5 Awesome Smartphone Apps I Use for Work
If you’re anything like me, you know how busy life can get, especially if you work in a 9 to 5 job, run a side hustle or are working on multiple projects. On top of that, you have to remember to spend time with your family and friends.
Things may quickly become overwhelming, but they don’t have to, and that’s where this list of apps comes in handy.
That is why I built up a toolkit that helps me stay on track and concentrate on the tasks I’m working on, whether it’s my 9-to-5 job, my side hustle, learning new skills or even working on projects around the house.
Out of many apps that I tried, the 5 apps I’m about to share have become my go-to tools for work, whether it’s remembering to attend a meeting when I’m away from my desk or ensuring that I stay on track. They have helped me through some of the toughest projects.
But without any further ado, here are 5 smartphone apps I use for work…
1. Endel
I wanted to start with an app that I’m actually using while I write this article, Endel.
Endel is an app that I discovered thanks to Liam Porritt on YouTube, and it has honestly improved my life.
Endel is an audio app that creates personalised soundscapes with the help of artificial intelligence.
Not only does the app help you improve your focus and sleep, but it also helps you power through activities and relax.
I primarily use the app when I need to sit down and get on with a project or task. Best of all, the app features timers which help ensure that you are not spending too much time on certain tasks. If I wanted to, I could even use the built-in Pomodoro timer, which helps me be extra productive. But, we’ll get on to how that works later in this article.
I also use the app when I commute into the office, as it helps me get ready for a busy day in the office. It also proves to be great for when I go for a walk during my lunch break, as it sets me up for the afternoon.
Due to the fact that I find this app useful, I pay for the premium version of the app, but there is a free version of the app available.
2. Microsoft To-Do and Things
Moving on to two different apps, I find that having a To-Do list is extremely beneficial as it ensures that I do all the tasks that I need to do throughout the day.
I separate my main To-Do list from the one I use at my 9-to-5 job, this is mainly because I like to keep things separate, but also since I know many employers don’t like company data on personal phones.
I use Microsoft To-Do on my work PC and my work phone, and I find it to be incredibly underrated. The app is basic, but it just works so incredibly well!
For those of you who are unaware, Microsoft purchased one of the original pioneers of To-Do list apps many years ago. The app was called Wunderlist and I remember it being my favourite apps for managing tasks. That is why Microsoft To Do is so good today.
Moving on to my personal and side-hustle To-Do list apps, until very recently I was using Apple Reminders, which is another underrated app. But I’ve decided to use Things 3 again, as I prefer the look and feel of the app.
As a whole, I don’t know where I would be without a To-Do list app, they are so convenient, especially when you work away from your desk. On a side note, when I am working at my desk, I like to simply write my to-do list on a whiteboard as it helps me keep on top of the tasks I need to do on my work PC.
3. Galarm
Galarm is another app I use for reminders, but unlike the other 2 apps, I use Galarm for the things I can’t miss, such as meetings, events and urgent things that I have to do at a certain time.
It’s different from a standard To-Do list app because it’s actually a social alarm app that reminds you about tasks that you need to do.
As an IT engineer, I find myself away from my desk all the time, and it can be easy to lose track of time. But with the help of Galarm, I am able to set an alarm at a certain time to remind me I need to do something.
Best of all, I can also set a pre-alarm, which enables me to prepare for meetings.
Since Galarm is a social alarm app, it also enables me to add people to an alarm. For example, If I am working remotely and there is an urgent meeting that my team and I have to attend, I can set the alarm to ring on my phone and my team’s own phones.
4. Session Pomodoro Timer
I’ve already mentioned Pomodoro timers in my first app, but the truth of the matter is that while I like the fact that Endel has a Pomodoro timer built-in, I don’t tend to use it often. The main reason for this is that there are times when I prefer to work in silence or when I’m doing other tasks that don’t need a high level of focus.
But you may be thinking, Wait a minute Dom, what is a Pomodoro timer?
It’s actually a technique where you set a 25-minute timer and during those 25 minutes, you can’t do anything but the task you set out to do. Once the 25 minutes is up, you are treated with a 5-minute break, where you can walk away from your desk.
This may seem strange at first, but this method has helped me get through both of my university degrees and continues to be helpful today.
I mainly tend to use this method for learning new skills and working on projects, but you can use it for anything you want.
My Pomodoro app of choice is Session, which I have on my phone and Mac and the main reason I like it is that it allows me to compare my timers to events in my calendar, which helps me stay on track. I also like it because it allows me to track the time I spend on projects.
5. BusyCal
The final app in this list is an app called BusyCal, which is my default calendar app.
I don’t use this app to manage my day job calendar, but I do put my shifts and travel time into this calendar if I’m going into the office.
The idea is that once I put all the shifts from my day job in, as well as the estimated travel time and any other events or appointments I may have, I can use the app to plan all the other things.
As an example, I can schedule time for writing blog posts or recording videos. I can also use it for planning study time and rest time.
It just makes my life so much easier and more organised.
My actual calendar is hosted in Google Calendar, but I use BusyCal as the client as I like the look and feel of the app as well as the customisation and features.
Final Thoughts
These are the 5 (technically 6) apps in my work toolkit. You may have noticed that I haven’t included any communication apps such as email clients or chat apps. The main reason for that is that those kinds of apps don’t necessarily help me concentrate on work. You can even say that they are distractors.
But if you are interested, my main email app is Spark, but I use Outlook at my 9 to 5 job. On top of that, I use a wide range of chat apps and apps from calls such as Google Meet, Zoom, and Teams.
To summarise this article, each one of the apps that I’ve mentioned in this article helps me in some way be more productive. Best of all, they are all available on my phone, which ensures I stay on top of things when I’m away from my desk.
Due to the fact that these apps are incredibly helpful to me in my everyday life, I pay premium subscriptions for most apart from the Microsoft apps which are provided by my day job and Things 3, which isn’t a subscription model.
Session and BusyCal are provided through my Setapp subscription, which, for those who aren’t aware, I pay $12.49 per month and that provides me with access to over 200 premium Mac and iOS apps. I’m a big fan of Setapp, and for that reason, I have joined their affiliate program, so if you are interested in trying it out for 7-days, check out my affiliate link.
What are your top 3 apps for work? Let us know in the comments!
Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links.