credits as well. There are other great ringtone apps and great wallpaper apps. However, Zedge is the only one that reliably does both well and its library is massive.

 ExpressVPN (Sponsored)

 ExpressVPN is one of the most trusted, secure brands in the virtual private network industry, and that’s for good reason. It’s super fast and extremely safe, boasting an SSL-secured network with 256-bit encryption and, get this, unlimited bandwidth and speed. ExpressVPN has servers in 94 countries (including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, and others) in over 145 locations around the world, so there will always be a location near you to give you the best experience possible. What’s more, the service even has stealth servers in Hong Kong. They are to evade the GFW specifically. It doesn’t even look like you’re using a VPN!

 If we missed any of the best Android apps, tell us about them in the comments below. You can also click here to check out our latest Android app and game lists.
 Thank you for reading. Try these out too:

 * 10 best new Android apps (updated monthly)
 * 10 best new Android games (updated monthly)
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 Comments
Joe Hindy / Android Authority   Here it is, ladies and gentlemen. The crème de la crème. These are the Android apps that stand alone at the top of an ever-growing pantheon. These apps have become ubiquitous with Android, and if you’re looking for the good stuff, this is where you start. There are a ton of amazing Android apps out there. However, there are a few that stand out above the rest. These apps are useful to just about everyone, no matter what their use case may be. Without further delay, here are the best Android apps currently available. Most people should be relatively familiar with most of these apps. They are the best, after all, and people tend to gravitate toward the best. That is, after all, what makes them the best. You can also check out our picks for the best apps released in 2022 for a few extra ideas.   The best Android apps available right now:
    
 1Weather 
 Google Drive 
 Waze and Google Maps 
 Google Search / Assistant / Feed 
 LastPass 
 Microsoft Swiftkey 
 Nova Launcher 
 Pocket Casts 
   
 Poweramp 
 Solid Explorer 
 Tasker and IFTTT 
 Textra 
 TickTick 
 YouTube and YouTube Music 
 Zedge 
    1Weather
 Price: Free / $1.99
 1Weather is arguably the best weather app out there. It features a simple, paginated design that shows you the current weather, forecast for up to 12 weeks, a radar, and other fun stats. Along with that, you’ll get a fairly decent set of lightly customizable widgets and the standard stuff like severe weather notifications and a radar so you can see the storms approaching. There is also a video element with two or three-minute weather updates for your region. The UI is logical and reasonably easy to navigate as well. The radar occasionally hangs while loading, but it’s usually not too big of a deal.  The free version has every feature with some mild, inoffensive advertising. The single $1.99 in-app purchase removes advertising. Most will also likely enjoy the range of weather fun facts as well when you open the app. We have a list of the best weather apps and widgets if you want more options.
  Google Drive
 Price: Free / $1.99-$299.99 per month     Google Drive is a cloud storage solution available on Android where all new users get 15GB for free permanently upon signing up. You can, of course, buy more if needed. What makes Google Drive so special is the suite of Android apps that are attached to it. They include Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Photos, Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Keep. It just covers so many bases, and it’s so cheap that it’s impossible not to recommend it to just about anybody.   Some of the features of these apps include live collaboration, deep sharing features, and compatibility with Microsoft Office documents. It’s easy to use, you get 15GB of free storage for your documents, and the cross-platform support is pretty good. You can find more cloud storage apps here and more office apps here if you want something different.
  Google Maps and Waze
 Price: Free     Google Maps virtually owns the navigation apps scene and it remains of the best Android apps ever. It gets frequent, almost weekly updates that seem to only add to its incredibly generous list of existing features. Aside from the very basics, Google Maps gives you access to places of interest, traffic data, directions to things like rest stops or gas stations, and you can download maps for offline use.   If you add to that the Waze experience, which includes tons of its own features, and you won’t need another navigation app. Ever. Google also owns and operates Waze so we list them together. Both navigation apps work on Android Auto and usually, they work better than car navigation systems. Of course, we have more GPS apps options as well here if you need them.
  Google Search / Assistant / Feed
 Price: Free     This is one seriously powerful app. It also works on most Android devices. You simply download the app and then enable it. From there, you can ask it whatever you want. It also supports a variety of commands. You can control smart home products, ask it just about any question, and it can even do simple math problems for you. It’s included with a variety of products such as Google Home speakers.   There is also a second Google Assistant app for those who want a quick launch icon on the home screen. The hardware stuff costs money, but Google Assistant is free. There are other decent personal assistants like Amazon Alexa, and you can check them out here.
  LastPass
 Price: Free / $12 per year
 LastPass is one of those must-have Android apps. It’s a password manager that lets you save your login credentials safely and securely. On top of that, it can help generate nearly impossible passwords for you to use on your accounts. It’s all controlled with a master password. It has cross-platform support (premium version only) so you can use it on computers, mobile devices, tablets, or whatever.  There are others, but LastPass seems to be one step ahead most of the time. Additionally, the premium version is reasonably inexpensive. You can also grab LastPass Authenticator to go along with it for added security. There are other options for great password managers here and some free LastPass alternatives if the new, more restricted free version isn’t doing it for you. LastPass also has an authenticator app for additional security.
 
