In 2011 I made a list of download tips for the best Android apps on my old blog (in Dutch). It included apps like Helium, Seesmic, Quickoffice and ES File Explorer. Most of them no longer exist, or you no longer need them. Here is the 2026 version, and this time for the iPhone too.

First I looked at the charts: which free apps are downloaded most right now in the United Kingdom? Then I listed, per topic, the apps I recommend myself and that you really use in daily life. Most apps exist for both Android and iPhone, but there are a few differences: the iPhone, for example, has more built in.

Be careful with apps from the charts. They now also include "cleaner" apps, apps that promise you can earn money and apps with short drama series. You don't need a cleaner app: Android and iOS manage memory themselves, and you can free up space with Files by Google or in your iPhone's settings. For the other apps, read the reviews first and check what the subscriptions cost, because they can add up quickly.

1. Android

Today's top 10 in Google Play

The most downloaded free apps in Google Play in the UK on November 12, 2026 (source: AppBrain):

#United Kingdom
1ChatGPT
2GOV.UK One Login
3WhatsApp
4InPost
5Lloyds Mobile Banking
6TikTok Lite
7TikTok
8Playout: Earn Money
9Microsoft Teams
10Vinted

Notable: ChatGPT is number 1, and right behind it is GOV.UK One Login, the government app to prove who you are for more and more online services. InPost (parcel lockers) and Vinted show how many people now buy and sell second-hand. Playout is one of those apps that promise you can earn money: be careful with those.

My picks for Android

The apps I recommend, per topic. Click Google Play to install the app.

Messaging and calls

AppWhat for?
WhatsAppMessages, calls and video calls. Still the app almost everyone has.Google Play
SignalLike WhatsApp, but made by a non-profit foundation with a strong focus on privacy.Google Play
TelegramMessaging app with large groups and channels.Google Play

AI assistants

AppWhat for?
ChatGPTThe best-known AI assistant: ask questions, write texts, create images.Google Play
ClaudeAI assistant that is strong at writing, text analysis and coding.Google Play
Google GeminiGoogle's AI assistant, works with Gmail, Calendar and Maps.Google Play
Microsoft CopilotMicrosoft's AI assistant, handy if you work with Word and Outlook.Google Play

Government and identity

AppWhat for?
GOV.UK One LoginProve who you are once and sign in to more and more government services, from your driving licence to benefits.Google Play
NHS AppBook GP appointments, order repeat prescriptions and see your health record (England).Google Play
HMRCYour tax code, National Insurance number, tax refunds and Self Assessment.Google Play

Payments and banking

AppWhat for?
Google WalletContactless payments with your phone, plus your loyalty cards and tickets at hand.Google Play
MonzoBank account in an app: instant spending notifications, split bills and send money to friends in seconds.Google Play
RevolutAccount and payment card, handy when travelling: pay in foreign currency without high fees.Google Play

On the move

AppWhat for?
Google MapsMaps, navigation, public transport and shop opening hours.Google Play
WazeNavigation with traffic jams, speed cameras and hazards reported by other drivers.Google Play
RingGoPay for parking with your phone in thousands of car parks and streets across the UK.Google Play
TrainlineTrain and coach tickets on your phone, including split tickets that can make a journey cheaper.Google Play
National RailLive departures, delays and platform changes for every train in Great Britain.Google Play
CitymapperThe easiest way to get around London and other big cities by bus, Tube and train.Google Play
Met OfficeForecasts and rain radar from the UK's national weather service, with weather warnings.Google Play

Shopping and saving

AppWhat for?
VintedBuy and sell second-hand clothes and other items.Google Play
AmazonThe largest online store in the UK, with fast delivery.Google Play
Tesco ClubcardYour Clubcard on your phone: Clubcard Prices, vouchers and coupons.Google Play
Lidl PlusDigital loyalty card with discount coupons.Google Play
Too Good To GoFood from shops and restaurants that would otherwise be thrown away, at a low price.Google Play

Video, music and photos

AppWhat for?
YouTubeWatch videos, from music to how-tos.Google Play
NetflixStream films and series.Google Play
SpotifyMusic and podcasts.Google Play
BBC iPlayerWatch BBC programmes live and on demand.Google Play
ITVXITV series, films and live TV for free, with an optional Premium subscription.Google Play
ShazamWhich song is playing? Shazam recognises it in seconds. It was already on my 2011 list!Google Play
CapCutEdit videos with music, effects and subtitles.Google Play
Google PhotosAutomatic backup of your photos and videos.Google Play

