7 Useful Apps You Don’t Know About - But You Should! 

Smartphones are arguably the single most useful and versatile gadget ever invented. Unsurprisingly, there are hundreds of lists out there full of must-use apps that will help unleash the small slab’s awesome potential. 

Instead of mentioning the same apps yet again, this guide brings you seven that usually fly under the radar. Don't let our picks' lack of planetary popularity fool you, as there's bound to be at least one among them that will completely transform your smartphone use! From entertainment and travel to productivity and security, there's something in here to pique everyone's interest. 

Key Takeaways

• Ad blockers eliminate intrusive ads across apps and browsers.
• eSIM services save money and simplify travel connectivity.
• Interactive fitness apps make workouts more engaging.
• Shortcut apps boost productivity by reducing extra taps.
• VPNs secure your data and unlock global content.
• Streaming guides save time finding shows and movies.
• Advanced file managers give you full control of your smartphone’s storage.

1. System-Wide Ad Blocker 

Smartphone users really drew the short end of the stick when it comes to seeing ads. Not only do ads plague every website you visit, but they're also impossible to escape within most apps, especially free ones. 

Luckily, you can save your sanity (and data usage) with a simple two-hit ad-killing combo. First, activate an ad blocker add-on in your browser. This will get rid of annoying pop-ups and free up screen real estate so you can actually interact with the websites you visit. 

Then, you can install a system-wide ad blocker app. These intercept other apps’ connection requests to their ad host sites, meaning they prevent other apps from fetching and displaying ad data. You can set them up to block everything globally or just blacklist the worst offenders. 

2. eSIM Service

Travel app recommendations usually focus on maps, transport routes, or translation apps that make for a smoother trip. You need an internet connection to access most of them, which can cause all sorts of problems. Public Wi-Fi is unsafe and might not be available when exploring outside of cities. Likewise, roaming costs quickly add up even if you’re on a reasonable plan. 

eSIM services make non-issues out of all these inconveniences. They use the eSIM chip embedded in your phone. So, no need to swap your original SIM for a local one, and you get to keep your number. Say you’re going to visit Italy, Spain, and France all in one trip, getting an eSIM for Europe is the best move you can make. This way, it’s simple to stay connected across all the countries you travel to. 

Moreso, eSIM data plans are generous enough for carefree browsing, video chats, and other high-bandwidth activities while being much cheaper than roaming. Best of all, retaining internet access when going to another country is just a matter of picking the best local plan and having it activate automatically once you enter your next destination. 

3. Interactive Fitness Apps 

Let’s face it, for most of us, jogging aimlessly or mechanically pumping iron quickly becomes boring. But what if jogging is the only way to escape a horde of brain-craving zombies, and doing 50 bicep curls gets your warrior a step closer to another point in strength? 

That’s the idea behind interactive fitness apps. They use gamification to transform repetitive and tedious exercise routines into fun milestones. You get to play a fun game and reap tangible benefits in real life as your characters level up in theirs. 

4. Shortcut App 

Smartphone UIs are designed to be easy for anyone to grasp. At the same time, the limited screen size steers UI design philosophy towards embracing discrete apps and layered menu structures. In other words, getting to settings or files can take a lot of tapping and swiping. 

Shortcut apps will supercharge your phone's productivity and entertainment potential by cutting all these extra steps out. They let you create shortcuts to basically anything. Want access to your favorite news website via a home screen shortcut? Or one that opens a folder with frequently used work files and locks them behind biometrics so someone else can't accidentally get access? No problem. It even works for individual phone or in-app settings. 

5. VPN 

Security isn’t exactly a top priority for many mobile users. It should be, especially now that connecting to an unsafe network and browsing can put your personal data and accounts at risk. Don’t sleep on VPNs, as they're both an effective security measure and a tool that lets you do more with your phone. 

Using the best VPNs, you encrypt your entire connection. That means any sensitive chats, file transfers, or account logins become inaccessible to snoops. This is particularly important when accessing the internet via public Wi-Fi since it’s easy to monitor and abuse. Some workplaces also use VPNs as a means of identification when remote employees need access to internal resources. 

The ability to replace your IP address with another from anywhere in the world is another major advantage. In terms of privacy, it means advertisers will have a harder time profiling you and serving you targeted ads. Meanwhile, ISPs won't know which sites you’re visiting and can’t throttle or censor them. 

Changing your location on a whim is also awesome for entertainment since you can stream everything you’re used to from back home when on vacation or access region-specific content you otherwise couldn’t. 

6. Streaming Guide  

We've all been there – movie night is fast approaching, and you're stumped. But what about when you know exactly what you want to watch, but don't know where? Type the name of a movie or show into a streaming guide, and it will let you know which service it's on in a few seconds. Better yet, you can launch said streaming service directly from the app if it's installed on your phone.  

7. Advanced File Manager 

Despite their app-centric front, smartphone operating systems still use a file and folder structure under the hood. Not being aware of it means you could be missing out on some of your phone’s most powerful features. The right file manager really makes a difference here. 

Its basic function is to let you access all the files stored on your smartphone’s internal memory and connected SD cards. You can rearrange files and folders, make copies, or save them to several cloud-based storage services. 

File managers also accept various compression types, letting you extract RAR files or work with ISO images. They can also open images, play back video, and even open text files for you to edit. All of this means a single file manager can replace a handful of other apps, saving space and streamlining workflows. 

Conclusion

While big-name apps dominate most recommendation lists, these seven underrated apps offer unique benefits that can drastically improve your smartphone experience. Whether you want to block ads, travel smarter, exercise more effectively, or boost productivity, these apps deserve a spot on your device.

FAQs

Q. Are system-wide ad blockers safe to use?

A. Yes, reliable ad blockers from trusted developers are safe and help protect your data from unnecessary tracking.

Q. Do all phones support eSIM services?

A. Not all. Most modern smartphones, especially flagships, support eSIM. Always check your device specifications.

Q. Are VPNs free to use?

A. Some VPNs are free, but premium VPNs offer stronger encryption, faster speeds, and better privacy.

Q. Which is better: a shortcut app or built-in features?

A. Shortcut apps offer more customization and flexibility than built-in tools, making them more efficient for power users.

Q. Can advanced file managers replace cloud storage apps?

Yes, many integrate cloud storage services, letting you manage local and online files from one place.