 Read more: 
 15 best FREE Android apps available right now 
 10 best tablet apps that all tablet owners should have 
  Microsoft SwiftKey
 Price: Free    Microsoft SwiftKey Keyboard is one of the most powerful and customizable third-party keyboards available. It hit the market several years ago with a predictive engine unlike anything any other keyboard had and the app has grown a lot over the years. It’s a free download with free themes so you don’t have to pay a dime.  Other features include a dedicated number row, SwiftKey Flow which allows for gesture typing, multiple language support, cross-device syncing of your library, and much more. It’s about as good as it gets in the keyboard space. It’s true that Microsoft now owns SwiftKey, but so far they have managed not to mess it up. Gboard, Google’s keyboard app, is also exceptionally good and the only reason it’s not on the list is to avoid having three consecutive Google apps here. There are some other great Android keyboards here as well.
  Nova Launcher
 Price: Free / $4.99     Initially, we weren’t going to put any launchers on this list. Nova Launcher seems to be extending beyond what normal launchers are. It’s been around for years, it’s been consistently updated, and thus it’s always been a great launcher replacement option. It comes with a host of features, including the ability to backup and restore your home screen set-ups, icon theming for all of your Android apps, tons of customization elements for the home screen and app drawer, and more. It was purchased by an analytics company, but so far no bad changes have been made.   Pocket Casts
 Price: Free / $0.99 per month / $9.99 per year     Pocket Casts is one of the most popular podcast apps. It received some ire years ago for moving to a subscription model. However, changes since then have made the app more or less usable by anyone, even without a subscription. The app houses a ton of podcasts, good sharing options, and you can set things like auto download and playback speed. The UI is clean, easy to read, and easy to navigate. There isn’t much Pocket Casts does wrong.   The subscription is mostly optional and includes cross-platform support, more themes, 10GB of cloud storage to store podcasts, and more. We used to be quite against subscriptions, but since most podcast players now do it, but I’m able to use this without the subscription without much issue. Podcast Addict and CastBox are other excellent options in this space, and we have a list of even more great podcast apps here.
  Poweramp
 Price: Free trial / $4.99     Poweramp is one of Android’s most popular and functional local music players. It has basically all of the features, including hi-res audio support, Android Auto, an equalizer, gapless smoothing, and support for virtually any audio codec you can find. The UI has a tiny bit of a learning curve, but it’s one of the better-looking music players as well with optional themes in the Google Play Store.   Solid Explorer
 Price: Free trial / $2.99
 File browsing is something everyone inevitably has (or wants) to do, so you might as well do it with a capable, fantastic file browser. Solid Explorer is pretty much as good as it gets in the file explorer apps realm. It features Material Design, archiving support, support for the most popular cloud services, and even some more power-user stuff like FTP, SFPT, WebDav, and SMB/CIFS support.  It looks great, is incredibly stable, and just works well. There is a 14-day free trial with a $2.99 price tag at the end of it. Other file browsers have more features, but few blend together looks, ease of use, and features like Solid Explorer does. If this doesn’t work for you, here are some other outstanding file browsers.
  Tasker and IFTTT
 Price: $2.99 and Free, respectively    Tasker and IFTTT are two of the most powerful Android apps. They are automation apps where you can create various triggers to perform actions when specific things happen. For instance, you can use IFTTT or Tasker to automatically turn your Philips Hue lights on at night and off in the morning. Generally speaking, Tasker is the power-user option and has a much steeper learning curve than IFTTT. IFTTT is not only easier to use, but there is a boatload of fun things you can do with it.   Tasker is free on Google Play Pass. IFTT is free for most stuff but there is a subscription if you want a few extras. There are some other great Android tools and utility apps, but none of them can step up to Tasker and IFTTT.
  Textra
 Price: Free / $4.49     Textra is arguably the best and most stable texting app for Android. It comes with a variety of themes, most of which are editable by you. It does basically everything you need an SMS app to do without much hassle. It even has a tutorial built-in that makes it work with Android Auto better than most other texting apps. We like it for its simplicity. It’s better than most OEM SMS apps and we’d easily recommend it over most of those.   TickTick
 Price: Free / $27.99 per year     TickTick isn’t as popular as other to-do list apps. However, it may be the best one. It covers the basics like recurring tasks, reminders, push notifications, various organizational features, and categories. The app also lets you share tasks and entire categories with other people. This makes it great for family use, small teams at work, or other such groups. It’s also great for stuff like grocery lists, honey-do lists, or any other list.   You get all of the features for free, albeit in a somewhat limited capacity, such as two reminders per task (premium makes that infinite). Our only major gripe is the lack of Wear OS support, which we hope to see the developers add eventually. Some other excellent options in the space include Todoist and Microsoft To-Do. Yes, we also have a full list of the best to-do list apps too.
  YouTube and YouTube Music
 Price: Free / $12.99+     We don’t typically recommend streaming services to people. After all, everybody has their own preferences and there are plenty of great options out there. However, we really like the combination of YouTube Music and YouTube. For one price, you get unlimited music from YouTube Music with more than enough tracks to compete with Spotify and Apple Music. However, you also get ad-free YouTube along with background video play and offline downloads..   Zedge
 Price: Free / $0.99 per month / $4.99 per year
 Last, but certainly not least on our list is Zedge. This is a wallpaper, ringtones, notification tones, and alarm tones app that gives you an unbelievable number of options to customize the most basic parts of your device. On top of having an exhaustive collection of things, Zedge also promotes various items during holiday seasons making it easy to theme your phone up for Christmas, Halloween, and other holidays.  It’s not 100% perfect. It does have the occasional bug and some of the worst advertising practices of any mobile app. Zedge Premium is a new initiative to provide premium content at a reasonable price. You watch ads or fill out surveys to earn Zedge credits as well. There are other great ringtone apps and great wallpaper apps. However, Zedge is the only one that reliably does both well and its library is massive.
     ExpressVPN (Sponsored)
 ExpressVPN is one of the most trusted, secure brands in the virtual private network industry, and that’s for good reason. It’s super fast and extremely safe, boasting an SSL-secured network with 256-bit encryption and, get this, unlimited bandwidth and speed. ExpressVPN has servers in 94 countries (including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, and others) in over 145 locations around the world, so there will always be a location near you to give you the best experience possible. What’s more, the service even has stealth servers in Hong Kong. They are to evade the GFW specifically. It doesn’t even look like you’re using a VPN!
15 best Android apps available right now
https://www.androidauthority.com/best-android-apps-312570/
https://www.pcmag.com/picks/best-android-apps
The Best Android Apps for 2023
2020-12-16
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<div><article>
<p>
<small>
(Credit: Google, PCMag)
</small>
</p>
<p>Android <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-android-tablets">tablets </a>and <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-android-phones">phones</a> are technological marvels that have reshaped our social landscape. They entertain, let you work from any location, and keep you connected with friends, family, and coworkers. With the right app, you can transform your humble cell or slate into a mobile movie theater, work station, art canvas, <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-meal-planning-apps">recipe manager</a>, and so much more. Unfortunately, finding the best Android apps to install can be a challenge. </p><p>There's a titanic quantity of apps to download from the Google Play Store, but which ones are worth their salt? We’ve assembled this list to help you discover worthwhile apps, so read on: You may find something you didn’t even know you needed.</p><p>These 104 recommended apps are organized into 13 categories, including music, productivity, security, and utilities, so it's easy to find ones that suit your mood. Need an entertaining <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-video-streaming-services">streaming video service</a>? There's an app for that. In search of a dependable word processor that'll keep you productive while on the go? There's an app for that, too. Note that we don't include any games in this roundup. For those, check out our separate list of the <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/the-best-android-games-of-2018">best Android games</a>.</p><p>If this is your first time with an Android device, perusing over 100 apps might be overwhelming. If so, take a look at our list of <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/10-must-have-android-apps-for-2019">10 must-have Android apps</a> to cover the basics. If your wallet is feeling a little light, know that many of the entries in both lists are free.</p><p>Each recommended app is excellent in its own way. Taken together, our collection is a snapshot of the Google Play Store's best apps at the time of writing. So explore and enjoy.</p><p>We didn't forget about iPhone and iPad users. For the iOS faithful, check out our roundups of the <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/picks/best-iphone-apps">best iPhone apps</a> and the <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/picks/best-ipad-apps">best iPad apps</a>.</p>
<p>
</p><h2>Browsers</h2>
<p></p>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Brave Privacy Browser</h2>
</div>
<p>Brave Privacy Browser offers many features aimed at protecting your security and privacy on the web. For instance, it includes built-in blockers for ads, pop-ups, scripts, and third-party cookies. It even implements the HTTPS Everywhere extension, so you can ensure that your connections to sites are secure. The lightweight, minimal design looks great, too.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>DuckDuckGo</h2>
</div>
<p>Based on Google’s Chromium codebase, DuckDuckGo is a minimalistic browser designed to keep your online activities private. DuckDuckGo defaults to the highest encryption available for whatever site you visit, and lets you wipe your browsing history with a button tap. If you’re tired of trackers hounding you for advertisement purposes, and want to browse the web with a bit of freedom, give DuckDuckGo a download.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Firefox</h2>
</div>
<p>Firefox is lickety-split fast, and has a clean design that is a joy to use. Mozilla makes a big point about how it doesn't collect your data, and we are pleased to see that the app comes with a full complement of security settings—including an option to protect your information from advertisers and a private browsing mode. Like the desktop version, Firefox for mobile has a robust plug-in selection, excellent tab management, and a dynamic start page for bookmarks and the latest headlines. You can even sync settings, history, and tabs with the desktop variant</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Microsoft Edge</h2>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/microsoft-edge-chromium">Microsoft Edge</a> lets you easily sync web pages, bookmarks, and browsing history between your Android device and the Edge browser on your desktop. Top features of the mobile browser include an integrated reading view, news ratings (handled by NewsGuard), and a content blocker (powered by Adblock Plus). You can search with Bing using your voice or by selecting a photo, as well as earn points via the Microsoft Rewards program. Both Microsoft Edge's dark and light themes look elegant and are easy to navigate.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Tor Browser</h2>
</div>
<p>Privacy stalwarts, rejoice! Tor now has an official (and modern-looking) Android app. The Tor project operates under the principle that "internet users should have private access to an uncensored web." Make sure to read the <a href="https://2019.www.torproject.org/about/overview.html.en">overview of how Tor works(Opens in a new window)</a> before you start using it, as it addresses specific types of privacy threats (and does so very well). The Tor browser may perform more slowly than other browsers, given its complicated inner workings, but that drawback should be negligible for the users who appreciate and rely on its protections.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<p>
</p><h2>Communication</h2>
<p></p>
<div>
<p></p><p>Language Learners</p>
<div>
<h2>Duolingo</h2>
</div>
<p>If you're looking to learn another language, <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/duolingo-for-android">Duolingo</a> gamifies language learning with bite-sized lessons and a friendly interface. Starting with simple vocabulary and building from there, Duolingo is your guide to learning a new language or brushing up on one you already know. The more you use the app, the more you unlock and—with practice—the more you learn. This free app currently supports Danish, Dutch, French, German, Irish, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swedish. Or more practical choices, like Esperanto and Klingon.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Facebook Messenger</h2>
</div>
<p>The problem with most mobile messengers is convincing your friends to sign up. That said, there's a good chance that most people you know are already on Facebook. This is handy, because the Facebook Messenger app is fantastic. It's simple, clean, and easily handles voice and video calling. Check out <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/25-cool-tricks-and-secret-gems-inside-facebook-messenger#11">our feature on Facebook Messenger</a> to discover its other capabilities.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Google Translate</h2>
</div>
<p>Many people fear not being unable to communicate with people from another country while traveling. Google Translate takes a bit of the edge off, quickly translating either written text or spoken words. You can even use the app to do the speaking for you, and input text through your camera or handwriting. The app can translate 103 languages with a data connection and 52 when you're offline. It can't handle Tamarian, but it's sure to be a handy tool here on Earth. Another option is <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.translator">Microsoft Translator(Opens in a new window)</a>, which offers 60 offline languages, travel phrasebooks, a real-time conversation mode, and actually translates Klingon.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>LingoDeer</h2>
</div>
<p>LingoDeer is a fantastic language-learning tool with a strong Asian-language focus (though it includes a few major European languages, too). The app's courses are multilingual, so if you wish to learn Japanese as a German speaker, this is the app for you. That said, LingoDeer is also quite challenging, as it features specific, high-level terminology and detailed grammatical explanations. Nonetheless, it is a superb resource, and the developer is constantly improving the app based on community feedback.</p>
<p>Per Month, Starts at $11.99</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>LinkedIn</h2>
</div>
<p>Most people are probably familiar with LinkedIn as a service only visited in times of desperation—after being laid off, maybe, or after a day in the office so bad that you're just not going to take it anymore. The LinkedIn app aims, however, to be a companion to the <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/linkedin">LinkedIn web service</a> that you check every day. Sure, there's the all-important profile pages showing off your work experience, and the handy tools for networking, but the service now includes visitor metrics and a newsfeed for a decidedly more social feel. It's sometimes the easiest way to reach out and make a business connection. It's like Facebook for grown-ups.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Snapchat</h2>
</div>
<p>With Snapchat, you quickly snap and exchange photos with one or several friends. The app also supports video snaps, as well as voice and video calling. The catch is that whatever you post vanishes after a day. It's just a fun and ephemeral way to share the world around you.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Signal</h2>
</div>
<p>There are many apps that pay lip service to security and privacy, but Signal was built from the ground up with the goal of letting people easily communicate without having to worry about being overheard. The Signal app is a complete phone and SMS client replacement (though it works just fine as a standalone app, too) for sending and receiving encrypted calls and messages. The app's look and feel continues to improve, too.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Textra</h2>
</div>
<p>Textra is an excellent alternative to Messages on Android. The app includes numerous customization options that you won't find with the stock messaging app, including custom contact colors, text bubble styles, and notification icons. Additionally, you get extra features such as text scheduling, the ability to blacklist contacts, and the option to rename group conversations. Textra also has excellent light and dark modes.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>WhatsApp</h2>
</div>
<p>In a world rife with messenger apps, WhatsApp is among the most successful, boasting an enormous and dedicated user base. Add to that an integrated web version that lets users take their chats to the desktop. This Facebook-owned app is bolstered by encrypted messaging provided by the minds behind Signal. It might just be the largest secure messaging service out there.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Your Phone Companion</h2>
</div>
<p>Microsoft's Your Phone Companion app lets you link your Android phone and text from your Windows 10 PC. As a bonus, you can also quickly access photos from your camera, as well as manage your device notifications. The app setup is easy, and it's certainly more comfortable to type out longer responses on a physical keyboard than craft a message on your phone.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<p>
</p><h2>Food</h2>
<p></p>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Blue Apron</h2>
</div>
<p>If you don't want to think about buying ingredients, but still want to cook, Blue Apron is an excellent option. With reliable deliveries and great meals to choose from, this food delivery service lets you skip the trip to the grocery store. The sleek mobile app allows you to manage your account, schedule your deliveries, and save any recipes you want to revisit.</p>
<p>Per User, Per Month, Starts at $9.99</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Cookpad</h2>
</div>
<p>Cookpad connects you with a vibrant array of recipes. Easily add favorite recipes, manage shopping lists, and find new recipes you'll love based on those you already like. Once you start using it, you'll have one less excuse to eat out.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Copy Me That</h2>
</div>
<p>A quality homemade meal is one of life’s greatest comforts, so whip up a tasty dish using Copy Me That. This multipurpose tool lets you copy, organize, and manage recipes that you find online or input yourself. Customize your recipe collection with photos of your choosing, and organize them in whatever categories you want. The app is great for cutting through long-winded websites to get tight recipe copy, and it even provides a meal planner and shopping list to make cooking a cinch.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Seamless</h2>
</div>
<p>Remember the bad old days of ordering food? You needed takeout menus, knowledge of the terrain ("will they even deliver out here?"), cash, and faith that the person jotting down your order got it right. Seamless takes care of all that, even letting you pay via credit card from your Android. The only drawback? It's not available in every city (or even every state), though it has expanded its range dramatically since it was first included on this list.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Untappd</h2>
</div>
<p>Untappd helps you record each brew you try along with a rating and tasting notes. Think of it as <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/foursquare-swarm-for-android">Swarm</a> for beer! No more staring at a tap list, trying to remember which ones you've had before. The app also has a vibrant community of beer drinkers that can point you toward new discoveries and an extensive list of beers. It's also a handy way to find your favorite brew near your current location. While it's not perfect, it can change the way you think of beer.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Yelp</h2>
</div>
<p>It pays to be a little skeptical of crowd-sourced reviews, but Yelp tells you a lot more than just what people thought of a bar, restaurant, or just about any other place where you spend money. Many locations list hours of operation, contact information, and menus, making it easy to find the perfect spot in your neighborhood or a new city.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<p>
</p><h2>Health &amp; Fitness</h2>
<p></p>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Adidas Running by Runtastic</h2>
</div>
<p>The Adidas Running app, formerly called <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/runtastic-pro-for-android">Runtastic PRO</a>, can do much more than just track your favorite running routes. This excellent fitness app keeps track of all sorts of useful data and can return information-rich maps to help you plan future outings. Use it for cycling, hiking, and walking, too.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Clue</h2>
</div>
<p>Menstruators the world over will rejoice over Clue, a simple app with a beautiful design for tracking your period and predicting when the next will occur. Using the data you enter about your cycle—and other factors—you can use Clue to plan ahead, whether it's for pregnancy or just to keep ahead of your cycle. Reminders and a handy calendar tool can help take the guesswork out of life. Best of all, it's totally gender-neutral, and not the expected pink.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Eve</h2>
</div>
<p>Tracking your period isn't just about knowing the cycle, but also the other factors surrounding it. Eve by Glow lets you track physical and emotional states, which can lead to some important insights when you take the time to <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/get-organized-how-to-read-the-story-of-your-data">interpret your own data</a>. Eve also boasts a vibrant community and a wealth of information about sexual health built right in.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Fitbit</h2>
</div>
<p>You might know Fitbit from its popular <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-fitness-trackers">fitness trackers</a>, but the app that powers those devices works well on its own, too. Using your just your smartphone (assuming you meet the minimum hardware requirements), this fitness app can count steps and log activities to help you achieve daily goals. There are also social features, so you can compete against your friends. It's a must-have (really, you must have it) for Fitbit users, but also a smart choice for anyone looking to be more active.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>MyFitnessPal</h2>
</div>
<p>This calorie counter and exercise tracker aims to help you lose weight the old-fashioned way—expending more calories than you take in. With its smart design and an extensive library of foods, it makes quickly logging the calories you take in and what you burn while exercising a snap. A barcode scanner makes it even easier to log that post-workout snack. This <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/the-best-fitness-apps-for-2020">fitness app</a> also plays nice with other such apps, so your data won't be tied up in just one place. MyFitnessPal won't give you a whole workout regimen, but it can make you more aware of your habits. PCMag has a full review of <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/myfitnesspal">MyFitnessPal for the iPhone</a>.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Zocdoc</h2>
</div>
<p>Zocdoc makes it easy to research nearby doctors on your health insurance plan and book appointments from your phone. When you first sign up for the app, you can enter your insurance information manually or scan your card to get started. The app itself looks slick too, with a modern, bright design that makes the experience of scheduling visits less stressful. Zocdoc even saves your history of appointments and makes recommendations for future ones, so you can stay on top of your health history.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<p>
</p><h2>Music &amp; Podcasts</h2>
<p></p>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Anchor</h2>
</div>
<p>If you want to <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-create-your-own-successful-podcast">record your own podcast</a>, Anchor is likely one of the easiest ways to do it. This app lets you record by yourself or with friends and build out entire podcast episodes entirely from your phone. Anchor even implements some basic audio editing tools for perfecting each clip in the app. Recently, the service announced a monetization program for creators on the platform.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Bandcamp</h2>
</div>
<p>Filled with both up-and-coming and established acts, Bandcamp is one of the most exciting music marketplaces there is. The app was initially built around streaming songs you'd already purchased on Bandcamp, but now it's a one-stop-shop for digital and physical band merch. If you want to keep your finger on the pulse of music, this is an essential app.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>BlackPlayer</h2>
</div>
<p>Streaming services are all the rage, but if you still keep music locally, BlackPlayer is worth your attention. We particularly like the Discover option, which shuffles through 10-second previews of seldom-played tracks in your library continuously, until you decide on what to listen to next. There's also a built-in tag editor and a ton of customization options for button styles, fonts, themes, and now playing notifications.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>LiveXLive</h2>
</div>
<p>While Pandora may have introduced the world to streaming radio, LiveXLive has refined it. You can listen to what the service thinks you'll like, or try out one of its human-curated channels and playlists. It also has hyper-specific playlists that appeal to particular tastes and moods, such as Yacht Rock. If you aren't ready to subscribe to LiveXLive quite yet, you can try out its free version.</p>
<p>Per Month, Starts at $3.99</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Pocket Casts</h2>
</div>
<p>Android has struggled with podcasts (they don't call 'em "Droidcasts," after all), but Pocket Casts is here to help. This highly customizable app is great for chilling out with an episode of your favorite casts, and it can also sync among different devices so that you can pick up right where you left off. Time to start listening.</p>
<p>MSRP $3.99</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Songkick</h2>
</div>
<p>Songkick is the bridge between the music in your digital collection and concerts in your area. Once installed, Songkick scans your device for tunes and then lets you see when and where your favorite artists are playing. If you see a show you're interested in, you can also purchase tickets all from within the app. Add multiple locations to Songkick to catch concerts when you're on the road.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Spotify</h2>
</div>
<p>With its huge inventory of music, Spotify has become a mainstay for free, legal music streaming. You can shuffle through smartly selected songs, find your favorite albums, or explore one of the service's excellent playlists. Close ties with artists means that new tracks are sometimes available the same day they hit the shelves in record shops. Those still exist, right? Spotify also offers a limited free version.</p>
<p>Per Month, Starts at $9.99</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Stitcher</h2>
</div>
<p>Though its interface is a bit tricky, <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/watch-out-spotify-deezer-buys-radio-app-stitcher">Stitcher</a> connects you with just about every podcast out there. Podcasts are organized by subject, or you can just search for a familiar title. Shows can, in turn, be organized into playlists for a continuous stream. Once you've exhausted all your favorites, let Stitcher recommend something new. With a special emphasis on sources like NPR, CNN, and ESPN, Stitcher has a little bit of everything.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<p>
</p><h2>Photography</h2>
<p></p>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Adobe Lightroom</h2>
</div>
<p>Adobe Lightroom is a powerful photo-editing app for mobile that retains many of the features from its desktop counterparts, Lightroom, which earned a three-and-a-half star rating, and <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/adobe-lightroom-classic">Lightroom Classic</a>, a five-star Editors' Choice winner. Some of its standout tools include raw camera file profiles, noise reduction, profile-based lens corrections, and advanced color and lighting sliders. Lightroom also notably syncs all these edits between the mobile and desktop apps.</p>
<p>MSRP $9.99</p>
</div>
<div>
 <p></p><div>
<h2>Flickr</h2>
</div>
<p>Remember Flickr? The venerable photo-sharing service is an Editors' Choice web service, and the Android app has a lot to recommend it, too. It's more about the art of photography than the meme- and selfie-packed Instagram. Offering a well-designed interface and excellent photo and video editing tools, Flickr is more valuable than ever. Plus, the app connects you to the vibrant community of photographers on the service. Best of all, it can automatically back up photos from your phone. Free users can upload up to 1,000 photos and a $50 per year subscription gets you unlimited online photo storage.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Google Photos</h2>
</div>
<p>Google Photos puts the search giant's powerful (and sometimes creepy) image magic into your phone. It can identify faces, even as they age over the decades, as well as animals, places, or objects. You can also search for photos from specific dates or locations. The impressive built-in Assistant can detect clutter or even create collages or animations on its own. The app is rounded out with editing tools and unlimited cloud storage if you make some minor compromises on upload quality. Google Photos also extends to photo prints; you can digitize physical photos with the built-in Photo Scan or even order a custom photo book. The companion Google Lens app can even report back information related to your images or photos by scanning them.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Instagram</h2>
</div>
<p>It seems like just yesterday that Facebook-owned Instagram was adding video. Then direct messaging. Then advanced photo editing put it on par with Photoshop Express for image correction and manipulation. Instagram Stories is now far more popular than Snapchat's similar feature. And anti-bullying features should make it more palatable for some. With a clean, minimalist interface, Instagram is the current king of social photo apps.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>PicsArt Photo Studio</h2>
</div>
<p>With tons of effects, controls over layers, drawing tools, and collages, PicsArt Photo Studio can contend with Photoshop and is one of the best photo editing apps for Android. If you think it's just a lowly Instagram clone, you're wrong. When you're looking to take your smartphone snapshots to the next level, seek out this app.</p>
<p>Per Month, Starts at $8.99</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Snapseed</h2>
</div>
<p>Don't get us wrong, some of us love Instagram. But if you want more control than Instagram affords, try Google-owned Snapseed. This app straddles the line between full-fledged image editor and filter app, all in a sleek and attractive package. Best of all is the amount of control it gives you over how filters and effects are applied to your images. It even lets you make non-destructible edits to raw camera files and make adjustments to exposure and detail levels.</p>
</div>
<p>
</p><h2>Productivity</h2>
<p></p>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Asana</h2>
</div>
<p>Asana is the 800-pound gorilla of task management for teams, dwarfing other popular services like the capable Trello. Asana is all about workflows and checkbox tasks that can be assigned to individuals. The Android app lets you take your tasks on the go and offline, syncing your progress when you're back on the network. It's a powerful tool with an excellent interface, and new features are added regularly.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Doodle</h2>
</div>
<p>The hardest part of scheduling a meeting is getting everyone to agree. Jeff is free Monday and Wednesday. Jill is available Monday, but not Tuesday. And the other dozen people have their own schedules to contend with. Doodle lets you suggest times, and then see which work best for everyone. It's an invaluable planning tool.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Evernote</h2>
</div>
 <p>Once you start using Evernote, this note-taking app becomes a powerful tool for organizing just about everything. Notes can be anything—text, images, audio, or a mix—and are organized into notebooks. One of its killer features is optical character recognition, which makes the text in images searchable. Cloud-storage makes it the perfect tool for organizing the little pieces of a project into a finished draft.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Fax.Plus</h2>
