The Essential 9 iPhone Apps You Need to Install First

Setting up a new iPhone is an exciting moment, a blank canvas ready to be transformed into your personal digital hub. While Apple’s pre-installed applications offer a solid foundation, true productivity, enhanced entertainment, and seamless organization often lie within the vast ecosystem of the App Store. At Make Use Of, we’ve meticulously curated a list of the top 9 iPhone apps that we believe every new iPhone owner should consider installing first. These are the applications that unlock the full potential of your device, streamline your daily tasks, and elevate your mobile experience from the outset. We understand that the sheer volume of available apps can be overwhelming, which is why we’ve focused on those that offer exceptional utility, user-friendliness, and a significant impact on how you interact with your iPhone. Forget the endless scrolling; these are the powerhouses that will immediately make your new device more useful.

Unlocking Your iPhone’s Potential: Essential First Apps

When you unbox a brand-new iPhone, it comes equipped with a suite of built-in applications designed to cover the basics. However, to truly leverage the device’s capabilities and tailor it to your specific needs and preferences, a strategic selection of third-party applications is indispensable. Our selection process prioritizes apps that are universally beneficial, whether your primary focus is on communication, productivity, creativity, or staying informed. We’ve avoided niche applications and instead concentrated on those with broad appeal and a proven track record of delivering exceptional value. These are the apps that, in our extensive experience, consistently prove their worth and become integral to the daily iPhone experience.

1. Google Authenticator: Fortifying Your Digital Security

In an age where online security is paramount, Google Authenticator stands as a crucial tool for protecting your digital life. While many services offer two-factor authentication (2FA) via SMS, these methods can be vulnerable to SIM-swapping attacks. Google Authenticator, on the other hand, generates time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) directly on your device, making it a far more secure way to verify your identity when logging into accounts. The setup is straightforward: you link your accounts by scanning a QR code provided by the service, and then the app generates a new code every 30 seconds. This offline generation process significantly enhances your security posture, safeguarding your sensitive information from unauthorized access. Having this app installed from the start ensures that as you begin adding your various online accounts, you are doing so with a robust layer of protection already in place. It’s a small step that offers immense peace of mind.

Detailed Security Benefits of Google Authenticator

• Enhanced Protection Against Phishing: Because the codes are generated locally and are time-sensitive, they are much harder for attackers to intercept and reuse compared to SMS-based codes which can be compromised through social engineering or SIM swapping.
• Offline Functionality: Unlike SMS-based 2FA, Google Authenticator does not require a cellular signal to generate codes, making it reliable even when you are traveling or in areas with poor reception.
• Centralized Authentication: It consolidates all your 2FA codes into one convenient app, eliminating the need to switch between different services or wait for text messages.
• No Reliance on Phone Number: Your authentication codes are tied to your device, not your phone number, which further mitigates risks associated with SIM card compromises.
• Broad Service Compatibility: A vast number of popular online services, from social media platforms to financial institutions and cloud storage providers, support TOTP and are compatible with Google Authenticator.

2. Todoist: Mastering Your Daily Tasks and Projects

Organization is key to productivity, and Todoist excels at helping you manage everything from simple to-do lists to complex projects. Its clean, intuitive interface makes it incredibly easy to add tasks, set deadlines, organize them by project, and even assign priorities. What truly sets Todoist apart is its powerful natural language input. You can simply type “Schedule meeting with marketing team tomorrow at 10 AM #Work” and Todoist will automatically create a task, set the due date and time, and assign it to your “Work” project. The app also offers robust recurring task options, subtasks, collaboration features for shared projects, and integrations with numerous other productivity tools. For a new iPhone, establishing an organized workflow from day one is crucial, and Todoist provides the perfect framework to ensure nothing falls through the cracks. Its cross-platform synchronization ensures your tasks are always up-to-date across all your devices.

