8 stock Android apps worth replacing

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

They have more convenient, useful and functional alternatives.

1. "Files" → MiXplorer

Most smartphones have pre-installed file managers, which are simply called "Files", "Explorer" or something like that. They do not know many useful things: open a document, copy it, delete it and that's it.

MiXplorer has many more features. For example, the app can connect to cloud storage - Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive - and computers on your local network. MiXplorer sorts files according to many criteria, has a built-in archiver and media player. With all this, the program weighs only about 8 MB and is absolutely free.

2. "Video" → VLC

Built-in video players are often unable to play exotic file formats. To prevent this from happening, install the VLC player. Like its big brother for desktop computers, the mobile app is truly omnivorous.

VLC opens all video formats and even does not disdain to play audio recordings. In addition, the program is able to play damaged and underloaded files - a godsend for those who download serials via torrents. Finally, VLC supports Picture-in-Picture, so you can watch movies and do something else at the same time.

3. "Google Maps" → "Yandex. Maps"

The Google Maps app is cool if you live in America or Europe. But the residents of the CIS countries are more suitable for "Yandex. Maps": they are much more informative, their database contains more addresses and organizations. Often, Yandex. Maps displays roads and routes that Google does not even know about - especially somewhere in the outback.

Another great alternative to Google Maps is 2GIS. In addition to the atlas, it has a built-in directory where you can see the location of a particular company, as well as opening hours and contacts.

4. YouTube → YouTube Vanced

The default YouTube app has two frustrating features. First, it is terribly annoying with constant advertising. Secondly, it does not allow playing video in the background. To get rid of these restrictions, you can spend money on a Premium subscription. Or, preferably, install a third-party YouTube client.

is no different from the original app. But it has no ads, and it can play videos either in the background (sound only) or in a pop-up window - a very handy thing.

Another option is a program called NewPipe. It also supports background playback and Picture-in-Picture mode, and also allows you to download recordings to your smartphone. At the same time, NewPipe weighs very little and can be a salvation for owners of old devices with a small amount of memory.

5. "Clock" → AMdroid

The standard "Clock" application, which can be found on any smartphone, does the minimum that is required of it: it can show the time, wake you up in the morning and serve as a stopwatch.

AMdroid can do more: it collects sleep statistics and automatically turns the alarm on and off based on events in your calendar and geolocation data. So nothing will disturb your sleep on holidays. And tricky tasks will help you wake up on time, guaranteed. For example, AMdroid can make you solve an arithmetic problem in the morning or go take a picture of the kitchen.

6. "Weather" → AccuWeather

The native Weather app built into most Android firmware is nowhere near as functional as AccuWeather. It provides accurate hourly forecasts that you can track on a convenient graph, map, or list.

In addition to temperature, humidity and wind speed, AccuWeather provides other data. For example, the application warns allergy sufferers on which days it is unsafe for them to go outside. It also shows the UV index, and it will be useful for people who do not tolerate the sun well.

7. "Camera" → Open Camera

If you want to get the most out of your smartphone's camera, you'll need a better app than the standard one. So try Open Camera. This program has many advantages, the main one being the ability to shoot in RAW format.

In the Open Camera settings, you will also find a ton of options that allow you to fine-tune the quality of your images. The app can be controlled remotely via Bluetooth to, for example, shoot with a tripod. If you turn on the grid and compass in the preview, it will be more convenient for you to take pictures in nature.

You can also try installing Google Camera. Pixel smartphones are traditionally among the best in terms of photography. And this is achieved not by the number of megapixels, but by advanced software processing. Enthusiasts have ported the Google Camera app to many smartphones. And it is quite possible that yours is also one of them.

8. "Gallery" → Piktures

After you have taken a photo, you need to view it somewhere else. And for this, Piktures is much better suited than the standard "Gallery". It allows you to sort photos by date, time and location, has a built-in video player and can broadcast pictures and videos to TVs over the air. Add to this a bunch of filters and a nice built-in editor, as well as a nice interface.