</div>
<p>Faxing isn't dead quite yet, but fax machines can safely be left behind thanks to <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-online-fax-services">online fax services</a>. Fax.Plus's app is well designed and easy to use. It notably offers a digital signature tool and a contact manager. We like how mobile fax apps allow users to snap a picture of an attachment, attach a fax cover sheet, and send a fax off to a recipient in a few quick actions. Fax.Plus makes this process seamless.</p>
<p>Per Month, Starts at $5.99</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>IFTTT</h2>
</div>
<p>IFTTT, which stands for "if this, then that," helps you create custom automations between various online services and devices without any coding experience. The mobile app makes it simple to set up these Applets (previously called recipes) on your own or implement any of the community-created ones. IFTTT is particularly great for controlling smart home devices.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Khan Academy</h2>
</div>
<p>Avoid paying for expensive textbooks and use Khan Academy instead. With lessons and videos for Arts &amp; Humanities, Computing, Economics &amp; Finance, Math, and more, there's no shortage of topics you can learn or review. The app is easy to use, and you can resume lessons wherever you sign in to your account.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Microsoft Word</h2>
</div>
<p>Microsoft Word is, simply put, the alpha and omega of word processing, and one of the key apps in <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/microsoft-office-365-home">Microsoft Office 365</a>. You'll find it on every kind of computer in every kind of setting, and now it's available for free on Android. Word plugs into Microsoft's cloud infrastructure to keep your documents in order, but its main selling point is that this really is Word. What you make on your phone will look exactly the same on the desktop. For the worker on the go, it's essential.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Mint</h2>
</div>
<p>Mint is a fantastic online service to keep track of your finances, and it really shines on Android. Once you've entered all your information, you can easily check up on your finances on the fly. Mint keeps you on track for your goals and a new bill paying feature makes sure that you never miss a payment. Be sure to try out the app's excellent widgets, too.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Nine Email</h2>
</div>
<p>Nine is a very reliable email client designed to work with all of your accounts. The clean interface and the optional conversation view make reading and replying to email intuitive. One of the coolest features is the ability to customize the notification actions, including an incredibly useful "Mark as read" option. It isn't cheap, but it's only a one-time $14.99 charge for a much-improved email experience that also integrates calendar, contacts, notes, and tasks functionality.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Slack</h2>
</div>
<p>Slack has gone from the new hotness, to controversial productivity tool, to essential office tool faster than you can say "hot take." With a familiar, instant messenger feel, it's easy to get started with Slack. But the service became popular because of its wealth of advanced features, like customizable alerts and a Do Not Disturb function. You can even host VoIP calls through Slack with your coworkers. A free account will get you started, but a monthly fee unlocks even better search tools. And be sure to install the Giphy plugin for maximum productivity.</p>
<p>Per User, Per Month, Starts at $8.75</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Spike</h2>
</div>
<p>Reading email can be a slog, as they just don’t feel as natural or accessible as, say, text messages. Until now. Spike is an app that transforms your email inbox into a messenger platform, giving it a WhatsApp-style conversation flow. You can perform traditional email tasks, such as forwarding or scheduling messages, but the radically different inbox appearance will change your email perspective. A personal account is free, so give Spike a shot. Once you switch you may never go back to traditional emails inboxes again.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Todoist</h2>
</div>
<p>If you like to keep your life organized with various to-do lists, then you definitely need to download Todoist. This app lets you keep track of the tasks you need to get done; you can assign them different priorities based on their overall importance or organize them across different projects. It also has a functional, clean design and works across many different platforms. Anyone can get started for free, but seriously organized individuals should upgrade to the $28.99 per year premium plan to set up task labels and reminders, upload files, and view productivity charts.</p>
<p>Per Month, Starts at $5.00</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>TurboTax Tax Return App</h2>
</div>
<p>Everyone needs to file their taxes every year. Most people will probably have an easier time using dedicated <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-tax-software">tax software </a>(and some might still enjoy preparing them by hand), but more ambitions filers or those with simple tax returns can get away with using a mobile app. Intuit's <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/intuit-turbotax-deluxe-2020-tax-year-2019">TurboTax Tax Return App</a> is the best one we reviewed this year. Among its top features are an excellent user interface, support for all major tax forms, and innovative help options. If you get stuck at any point, you can just open up the Virtual Assistant, which keeps a running dialogue of the help topics you searched for, or use SmartLook to connect to a tax expert via video chat.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<p>
</p><h2>Reading &amp; News</h2>
<p></p>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Calibre Companion</h2>
</div>
<p>Calibre is the giant of ebook management, and this app is the perfect (ahem) companion for it. With just a few clicks, you can add any book from your computer to your <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-ereaders">eReader</a> over USB or Wi-Fi. You can also store your ebooks on the cloud for easy access from wherever you are. What's so surprising is how well it works, and how easy it is to use. If you've got a lot of ebooks and are ready to cast off the shackles of Amazon, this is the app for you.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>ComiXology</h2>
</div>
<p>The Amazon-owned ComiXology—the iTunes of digital comics—offers a near-perfect combination of store and comic book reader in its wonderful Comics app. The free app transforms your Android smartphone or tablet into a digital long box that houses and syncs your purchases across multiple devices. Even better, the new Comixology Unlimited service lets you devour an ever-expanding catalog of titles for just $5.99 per month.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>ESPN</h2>
</div>
<p>What is most impressive about the ESPN Android app is the sheer number of sports it covers. Everything from American football to Brazilian soccer to Indy 500 is available. For those unmissable games, you can set alerts and follow specific matches as they unfold. It also connects you to videos and news headlines, courtesy of the popular sports cable network. Also, check out ESPN's streaming service, <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/espn-plus">ESPN+</a>.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Feedly</h2>
</div>
<p>Feedly takes the <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/get-organized-clean-up-your-rss-feed-reader">RSS feed</a> into the modern age, and it's the easiest way to stay on top of all your favorites sources of news. You can view everything all at once if you want, but Feedly also lets you categorize your sources for focused reading or use its Today tab, which shows you the top stories from each category. Additionally, you can make Feedly look as simple as you wish, with minimalist text-only layouts. It's a great way to keep informed with the days' headlines and it offers useful integrations with other services as well.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Flipboard</h2>
</div>
<p>With its slick, streamlined interface, Flipboard is one of the best apps for reading the news. With it, you browse the articles, videos, podcasts, and other media that matter most to you. The app's signature magazine-style interface lets you explore the day's headlines in a gorgeous environment. The Daily Edition feature gives you the most important news along with themed stories for each day of the week. Flipboard has been one of our top picks for years, and it's easy to see why.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Kindle</h2>
</div>
<p>The official Amazon Kindle app puts all of your existing Amazon ebook purchases at the tips of your fingers, and it gives you mobile access to the <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/hands-on-with-the-new-waterproof-amazon-kindle-paperwhite">Kindle </a>ebook store for impulse purchasing. Best of all, it syncs your notes, bookmarks, and where you left off among all your devices.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Libby by Overdrive</h2>
</div>
<p>The library is an often-overlooked public resource (and <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/new-york-public-library-adds-full-books-to-instagram-stories">some are modernizing quickly</a>), but OverDrive brings it back into the fold with the newly redesigned, Libby. Supported by over 30,000 libraries worldwide, the app lets you access your local library's array of available ebooks and audiobooks. Use it to download titles, place holds on titles not yet available, and consume your borrowed content. The only requirement is a library card (or its digital equivalent).</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Pocket</h2>
</div>
<p>Your bag of holding for internet content, Pocket saves articles, images, and videos for later reading. We especially like how it reformats articles for more comfortable reading on a mobile device, and how it syncs content to your tablet, phone, and online account. With the close integration between Pocket and the Android sharing tools, you can pocket just about anything from your phone.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>reddit is fun</h2>
</div>
<p>There's no shortage of <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/dont-use-reddit-perhaps-this-redesign-will-entice-you">Reddit</a> apps on the Google Play store and choosing one over another ultimately comes down to preference, but reddit is fun (RIF) is a great option to try. The default view features a dense, text-heavy layout that puts the best (and worst) of Reddit front and center. There's both a light and dark theme and tons of layout content customization options to try out, even if you don't opt for the paid version. Better yet, there are no ads in either version or RIF and its overall performance is extremely quick.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<p>
</p><h2>Security</h2>
<p></p>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Bitdefender Mobile Security</h2>
</div>
<p>Need Android antivirus? It's hard to do better than <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/bitdefender-total-security">Bitdefender</a>. This app has received perfect scores from two independent research labs and scans your phone in mere seconds. It also includes excellent phishing protection, powerful antitheft tools, and Android Wear integration.</p>
<p>MSRP $14.95</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Bitwarden</h2>
</div>
<p>As far as <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-password-managers">password managers</a> go, Bitwarden checks all the right boxes. For instance, it supports two-factor authentication and secure password sharing. Bitwarden also implements a password generator and can help you import passwords from other services. Best of all, it's free and open-source.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Dashlane</h2>
</div>
<p>You're terrible at passwords. Don't take it personally! Everyone is terrible at passwords. That's why we all need apps like Dashlane, which generate, save, and replay login credentials wherever they're needed. This smart, cross-platform service makes sure that your passwords, payment information, and other vital information is stored securely but never out of reach.</p>
<p>Per Month, Starts at Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>LastPass</h2>
</div>
<p>After a major overhaul to this powerful password manager, its appearance finally matches its performance. With LastPass, you can access your saved passwords, secure notes, and filled forms from your Android, and you can also create new ones that sync to all your devices. The new version of the app ingeniously melds the password manager with a built-in browser, putting the app's auto-login features at the forefront. Staying safe has never been easier.</p>
<p>Per Month, Starts at Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus</h2>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/kaspersky-internet-security">Kaspersky</a> for Android bundles on-demand malware scans and active web protection. Additionally, it implements a host of anti-theft features including remote locate, lock and wipe, as well as the ability to sound an alarm. You can even lock apps behind a PIN as an extra preventative measure in case your phone gets stolen. Although you need a paid Kaspersky Internet Security subscription to use all its features, some basic functionality is available for free. It's a top choice for <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-android-antivirus-apps">Android antivirus</a> apps.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Microsoft Authenticator</h2>
</div>
<p>SMS-based two-factor authentication is a common option, but when a service supports authentication apps, you should use that option. Microsoft Authenticator, like other time-based, one-time passcode authentication apps, lets you add accounts via a numeric or QR code and use the generated codes to log in to your services. Microsoft's app excels in its simplicity and extra features such as cloud backup (for when you are moving to a new device) and an optional app lock. You either enter the number displayed in the app, a two-digit number displayed by the service you're trying to authenticate or simply hit Allow in the popup notification.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>NordVPN</h2>
</div>
<p>With NordVPN you can rest assured that no prying eyes will see your internet traffic. This app sports an excellent interface, a handy server selection tool, and hundreds of available VPN servers across the globe. NordVPN's signature feature is its assortment of specialized servers, which are optimized for activities like peer-to-peer downloading, video streaming, and access to Tor.</p>
<p>MSRP $11.95</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>ProtonMail</h2>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/google-apps-can-scan-and-share-your-gmail-data-with-consent">Your Gmail inbox is not secure</a>. Use ProtonMail instead. This encrypted email platform offers a range of pricing options, including a free tier, so you have no excuse not to join. Security and privacy features aside, ProtonMail works like any other email app. Make sure to also check out <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/protonvpn">ProtonVPN</a> for securing your network traffic; it's an Editors' Choice for free VPNs.</p>
<p>Per Year, Starts at $48.00</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Qustodio</h2>
</div>
<p>Qustodio is an excellent parental control software that makes it easy to manage your child's mobile activity, especially with its well-designed companion app. Its best features are its browser-independent web content filters and ability to set device usage time limits. Rounding out its capabilities are location tracking, call and SMS logging, and mobile application blocking. Parents will also appreciate the instant device-locking and panic button options.</p>
<p>MSRP $54.95</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>TunnelBear VPN</h2>
</div>
<p>VPNs are complex, but TunnelBear's VPN app isn't. TunnelBear graces the experience with bright colors, clear options, and, best of all, lots of friendly bears. This VPN undergoes annual third-party audits and offers top capabilities, including split tunneling on Android. TunnelBear offers a traffic-limited free version, too.</p>
<p>MSRP $9.99</p>
</div>
<p>
</p><h2>Shopping</h2>
<p></p>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Amazon</h2>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/23-tips-every-amazon-addict-should-know">Amazon is the internet's marketplace</a>; the one place where you can buy just about anything—and it's cheap too! On Android, two of our favorite features are the integrated Alexa voice commands and the photo search, which makes it easy to surreptitiously compare Amazon's prices to those of the brick and mortar stores it is killing. Amazon Video-related functionality has been moved over to a dedicated app, but all of its other consumer services, including Fresh and Restaurants, make an appearance. Prime members rejoice; there's never been a better way to stay connected with your Amazon lifestyle.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Google Pay</h2>
</div>
<p>Google Pay has gone through many permutations over the years. Formerly known as Google Wallet, this person-to-person payment app from Google lets you easily send money without pesky cash or credit cards getting in the way. And in that role, it really excels. It's a strong alternative to our top choice, Venmo.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Groupon</h2>
</div>
<p>The original deal locator for mobile, <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/10-tips-and-tricks-for-finding-the-best-groupon-deals">Groupon</a> partners with businesses to offer low prices to a limited number of people for a limited time. While the value of Groupon's offerings is sometimes debatable, it offers a useful way to try a new restaurant or a totally new activity in your area.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Pinterest</h2>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pcmag/">Pinterest(Opens in a new window)</a> is a social network of stuff, a place to "pin" things that interest you on themed boards. The Android app offers a great way to gather images from around the web for making lists or just collections of stuff that catch your eye. You could use it to help redecorate your living room or even to help you choose a tattoo artist. It easily integrates with your browser for fast pinning, and you can view the pins of others for added inspiration.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Rakuten Slice Package Tracker</h2>
</div>
<p>For all our technical savvy and disruptive startups, physical package delivery is still <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-e-commerce-software">ecommerce</a>'s backbone. The Slice app automatically detects shipping details from your email and then tracks the packages for you. You can watch your precious commodities make their stately way to your doorstep, get alerts when they are delivered, and even receive warnings if they've been recalled or the price has dropped. In short, Slice is an online shopper's best friend.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Venmo</h2>
</div>
<p>There are many ways to pay for items with your phone, but <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/venmo">Venmo</a> has a smart mixture of clean design, ease of use, and social functions that give it an edge. Venmo doesn't do much, but it does let you easily send and receive payments from friends. And unlike other payment systems, Venmo has momentum. It's usually the app people ask about when the group is splitting up the check.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<p>
</p><h2>Travel</h2>
<p></p>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Airbnb</h2>
</div>
<p>Airbnb should be your go-to app for finding rooms, apartments, homes, and other unique accommodations when traveling, if you don't want to go with a traditional hotel. The length of your stay need not be short-term either; some locations let you book a stay for several months, which may appeal to people working temporary jobs in new places. This <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/the-best-travel-apps-for-2019">travel app</a> also highlights other experiences and restaurants, so you can find out about everything a locale offers.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Citymapper</h2>
</div>
<p>If you're traveling within a major metropolitan area via either public transportation or personal vehicle, Citymapper can plan all your trip details. It has transit information for dozens of major U.S. cities and international hotspots in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Further, it offers multiple transportation options for each city, so if you feel like taking the ferry to work one morning, there's nothing stopping you. Its top features include Commute, which lets you set up your daily travel to and from work, and an alert system that uses natural language to describe service delays or cancellations.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Eventbrite</h2>
</div>
<p>If an event isn't being organized on Facebook, it's probably being done through Eventbrite. This service makes it easy to manage invites, RSVPs, and even ticket purchasing. Attendees get handy reminders about the events they planned to attend, organizers can see guest lists. We particularly like that Eventbrite can generate QR codes, making event check-in a breeze.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Google Maps</h2>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/44-google-maps-tricks-you-need-to-try">Google Maps</a> has been your guide for years, and this excellent app just keeps getting better. With just a few taps, Google Maps tells you exactly how to get to your destination. It even supports walking, bicycle, and mass-transit directions, as well as Uber. The app's road knowledge is so keen that it can tell you which lane to be in while using turn-by-turn directions. And because this is Google, you can easily search for locations nearby. While true that this app is can't be uninstalled, it's still the best map app you'll find.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Overdrop</h2>
</div>
<p>Although a weather app's primary function is to give an accurate forecast, the presentation of that data is also important. Overdrop manages to accomplish both feats. The app includes helpful timeline-based graphs of temperature, wind, and rain predictions. Furthermore, you can change the units of measurement that the app displays as well as the weather provider. Your choices are Dark Sky or Weather Bit.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Transit</h2>
</div>
<p>Who needs Uber when so many cities offer world-class public transit? The Transit app shows mass transit options—including buses, ferries, and trains—and the estimated time of arrival in 87 cities in North American, Europe, and Australia. Here in New York, it even tells you how many bikes are parked at local <a href="https://www.citibikenyc.com/">Citi Bike(Opens in a new window)</a> stands. This app keeps you in the know no matter where your travels take you.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Uber</h2>
</div>
<p>Uber certainly has its problems. Between its questionable business tactics and its bad press, it's understandable to be suspicious. But the truth is that if you're looking for a way to get a ride, regardless of what city you're in, Uber will be there. You can even use it to order food in some areas. A great feature: You can request a wheelchair-accessible vehicle through Uber.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Weather Underground</h2>
</div>
<p>Weather Underground combines a slick design with a focus on really useful weather information. We particularly like the ability to report weather conditions in your area and the extremely useful comparative forecasts that deftly show how conditions have changed since yesterday. With an accompanying set of useful widgets, it's the best weather app on Android.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<p>
</p><h2>Utilities</h2>
<p></p>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Dropbox</h2>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/dropbox">Dropbox</a> pioneered the personal cloud service, where all your stuff would be available no matter what device you were using. On Android, it holds its own—even against the highly integrated Google Drive. Dropbox can also act as a seamless backup for your images, automatically uploading every photo to the cloud. It even includes some light image editing tools. If you're the type of person with lots of files already stored in Dropbox, this app is a must-have.</p>
<p>MSRP $11.99</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Grammarly Keyboard</h2>
</div>
<p>Grammarly Keyboard corrects your grammar and spelling errors as you type. This keyboard is useful for everything from writing emails to composing social media posts to editing long-form documents. In use, Grammarly makes it easy to accept changes or access a card-based interface with more in-depth explanations of an error. It also offers a good number of visual customizations, such as a choice between a light or dark theme options and the keyboard height, as well as editing options, such as auto-correction and capitalization preferences.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Google Drive</h2>
</div>
<p>Work-focused Android users have a wealth of storage options, but few are as widely used as Google Drive. Google offers 15GB of free storage by default, but more can be purchased if needed. Drive is part of the Google Workspace umbrella that also includes Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, making it an invaluable productivity tool. The service is deeply integrated into Google’s architecture, so it’s entirely likely that you’re already using Drive for storage. But if you aren’t, take advantage of the free cloud storage and workspace functions that come with the app.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Microsoft OneDrive</h2>
</div>
<p>Microsoft OneDrive is one of the best cloud storage services. With apps for all your devices, a clean interface, and excellent organization tools, it's a seamless way to keep your files with you wherever you go. Free users get 5GB of storage, but if you subscribe to Office 365, that limit goes up to 1TB. Microsoft's Personal Vault feature is built-in too, which helps you keep sensitive information behind an additional layer of security.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Microsoft Launcher</h2>
</div>
<p>Microsoft Launcher can replace your Android phone's default launcher with a useful and customizable feed for quick access to recent apps, events, and frequently contacted people. You can view the main app list horizontally or vertically, and it includes an elegant alphabetical scrollbar for reaching apps quickly. Performance is just as smooth as the stock launcher, and it doesn't affect the use of Google Assistant, though of course, <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/microsoft-cortana-for-iphone">Cortana</a> feels more at home as your voice assistant with this launcher.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Network Analyzer</h2>
</div>
<p>Network Analyzer makes it easy to view information about all of the Wi-Fi networks nearby. With a few taps, you can see the strength of networks in the area on a dynamic graph and view detailed information about your connection, such as your IPv4 Address, MAC Address, and Default Gateway IP. You can even run a network query from within the app; it lets you Ping an IP/Domain Name or even check the DNS Server settings. It's the perfect companion to our article on <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-find-your-ip-address">how to find your IP address</a>.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Otter Voice Notes</h2>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/otter">Otter</a> is an innovative automatic recording and transcription service that works in real-time. Simply hit the record button during a conversation or meeting and Otter will produce a usable transcript a few minutes later. Otter's app is fluid, well-designed, and quick in operation, which makes it ideal for students and professionals who rely on their mobile devices for their work. The app also integrates other top-notch features such as cross-conversation speaker identification, excellent search tools, and in-app editing of transcripts.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Speedtest by Ookla</h2>
</div>
<p>Are you curious about <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-check-your-internet-speed">the speed of your Internet connection</a>? Ookla's Speedtest app makes it easy to test your latency as well as upload and download speeds. The app also keeps a log of test results so you can compare performance over time. IF you want, you can also export your results for further analysis. PCMag relies on Ookla's tools every year to pick <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/the-fastest-isps-of-2018">the fastest ISPs</a>. (Note: Ookla is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag's publisher.)</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Steam Link</h2>
</div>
<p>Game-streaming platforms and subscriptions are all the rage right now, with big-name players such as Apple (Arcade), Google (Stadia), and Microsoft (xCloud) all recently launching some sort of effort. Steam Link (still in beta) allows you to play games from your Steam library directly from your Android phone, with the caveat that both your PC and mobile device must be connected to the same network. Check out our guide on <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-stream-pc-games-on-android-and-ios">how to stream games on your Android or iOS device</a>.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>SwiftKey Keyboard</h2>
</div>
<p>An impressive keyboard replacement, SwiftKey Keyboard suggests what it thinks is the most likely next word as you type. A pioneer of this technology, SwiftKey can speed up your typing by inserting whole words with a tap. The app also supports Swype-like input, over 100 languages, and 80 colorful themes.</p>
<p>MSRP $3.99</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Tasker</h2>
</div>
<p>Let's be honest: Tasker is very intimidating. But we recognize that this is perhaps the most powerful app available in Google Play. With it, you can script basic actions for your Android to perform when specific conditions are met—like flash the LED when you receive a text message. Learning to use something this powerful can be tricky, but the rewards seem worth it.</p>
</div>
<p>
</p><h2>Video Streaming</h2>
<p></p>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>fuboTV</h2>
</div>
<p>fuboTV is a great option for any cord-cutting sports fans. This "sports-first, but not sports-only" service offers extensive live sports and entertainment content (85 channels) for all your devices. Whether you want to watch NFL games on Sunday, catch up an MLB game that aired during the day, or even stream a movie on-demand, fuboTV has you covered. fuboTV also offers excellent DVR capabilities and other features for watching events and shows you may have otherwise missed. In testing, streaming live and on-demand shows worked very well.</p>
<p>Per Month, Starts at $64.99</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Hulu</h2>
</div>
<p>Hulu has long been a major player in the on-demand streaming space and its large library of current and previously aired shows offer appealing options for many. Hulu's live TV component is impressive as well, with a good range of channels and well-designed apps. Hulu's combination of on-demand and live TV services makes it an excellent value.</p>
<p>Per Month, Starts at $7.99</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Netflix</h2>
</div>
<p>Despite ups and downs in the quality of its library, <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/netflix">Netflix</a> dominates the world of streaming TV and movies. The service also creates its own—sometimes indispensable—content, including original comedies, cartoons, dramas, and documentaries. Some of the shows have become cultural phenomena, making Netflix a must-have. Shows such as <em>Black Mirror,</em> <em>Stranger Things, </em>and<em> The Crown</em> (the most expensive TV show ever made) are often the conversation topics of the day. You can even download select episodes to watch offline at your leisure.</p>
<p>MSRP $9.99</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Twitch</h2>
</div>
<p>Twitch is the best way to watch people play games or pursue their creative hobbies on your mobile device. From eSports to cooking to music and more, there's likely some content on Twitch that everyone can enjoy. If you are feeling generous, you can also support your favorite creators directly from the app. <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/free-twitch-prime-games-youll-want-to-try-in-october">Twitch Prime members can also claim free games</a> and in-game loot each month.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Yahoo Sports</h2>
</div>
<p>With the Yahoo Sports app, you can <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-nfl-streaming-services">watch live NFL games</a> in your area as well as primetime matchups at no cost. The app is also useful for keeping up with the scores and highlights from other national sports leagues. A well-designed layout and solid performance in testing make it a worthwhile download.</p>
<p>MSRP Free</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p><div>
<h2>Youtube TV</h2>
</div>
<p>YouTube TV is one of the best <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-video-streaming-services">video streaming services</a> for streaming live channels, with an excellent combination of news, sports, and entertainment options. The service also offers top-notch apps and excellent DVR functionality. YouTube TV's streaming performance is excellent, too.</p>
<p>MSRP $64.98</p>
</div>
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 1. Home
 2. Best Products
 3. Mobile Apps
 4. Android Apps