Todoist Features for Superior Task Management

• Natural Language Input: Effortlessly create tasks and schedule them by typing in plain language, such as “Pay bills next Friday” or “Call Mom every Sunday.”
• Project Organization: Categorize your tasks into different projects, making it easy to manage work, personal life, hobbies, and any other aspect of your life.
• Prioritization Levels: Assign priority levels to tasks (P1 to P4) to focus on what’s most important, ensuring critical items are addressed promptly.
• Due Dates and Reminders: Set specific due dates and times for tasks, with customizable reminders to keep you on track.
• Recurring Tasks: Set up tasks that repeat daily, weekly, monthly, or with custom intervals, perfect for routines and ongoing responsibilities.
• Subtasks: Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps, providing a clear path to completion.
• Collaboration Tools: Share projects with friends, family, or colleagues, assign tasks, and track progress together.
• Integrations: Connect Todoist with popular services like Google Calendar, Slack, Dropbox, and Zapier to create a unified workflow.
• Karma System: Gamified progress tracking helps motivate you to complete tasks and build productive habits.

3. Pocket: Curating Your Content Consumption

In today’s information-saturated world, it’s easy to get sidetracked by interesting articles, videos, and web pages that you don’t have time to consume immediately. Pocket is the solution. It allows you to save any content from the web – articles, videos, blog posts, and more – directly to your iPhone for later viewing, even offline. The interface is clean and distraction-free, designed for comfortable reading. You can tag saved items for easy organization, and Pocket syncs across all your devices, ensuring your curated list is always accessible. Whether you’re browsing on your desktop or on the go, Pocket acts as your personal digital library, ensuring that valuable content doesn’t get lost in the shuffle of open tabs and browser histories. It’s an essential tool for anyone who wants to be more mindful and efficient with their information consumption, making your new iPhone a powerful tool for learning and staying informed.

Pocket’s Advantages for Efficient Content Saving

• Save Anything, Anywhere: Easily save articles, videos, and web pages from any app or website directly to your Pocket account with a simple share extension.
• Offline Access: Download your saved content to your iPhone, allowing you to read or watch it later without an internet connection, perfect for commutes or travel.
• Distraction-Free Reading: Pocket’s reader mode strips away ads and clutter, presenting content in a clean, customizable format for optimal readability.
• Tags for Organization: Assign tags to your saved items to easily categorize and retrieve them later, creating a personalized content archive.
• Cross-Device Synchronization: Your saved items are synced across all your devices, so you can start reading on your computer and finish on your iPhone, or vice versa.
• Discover New Content: Pocket’s “Discover” tab offers curated recommendations based on popular articles saved by other users, helping you find new and interesting content.
• Video Saving: Save videos from various platforms to watch later, all within the Pocket app.

4. Google Drive (or Dropbox/OneDrive): Your Cloud Storage Cornerstone

While iCloud is Apple’s native cloud storage solution, having a robust, cross-platform cloud storage service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive is invaluable for modern smartphone users. These services allow you to store, access, and share files of all types – documents, photos, videos, and more – seamlessly across your iPhone, computer, and other devices. They provide essential backup capabilities, protecting your important data from loss. Furthermore, the ability to easily share large files or collaborate on documents makes them indispensable for both personal and professional use. Setting up one of these services immediately ensures that your data is safe, accessible, and readily shareable, transforming your iPhone into a true mobile workstation and media library. The free tiers usually offer generous storage, making them an accessible and powerful addition to your new device.

Key Benefits of Cloud Storage Solutions for iPhone Users

• Secure File Backup: Automatically back up your important documents, photos, and videos to the cloud, protecting them from device loss or damage.
• Cross-Device Accessibility: Access your files from any internet-connected device, including your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows PC, and even through web browsers.
• Easy File Sharing: Share large files or entire folders with friends, family, or colleagues via a simple link, with options to set permissions for viewing or editing.
• Collaboration Features: Many cloud storage services offer real-time collaboration on documents, allowing multiple users to work on the same file simultaneously.
• Offline Access: Download specific files or folders to your iPhone for offline access, ensuring you can work with your data even without an internet connection.
• Storage Expansion: Supplement your iPhone’s internal storage by offloading less frequently accessed files to the cloud, freeing up valuable space.
• Version History: Recover previous versions of documents, providing a safety net against accidental edits or deletions.

