Share your little known favorite apps

[Rob]

What are the best Android apps or games you have that you still consider relatively unknown diamonds in the rough? Whether you found them on AppChat or somewhere else.

 

[Thom]

My recommendations for all Android users.

Android apps for your protection (I use Cerberus)
Android Device Manager – free – remotely track your phone if lost or stolen – remote Factory Data Reset
Android Device Manager (Android) – enable capability on device
Android Device Manager (Website) – control device from website
Cerberus – paid – remotely track your phone if lost or stolen – remote Factory Data Reset – remote take picture – remote copy text message log – remote display message
Cerberus (Android) – enable capability on device
Cerberus (Website) – control device from website

Android apps I recommend to everyone
3C Toolbox – collections of Android tools – free version
3C Toolbox Pro – enhanced paid version
A+ Gallery Phots & Videos – organizer for photos and videos
Barcode Scanner – scan barcodes (including QR codes) and save data
chompSMS – best messaging capability
CallX – automatic call recorder (not for Verizon advanced calling)
Chrome Browser – internet browser
Multi Stopwatch & Timer – complete stopwatch and time facility
Nova Launcher Prime – replace vendor launcher – backup/restore settings
TeslaUnread (Nova) – display counts on icons needing action
Pixel Phone Pro – phone/contacts finally done right
Poweranp Music Player (Trial) – professional music player/equalizer – trial version
Poweramp Full Version Unlocker – unlock paid
QR Droid Code Scanner – create QR Code for various purposes
RealCalc – customizable calculator – RPN option and bin/oct/dec/hex options – free version
RealCalc Plus – paid version
Reverse Lookup – look-up information about caller from their phone number
SD Maid – System Cleaning Tool – remove junk from SD cards – free version
SD Maid Pro - Unlocker – unlock paid
Smart Tools – collection of very interesting measurement tools
SwiftKey Keyboard – keyboard replacement … it predicts what you are going to type
Tasker – complete automation facility
Tasker App Factory – convert Tasker script to .APK file
Textra SMS – messaging
VoiceX – voice Recorder – Dictaphone
X-plore File Manager – manipulate device and cloud folders and files

Android apps report false results and send your personal data to facility in China– do not install
AnTuTu Benchmark – compare your device to other devices – AuTuTu Tools
Boat Browser – internet browser
Clean Master – optimizer, speed booster. and anti-virus – Cheetah Mobile
Dolphin Browser – internet browser
File Manager – manipulate device and cloud folders and files – Cheetah Mobile
File Manager HD – manipulate device and cloud folders and files – Cheetah Mobile
QuickPic Gallery – photo gallery – Cheetah Mobile

Android apps send your personal cloud usernames/passwords to facility in China – do not use on cloud storage
ES File Explorer File Manager – manipulate device and cloud folders and files – ES Global
ES File Explorer/Manager Pro – manipulate device and cloud folders and files – ES Global

... Thom

 

[Rob]

Great list! Thanks.

Looks like most of these are pretty darn popular. I was more curious about apps/games that are brand spanking new or have been out for awhile but flown under the radar (10k or less downloads).

 

[mikedt]

Boat Browser, BOAT means Beijing Office Automation Technology Ltd.

Nothing Chinese and "free" in the recommended list.

 

[lunatic59]

I love this app, but it was withdrawn.

Sundroid

This one works pretty well. A true case where function is more important than design.

Group SMS Pro

And for dog lovers ...

Westminster Dog Show 2016

 

[overlordror]

I've been using this app for a little over two years and I have something like. $110 made through it. I haven't paid for an app with my own money in a while now.

I have to edit this original post to include a game I've been playing on my phone. It's called runescape, I am sure you have heard of it, but in this case it's the original runescape version released as an apk! http://www.rsclegacy.com - it's free to play too, with an option to buy better rates and weapons.

 

[LaDram]

I literally just signed up on these forums to tell you thank you for this fantastic list. Maybe these are popular, but I am a new Android user ... got the galaxy s7 edge about 2 months ago and this was super useful to me. Very detailed... also appreciate the wawnings about the apps to not install lol.

Do u recommend rooting? If so is that king root the best way? I kno there are probably discussions on here regarding this but I figured since you seem like a seasoned user it's worth asking

Thanks to op for asking this question also

My recommendations for all Android users.