 The Best Android Apps for 2023

 The Google Play store has millions of apps. Some are great, many are duds. Our guide, which covers 13 key categories and 104 top apps, features the ones that deserve a place on your Android phone or tablet.

 By Jeffrey L. Wilson
 Jeffrey L. Wilson
 Managing Editor, Apps and Gaming
 My Experience

 Since 2004, I've penned gadget- and video game-related nerd-copy for a variety of publications, including the late, great 1UP; Laptop; Parenting; Sync; Wise Bread; and WWE. I now apply that knowledge and skillset as the Managing Editor of PCMag's Apps & Gaming team.

 Read Full Bio
 & Gabriel Zamora
 Gabriel Zamora
 My Experience

 My career has taken me through an eclectic assortment of fields, and connected me with people from all walks of life. This experience includes construction, professional cooking, podcasting, and, of course, writing. I’ve been typing up geeky takes since 2009, ultimately landing a freelancing position at PCMag. This blossomed into a full-time tech analyst position in 2021, where I lend my personal insight on the matters of web hosting, streaming music, mobile apps, and video games.

 Read Full Bio
 Updated October 5, 2022
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 Table of Contents Table of Contents Browsers Communication Food Health & Fitness Music & Podcasts Photography Productivity Reading & News Security Shopping Travel Utilities Video Streaming
 * Categories
 * Browsers
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 8 More Categories 8 More Categories
 (Credit: Google, PCMag)

 Android tablets and phones are technological marvels that have reshaped our social landscape. They entertain, let you work from any location, and keep you connected with friends, family, and coworkers. With the right app, you can transform your humble cell or slate into a mobile movie theater, work station, art canvas, recipe manager, and so much more. Unfortunately, finding the best Android apps to install can be a challenge.

 There's a titanic quantity of apps to download from the Google Play Store, but which ones are worth their salt? We’ve assembled this list to help you discover worthwhile apps, so read on: You may find something you didn’t even know you needed.

 These 104 recommended apps are organized into 13 categories, including music, productivity, security, and utilities, so it's easy to find ones that suit your mood. Need an entertaining streaming video service? There's an app for that. In search of a dependable word processor that'll keep you productive while on the go? There's an app for that, too. Note that we don't include any games in this roundup. For those, check out our separate list of the best Android games.

 If this is your first time with an Android device, perusing over 100 apps might be overwhelming. If so, take a look at our list of 10 must-have Android apps to cover the basics. If your wallet is feeling a little light, know that many of the entries in both lists are free.

 Each recommended app is excellent in its own way. Taken together, our collection is a snapshot of the Google Play Store's best apps at the time of writing. So explore and enjoy.

 We didn't forget about iPhone and iPad users. For the iOS faithful, check out our roundups of the best iPhone apps and the best iPad apps.

 Browsers

 Brave Privacy Browser

 Brave Privacy Browser offers many features aimed at protecting your security and privacy on the web. For instance, it includes built-in blockers for ads, pop-ups, scripts, and third-party cookies. It even implements the HTTPS Everywhere extension, so you can ensure that your connections to sites are secure. The lightweight, minimal design looks great, too.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 DuckDuckGo

 Based on Google’s Chromium codebase, DuckDuckGo is a minimalistic browser designed to keep your online activities private. DuckDuckGo defaults to the highest encryption available for whatever site you visit, and lets you wipe your browsing history with a button tap. If you’re tired of trackers hounding you for advertisement purposes, and want to browse the web with a bit of freedom, give DuckDuckGo a download.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at DuckDuckGo
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Firefox

 Firefox is lickety-split fast, and has a clean design that is a joy to use. Mozilla makes a big point about how it doesn't collect your data, and we are pleased to see that the app comes with a full complement of security settings—including an option to protect your information from advertisers and a private browsing mode. Like the desktop version, Firefox for mobile has a robust plug-in selection, excellent tab management, and a dynamic start page for bookmarks and the latest headlines. You can even sync settings, history, and tabs with the desktop variant

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Mozilla VPN
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Microsoft Edge

 Microsoft Edge lets you easily sync web pages, bookmarks, and browsing history between your Android device and the Edge browser on your desktop. Top features of the mobile browser include an integrated reading view, news ratings (handled by NewsGuard), and a content blocker (powered by Adblock Plus). You can search with Bing using your voice or by selecting a photo, as well as earn points via the Microsoft Rewards program. Both Microsoft Edge's dark and light themes look elegant and are easy to navigate.

 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Tor Browser

 Privacy stalwarts, rejoice! Tor now has an official (and modern-looking) Android app. The Tor project operates under the principle that "internet users should have private access to an uncensored web." Make sure to read the overview of how Tor works (Opens in a new window) before you start using it, as it addresses specific types of privacy threats (and does so very well). The Tor browser may perform more slowly than other browsers, given its complicated inner workings, but that drawback should be negligible for the users who appreciate and rely on its protections.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Tor
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Communication

 Language Learners

 Duolingo

 5.0

 If you're looking to learn another language, Duolingo gamifies language learning with bite-sized lessons and a friendly interface. Starting with simple vocabulary and building from there, Duolingo is your guide to learning a new language or brushing up on one you already know. The more you use the app, the more you unlock and—with practice—the more you learn. This free app currently supports Danish, Dutch, French, German, Irish, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swedish. Or more practical choices, like Esperanto and Klingon.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 Duolingo Review

 Facebook Messenger

 5.0

 The problem with most mobile messengers is convincing your friends to sign up. That said, there's a good chance that most people you know are already on Facebook. This is handy, because the Facebook Messenger app is fantastic. It's simple, clean, and easily handles voice and video calling. Check out our feature on Facebook Messenger to discover its other capabilities.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Facebook Messenger (for Android) Review

 Google Translate

 Many people fear not being unable to communicate with people from another country while traveling. Google Translate takes a bit of the edge off, quickly translating either written text or spoken words. You can even use the app to do the speaking for you, and input text through your camera or handwriting. The app can translate 103 languages with a data connection and 52 when you're offline. It can't handle Tamarian, but it's sure to be a handy tool here on Earth. Another option is Microsoft Translator (Opens in a new window) , which offers 60 offline languages, travel phrasebooks, a real-time conversation mode, and actually translates Klingon.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 LingoDeer

 LingoDeer is a fantastic language-learning tool with a strong Asian-language focus (though it includes a few major European languages, too). The app's courses are multilingual, so if you wish to learn Japanese as a German speaker, this is the app for you. That said, LingoDeer is also quite challenging, as it features specific, high-level terminology and detailed grammatical explanations. Nonetheless, it is a superb resource, and the developer is constantly improving the app based on community feedback.

 Per Month, Starts at $11.99
 Per Month, Starts at $11.99
 $11.99/Per Month
 at LingoDeer
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 LinkedIn

 4.0

 Most people are probably familiar with LinkedIn as a service only visited in times of desperation—after being laid off, maybe, or after a day in the office so bad that you're just not going to take it anymore. The LinkedIn app aims, however, to be a companion to the LinkedIn web service that you check every day. Sure, there's the all-important profile pages showing off your work experience, and the handy tools for networking, but the service now includes visitor metrics and a newsfeed for a decidedly more social feel. It's sometimes the easiest way to reach out and make a business connection. It's like Facebook for grown-ups.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 LinkedIn (for Android) Review

 Snapchat

 4.0

 With Snapchat, you quickly snap and exchange photos with one or several friends. The app also supports video snaps, as well as voice and video calling. The catch is that whatever you post vanishes after a day. It's just a fun and ephemeral way to share the world around you.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Snapchat (for Android) Review

 Signal

 There are many apps that pay lip service to security and privacy, but Signal was built from the ground up with the goal of letting people easily communicate without having to worry about being overheard. The Signal app is a complete phone and SMS client replacement (though it works just fine as a standalone app, too) for sending and receiving encrypted calls and messages. The app's look and feel continues to improve, too.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Textra

 Textra is an excellent alternative to Messages on Android. The app includes numerous customization options that you won't find with the stock messaging app, including custom contact colors, text bubble styles, and notification icons. Additionally, you get extra features such as text scheduling, the ability to blacklist contacts, and the option to rename group conversations. Textra also has excellent light and dark modes.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 WhatsApp

 3.5

 In a world rife with messenger apps, WhatsApp is among the most successful, boasting an enormous and dedicated user base. Add to that an integrated web version that lets users take their chats to the desktop. This Facebook-owned app is bolstered by encrypted messaging provided by the minds behind Signal. It might just be the largest secure messaging service out there.

 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 WhatsApp Messenger (for Android) Review

 Your Phone Companion

 Microsoft's Your Phone Companion app lets you link your Android phone and text from your Windows 10 PC. As a bonus, you can also quickly access photos from your camera, as well as manage your device notifications. The app setup is easy, and it's certainly more comfortable to type out longer responses on a physical keyboard than craft a message on your phone.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Food

 Blue Apron

 4.5

 If you don't want to think about buying ingredients, but still want to cook, Blue Apron is an excellent option. With reliable deliveries and great meals to choose from, this food delivery service lets you skip the trip to the grocery store. The sleek mobile app allows you to manage your account, schedule your deliveries, and save any recipes you want to revisit.

 Per User, Per Month, Starts at $9.99
 Per User, Per Month, Starts at $9.99
 $11.99/per serving - 2-Person Plan
 at Blue Apron
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Blue Apron Meal Delivery Service Review

 Cookpad

 Cookpad connects you with a vibrant array of recipes. Easily add favorite recipes, manage shopping lists, and find new recipes you'll love based on those you already like. Once you start using it, you'll have one less excuse to eat out.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Copy Me That

 A quality homemade meal is one of life’s greatest comforts, so whip up a tasty dish using Copy Me That. This multipurpose tool lets you copy, organize, and manage recipes that you find online or input yourself. Customize your recipe collection with photos of your choosing, and organize them in whatever categories you want. The app is great for cutting through long-winded websites to get tight recipe copy, and it even provides a meal planner and shopping list to make cooking a cinch.

 $0.00
 at Copy Me That
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Seamless

 Remember the bad old days of ordering food? You needed takeout menus, knowledge of the terrain ("will they even deliver out here?"), cash, and faith that the person jotting down your order got it right. Seamless takes care of all that, even letting you pay via credit card from your Android. The only drawback? It's not available in every city (or even every state), though it has expanded its range dramatically since it was first included on this list.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Untappd

 Untappd helps you record each brew you try along with a rating and tasting notes. Think of it as Swarm for beer! No more staring at a tap list, trying to remember which ones you've had before. The app also has a vibrant community of beer drinkers that can point you toward new discoveries and an extensive list of beers. It's also a handy way to find your favorite brew near your current location. While it's not perfect, it can change the way you think of beer.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Yelp

 4.0

 It pays to be a little skeptical of crowd-sourced reviews, but Yelp tells you a lot more than just what people thought of a bar, restaurant, or just about any other place where you spend money. Many locations list hours of operation, contact information, and menus, making it easy to find the perfect spot in your neighborhood or a new city.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 Yelp (for Android) Review

 Health & Fitness

 Adidas Running by Runtastic

 The Adidas Running app, formerly called Runtastic PRO, can do much more than just track your favorite running routes. This excellent fitness app keeps track of all sorts of useful data and can return information-rich maps to help you plan future outings. Use it for cycling, hiking, and walking, too.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Clue

 Menstruators the world over will rejoice over Clue, a simple app with a beautiful design for tracking your period and predicting when the next will occur. Using the data you enter about your cycle—and other factors—you can use Clue to plan ahead, whether it's for pregnancy or just to keep ahead of your cycle. Reminders and a handy calendar tool can help take the guesswork out of life. Best of all, it's totally gender-neutral, and not the expected pink.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Eve

 Tracking your period isn't just about knowing the cycle, but also the other factors surrounding it. Eve by Glow lets you track physical and emotional states, which can lead to some important insights when you take the time to interpret your own data. Eve also boasts a vibrant community and a wealth of information about sexual health built right in.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Fitbit

 You might know Fitbit from its popular fitness trackers, but the app that powers those devices works well on its own, too. Using your just your smartphone (assuming you meet the minimum hardware requirements), this fitness app can count steps and log activities to help you achieve daily goals. There are also social features, so you can compete against your friends. It's a must-have (really, you must have it) for Fitbit users, but also a smart choice for anyone looking to be more active.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 MyFitnessPal

 This calorie counter and exercise tracker aims to help you lose weight the old-fashioned way—expending more calories than you take in. With its smart design and an extensive library of foods, it makes quickly logging the calories you take in and what you burn while exercising a snap. A barcode scanner makes it even easier to log that post-workout snack. This fitness app also plays nice with other such apps, so your data won't be tied up in just one place. MyFitnessPal won't give you a whole workout regimen, but it can make you more aware of your habits. PCMag has a full review of MyFitnessPal for the iPhone.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Zocdoc

 Zocdoc makes it easy to research nearby doctors on your health insurance plan and book appointments from your phone. When you first sign up for the app, you can enter your insurance information manually or scan your card to get started. The app itself looks slick too, with a modern, bright design that makes the experience of scheduling visits less stressful. Zocdoc even saves your history of appointments and makes recommendations for future ones, so you can stay on top of your health history.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Music & Podcasts

 Anchor

 3.5

 If you want to record your own podcast, Anchor is likely one of the easiest ways to do it. This app lets you record by yourself or with friends and build out entire podcast episodes entirely from your phone. Anchor even implements some basic audio editing tools for perfecting each clip in the app. Recently, the service announced a monetization program for creators on the platform.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Anchor Review

 Bandcamp

 3.0

 Filled with both up-and-coming and established acts, Bandcamp is one of the most exciting music marketplaces there is. The app was initially built around streaming songs you'd already purchased on Bandcamp, but now it's a one-stop-shop for digital and physical band merch. If you want to keep your finger on the pulse of music, this is an essential app.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Bandcamp (for Android) Review

 BlackPlayer

 Streaming services are all the rage, but if you still keep music locally, BlackPlayer is worth your attention. We particularly like the Discover option, which shuffles through 10-second previews of seldom-played tracks in your library continuously, until you decide on what to listen to next. There's also a built-in tag editor and a ton of customization options for button styles, fonts, themes, and now playing notifications.

