When setting up a new iPhone, it helps to start with a strong foundation of great apps. These choices cover security, productivity, and travel; they’re all designed to make your phone more useful right from the beginning.
9
Bitwarden
If you only install one app from this list, make it Bitwarden. Passwords are the keys to your digital life, and reusing the same one—and/or writing them down—is practically an open invitation to online criminals.
Bitwarden is a free, open-source password manager that stores all your logins in one encrypted vault. It also generates strong, unique passwords for every account, so you only need to remember your master password.
It syncs across devices, autofills logins in Safari and apps, and even lets you share credentials securely with family or coworkers. Unlike many competitors, Bitwarden is generous with its free tier and fully transparent about how it works.
If you’re new to password managers, it might help to become familiar with some of the most common mistakes people make when setting up password managers so you can avoid them.
Download: Bitwarden (Free, subscription available)
8
Authy
Now that your passwords are secure, let’s add another layer of protection: two-factor authentication (2FA). Instead of SMS-based 2FA, I recommend using an authenticator app. That’s where Authy comes in.
When you log into services like Gmail, Facebook, or your bank, 2FA asks for a second code (usually from your phone) to prove it’s really you. Authy generates those time-sensitive codes and keeps them all in one place.
Unlike some other authenticator apps, Authy backs up your codes (securely, of course) and syncs them across devices. So if you lose your phone or upgrade to a new one, you’re not locked out of everything. The interface is clean and easy to use, even if you’re totally new to 2FA.
Setting up 2FA might feel like a hassle at first, but once it’s running through Authy, it becomes a fast, silent shield against most common security breaches.
A potential downside to be aware of is that Authy lacks the option to export your secret codes. So if you ever choose to move to another 2FA app, you’ll have to manually disable 2FA and then re-enable it for every service again.
Download: Twilio Authy (Free)
7
Google Photos
Apple’s native Photos app does a solid job of organizing your snapshots, but it hits a wall fast, especially when it comes to storage. You only get 5GB of free iCloud space, which has to cover not just your photos, but also backups, documents, and app data. It’s not long before that iCloud Storage Full alert starts popping up.
That’s where Google Photos comes in. Right out of the gate, it gives you 15GB of free cloud storage, tripling what Apple offers. And unlike iCloud, it’s just as great on non-Apple devices, so you can access your photos from any phone or computer with a browser.
Beyond the increased storage, Google Photos feels like adding a “smart mode” to your photo library. It automatically backs up your images in the background, organizes them by people, places, and subjects, and makes them searchable. Type “sunset,” “dog,” or “Blue 2018” and the app instantly pulls up matching shots.
There’s also a surprisingly powerful photo editor baked in. With just a few taps, you can tweak lighting and color, crop like a pro, or throw on filters that actually look good.
Download: Google Photos (Free, subscription available)
6
Waze
For getting from point A to point B, Apple Maps and Google Maps do a solid job. But if you want granular real-time traffic data—the kind that can help you dodge speed traps, road closures, and traffic jams—Waze is the app you’ll want guiding you.
Waze gathers data from other drivers to alert you to road hazards, speed traps, and traffic jams as they happen. The app constantly reroutes you based on current conditions and is especially helpful in busy cities or during rush hour.
Waze’s interface is clean and playful, offering voice customization and ETA sharing with friends. If you want to take your navigation up several notches, Waze is a must-have.
Download: Waze (Free)
5
Structured
If your to-do lists are piling up but your day still feels chaotic, Structured offers a different way to get organized. Instead of just listing tasks, it helps you plan your time by turning your day into a simple timeline.
You add tasks, give them time slots, and Structured lays everything out in a clean, scrollable schedule. It’s like having a digital day planner that shows exactly what you’re doing and when. This makes it much easier to stay focused and avoid overbooking yourself.
What’s especially helpful is how user-friendly the app is. You can drag tasks around to change their time, color-code them by category, and even add recurring items. It also syncs with Apple Calendar and Reminders, so your existing events show up automatically.
Structured works well whether you’re juggling classes, meetings, chores, or just trying to get through the day with more intention. It’s simple, visually pleasing, and surprisingly calming to use.
Download: Structured (Free, in-app purchases available)
4
Libby
If you love to read but don’t want to keep buying books, Libby is one of the best apps you can install. It connects you to your local library and gives you access to thousands of eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines—all for free.
All you need is a library card. Some libraries even let you sign up for one online, so it’s easy to get started. Once you’re signed in, you can browse the catalog, borrow titles, and start reading or listening right away.
The app is clean and simple to use. You can adjust the font size, change the background color, and send eBooks to your Kindle if that’s how you prefer to read. For audiobooks, you can download them for offline listening and control playback speed to match your pace.
Libby is perfect for quiet evenings, long commutes, or whenever you have a few minutes to spare. It saves money, reduces clutter, and makes it easy to enjoy books on your schedule.
Download: Libby (Free)
3
Overcast
If podcasts are part of your daily routine, Overcast is a must. It improves on Apple’s default app with standout features like Smart Speed (which removes awkward silences) and advanced playback speed control without distortion.
You can create custom playlists, set skip intervals, and get alerts for new episodes. Overcast’s clean interface makes it easy to find and enjoy new shows, and you can even share audio clips from your favorite moments.
The free version offers most of what you need, with a small optional subscription to remove the non-intrusive ads.
Download: Overcast (Free, subscription available)
2
Flighty
Air travel can be unpredictable, but Flighty helps bring order to the chaos. This sleek flight tracker is a must-have travel app that keeps you informed every step of the way, from the moment you book until you land.
What sets Flighty apart is how fast and detailed its updates are. You’ll often get notified about gate changes, delays, or cancellations even before the airline sends a text. It also tracks the inbound aircraft for your flight, which gives helpful context if the schedule starts running late.
The timeline view is especially useful. It lays out your entire trip in a single scroll, showing your flight path, weather conditions, delay predictions, and more. If you travel often, you can upgrade for extras like live tracking and calendar sync, but the free version covers all the essentials. Neatly, the Pro subscription is available week-to-week, so you can enjoy coverage for a trip without having to commit for an entire year.
Whether you fly once a year or every month, Flighty turns your phone into a powerful travel companion that keeps you one step ahead.
Download: Flighty (Free, subscription available)
Once you’ve got your apps in place, Widgetsmith lets you make your iPhone feel more personal. It gives you control over how your home screen looks and works by letting you build custom widgets for time, weather, calendar events, reminders, and more.
Instead of being stuck with Apple’s default layout, Widgetsmith allows you to choose the size, style, font, and color of each widget. Want a minimalist calendar? A pastel weather forecast? A rotating photo album? It’s all possible. You can even set widgets to change throughout the day, so your screen looks different in the morning than it does at night.
Setup takes a few minutes, but once you’ve created your widgets, you can arrange them anywhere on your home screen alongside your apps. It’s a simple way to bring both function and personality to your phone.
If you’ve ever wished your iPhone looked less generic and more like your style, Widgetsmith is the place to start.
Download: Widgetsmith (Free, subscription available)
A new iPhone is a blank slate, and the apps you choose shape how useful it becomes. These picks cover essentials that make everyday tasks easier, more secure, and a little more enjoyable. And even if you’ve had your iPhone for years, you’ll find something to love.