Android apps for your protection (I use Cerberus)
Android Device Manager – free – remotely track your phone if lost or stolen – remote Factory Data Reset
Android Device Manager (Android) – enable capability on device
Android Device Manager (Website) – control device from website
Cerberus – paid – remotely track your phone if lost or stolen – remote Factory Data Reset – remote take picture – remote copy text message log – remote display message
Cerberus (Android) – enable capability on device
Cerberus (Website) – control device from website

Android apps I recommend to everyone
3C Toolbox – collections of Android tools – free version
3C Toolbox Pro – enhanced paid version
A+ Gallery Phots & Videos – organizer for photos and videos
Barcode Scanner – scan barcodes (including QR codes) and save data
chompSMS – best messaging capability
CallX – automatic call recorder (not for Verizon advanced calling)
Chrome Browser – internet browser
Multi Stopwatch & Timer – complete stopwatch and time facility
Nova Launcher Prime – replace vendor launcher – backup/restore settings
TeslaUnread (Nova) – display counts on icons needing action
Pixel Phone Pro – phone/contacts finally done right
Poweranp Music Player (Trial) – professional music player/equalizer – trial version
Poweramp Full Version Unlocker – unlock paid
QR Droid Code Scanner – create QR Code for various purposes
RealCalc – customizable calculator – RPN option and bin/oct/dec/hex options – free version
RealCalc Plus – paid version
Reverse Lookup – look-up information about caller from their phone number
SD Maid – System Cleaning Tool – remove junk from SD cards – free version
SD Maid Pro - Unlocker – unlock paid
Smart Tools – collection of very interesting measurement tools
SwiftKey Keyboard – keyboard replacement … it predicts what you are going to type
Tasker – complete automation facility
Tasker App Factory – convert Tasker script to .APK file
Textra SMS – messaging
VoiceX – voice Recorder – Dictaphone
X-plore File Manager – manipulate device and cloud folders and files

Android apps report false results and send your personal data to facility in China– do not install
AnTuTu Benchmark – compare your device to other devices – AuTuTu Tools
Boat Browser – internet browser
Clean Master – optimizer, speed booster. and anti-virus – Cheetah Mobile
Dolphin Browser – internet browser
File Manager – manipulate device and cloud folders and files – Cheetah Mobile
File Manager HD – manipulate device and cloud folders and files – Cheetah Mobile
QuickPic Gallery – photo gallery – Cheetah Mobile

Android apps send your personal cloud usernames/passwords to facility in China – do not use on cloud storage
ES File Explorer File Manager – manipulate device and cloud folders and files – ES Global
ES File Explorer/Manager Pro – manipulate device and cloud folders and files – ES Global

... Thom

 

[lunatic59]

Hey @LaDram , welcome to Android Forums!

About rooting ... if you're not sure, don't. There's very little these days that requires root.

 

[Thom]

Welcome to Android Forums.

You came to the right place.

Some of the apps in the list were totally unknown to me and I was introduced to them by people I learned to trust at Android Forums ... like Cerberus that is simply great.

As for rooting ... I am not. It depends on the device you are using. Some of them do not yet support root.

The single problem I have seen over and over is people making assumptions about what they were doing while rooted, shooting themselves in the foot, and spending days trying to recover.

When you root you assume total responsibility for the device and you should be prepared to buy a replacement using your own funds if (when) something goes wrong.

The key to success in root0ing is ... read-read-read-read and always have a backout strategy before you do anything.

There are modern alternatives to root-ing. Things like Nova Launcher Prime that allows you to hide pre-installed apps that cannot be deleted without root-ing.

... Thom

 

[ciresiuol123]

ZipMe by jRummy - Create flashable zips with apps (system or user), app data, files, folders, settings, etc. ROOT required.

Flashlight by Joe - Free flashlight with no ads and no unnecessary permissions.

Flashfire by Chainfire Flash zips, Firmwares, and OTAs. Backup, restore, and wipe partitions. All in Android. Successor to Mobile Odin. ROOT required.

I'll think of more later.

 

[HamptonCaught]

Not sure about 'little known' but wanted a new email client that could handle POP3 and Blue Mail is excellent!