 $3.49
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 LiveXLive

 4.0

 While Pandora may have introduced the world to streaming radio, LiveXLive has refined it. You can listen to what the service thinks you'll like, or try out one of its human-curated channels and playlists. It also has hyper-specific playlists that appeal to particular tastes and moods, such as Yacht Rock. If you aren't ready to subscribe to LiveXLive quite yet, you can try out its free version.

 Per Month, Starts at $3.99
 Per Month, Starts at $3.99
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 LiveOne Review

 Pocket Casts

 4.5

 Android has struggled with podcasts (they don't call 'em "Droidcasts," after all), but Pocket Casts is here to help. This highly customizable app is great for chilling out with an episode of your favorite casts, and it can also sync among different devices so that you can pick up right where you left off. Time to start listening.

 MSRP $3.99
 MSRP $3.99
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Pocket Casts (for Android) Review

 Songkick

 4.0

 Songkick is the bridge between the music in your digital collection and concerts in your area. Once installed, Songkick scans your device for tunes and then lets you see when and where your favorite artists are playing. If you see a show you're interested in, you can also purchase tickets all from within the app. Add multiple locations to Songkick to catch concerts when you're on the road.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 Songkick Review

 Spotify

 4.5

 With its huge inventory of music, Spotify has become a mainstay for free, legal music streaming. You can shuffle through smartly selected songs, find your favorite albums, or explore one of the service's excellent playlists. Close ties with artists means that new tracks are sometimes available the same day they hit the shelves in record shops. Those still exist, right? Spotify also offers a limited free version.

 Per Month, Starts at $9.99
 Per Month, Starts at $9.99
 $9.99
 at Spotify
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Spotify Review

 Stitcher

 Though its interface is a bit tricky, Stitcher connects you with just about every podcast out there. Podcasts are organized by subject, or you can just search for a familiar title. Shows can, in turn, be organized into playlists for a continuous stream. Once you've exhausted all your favorites, let Stitcher recommend something new. With a special emphasis on sources like NPR, CNN, and ESPN, Stitcher has a little bit of everything.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Photography

 Adobe Lightroom

 4.0

 Adobe Lightroom is a powerful photo-editing app for mobile that retains many of the features from its desktop counterparts, Lightroom, which earned a three-and-a-half star rating, and Lightroom Classic, a five-star Editors' Choice winner. Some of its standout tools include raw camera file profiles, noise reduction, profile-based lens corrections, and advanced color and lighting sliders. Lightroom also notably syncs all these edits between the mobile and desktop apps.

 MSRP $9.99
 MSRP $9.99
 $9.99 Per Month
 at Adobe
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Adobe Lightroom Review

 Flickr

 3.5

 Remember Flickr? The venerable photo-sharing service is an Editors' Choice web service, and the Android app has a lot to recommend it, too. It's more about the art of photography than the meme- and selfie-packed Instagram. Offering a well-designed interface and excellent photo and video editing tools, Flickr is more valuable than ever. Plus, the app connects you to the vibrant community of photographers on the service. Best of all, it can automatically back up photos from your phone. Free users can upload up to 1,000 photos and a $50 per year subscription gets you unlimited online photo storage.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Flickr (for Android) Review

 Google Photos

 4.0

 Google Photos puts the search giant's powerful (and sometimes creepy) image magic into your phone. It can identify faces, even as they age over the decades, as well as animals, places, or objects. You can also search for photos from specific dates or locations. The impressive built-in Assistant can detect clutter or even create collages or animations on its own. The app is rounded out with editing tools and unlimited cloud storage if you make some minor compromises on upload quality. Google Photos also extends to photo prints; you can digitize physical photos with the built-in Photo Scan or even order a custom photo book. The companion Google Lens app can even report back information related to your images or photos by scanning them.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Photos
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Google Photos Review

 Instagram

 4.5

 It seems like just yesterday that Facebook-owned Instagram was adding video. Then direct messaging. Then advanced photo editing put it on par with Photoshop Express for image correction and manipulation. Instagram Stories is now far more popular than Snapchat's similar feature. And anti-bullying features should make it more palatable for some. With a clean, minimalist interface, Instagram is the current king of social photo apps.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Instagram (for Android) Review

 PicsArt Photo Studio

 4.0

 With tons of effects, controls over layers, drawing tools, and collages, PicsArt Photo Studio can contend with Photoshop and is one of the best photo editing apps for Android. If you think it's just a lowly Instagram clone, you're wrong. When you're looking to take your smartphone snapshots to the next level, seek out this app.

 Per Month, Starts at $8.99
 Per Month, Starts at $8.99
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 PicsArt Photo Studio (for Android) Review

 Snapseed

 4.0

 Don't get us wrong, some of us love Instagram. But if you want more control than Instagram affords, try Google-owned Snapseed. This app straddles the line between full-fledged image editor and filter app, all in a sleek and attractive package. Best of all is the amount of control it gives you over how filters and effects are applied to your images. It even lets you make non-destructible edits to raw camera files and make adjustments to exposure and detail levels.

 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Snapseed (for Android) Review

 Productivity

 Asana

 4.5

 Asana is the 800-pound gorilla of task management for teams, dwarfing other popular services like the capable Trello. Asana is all about workflows and checkbox tasks that can be assigned to individuals. The Android app lets you take your tasks on the go and offline, syncing your progress when you're back on the network. It's a powerful tool with an excellent interface, and new features are added regularly.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 Visit Site
 at Asana
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Asana Review

 Doodle

 4.5

 The hardest part of scheduling a meeting is getting everyone to agree. Jeff is free Monday and Wednesday. Jill is available Monday, but not Tuesday. And the other dozen people have their own schedules to contend with. Doodle lets you suggest times, and then see which work best for everyone. It's an invaluable planning tool.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Doodle (for Android) Review

 Evernote

 4.0

 Once you start using Evernote, this note-taking app becomes a powerful tool for organizing just about everything. Notes can be anything—text, images, audio, or a mix—and are organized into notebooks. One of its killer features is optical character recognition, which makes the text in images searchable. Cloud-storage makes it the perfect tool for organizing the little pieces of a project into a finished draft.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Evernote
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Evernote Review

 Fax.Plus

 Faxing isn't dead quite yet, but fax machines can safely be left behind thanks to online fax services. Fax.Plus's app is well designed and easy to use. It notably offers a digital signature tool and a contact manager. We like how mobile fax apps allow users to snap a picture of an attachment, attach a fax cover sheet, and send a fax off to a recipient in a few quick actions. Fax.Plus makes this process seamless.

 Per Month, Starts at $5.99
 Per Month, Starts at $5.99
 Compare Plans at FAX.PLUS
 at FAX.PLUS
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 IFTTT

 4.0

 IFTTT, which stands for "if this, then that," helps you create custom automations between various online services and devices without any coding experience. The mobile app makes it simple to set up these Applets (previously called recipes) on your own or implement any of the community-created ones. IFTTT is particularly great for controlling smart home devices.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 IFTTT Review

 Khan Academy

 Avoid paying for expensive textbooks and use Khan Academy instead. With lessons and videos for Arts & Humanities, Computing, Economics & Finance, Math, and more, there's no shortage of topics you can learn or review. The app is easy to use, and you can resume lessons wherever you sign in to your account.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free

 Microsoft Word

 Microsoft Word is, simply put, the alpha and omega of word processing, and one of the key apps in Microsoft Office 365. You'll find it on every kind of computer in every kind of setting, and now it's available for free on Android. Word plugs into Microsoft's cloud infrastructure to keep your documents in order, but its main selling point is that this really is Word. What you make on your phone will look exactly the same on the desktop. For the worker on the go, it's essential.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Mint

 4.5

 Mint is a fantastic online service to keep track of your finances, and it really shines on Android. Once you've entered all your information, you can easily check up on your finances on the fly. Mint keeps you on track for your goals and a new bill paying feature makes sure that you never miss a payment. Be sure to try out the app's excellent widgets, too.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Mint.com
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Mint Review

 Nine Email

 Nine is a very reliable email client designed to work with all of your accounts. The clean interface and the optional conversation view make reading and replying to email intuitive. One of the coolest features is the ability to customize the notification actions, including an incredibly useful "Mark as read" option. It isn't cheap, but it's only a one-time $14.99 charge for a much-improved email experience that also integrates calendar, contacts, notes, and tasks functionality.

 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Slack

 4.5

 Slack has gone from the new hotness, to controversial productivity tool, to essential office tool faster than you can say "hot take." With a familiar, instant messenger feel, it's easy to get started with Slack. But the service became popular because of its wealth of advanced features, like customizable alerts and a Do Not Disturb function. You can even host VoIP calls through Slack with your coworkers. A free account will get you started, but a monthly fee unlocks even better search tools. And be sure to install the Giphy plugin for maximum productivity.

 Per User, Per Month, Starts at $8.75
 Per User, Per Month, Starts at $8.75
 Visit Site
 at Slack
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 Slack Review

 Spike

 Reading email can be a slog, as they just don’t feel as natural or accessible as, say, text messages. Until now. Spike is an app that transforms your email inbox into a messenger platform, giving it a WhatsApp-style conversation flow. You can perform traditional email tasks, such as forwarding or scheduling messages, but the radically different inbox appearance will change your email perspective. A personal account is free, so give Spike a shot. Once you switch you may never go back to traditional emails inboxes again.

 Visit Site
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 Todoist

 5.0

 If you like to keep your life organized with various to-do lists, then you definitely need to download Todoist. This app lets you keep track of the tasks you need to get done; you can assign them different priorities based on their overall importance or organize them across different projects. It also has a functional, clean design and works across many different platforms. Anyone can get started for free, but seriously organized individuals should upgrade to the $28.99 per year premium plan to set up task labels and reminders, upload files, and view productivity charts.

 Per Month, Starts at $5.00
 Per Month, Starts at $5.00
 $5 Per Month
 at Todoist
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Todoist Review

 TurboTax Tax Return App

 Everyone needs to file their taxes every year. Most people will probably have an easier time using dedicated tax software (and some might still enjoy preparing them by hand), but more ambitions filers or those with simple tax returns can get away with using a mobile app. Intuit's TurboTax Tax Return App is the best one we reviewed this year. Among its top features are an excellent user interface, support for all major tax forms, and innovative help options. If you get stuck at any point, you can just open up the Virtual Assistant, which keeps a running dialogue of the help topics you searched for, or use SmartLook to connect to a tax expert via video chat.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Reading & News

 Calibre Companion

 Calibre is the giant of ebook management, and this app is the perfect (ahem) companion for it. With just a few clicks, you can add any book from your computer to your eReader over USB or Wi-Fi. You can also store your ebooks on the cloud for easy access from wherever you are. What's so surprising is how well it works, and how easy it is to use. If you've got a lot of ebooks and are ready to cast off the shackles of Amazon, this is the app for you.

 $5.99
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 ComiXology

 4.5

 The Amazon-owned ComiXology—the iTunes of digital comics—offers a near-perfect combination of store and comic book reader in its wonderful Comics app. The free app transforms your Android smartphone or tablet into a digital long box that houses and syncs your purchases across multiple devices. Even better, the new Comixology Unlimited service lets you devour an ever-expanding catalog of titles for just $5.99 per month.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 3.99 Per Month for Subscription
 at ComiXology
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Comixology Review

 ESPN

 What is most impressive about the ESPN Android app is the sheer number of sports it covers. Everything from American football to Brazilian soccer to Indy 500 is available. For those unmissable games, you can set alerts and follow specific matches as they unfold. It also connects you to videos and news headlines, courtesy of the popular sports cable network. Also, check out ESPN's streaming service, ESPN+.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Feedly

 4.0

 Feedly takes the RSS feed into the modern age, and it's the easiest way to stay on top of all your favorites sources of news. You can view everything all at once if you want, but Feedly also lets you categorize your sources for focused reading or use its Today tab, which shows you the top stories from each category. Additionally, you can make Feedly look as simple as you wish, with minimalist text-only layouts. It's a great way to keep informed with the days' headlines and it offers useful integrations with other services as well.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Feedly Review

 Flipboard

 4.5

 With its slick, streamlined interface, Flipboard is one of the best apps for reading the news. With it, you browse the articles, videos, podcasts, and other media that matter most to you. The app's signature magazine-style interface lets you explore the day's headlines in a gorgeous environment. The Daily Edition feature gives you the most important news along with themed stories for each day of the week. Flipboard has been one of our top picks for years, and it's easy to see why.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Flipboard (for Android) Review

 Kindle

 The official Amazon Kindle app puts all of your existing Amazon ebook purchases at the tips of your fingers, and it gives you mobile access to the Kindle ebook store for impulse purchasing. Best of all, it syncs your notes, bookmarks, and where you left off among all your devices.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Libby by Overdrive

 The library is an often-overlooked public resource (and some are modernizing quickly), but OverDrive brings it back into the fold with the newly redesigned, Libby. Supported by over 30,000 libraries worldwide, the app lets you access your local library's array of available ebooks and audiobooks. Use it to download titles, place holds on titles not yet available, and consume your borrowed content. The only requirement is a library card (or its digital equivalent).

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Pocket

 Your bag of holding for internet content, Pocket saves articles, images, and videos for later reading. We especially like how it reformats articles for more comfortable reading on a mobile device, and how it syncs content to your tablet, phone, and online account. With the close integration between Pocket and the Android sharing tools, you can pocket just about anything from your phone.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 reddit is fun

 There's no shortage of Reddit apps on the Google Play store and choosing one over another ultimately comes down to preference, but reddit is fun (RIF) is a great option to try. The default view features a dense, text-heavy layout that puts the best (and worst) of Reddit front and center. There's both a light and dark theme and tons of layout content customization options to try out, even if you don't opt for the paid version. Better yet, there are no ads in either version or RIF and its overall performance is extremely quick.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Security

 Bitdefender Mobile Security

 4.5

 Need Android antivirus? It's hard to do better than Bitdefender. This app has received perfect scores from two independent research labs and scans your phone in mere seconds. It also includes excellent phishing protection, powerful antitheft tools, and Android Wear integration.

 MSRP $14.95
 MSRP $14.95
 $14.99
 at Bitdefender
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Bitdefender Mobile Security and Antivirus (for Android) Review

 Bitwarden

 4.0

 As far as password managers go, Bitwarden checks all the right boxes. For instance, it supports two-factor authentication and secure password sharing. Bitwarden also implements a password generator and can help you import passwords from other services. Best of all, it's free and open-source.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 Bitwarden Review

 Dashlane

 4.5

 You're terrible at passwords. Don't take it personally! Everyone is terrible at passwords. That's why we all need apps like Dashlane, which generate, save, and replay login credentials wherever they're needed. This smart, cross-platform service makes sure that your passwords, payment information, and other vital information is stored securely but never out of reach.

 Per Month, Starts at Free
 Per Month, Starts at Free
 Save 23% off Annual Premium Plan
 at Dashlane
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Dashlane Review

 LastPass

 After a major overhaul to this powerful password manager, its appearance finally matches its performance. With LastPass, you can access your saved passwords, secure notes, and filled forms from your Android, and you can also create new ones that sync to all your devices. The new version of the app ingeniously melds the password manager with a built-in browser, putting the app's auto-login features at the forefront. Staying safe has never been easier.

 Per Month, Starts at Free
 Per Month, Starts at Free
 Free 30-Day Free Trial for Family and Premium
 at LastPass
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 LastPass Review

 Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus

 Kaspersky for Android bundles on-demand malware scans and active web protection. Additionally, it implements a host of anti-theft features including remote locate, lock and wipe, as well as the ability to sound an alarm. You can even lock apps behind a PIN as an extra preventative measure in case your phone gets stolen. Although you need a paid Kaspersky Internet Security subscription to use all its features, some basic functionality is available for free. It's a top choice for Android antivirus apps.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Microsoft Authenticator

 SMS-based two-factor authentication is a common option, but when a service supports authentication apps, you should use that option. Microsoft Authenticator, like other time-based, one-time passcode authentication apps, lets you add accounts via a numeric or QR code and use the generated codes to log in to your services. Microsoft's app excels in its simplicity and extra features such as cloud backup (for when you are moving to a new device) and an optional app lock. You either enter the number displayed in the app, a two-digit number displayed by the service you're trying to authenticate or simply hit Allow in the popup notification.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Microsoft Store
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 NordVPN

 With NordVPN you can rest assured that no prying eyes will see your internet traffic. This app sports an excellent interface, a handy server selection tool, and hundreds of available VPN servers across the globe. NordVPN's signature feature is its assortment of specialized servers, which are optimized for activities like peer-to-peer downloading, video streaming, and access to Tor.

 MSRP $11.95
 MSRP $11.95
 Up to 63% off 2-Year Plan + Win Extra Subscription Time
 at NordVPN
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 ProtonMail

 4.0

 Your Gmail inbox is not secure. Use ProtonMail instead. This encrypted email platform offers a range of pricing options, including a free tier, so you have no excuse not to join. Security and privacy features aside, ProtonMail works like any other email app. Make sure to also check out ProtonVPN for securing your network traffic; it's an Editors' Choice for free VPNs.

 Per Year, Starts at $48.00
 Per Year, Starts at $48.00
 $39.96
 at ProtonMail
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 ProtonMail Review

 Qustodio

 3.5

 Qustodio is an excellent parental control software that makes it easy to manage your child's mobile activity, especially with its well-designed companion app. Its best features are its browser-independent web content filters and ability to set device usage time limits. Rounding out its capabilities are location tracking, call and SMS logging, and mobile application blocking. Parents will also appreciate the instant device-locking and panic button options.