5. Spotify (or Apple Music/YouTube Music): Your Personal Soundtrack

Music is an integral part of the modern smartphone experience, and a dedicated streaming service is a must-have. Spotify offers an unparalleled library of songs, podcasts, and curated playlists catering to every mood and genre. Its robust discovery engine helps you find new music you’ll love, and the ability to download music for offline listening makes it perfect for commutes or areas with limited connectivity. While Apple Music is a strong contender, Spotify’s extensive podcast library and often superior playlist curation give it a slight edge for many users. Regardless of your personal preference between Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube Music, having a powerful music streaming app installed from the start ensures that your new iPhone is ready to provide the soundtrack to your life. The premium versions offer ad-free listening and higher audio quality, transforming your listening experience.

Enhancing Your Audio Experience with Streaming Apps

• Vast Music Libraries: Access millions of songs from virtually every artist and genre imaginable, on-demand.
• Personalized Playlists: Create and manage your own playlists or explore expertly curated playlists for any occasion or mood.
• Music Discovery: Utilize intelligent recommendation algorithms that suggest new artists and songs based on your listening habits.
• Podcast Integration: Many music streaming services now include a comprehensive selection of podcasts, making them a one-stop shop for audio entertainment.
• Offline Listening: Download your favorite songs and playlists to your device for uninterrupted listening without using mobile data.
• High-Quality Audio: Stream music at various quality settings to suit your preference and data plan.
• Cross-Platform Availability: Enjoy your music seamlessly across your iPhone, computer, smart speakers, and other connected devices.

6. Google Maps (or Waze): Navigating Your World with Precision

While Apple’s built-in Maps app has improved significantly, Google Maps or Waze often provide more comprehensive and up-to-date information, especially concerning real-time traffic conditions and points of interest. Google Maps excels in its vast database of businesses, street views, and public transit information, making it an incredibly versatile navigation tool. Waze, on the other hand, is renowned for its community-driven traffic alerts, speed trap notifications, and route optimization based on real-time road hazards reported by other drivers. For anyone who relies on their iPhone for navigation, whether for daily commutes, road trips, or exploring new cities, having one of these apps installed first is crucial. They transform your iPhone into a powerful GPS device, ensuring you reach your destination efficiently and safely. The offline map download feature in Google Maps is also a significant benefit for travelers.

Superior Navigation Features of Google Maps and Waze

• Real-Time Traffic Updates: Both apps provide live traffic data, rerouting you to avoid congestion and delays.
• Turn-by-Turn Navigation: Clear voice-guided directions for driving, walking, and public transit.
• Extensive Points of Interest (POI): Access detailed information about businesses, restaurants, attractions, and more.
• Street View (Google Maps): Virtually explore locations with panoramic street-level imagery.
• Public Transit Information: Comprehensive schedules and routing for buses, trains, and subways.
• Offline Maps (Google Maps): Download maps for specific areas to navigate without a data connection.
• Community Reporting (Waze): Benefit from real-time alerts on accidents, police presence, road hazards, and speed cameras shared by other users.
• Route Optimization: Find the fastest or most efficient routes based on current conditions.

7. LastPass (or 1Password): Securing Your Passwords

In today’s digital landscape, managing a multitude of unique and strong passwords for every online account is a daunting task. LastPass (or a similar reputable password manager like 1Password) is an essential tool for creating, storing, and automatically filling your login credentials securely. It generates complex, unguessable passwords for each of your accounts and remembers them for you, encrypting them within a secure vault. All you need to remember is one strong master password. This dramatically improves your online security by reducing the reliance on weak or reused passwords, which are common targets for hackers. Installing a password manager from the outset ensures that as you begin signing up for new services or logging into existing ones on your new iPhone, you are doing so with the strongest possible security measures in place, protecting your digital identity.