 

[Dannydet]

Handy note taker: Google Keep, and a free photo backup utility: Flickr, gives you 1TB of storage for free. It has bailed me out many times when I've lost photos off my phones.

 

[steiny180]

Notification Toggle - add app / system shortcuts to your notification screen.

"Access to the shortcuts is just one swipe away..."

 

[Nick Arthur]

An easy screen capturing tool named as Apowersoft Screen Recorder. It is free and clean. I think it is pretty good.

 

[iSing]

I recommend this entertainment app to music lovers, especially vocalists and guitarists: Gaao Karaoke, which is a free karaoke social app, check it out:
Gaao Karaoke Free @ Google Play Store

 

[tguha3]

Terrarium

 

[patogg98]

Terrarium tv

 

[ciresiuol123]

Pokémon™ Go

 

[vosg]

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ru.softinvent.yoradio

Much better than TuneIn!

 

[Phoenix777]

I don't understand why people continue to use Dolphin browser...it's very popular and well-liked. I KNEW there was something fishy about this browser. I uninstalled it within a day. Thank you for confirming my suspicions. And great list!

I will add:
Avast Mobile Security and Antivirus: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.avast.android.mobilesecurity&hl=en
Avast Cleanup & Boost: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.avast.android.cleaner&hl=en
Puffin Web Browser: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cloudmosa.puffinFree&hl=en
1Weather: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.handmark.expressweather&hl=en
Delight Games Full Library: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.delightgames.delightgames&hl=en
PCRadio: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.maxxt.pcradio&hl=en

Hope you guys enjoy these. Btw, they are all free!

 

[WQing]

Chat licorne
*Okay I'll see myself out.

 

[Phoenix777]

Chat licorne
*Okay I'll see myself out.

lol Why? Is it a naughty app?

 

[12345Michael54]

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ru.softinvent.yoradio

Much better than TuneIn!

I've been using TuneIn for several years. (Well, TuneIn Pro, but the only real difference between the two is that having paid 99 cents for Pro, I can record programming to play back later.) While I seldom use it to listen to music, I do like being able to listen to NPR programming, BBC World Service, Deutsche Welle, CBC Radio One, Science360 Radio, and various other stations and podcasts. I'm in my car a fair amount of time most days, and stream it through my car's speakers, via bluetooth.

It's easy to search for programming of interest to me, either by geographic location or subject matter, with over 100,000 radio stations from which to choose, and literally millions of on-demand programs and podcasts. It works well, without lots of technical glitches. And frankly, it leaves me utterly disinterested in shelling out money for SiriusXM (and yes, I've had SiriusXM, so I am familiar with it).

In short, I'm very, very pleased with TuneIn. Still, if you say the Online Radio Yo!Tuner app is much better than TuneIn, I'm willing to keep an open mind.

Could you tell me exactly what major advantages Online Radio Yo!Tuner offers over TuneIn, which might convince me to make the switch?

 

[steiny180]

I've been using TuneIn for several years. (Well, TuneIn Pro, but the only real difference between the two is that having paid 99 cents for Pro, I can record programming to play back later.) While I seldom use it to listen to music, I do like being able to listen to NPR programming, BBC World Service, Deutsche Welle, CBC Radio One, Science360 Radio, and various other stations and podcasts. I'm in my car a fair amount of time most days, and stream it through my car's speakers, via bluetooth.

It's easy to search for programming of interest to me, either by geographic location or subject matter, with over 100,000 radio stations from which to choose, and literally millions of on-demand programs and podcasts. It works well, without lots of technical glitches. And frankly, it leaves me utterly disinterested in shelling out money for SiriusXM (and yes, I've had SiriusXM, so I am familiar with it).

In short, I'm very, very pleased with TuneIn. Still, if you say the Online Radio Yo!Tuner app is much better than TuneIn, I'm willing to keep an open mind.

Could you tell me exactly what major advantages Online Radio Yo!Tuner offers over TuneIn, which might convince me to make the switch?

This app (Yo) doesn't find any of my favorites I use in Simple Radio...

 

[vosg]

Yo has a much nicer interface, less drop outs, and faster buffering. You tap a station and it starts playing almost immediately.