 MSRP $54.95
 MSRP $54.95
 10% off all Premium Plans
 at Qustodio
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Qustodio Review

 TunnelBear VPN

 4.0

 VPNs are complex, but TunnelBear's VPN app isn't. TunnelBear graces the experience with bright colors, clear options, and, best of all, lots of friendly bears. This VPN undergoes annual third-party audits and offers top capabilities, including split tunneling on Android. TunnelBear offers a traffic-limited free version, too.

 MSRP $9.99
 MSRP $9.99
 $120 for Three-Year Plan
 at TunnelBear
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 TunnelBear VPN Review

 Shopping

 Amazon

 4.0

 Amazon is the internet's marketplace; the one place where you can buy just about anything—and it's cheap too! On Android, two of our favorite features are the integrated Alexa voice commands and the photo search, which makes it easy to surreptitiously compare Amazon's prices to those of the brick and mortar stores it is killing. Amazon Video-related functionality has been moved over to a dedicated app, but all of its other consumer services, including Fresh and Restaurants, make an appearance. Prime members rejoice; there's never been a better way to stay connected with your Amazon lifestyle.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Amazon
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Amazon (for Android) Review

 Google Pay

 4.5

 Google Pay has gone through many permutations over the years. Formerly known as Google Wallet, this person-to-person payment app from Google lets you easily send money without pesky cash or credit cards getting in the way. And in that role, it really excels. It's a strong alternative to our top choice, Venmo.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 Visit Site
 at Google Pay
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Google Pay Review

 Groupon

 The original deal locator for mobile, Groupon partners with businesses to offer low prices to a limited number of people for a limited time. While the value of Groupon's offerings is sometimes debatable, it offers a useful way to try a new restaurant or a totally new activity in your area.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Pinterest

 Pinterest (Opens in a new window) is a social network of stuff, a place to "pin" things that interest you on themed boards. The Android app offers a great way to gather images from around the web for making lists or just collections of stuff that catch your eye. You could use it to help redecorate your living room or even to help you choose a tattoo artist. It easily integrates with your browser for fast pinning, and you can view the pins of others for added inspiration.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Rakuten Slice Package Tracker

 For all our technical savvy and disruptive startups, physical package delivery is still ecommerce's backbone. The Slice app automatically detects shipping details from your email and then tracks the packages for you. You can watch your precious commodities make their stately way to your doorstep, get alerts when they are delivered, and even receive warnings if they've been recalled or the price has dropped. In short, Slice is an online shopper's best friend.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Venmo

 There are many ways to pay for items with your phone, but Venmo has a smart mixture of clean design, ease of use, and social functions that give it an edge. Venmo doesn't do much, but it does let you easily send and receive payments from friends. And unlike other payment systems, Venmo has momentum. It's usually the app people ask about when the group is splitting up the check.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Travel

 Airbnb

 Airbnb should be your go-to app for finding rooms, apartments, homes, and other unique accommodations when traveling, if you don't want to go with a traditional hotel. The length of your stay need not be short-term either; some locations let you book a stay for several months, which may appeal to people working temporary jobs in new places. This travel app also highlights other experiences and restaurants, so you can find out about everything a locale offers.

 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Citymapper

 If you're traveling within a major metropolitan area via either public transportation or personal vehicle, Citymapper can plan all your trip details. It has transit information for dozens of major U.S. cities and international hotspots in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Further, it offers multiple transportation options for each city, so if you feel like taking the ferry to work one morning, there's nothing stopping you. Its top features include Commute, which lets you set up your daily travel to and from work, and an alert system that uses natural language to describe service delays or cancellations.

 $0.00
 at Apple App Store
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Eventbrite

 3.5

 If an event isn't being organized on Facebook, it's probably being done through Eventbrite. This service makes it easy to manage invites, RSVPs, and even ticket purchasing. Attendees get handy reminders about the events they planned to attend, organizers can see guest lists. We particularly like that Eventbrite can generate QR codes, making event check-in a breeze.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Eventbrite Review

 Google Maps

 4.5

 Google Maps has been your guide for years, and this excellent app just keeps getting better. With just a few taps, Google Maps tells you exactly how to get to your destination. It even supports walking, bicycle, and mass-transit directions, as well as Uber. The app's road knowledge is so keen that it can tell you which lane to be in while using turn-by-turn directions. And because this is Google, you can easily search for locations nearby. While true that this app is can't be uninstalled, it's still the best map app you'll find.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Google Maps (for Android) Review

 Overdrop

 Although a weather app's primary function is to give an accurate forecast, the presentation of that data is also important. Overdrop manages to accomplish both feats. The app includes helpful timeline-based graphs of temperature, wind, and rain predictions. Furthermore, you can change the units of measurement that the app displays as well as the weather provider. Your choices are Dark Sky or Weather Bit.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Transit

 4.5

 Who needs Uber when so many cities offer world-class public transit? The Transit app shows mass transit options—including buses, ferries, and trains—and the estimated time of arrival in 87 cities in North American, Europe, and Australia. Here in New York, it even tells you how many bikes are parked at local Citi Bike (Opens in a new window) stands. This app keeps you in the know no matter where your travels take you.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Transit (for Android) Review

 Uber

 4.0

 Uber certainly has its problems. Between its questionable business tactics and its bad press, it's understandable to be suspicious. But the truth is that if you're looking for a way to get a ride, regardless of what city you're in, Uber will be there. You can even use it to order food in some areas. A great feature: You can request a wheelchair-accessible vehicle through Uber.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Uber (for Android) Review

 Weather Underground

 Weather Underground combines a slick design with a focus on really useful weather information. We particularly like the ability to report weather conditions in your area and the extremely useful comparative forecasts that deftly show how conditions have changed since yesterday. With an accompanying set of useful widgets, it's the best weather app on Android.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Weather Underground (for Android) Review

 Utilities

 Dropbox

 3.5

 Dropbox pioneered the personal cloud service, where all your stuff would be available no matter what device you were using. On Android, it holds its own—even against the highly integrated Google Drive. Dropbox can also act as a seamless backup for your images, automatically uploading every photo to the cloud. It even includes some light image editing tools. If you're the type of person with lots of files already stored in Dropbox, this app is a must-have.

 MSRP $11.99
 MSRP $11.99
 $9.99 Per Month
 at Dropbox
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Dropbox Review

 Grammarly Keyboard

 4.0

 Grammarly Keyboard corrects your grammar and spelling errors as you type. This keyboard is useful for everything from writing emails to composing social media posts to editing long-form documents. In use, Grammarly makes it easy to accept changes or access a card-based interface with more in-depth explanations of an error. It also offers a good number of visual customizations, such as a choice between a light or dark theme options and the keyboard height, as well as editing options, such as auto-correction and capitalization preferences.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Grammarly
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Grammarly Review

 Google Drive

 5.0

 Work-focused Android users have a wealth of storage options, but few are as widely used as Google Drive. Google offers 15GB of free storage by default, but more can be purchased if needed. Drive is part of the Google Workspace umbrella that also includes Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, making it an invaluable productivity tool. The service is deeply integrated into Google’s architecture, so it’s entirely likely that you’re already using Drive for storage. But if you aren’t, take advantage of the free cloud storage and workspace functions that come with the app.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 Google Drive (for Android) Review

 Microsoft OneDrive

 5.0

 Microsoft OneDrive is one of the best cloud storage services. With apps for all your devices, a clean interface, and excellent organization tools, it's a seamless way to keep your files with you wherever you go. Free users get 5GB of storage, but if you subscribe to Office 365, that limit goes up to 1TB. Microsoft's Personal Vault feature is built-in too, which helps you keep sensitive information behind an additional layer of security.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Microsoft Store
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Microsoft OneDrive Review

 Microsoft Launcher

 Microsoft Launcher can replace your Android phone's default launcher with a useful and customizable feed for quick access to recent apps, events, and frequently contacted people. You can view the main app list horizontally or vertically, and it includes an elegant alphabetical scrollbar for reaching apps quickly. Performance is just as smooth as the stock launcher, and it doesn't affect the use of Google Assistant, though of course, Cortana feels more at home as your voice assistant with this launcher.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Network Analyzer

 Network Analyzer makes it easy to view information about all of the Wi-Fi networks nearby. With a few taps, you can see the strength of networks in the area on a dynamic graph and view detailed information about your connection, such as your IPv4 Address, MAC Address, and Default Gateway IP. You can even run a network query from within the app; it lets you Ping an IP/Domain Name or even check the DNS Server settings. It's the perfect companion to our article on how to find your IP address.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Otter Voice Notes

 Otter is an innovative automatic recording and transcription service that works in real-time. Simply hit the record button during a conversation or meeting and Otter will produce a usable transcript a few minutes later. Otter's app is fluid, well-designed, and quick in operation, which makes it ideal for students and professionals who rely on their mobile devices for their work. The app also integrates other top-notch features such as cross-conversation speaker identification, excellent search tools, and in-app editing of transcripts.

 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Speedtest by Ookla

 Are you curious about the speed of your Internet connection? Ookla's Speedtest app makes it easy to test your latency as well as upload and download speeds. The app also keeps a log of test results so you can compare performance over time. IF you want, you can also export your results for further analysis. PCMag relies on Ookla's tools every year to pick the fastest ISPs. (Note: Ookla is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag's publisher.)

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Steam Link

 3.5

 Game-streaming platforms and subscriptions are all the rage right now, with big-name players such as Apple (Arcade), Google (Stadia), and Microsoft (xCloud) all recently launching some sort of effort. Steam Link (still in beta) allows you to play games from your Steam library directly from your Android phone, with the caveat that both your PC and mobile device must be connected to the same network. Check out our guide on how to stream games on your Android or iOS device.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 Visit Site
 at Steam
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Valve Steam Link Review

 SwiftKey Keyboard

 4.5

 An impressive keyboard replacement, SwiftKey Keyboard suggests what it thinks is the most likely next word as you type. A pioneer of this technology, SwiftKey can speed up your typing by inserting whole words with a tap. The app also supports Swype-like input, over 100 languages, and 80 colorful themes.

 MSRP $3.99
 MSRP $3.99
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 SwiftKey Keyboard (for Android) Review

 Tasker

 Let's be honest: Tasker is very intimidating. But we recognize that this is perhaps the most powerful app available in Google Play. With it, you can script basic actions for your Android to perform when specific conditions are met—like flash the LED when you receive a text message. Learning to use something this powerful can be tricky, but the rewards seem worth it.

 $3.49
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Video Streaming

 fuboTV

 4.0

 fuboTV is a great option for any cord-cutting sports fans. This "sports-first, but not sports-only" service offers extensive live sports and entertainment content (85 channels) for all your devices. Whether you want to watch NFL games on Sunday, catch up an MLB game that aired during the day, or even stream a movie on-demand, fuboTV has you covered. fuboTV also offers excellent DVR capabilities and other features for watching events and shows you may have otherwise missed. In testing, streaming live and on-demand shows worked very well.

 Per Month, Starts at $64.99
 Per Month, Starts at $64.99
 $74.99 Per Month
 at fuboTV
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 fuboTV Review

 Hulu

 4.0

 Hulu has long been a major player in the on-demand streaming space and its large library of current and previously aired shows offer appealing options for many. Hulu's live TV component is impressive as well, with a good range of channels and well-designed apps. Hulu's combination of on-demand and live TV services makes it an excellent value.

 Per Month, Starts at $7.99
 Per Month, Starts at $7.99
 1-Month Free Trial
 at Hulu
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Hulu Review

 Netflix

 Despite ups and downs in the quality of its library, Netflix dominates the world of streaming TV and movies. The service also creates its own—sometimes indispensable—content, including original comedies, cartoons, dramas, and documentaries. Some of the shows have become cultural phenomena, making Netflix a must-have. Shows such as Black Mirror, Stranger Things, and The Crown (the most expensive TV show ever made) are often the conversation topics of the day. You can even download select episodes to watch offline at your leisure.

 MSRP $9.99
 MSRP $9.99
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Twitch

 4.5

 Twitch is the best way to watch people play games or pursue their creative hobbies on your mobile device. From eSports to cooking to music and more, there's likely some content on Twitch that everyone can enjoy. If you are feeling generous, you can also support your favorite creators directly from the app. Twitch Prime members can also claim free games and in-game loot each month.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 Twitch Prime Included with Prime Membership
 at Amazon
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 Twitch Review

 Yahoo Sports

 With the Yahoo Sports app, you can watch live NFL games in your area as well as primetime matchups at no cost. The app is also useful for keeping up with the scores and highlights from other national sports leagues. A well-designed layout and solid performance in testing make it a worthwhile download.

 MSRP Free
 MSRP Free
 $0.00
 at Google Play
 See It (Opens in a new window)

 Youtube TV

 4.0

 YouTube TV is one of the best video streaming services for streaming live channels, with an excellent combination of news, sports, and entertainment options. The service also offers top-notch apps and excellent DVR functionality. YouTube TV's streaming performance is excellent, too.

 MSRP $64.98
 MSRP $64.98
 $54.99
 at YouTube TV
 See It (Opens in a new window)
 YouTube TV Review
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Android tablets and phones are technological marvels that have reshaped our social landscape. They entertain, let you work from any location, and keep you connected with friends, family, and coworkers. With the right app, you can transform your humble cell or slate into a mobile movie theater, work station, art canvas, recipe manager, and so much more. Unfortunately, finding the best Android apps to install can be a challenge.  There's a titanic quantity of apps to download from the Google Play Store, but which ones are worth their salt? We’ve assembled this list to help you discover worthwhile apps, so read on: You may find something you didn’t even know you needed. These 104 recommended apps are organized into 13 categories, including music, productivity, security, and utilities, so it's easy to find ones that suit your mood. Need an entertaining streaming video service? There's an app for that. In search of a dependable word processor that'll keep you productive while on the go? There's an app for that, too. Note that we don't include any games in this roundup. For those, check out our separate list of the best Android games. If this is your first time with an Android device, perusing over 100 apps might be overwhelming. If so, take a look at our list of 10 must-have Android apps to cover the basics. If your wallet is feeling a little light, know that many of the entries in both lists are free. Each recommended app is excellent in its own way. Taken together, our collection is a snapshot of the Google Play Store's best apps at the time of writing. So explore and enjoy. We didn't forget about iPhone and iPad users. For the iOS faithful, check out our roundups of the best iPhone apps and the best iPad apps.
 Browsers
 
  
Brave Privacy Browser
Brave Privacy Browser offers many features aimed at protecting your security and privacy on the web. For instance, it includes built-in blockers for ads, pop-ups, scripts, and third-party cookies. It even implements the HTTPS Everywhere extension, so you can ensure that your connections to sites are secure. The lightweight, minimal design looks great, too.
MSRP Free
  
DuckDuckGo
Based on Google’s Chromium codebase, DuckDuckGo is a minimalistic browser designed to keep your online activities private. DuckDuckGo defaults to the highest encryption available for whatever site you visit, and lets you wipe your browsing history with a button tap. If you’re tired of trackers hounding you for advertisement purposes, and want to browse the web with a bit of freedom, give DuckDuckGo a download.
MSRP Free
  
Firefox
Firefox is lickety-split fast, and has a clean design that is a joy to use. Mozilla makes a big point about how it doesn't collect your data, and we are pleased to see that the app comes with a full complement of security settings—including an option to protect your information from advertisers and a private browsing mode. Like the desktop version, Firefox for mobile has a robust plug-in selection, excellent tab management, and a dynamic start page for bookmarks and the latest headlines. You can even sync settings, history, and tabs with the desktop variant
MSRP Free
  
Microsoft Edge
 Microsoft Edge lets you easily sync web pages, bookmarks, and browsing history between your Android device and the Edge browser on your desktop. Top features of the mobile browser include an integrated reading view, news ratings (handled by NewsGuard), and a content blocker (powered by Adblock Plus). You can search with Bing using your voice or by selecting a photo, as well as earn points via the Microsoft Rewards program. Both Microsoft Edge's dark and light themes look elegant and are easy to navigate.
  