The Indispensable Role of Password Managers

• Generate Strong, Unique Passwords: Create complex passwords that are difficult for attackers to crack for each of your online accounts.
• Secure Password Storage: Encrypt and store all your login credentials in a secure, cloud-based vault, accessible only with your master password.
• Automatic Login Filling: Seamlessly log into websites and apps directly from your iPhone with saved credentials, saving you time and effort.
• Cross-Device Synchronization: Access and manage your passwords across all your devices, ensuring consistency and convenience.
• Secure Sharing of Credentials: Share specific passwords securely with trusted individuals without revealing them in plain text.
• Security Audits: Many password managers offer features to audit your existing passwords, identifying weak or compromised credentials.
• Two-Factor Authentication Integration: Some password managers can also store and generate 2FA codes, further enhancing your account security.

8. Grammarly: Elevating Your Written Communication

Whether you’re sending professional emails, crafting social media posts, or simply texting a friend, clear and error-free writing is crucial. Grammarly offers a powerful keyboard extension for your iPhone that checks your text for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, punctuation issues, and even suggests improvements for clarity and conciseness. It works across virtually all apps where you can type, providing real-time feedback as you write. This not only helps you communicate more effectively but also boosts your confidence in your written expression. For a new iPhone, establishing good communication habits from the start is a wise move, and Grammarly is an indispensable tool for ensuring your written messages are always polished and professional. Its ability to adapt to different writing styles and contexts makes it a versatile addition to your digital toolkit.

Grammarly’s Impact on Written Communication Quality

• Real-Time Grammar and Spell Check: Instantly identify and correct grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and punctuation issues as you type.
• Conciseness and Clarity Suggestions: Receive prompts to rephrase sentences for better clarity, conciseness, and impact.
• Vocabulary Enhancement: Get suggestions for more precise and engaging vocabulary to elevate your writing.
• Tone Detection: Understand how your writing might be perceived by others and adjust your tone accordingly.
• Contextual Suggestions: Grammarly’s AI understands the context of your writing to provide highly relevant suggestions.
• Works Across Apps: The Grammarly keyboard integrates seamlessly with most apps where you can type on your iPhone.
• Plagiarism Checker (Premium): Ensure your written work is original and free from accidental plagiarism.

9. VLC Media Player: Unleashing Your Media Playback

While iOS has its native media player, VLC Media Player is a powerhouse for playing virtually any audio or video file format without the need for conversion. This is particularly useful if you have a library of media files that aren’t compatible with Apple’s default player. VLC supports a vast array of codecs, including MKV, MP4, AVI, and many more. It also offers robust features like subtitle support, playback speed control, and the ability to transfer files directly to your iPhone via Wi-Fi or by using cloud storage services. For users who consume a diverse range of media, VLC is an indispensable tool that ensures your iPhone can handle any file you throw at it, making it a truly versatile media consumption device from day one. Its user-friendly interface belies its powerful capabilities, making it accessible to all users.

VLC Media Player’s Versatility for Media Enthusiasts

• Wide Format Support: Play nearly any audio or video file format, including AVI, FLAC, MP4, MKV, MOV, and many more, without prior conversion.
• Subtitle Support: Integrated support for various subtitle formats, allowing you to watch videos with your preferred language captions.
• Network Streaming: Stream media directly from your network (SMB, FTP, UPnP) or the internet.
• File Transfer Options: Easily transfer media files to your iPhone via Wi-Fi sharing, cloud storage integration (like Dropbox), or direct computer connection.
• Playback Customization: Adjust playback speed, use the audio equalizer, and control playback with gestures.
• Background Playback: Continue listening to audio or watching videos while using other apps or with your iPhone screen locked.
• Gesture Controls: Intuitive gesture controls for volume, brightness, and seeking within the media.

By installing these top 9 iPhone apps first, you are not just filling your new device with applications; you are strategically equipping it with tools that enhance its core functionalities, bolster your security, boost your productivity, and enrich your daily digital life. At Make Use Of, our goal is to empower you with the knowledge to make the most of your technology, and this curated list represents our expert recommendations for a truly optimized iPhone experience right from the start. Your iPhone is a powerful tool, and these applications are the keys to unlocking its full potential.