Handy and safe

AppWhat for?
Microsoft AuthenticatorSecure log-in with two-step verification, also for non-Microsoft accounts.Google Play
Proton VPNSafe browsing on public Wi-Fi, with a free version without a data cap.Google Play
Files by GoogleManage files and free up space. All you need to clean up your phone.Google Play
Google LensPoint your camera at something to get information, a translation or the text to copy.Google Play
DuolingoLearn a language a few minutes a day.Google Play

2. iPhone and iPad (iOS)

Today's top 10 in the App Store

The most downloaded free iPhone apps in the UK App Store on November 13, 2026 (source: App Store charts):

#United Kingdom
1GOV.UK One Login
2InPost UK
3ChatGPT
4Claude
5CrownCards - Trading Cards
6Whatnot
7Lloyds Mobile Banking
8Shop (Shopify)
9Microsoft Authenticator
10Google Gemini

My picks for iPhone

Mostly the same apps as for Android, but a few things are already built into the iPhone. Apple Maps and Apple's Photos also work fine, so Google Maps and Google Photos are mainly handy if you also use an Android device or a Windows PC.

Messaging and calls

AppWhat for?
WhatsAppMessages, calls and video calls. Still the app almost everyone has.App Store
SignalLike WhatsApp, but made by a non-profit foundation with a strong focus on privacy.App Store
TelegramMessaging app with large groups and channels.App Store

AI assistants

AppWhat for?
ChatGPTThe best-known AI assistant: ask questions, write texts, create images.App Store
ClaudeAI assistant that is strong at writing, text analysis and coding.App Store
Google GeminiGoogle's AI assistant, works with Gmail, Calendar and Maps.App Store
Microsoft CopilotMicrosoft's AI assistant, handy if you work with Word and Outlook.App Store

Government and identity

AppWhat for?
GOV.UK One LoginProve who you are once and sign in to more and more government services, from your driving licence to benefits.App Store
NHS AppBook GP appointments, order repeat prescriptions and see your health record (England).App Store
HMRCYour tax code, National Insurance number, tax refunds and Self Assessment.App Store

Payments and banking

AppWhat for?
Apple WalletBuilt into your iPhone: contactless payments with Apple Pay, loyalty cards and tickets.built in
MonzoBank account in an app: instant spending notifications, split bills and send money to friends in seconds.App Store
RevolutAccount and payment card, handy when travelling: pay in foreign currency without high fees.App Store

On the move

AppWhat for?
Google MapsMaps, navigation, public transport and shop opening hours.App Store
WazeNavigation with traffic jams, speed cameras and hazards reported by other drivers.App Store
RingGoPay for parking with your phone in thousands of car parks and streets across the UK.App Store
TrainlineTrain and coach tickets on your phone, including split tickets that can make a journey cheaper.App Store
National RailLive departures, delays and platform changes for every train in Great Britain.App Store
CitymapperThe easiest way to get around London and other big cities by bus, Tube and train.App Store
Met OfficeForecasts and rain radar from the UK's national weather service, with weather warnings.App Store

Shopping and saving

AppWhat for?
VintedBuy and sell second-hand clothes and other items.App Store
AmazonThe largest online store in the UK, with fast delivery.App Store
Tesco Grocery & ClubcardYour Clubcard on your phone, plus grocery shopping with home delivery or Click+Collect.App Store
Lidl PlusDigital loyalty card with discount coupons.App Store
Too Good To GoFood from shops and restaurants that would otherwise be thrown away, at a low price.App Store

Video, music and photos

AppWhat for?
YouTubeWatch videos, from music to how-tos.App Store
NetflixStream films and series.App Store
SpotifyMusic and podcasts.App Store
BBC iPlayerWatch BBC programmes live and on demand.App Store
ITVXITV series, films and live TV for free, with an optional Premium subscription.App Store
ShazamWhich song is playing? Shazam recognises it in seconds. It was already on my 2011 list!App Store
CapCutEdit videos with music, effects and subtitles.App Store
Google PhotosAutomatic backup of your photos and videos.App Store

Handy and safe

AppWhat for?
Microsoft AuthenticatorSecure log-in with two-step verification, also for non-Microsoft accounts.App Store
Proton VPNSafe browsing on public Wi-Fi, with a free version without a data cap.App Store
FilesBuilt into your iPhone (Files). Free up space via Settings > General > iPhone Storage.built in
Camera (Live Text)Built in (Live Text): point the camera at text to copy or translate it.built in
DuolingoLearn a language a few minutes a day.App Store

My tips

  • Only install apps from the official stores: Google Play and the App Store. Apps from other websites may contain malware.
  • Check the developer before you install an app. There are many fake apps with almost the same name, especially among AI apps.
  • Watch the permissions an app asks for. A flashlight app doesn't need access to your contacts.
  • Clean up now and then: it's better to delete apps you haven't used in months.
  • Want to know more about the AI apps? Read Claude AI: better than all other models?

Sources

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