Tor Browser
Privacy stalwarts, rejoice! Tor now has an official (and modern-looking) Android app. The Tor project operates under the principle that "internet users should have private access to an uncensored web." Make sure to read the overview of how Tor works(Opens in a new window) before you start using it, as it addresses specific types of privacy threats (and does so very well). The Tor browser may perform more slowly than other browsers, given its complicated inner workings, but that drawback should be negligible for the users who appreciate and rely on its protections.
MSRP Free
 Communication
 
  Language Learners
Duolingo
If you're looking to learn another language, Duolingo gamifies language learning with bite-sized lessons and a friendly interface. Starting with simple vocabulary and building from there, Duolingo is your guide to learning a new language or brushing up on one you already know. The more you use the app, the more you unlock and—with practice—the more you learn. This free app currently supports Danish, Dutch, French, German, Irish, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swedish. Or more practical choices, like Esperanto and Klingon.
MSRP Free
  
Facebook Messenger
The problem with most mobile messengers is convincing your friends to sign up. That said, there's a good chance that most people you know are already on Facebook. This is handy, because the Facebook Messenger app is fantastic. It's simple, clean, and easily handles voice and video calling. Check out our feature on Facebook Messenger to discover its other capabilities.
MSRP Free
  
Google Translate
Many people fear not being unable to communicate with people from another country while traveling. Google Translate takes a bit of the edge off, quickly translating either written text or spoken words. You can even use the app to do the speaking for you, and input text through your camera or handwriting. The app can translate 103 languages with a data connection and 52 when you're offline. It can't handle Tamarian, but it's sure to be a handy tool here on Earth. Another option is Microsoft Translator(Opens in a new window), which offers 60 offline languages, travel phrasebooks, a real-time conversation mode, and actually translates Klingon.
MSRP Free
  
LingoDeer
LingoDeer is a fantastic language-learning tool with a strong Asian-language focus (though it includes a few major European languages, too). The app's courses are multilingual, so if you wish to learn Japanese as a German speaker, this is the app for you. That said, LingoDeer is also quite challenging, as it features specific, high-level terminology and detailed grammatical explanations. Nonetheless, it is a superb resource, and the developer is constantly improving the app based on community feedback.
Per Month, Starts at $11.99
  
LinkedIn
Most people are probably familiar with LinkedIn as a service only visited in times of desperation—after being laid off, maybe, or after a day in the office so bad that you're just not going to take it anymore. The LinkedIn app aims, however, to be a companion to the LinkedIn web service that you check every day. Sure, there's the all-important profile pages showing off your work experience, and the handy tools for networking, but the service now includes visitor metrics and a newsfeed for a decidedly more social feel. It's sometimes the easiest way to reach out and make a business connection. It's like Facebook for grown-ups.
MSRP Free
  
Snapchat
With Snapchat, you quickly snap and exchange photos with one or several friends. The app also supports video snaps, as well as voice and video calling. The catch is that whatever you post vanishes after a day. It's just a fun and ephemeral way to share the world around you.
MSRP Free
  
Signal
There are many apps that pay lip service to security and privacy, but Signal was built from the ground up with the goal of letting people easily communicate without having to worry about being overheard. The Signal app is a complete phone and SMS client replacement (though it works just fine as a standalone app, too) for sending and receiving encrypted calls and messages. The app's look and feel continues to improve, too.
MSRP Free
  
Textra
Textra is an excellent alternative to Messages on Android. The app includes numerous customization options that you won't find with the stock messaging app, including custom contact colors, text bubble styles, and notification icons. Additionally, you get extra features such as text scheduling, the ability to blacklist contacts, and the option to rename group conversations. Textra also has excellent light and dark modes.
MSRP Free
  
WhatsApp
In a world rife with messenger apps, WhatsApp is among the most successful, boasting an enormous and dedicated user base. Add to that an integrated web version that lets users take their chats to the desktop. This Facebook-owned app is bolstered by encrypted messaging provided by the minds behind Signal. It might just be the largest secure messaging service out there.
  
Your Phone Companion
Microsoft's Your Phone Companion app lets you link your Android phone and text from your Windows 10 PC. As a bonus, you can also quickly access photos from your camera, as well as manage your device notifications. The app setup is easy, and it's certainly more comfortable to type out longer responses on a physical keyboard than craft a message on your phone.
MSRP Free
 Food
 
  
Blue Apron
If you don't want to think about buying ingredients, but still want to cook, Blue Apron is an excellent option. With reliable deliveries and great meals to choose from, this food delivery service lets you skip the trip to the grocery store. The sleek mobile app allows you to manage your account, schedule your deliveries, and save any recipes you want to revisit.
Per User, Per Month, Starts at $9.99
  
Cookpad
Cookpad connects you with a vibrant array of recipes. Easily add favorite recipes, manage shopping lists, and find new recipes you'll love based on those you already like. Once you start using it, you'll have one less excuse to eat out.
MSRP Free
  
Copy Me That
A quality homemade meal is one of life’s greatest comforts, so whip up a tasty dish using Copy Me That. This multipurpose tool lets you copy, organize, and manage recipes that you find online or input yourself. Customize your recipe collection with photos of your choosing, and organize them in whatever categories you want. The app is great for cutting through long-winded websites to get tight recipe copy, and it even provides a meal planner and shopping list to make cooking a cinch.
  
Seamless
Remember the bad old days of ordering food? You needed takeout menus, knowledge of the terrain ("will they even deliver out here?"), cash, and faith that the person jotting down your order got it right. Seamless takes care of all that, even letting you pay via credit card from your Android. The only drawback? It's not available in every city (or even every state), though it has expanded its range dramatically since it was first included on this list.
MSRP Free
  
Untappd
Untappd helps you record each brew you try along with a rating and tasting notes. Think of it as Swarm for beer! No more staring at a tap list, trying to remember which ones you've had before. The app also has a vibrant community of beer drinkers that can point you toward new discoveries and an extensive list of beers. It's also a handy way to find your favorite brew near your current location. While it's not perfect, it can change the way you think of beer.
MSRP Free
  
Yelp
It pays to be a little skeptical of crowd-sourced reviews, but Yelp tells you a lot more than just what people thought of a bar, restaurant, or just about any other place where you spend money. Many locations list hours of operation, contact information, and menus, making it easy to find the perfect spot in your neighborhood or a new city.
MSRP Free
 Health &amp; Fitness
 
  
Adidas Running by Runtastic
The Adidas Running app, formerly called Runtastic PRO, can do much more than just track your favorite running routes. This excellent fitness app keeps track of all sorts of useful data and can return information-rich maps to help you plan future outings. Use it for cycling, hiking, and walking, too.
MSRP Free
  
Clue
Menstruators the world over will rejoice over Clue, a simple app with a beautiful design for tracking your period and predicting when the next will occur. Using the data you enter about your cycle—and other factors—you can use Clue to plan ahead, whether it's for pregnancy or just to keep ahead of your cycle. Reminders and a handy calendar tool can help take the guesswork out of life. Best of all, it's totally gender-neutral, and not the expected pink.
MSRP Free
  
Eve
Tracking your period isn't just about knowing the cycle, but also the other factors surrounding it. Eve by Glow lets you track physical and emotional states, which can lead to some important insights when you take the time to interpret your own data. Eve also boasts a vibrant community and a wealth of information about sexual health built right in.
MSRP Free
  
Fitbit
You might know Fitbit from its popular fitness trackers, but the app that powers those devices works well on its own, too. Using your just your smartphone (assuming you meet the minimum hardware requirements), this fitness app can count steps and log activities to help you achieve daily goals. There are also social features, so you can compete against your friends. It's a must-have (really, you must have it) for Fitbit users, but also a smart choice for anyone looking to be more active.
MSRP Free
  
MyFitnessPal
This calorie counter and exercise tracker aims to help you lose weight the old-fashioned way—expending more calories than you take in. With its smart design and an extensive library of foods, it makes quickly logging the calories you take in and what you burn while exercising a snap. A barcode scanner makes it even easier to log that post-workout snack. This fitness app also plays nice with other such apps, so your data won't be tied up in just one place. MyFitnessPal won't give you a whole workout regimen, but it can make you more aware of your habits. PCMag has a full review of MyFitnessPal for the iPhone.
MSRP Free
  
Zocdoc
Zocdoc makes it easy to research nearby doctors on your health insurance plan and book appointments from your phone. When you first sign up for the app, you can enter your insurance information manually or scan your card to get started. The app itself looks slick too, with a modern, bright design that makes the experience of scheduling visits less stressful. Zocdoc even saves your history of appointments and makes recommendations for future ones, so you can stay on top of your health history.
MSRP Free
 Music &amp; Podcasts
 
  
Anchor
If you want to record your own podcast, Anchor is likely one of the easiest ways to do it. This app lets you record by yourself or with friends and build out entire podcast episodes entirely from your phone. Anchor even implements some basic audio editing tools for perfecting each clip in the app. Recently, the service announced a monetization program for creators on the platform.
MSRP Free
  
Bandcamp
Filled with both up-and-coming and established acts, Bandcamp is one of the most exciting music marketplaces there is. The app was initially built around streaming songs you'd already purchased on Bandcamp, but now it's a one-stop-shop for digital and physical band merch. If you want to keep your finger on the pulse of music, this is an essential app.
MSRP Free
  
BlackPlayer
Streaming services are all the rage, but if you still keep music locally, BlackPlayer is worth your attention. We particularly like the Discover option, which shuffles through 10-second previews of seldom-played tracks in your library continuously, until you decide on what to listen to next. There's also a built-in tag editor and a ton of customization options for button styles, fonts, themes, and now playing notifications.
  
LiveXLive
While Pandora may have introduced the world to streaming radio, LiveXLive has refined it. You can listen to what the service thinks you'll like, or try out one of its human-curated channels and playlists. It also has hyper-specific playlists that appeal to particular tastes and moods, such as Yacht Rock. If you aren't ready to subscribe to LiveXLive quite yet, you can try out its free version.
Per Month, Starts at $3.99
  
Pocket Casts
Android has struggled with podcasts (they don't call 'em "Droidcasts," after all), but Pocket Casts is here to help. This highly customizable app is great for chilling out with an episode of your favorite casts, and it can also sync among different devices so that you can pick up right where you left off. Time to start listening.
MSRP $3.99
  
Songkick
Songkick is the bridge between the music in your digital collection and concerts in your area. Once installed, Songkick scans your device for tunes and then lets you see when and where your favorite artists are playing. If you see a show you're interested in, you can also purchase tickets all from within the app. Add multiple locations to Songkick to catch concerts when you're on the road.
MSRP Free
  
Spotify
With its huge inventory of music, Spotify has become a mainstay for free, legal music streaming. You can shuffle through smartly selected songs, find your favorite albums, or explore one of the service's excellent playlists. Close ties with artists means that new tracks are sometimes available the same day they hit the shelves in record shops. Those still exist, right? Spotify also offers a limited free version.
Per Month, Starts at $9.99
  
Stitcher
Though its interface is a bit tricky, Stitcher connects you with just about every podcast out there. Podcasts are organized by subject, or you can just search for a familiar title. Shows can, in turn, be organized into playlists for a continuous stream. Once you've exhausted all your favorites, let Stitcher recommend something new. With a special emphasis on sources like NPR, CNN, and ESPN, Stitcher has a little bit of everything.
MSRP Free
 Photography
 
  
Adobe Lightroom
Adobe Lightroom is a powerful photo-editing app for mobile that retains many of the features from its desktop counterparts, Lightroom, which earned a three-and-a-half star rating, and Lightroom Classic, a five-star Editors' Choice winner. Some of its standout tools include raw camera file profiles, noise reduction, profile-based lens corrections, and advanced color and lighting sliders. Lightroom also notably syncs all these edits between the mobile and desktop apps.
MSRP $9.99
   
Flickr
Remember Flickr? The venerable photo-sharing service is an Editors' Choice web service, and the Android app has a lot to recommend it, too. It's more about the art of photography than the meme- and selfie-packed Instagram. Offering a well-designed interface and excellent photo and video editing tools, Flickr is more valuable than ever. Plus, the app connects you to the vibrant community of photographers on the service. Best of all, it can automatically back up photos from your phone. Free users can upload up to 1,000 photos and a $50 per year subscription gets you unlimited online photo storage.
MSRP Free
  
Google Photos
Google Photos puts the search giant's powerful (and sometimes creepy) image magic into your phone. It can identify faces, even as they age over the decades, as well as animals, places, or objects. You can also search for photos from specific dates or locations. The impressive built-in Assistant can detect clutter or even create collages or animations on its own. The app is rounded out with editing tools and unlimited cloud storage if you make some minor compromises on upload quality. Google Photos also extends to photo prints; you can digitize physical photos with the built-in Photo Scan or even order a custom photo book. The companion Google Lens app can even report back information related to your images or photos by scanning them.
MSRP Free
  
Instagram
It seems like just yesterday that Facebook-owned Instagram was adding video. Then direct messaging. Then advanced photo editing put it on par with Photoshop Express for image correction and manipulation. Instagram Stories is now far more popular than Snapchat's similar feature. And anti-bullying features should make it more palatable for some. With a clean, minimalist interface, Instagram is the current king of social photo apps.
MSRP Free
  
PicsArt Photo Studio
With tons of effects, controls over layers, drawing tools, and collages, PicsArt Photo Studio can contend with Photoshop and is one of the best photo editing apps for Android. If you think it's just a lowly Instagram clone, you're wrong. When you're looking to take your smartphone snapshots to the next level, seek out this app.
Per Month, Starts at $8.99
  
Snapseed
Don't get us wrong, some of us love Instagram. But if you want more control than Instagram affords, try Google-owned Snapseed. This app straddles the line between full-fledged image editor and filter app, all in a sleek and attractive package. Best of all is the amount of control it gives you over how filters and effects are applied to your images. It even lets you make non-destructible edits to raw camera files and make adjustments to exposure and detail levels.
 Productivity
 
  
Asana
Asana is the 800-pound gorilla of task management for teams, dwarfing other popular services like the capable Trello. Asana is all about workflows and checkbox tasks that can be assigned to individuals. The Android app lets you take your tasks on the go and offline, syncing your progress when you're back on the network. It's a powerful tool with an excellent interface, and new features are added regularly.
MSRP Free
  
Doodle
The hardest part of scheduling a meeting is getting everyone to agree. Jeff is free Monday and Wednesday. Jill is available Monday, but not Tuesday. And the other dozen people have their own schedules to contend with. Doodle lets you suggest times, and then see which work best for everyone. It's an invaluable planning tool.
MSRP Free
  
Evernote
 Once you start using Evernote, this note-taking app becomes a powerful tool for organizing just about everything. Notes can be anything—text, images, audio, or a mix—and are organized into notebooks. One of its killer features is optical character recognition, which makes the text in images searchable. Cloud-storage makes it the perfect tool for organizing the little pieces of a project into a finished draft.
MSRP Free
  
Fax.Plus
Faxing isn't dead quite yet, but fax machines can safely be left behind thanks to online fax services. Fax.Plus's app is well designed and easy to use. It notably offers a digital signature tool and a contact manager. We like how mobile fax apps allow users to snap a picture of an attachment, attach a fax cover sheet, and send a fax off to a recipient in a few quick actions. Fax.Plus makes this process seamless.
Per Month, Starts at $5.99
  
IFTTT
IFTTT, which stands for "if this, then that," helps you create custom automations between various online services and devices without any coding experience. The mobile app makes it simple to set up these Applets (previously called recipes) on your own or implement any of the community-created ones. IFTTT is particularly great for controlling smart home devices.
MSRP Free
  
Khan Academy
Avoid paying for expensive textbooks and use Khan Academy instead. With lessons and videos for Arts &amp; Humanities, Computing, Economics &amp; Finance, Math, and more, there's no shortage of topics you can learn or review. The app is easy to use, and you can resume lessons wherever you sign in to your account.
MSRP Free
  
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word is, simply put, the alpha and omega of word processing, and one of the key apps in Microsoft Office 365. You'll find it on every kind of computer in every kind of setting, and now it's available for free on Android. Word plugs into Microsoft's cloud infrastructure to keep your documents in order, but its main selling point is that this really is Word. What you make on your phone will look exactly the same on the desktop. For the worker on the go, it's essential.
MSRP Free
  
Mint
Mint is a fantastic online service to keep track of your finances, and it really shines on Android. Once you've entered all your information, you can easily check up on your finances on the fly. Mint keeps you on track for your goals and a new bill paying feature makes sure that you never miss a payment. Be sure to try out the app's excellent widgets, too.
MSRP Free
  
Nine Email
Nine is a very reliable email client designed to work with all of your accounts. The clean interface and the optional conversation view make reading and replying to email intuitive. One of the coolest features is the ability to customize the notification actions, including an incredibly useful "Mark as read" option. It isn't cheap, but it's only a one-time $14.99 charge for a much-improved email experience that also integrates calendar, contacts, notes, and tasks functionality.
  
Slack
Slack has gone from the new hotness, to controversial productivity tool, to essential office tool faster than you can say "hot take." With a familiar, instant messenger feel, it's easy to get started with Slack. But the service became popular because of its wealth of advanced features, like customizable alerts and a Do Not Disturb function. You can even host VoIP calls through Slack with your coworkers. A free account will get you started, but a monthly fee unlocks even better search tools. And be sure to install the Giphy plugin for maximum productivity.
Per User, Per Month, Starts at $8.75
  
Spike
Reading email can be a slog, as they just don’t feel as natural or accessible as, say, text messages. Until now. Spike is an app that transforms your email inbox into a messenger platform, giving it a WhatsApp-style conversation flow. You can perform traditional email tasks, such as forwarding or scheduling messages, but the radically different inbox appearance will change your email perspective. A personal account is free, so give Spike a shot. Once you switch you may never go back to traditional emails inboxes again.
  
Todoist
If you like to keep your life organized with various to-do lists, then you definitely need to download Todoist. This app lets you keep track of the tasks you need to get done; you can assign them different priorities based on their overall importance or organize them across different projects. It also has a functional, clean design and works across many different platforms. Anyone can get started for free, but seriously organized individuals should upgrade to the $28.99 per year premium plan to set up task labels and reminders, upload files, and view productivity charts.
Per Month, Starts at $5.00
  
TurboTax Tax Return App
Everyone needs to file their taxes every year. Most people will probably have an easier time using dedicated tax software (and some might still enjoy preparing them by hand), but more ambitions filers or those with simple tax returns can get away with using a mobile app. Intuit's TurboTax Tax Return App is the best one we reviewed this year. Among its top features are an excellent user interface, support for all major tax forms, and innovative help options. If you get stuck at any point, you can just open up the Virtual Assistant, which keeps a running dialogue of the help topics you searched for, or use SmartLook to connect to a tax expert via video chat.
MSRP Free
 Reading &amp; News
 
  
Calibre Companion
Calibre is the giant of ebook management, and this app is the perfect (ahem) companion for it. With just a few clicks, you can add any book from your computer to your eReader over USB or Wi-Fi. You can also store your ebooks on the cloud for easy access from wherever you are. What's so surprising is how well it works, and how easy it is to use. If you've got a lot of ebooks and are ready to cast off the shackles of Amazon, this is the app for you.
  
ComiXology
The Amazon-owned ComiXology—the iTunes of digital comics—offers a near-perfect combination of store and comic book reader in its wonderful Comics app. The free app transforms your Android smartphone or tablet into a digital long box that houses and syncs your purchases across multiple devices. Even better, the new Comixology Unlimited service lets you devour an ever-expanding catalog of titles for just $5.99 per month.
MSRP Free
  
ESPN
What is most impressive about the ESPN Android app is the sheer number of sports it covers. Everything from American football to Brazilian soccer to Indy 500 is available. For those unmissable games, you can set alerts and follow specific matches as they unfold. It also connects you to videos and news headlines, courtesy of the popular sports cable network. Also, check out ESPN's streaming service, ESPN+.
MSRP Free
  
Feedly
Feedly takes the RSS feed into the modern age, and it's the easiest way to stay on top of all your favorites sources of news. You can view everything all at once if you want, but Feedly also lets you categorize your sources for focused reading or use its Today tab, which shows you the top stories from each category. Additionally, you can make Feedly look as simple as you wish, with minimalist text-only layouts. It's a great way to keep informed with the days' headlines and it offers useful integrations with other services as well.
MSRP Free
  
Flipboard
With its slick, streamlined interface, Flipboard is one of the best apps for reading the news. With it, you browse the articles, videos, podcasts, and other media that matter most to you. The app's signature magazine-style interface lets you explore the day's headlines in a gorgeous environment. The Daily Edition feature gives you the most important news along with themed stories for each day of the week. Flipboard has been one of our top picks for years, and it's easy to see why.
MSRP Free
  
Kindle
The official Amazon Kindle app puts all of your existing Amazon ebook purchases at the tips of your fingers, and it gives you mobile access to the Kindle ebook store for impulse purchasing. Best of all, it syncs your notes, bookmarks, and where you left off among all your devices.
MSRP Free
  
Libby by Overdrive
The library is an often-overlooked public resource (and some are modernizing quickly), but OverDrive brings it back into the fold with the newly redesigned, Libby. Supported by over 30,000 libraries worldwide, the app lets you access your local library's array of available ebooks and audiobooks. Use it to download titles, place holds on titles not yet available, and consume your borrowed content. The only requirement is a library card (or its digital equivalent).
MSRP Free
  
Pocket
Your bag of holding for internet content, Pocket saves articles, images, and videos for later reading. We especially like how it reformats articles for more comfortable reading on a mobile device, and how it syncs content to your tablet, phone, and online account. With the close integration between Pocket and the Android sharing tools, you can pocket just about anything from your phone.
MSRP Free
  
reddit is fun
There's no shortage of Reddit apps on the Google Play store and choosing one over another ultimately comes down to preference, but reddit is fun (RIF) is a great option to try. The default view features a dense, text-heavy layout that puts the best (and worst) of Reddit front and center. There's both a light and dark theme and tons of layout content customization options to try out, even if you don't opt for the paid version. Better yet, there are no ads in either version or RIF and its overall performance is extremely quick.
MSRP Free
 Security
 
  
Bitdefender Mobile Security
Need Android antivirus? It's hard to do better than Bitdefender. This app has received perfect scores from two independent research labs and scans your phone in mere seconds. It also includes excellent phishing protection, powerful antitheft tools, and Android Wear integration.
MSRP $14.95
  
Bitwarden
As far as password managers go, Bitwarden checks all the right boxes. For instance, it supports two-factor authentication and secure password sharing. Bitwarden also implements a password generator and can help you import passwords from other services. Best of all, it's free and open-source.
MSRP Free
  
Dashlane
You're terrible at passwords. Don't take it personally! Everyone is terrible at passwords. That's why we all need apps like Dashlane, which generate, save, and replay login credentials wherever they're needed. This smart, cross-platform service makes sure that your passwords, payment information, and other vital information is stored securely but never out of reach.
Per Month, Starts at Free
  
LastPass
After a major overhaul to this powerful password manager, its appearance finally matches its performance. With LastPass, you can access your saved passwords, secure notes, and filled forms from your Android, and you can also create new ones that sync to all your devices. The new version of the app ingeniously melds the password manager with a built-in browser, putting the app's auto-login features at the forefront. Staying safe has never been easier.
Per Month, Starts at Free
  
Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus
 Kaspersky for Android bundles on-demand malware scans and active web protection. Additionally, it implements a host of anti-theft features including remote locate, lock and wipe, as well as the ability to sound an alarm. You can even lock apps behind a PIN as an extra preventative measure in case your phone gets stolen. Although you need a paid Kaspersky Internet Security subscription to use all its features, some basic functionality is available for free. It's a top choice for Android antivirus apps.
MSRP Free
  
Microsoft Authenticator
SMS-based two-factor authentication is a common option, but when a service supports authentication apps, you should use that option. Microsoft Authenticator, like other time-based, one-time passcode authentication apps, lets you add accounts via a numeric or QR code and use the generated codes to log in to your services. Microsoft's app excels in its simplicity and extra features such as cloud backup (for when you are moving to a new device) and an optional app lock. You either enter the number displayed in the app, a two-digit number displayed by the service you're trying to authenticate or simply hit Allow in the popup notification.
MSRP Free
  
NordVPN
With NordVPN you can rest assured that no prying eyes will see your internet traffic. This app sports an excellent interface, a handy server selection tool, and hundreds of available VPN servers across the globe. NordVPN's signature feature is its assortment of specialized servers, which are optimized for activities like peer-to-peer downloading, video streaming, and access to Tor.
MSRP $11.95
  
ProtonMail
 Your Gmail inbox is not secure. Use ProtonMail instead. This encrypted email platform offers a range of pricing options, including a free tier, so you have no excuse not to join. Security and privacy features aside, ProtonMail works like any other email app. Make sure to also check out ProtonVPN for securing your network traffic; it's an Editors' Choice for free VPNs.
Per Year, Starts at $48.00
  
Qustodio
Qustodio is an excellent parental control software that makes it easy to manage your child's mobile activity, especially with its well-designed companion app. Its best features are its browser-independent web content filters and ability to set device usage time limits. Rounding out its capabilities are location tracking, call and SMS logging, and mobile application blocking. Parents will also appreciate the instant device-locking and panic button options.
MSRP $54.95
  
TunnelBear VPN
VPNs are complex, but TunnelBear's VPN app isn't. TunnelBear graces the experience with bright colors, clear options, and, best of all, lots of friendly bears. This VPN undergoes annual third-party audits and offers top capabilities, including split tunneling on Android. TunnelBear offers a traffic-limited free version, too.
MSRP $9.99
 Shopping
 
  
Amazon
 Amazon is the internet's marketplace; the one place where you can buy just about anything—and it's cheap too! On Android, two of our favorite features are the integrated Alexa voice commands and the photo search, which makes it easy to surreptitiously compare Amazon's prices to those of the brick and mortar stores it is killing. Amazon Video-related functionality has been moved over to a dedicated app, but all of its other consumer services, including Fresh and Restaurants, make an appearance. Prime members rejoice; there's never been a better way to stay connected with your Amazon lifestyle.
MSRP Free
  
Google Pay
Google Pay has gone through many permutations over the years. Formerly known as Google Wallet, this person-to-person payment app from Google lets you easily send money without pesky cash or credit cards getting in the way. And in that role, it really excels. It's a strong alternative to our top choice, Venmo.
MSRP Free
  
Groupon
The original deal locator for mobile, Groupon partners with businesses to offer low prices to a limited number of people for a limited time. While the value of Groupon's offerings is sometimes debatable, it offers a useful way to try a new restaurant or a totally new activity in your area.
MSRP Free
  
Pinterest
 Pinterest(Opens in a new window) is a social network of stuff, a place to "pin" things that interest you on themed boards. The Android app offers a great way to gather images from around the web for making lists or just collections of stuff that catch your eye. You could use it to help redecorate your living room or even to help you choose a tattoo artist. It easily integrates with your browser for fast pinning, and you can view the pins of others for added inspiration.
MSRP Free
  
Rakuten Slice Package Tracker
For all our technical savvy and disruptive startups, physical package delivery is still ecommerce's backbone. The Slice app automatically detects shipping details from your email and then tracks the packages for you. You can watch your precious commodities make their stately way to your doorstep, get alerts when they are delivered, and even receive warnings if they've been recalled or the price has dropped. In short, Slice is an online shopper's best friend.
MSRP Free
  
Venmo
There are many ways to pay for items with your phone, but Venmo has a smart mixture of clean design, ease of use, and social functions that give it an edge. Venmo doesn't do much, but it does let you easily send and receive payments from friends. And unlike other payment systems, Venmo has momentum. It's usually the app people ask about when the group is splitting up the check.
MSRP Free
 Travel
 
  
Airbnb
Airbnb should be your go-to app for finding rooms, apartments, homes, and other unique accommodations when traveling, if you don't want to go with a traditional hotel. The length of your stay need not be short-term either; some locations let you book a stay for several months, which may appeal to people working temporary jobs in new places. This travel app also highlights other experiences and restaurants, so you can find out about everything a locale offers.
  
Citymapper
If you're traveling within a major metropolitan area via either public transportation or personal vehicle, Citymapper can plan all your trip details. It has transit information for dozens of major U.S. cities and international hotspots in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Further, it offers multiple transportation options for each city, so if you feel like taking the ferry to work one morning, there's nothing stopping you. Its top features include Commute, which lets you set up your daily travel to and from work, and an alert system that uses natural language to describe service delays or cancellations.
  
Eventbrite
If an event isn't being organized on Facebook, it's probably being done through Eventbrite. This service makes it easy to manage invites, RSVPs, and even ticket purchasing. Attendees get handy reminders about the events they planned to attend, organizers can see guest lists. We particularly like that Eventbrite can generate QR codes, making event check-in a breeze.
MSRP Free
  
Google Maps
 Google Maps has been your guide for years, and this excellent app just keeps getting better. With just a few taps, Google Maps tells you exactly how to get to your destination. It even supports walking, bicycle, and mass-transit directions, as well as Uber. The app's road knowledge is so keen that it can tell you which lane to be in while using turn-by-turn directions. And because this is Google, you can easily search for locations nearby. While true that this app is can't be uninstalled, it's still the best map app you'll find.
MSRP Free
  
Overdrop
Although a weather app's primary function is to give an accurate forecast, the presentation of that data is also important. Overdrop manages to accomplish both feats. The app includes helpful timeline-based graphs of temperature, wind, and rain predictions. Furthermore, you can change the units of measurement that the app displays as well as the weather provider. Your choices are Dark Sky or Weather Bit.
MSRP Free
  
Transit
Who needs Uber when so many cities offer world-class public transit? The Transit app shows mass transit options—including buses, ferries, and trains—and the estimated time of arrival in 87 cities in North American, Europe, and Australia. Here in New York, it even tells you how many bikes are parked at local Citi Bike(Opens in a new window) stands. This app keeps you in the know no matter where your travels take you.
MSRP Free
  
Uber
Uber certainly has its problems. Between its questionable business tactics and its bad press, it's understandable to be suspicious. But the truth is that if you're looking for a way to get a ride, regardless of what city you're in, Uber will be there. You can even use it to order food in some areas. A great feature: You can request a wheelchair-accessible vehicle through Uber.
MSRP Free
  
Weather Underground
Weather Underground combines a slick design with a focus on really useful weather information. We particularly like the ability to report weather conditions in your area and the extremely useful comparative forecasts that deftly show how conditions have changed since yesterday. With an accompanying set of useful widgets, it's the best weather app on Android.
MSRP Free
 Utilities
 
  
Dropbox
 Dropbox pioneered the personal cloud service, where all your stuff would be available no matter what device you were using. On Android, it holds its own—even against the highly integrated Google Drive. Dropbox can also act as a seamless backup for your images, automatically uploading every photo to the cloud. It even includes some light image editing tools. If you're the type of person with lots of files already stored in Dropbox, this app is a must-have.
MSRP $11.99
  
Grammarly Keyboard
Grammarly Keyboard corrects your grammar and spelling errors as you type. This keyboard is useful for everything from writing emails to composing social media posts to editing long-form documents. In use, Grammarly makes it easy to accept changes or access a card-based interface with more in-depth explanations of an error. It also offers a good number of visual customizations, such as a choice between a light or dark theme options and the keyboard height, as well as editing options, such as auto-correction and capitalization preferences.
MSRP Free
  
Google Drive
Work-focused Android users have a wealth of storage options, but few are as widely used as Google Drive. Google offers 15GB of free storage by default, but more can be purchased if needed. Drive is part of the Google Workspace umbrella that also includes Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, making it an invaluable productivity tool. The service is deeply integrated into Google’s architecture, so it’s entirely likely that you’re already using Drive for storage. But if you aren’t, take advantage of the free cloud storage and workspace functions that come with the app.
MSRP Free
  
Microsoft OneDrive
Microsoft OneDrive is one of the best cloud storage services. With apps for all your devices, a clean interface, and excellent organization tools, it's a seamless way to keep your files with you wherever you go. Free users get 5GB of storage, but if you subscribe to Office 365, that limit goes up to 1TB. Microsoft's Personal Vault feature is built-in too, which helps you keep sensitive information behind an additional layer of security.
MSRP Free
  
Microsoft Launcher
Microsoft Launcher can replace your Android phone's default launcher with a useful and customizable feed for quick access to recent apps, events, and frequently contacted people. You can view the main app list horizontally or vertically, and it includes an elegant alphabetical scrollbar for reaching apps quickly. Performance is just as smooth as the stock launcher, and it doesn't affect the use of Google Assistant, though of course, Cortana feels more at home as your voice assistant with this launcher.
MSRP Free
  
Network Analyzer
Network Analyzer makes it easy to view information about all of the Wi-Fi networks nearby. With a few taps, you can see the strength of networks in the area on a dynamic graph and view detailed information about your connection, such as your IPv4 Address, MAC Address, and Default Gateway IP. You can even run a network query from within the app; it lets you Ping an IP/Domain Name or even check the DNS Server settings. It's the perfect companion to our article on how to find your IP address.
MSRP Free
  
Otter Voice Notes
 Otter is an innovative automatic recording and transcription service that works in real-time. Simply hit the record button during a conversation or meeting and Otter will produce a usable transcript a few minutes later. Otter's app is fluid, well-designed, and quick in operation, which makes it ideal for students and professionals who rely on their mobile devices for their work. The app also integrates other top-notch features such as cross-conversation speaker identification, excellent search tools, and in-app editing of transcripts.
  
Speedtest by Ookla
Are you curious about the speed of your Internet connection? Ookla's Speedtest app makes it easy to test your latency as well as upload and download speeds. The app also keeps a log of test results so you can compare performance over time. IF you want, you can also export your results for further analysis. PCMag relies on Ookla's tools every year to pick the fastest ISPs. (Note: Ookla is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag's publisher.)
MSRP Free
  
Steam Link
Game-streaming platforms and subscriptions are all the rage right now, with big-name players such as Apple (Arcade), Google (Stadia), and Microsoft (xCloud) all recently launching some sort of effort. Steam Link (still in beta) allows you to play games from your Steam library directly from your Android phone, with the caveat that both your PC and mobile device must be connected to the same network. Check out our guide on how to stream games on your Android or iOS device.
MSRP Free
  
SwiftKey Keyboard
An impressive keyboard replacement, SwiftKey Keyboard suggests what it thinks is the most likely next word as you type. A pioneer of this technology, SwiftKey can speed up your typing by inserting whole words with a tap. The app also supports Swype-like input, over 100 languages, and 80 colorful themes.
MSRP $3.99
  
Tasker
Let's be honest: Tasker is very intimidating. But we recognize that this is perhaps the most powerful app available in Google Play. With it, you can script basic actions for your Android to perform when specific conditions are met—like flash the LED when you receive a text message. Learning to use something this powerful can be tricky, but the rewards seem worth it.
 Video Streaming
 
  
fuboTV
fuboTV is a great option for any cord-cutting sports fans. This "sports-first, but not sports-only" service offers extensive live sports and entertainment content (85 channels) for all your devices. Whether you want to watch NFL games on Sunday, catch up an MLB game that aired during the day, or even stream a movie on-demand, fuboTV has you covered. fuboTV also offers excellent DVR capabilities and other features for watching events and shows you may have otherwise missed. In testing, streaming live and on-demand shows worked very well.
Per Month, Starts at $64.99
  
Hulu
Hulu has long been a major player in the on-demand streaming space and its large library of current and previously aired shows offer appealing options for many. Hulu's live TV component is impressive as well, with a good range of channels and well-designed apps. Hulu's combination of on-demand and live TV services makes it an excellent value.
Per Month, Starts at $7.99
  
Netflix
Despite ups and downs in the quality of its library, Netflix dominates the world of streaming TV and movies. The service also creates its own—sometimes indispensable—content, including original comedies, cartoons, dramas, and documentaries. Some of the shows have become cultural phenomena, making Netflix a must-have. Shows such as Black Mirror, Stranger Things, and The Crown (the most expensive TV show ever made) are often the conversation topics of the day. You can even download select episodes to watch offline at your leisure.
MSRP $9.99
  
Twitch
Twitch is the best way to watch people play games or pursue their creative hobbies on your mobile device. From eSports to cooking to music and more, there's likely some content on Twitch that everyone can enjoy. If you are feeling generous, you can also support your favorite creators directly from the app. Twitch Prime members can also claim free games and in-game loot each month.
MSRP Free
  
Yahoo Sports
With the Yahoo Sports app, you can watch live NFL games in your area as well as primetime matchups at no cost. The app is also useful for keeping up with the scores and highlights from other national sports leagues. A well-designed layout and solid performance in testing make it a worthwhile download.
MSRP Free
  
Youtube TV
YouTube TV is one of the best video streaming services for streaming live channels, with an excellent combination of news, sports, and entertainment options. The service also offers top-notch apps and excellent DVR functionality. YouTube TV's streaming performance is excellent, too.
MSRP $64.98
The Best Android Apps for 2023
https://www.pcmag.com/picks/best-android-apps