These 6 Google apps are irreplaceable on my Android cellphone

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It’s trendy to dislike Google, and I fully perceive. Generally I even partake if the destructive sentiment is warranted. All of us have our gripes with Android, to not point out the Pixel smartphones that hardly change year-on-year and Google Residence, which is constantly battling one problem or one other.

It’s important that we name out corporations after they falter and fail to study from their errors. Nevertheless, it’s additionally vital to acknowledge the wins.

Working example: Google’s apps and providers. The corporate is liable for a slew of apps throughout Android and different platforms. Whereas some are horrible, there are a handful that I merely couldn't dwell with out. They’re irreplaceable on my Android cellphone.

Which Google app cannot you reside with out? 0 votes

Google Preserve

NaN%

The Google app

NaN%

Google Maps

NaN%

Google Pictures

NaN%

Android Auto

NaN%

NotebookLM

NaN%

None, they're all replaceable.

NaN%

One other Google app (elabroate within the feedback).

NaN%

Google Preserve

<img class="e_Gh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="google keep with a list of custom labels" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/google-keep-with-a-list-of-custom-labels-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/google-keep-with-a-list-of-custom-labels-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/google-keep-with-a-list-of-custom-labels-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/google-keep-with-a-list-of-custom-labels-1920w-1080h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/google-keep-with-a-list-of-custom-labels-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/google-keep-with-a-list-of-custom-labels-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/google-keep-with-a-list-of-custom-labels-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/google-keep-with-a-list-of-custom-labels-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/google-keep-with-a-list-of-custom-labels-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="google keep with a list of custom labels" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/google-keep-with-a-list-of-custom-labels-scaled.jpg"/> Megan Ellis / Android Authority

Google Preserve is massively underrated, and that’s in all probability resulting from its modest premise. It’s a easy sticky word app at its coronary heart, however this makes it exceptionally malleable, bending to a number of use circumstances with ease.

Preserve varieties a core a part of my productiveness workflow. I exploit it to jot down momentary recipe concepts, long-term however ever-changing packing lists, momentary mind dumps, article briefs, and even the odd e book or documentary that I need to try. It’s the digital equal of that wire-bound notepad subsequent to the phone.

Going by that description, Preserve appears fairly easy. It must be simple to interchange in that case, right? Nicely, no.

Google Preserve is the digital equal of that wire-bound notepad subsequent to the phone.

The fantastic thing about Preserve is its accessibility. I can view and edit my notes on virtually any machine working any platform, and share them with family and friends who want additional collaboration.

Preserve does have its flaws. I do lament the elimination of the reminder characteristic — Duties is now the Google dwelling for this performance — and I'd welcome extra sturdy organizational instruments. Whereas there are many potential Google Preserve alternate options on the market, none can match Preserve’s ease of use.

The Google app

<img class="e_Gh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="google discover feed feature 1" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/google-discover-feed-feature-1.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/google-discover-feed-feature-1-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/google-discover-feed-feature-1-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/google-discover-feed-feature-1-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/google-discover-feed-feature-1-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/google-discover-feed-feature-1-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/google-discover-feed-feature-1-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/google-discover-feed-feature-1-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="google discover feed feature 1" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/google-discover-feed-feature-1.jpg"/> Andy Walker / Android Authority

What number of of you really open the Google app? Truthfully, it’s extremely simple to miss. The innocuous G icon lurking in your launcher really powers a bunch of options and deep performance in your Android cellphone.

Circle to Search? The Google app. Uncover? Yep! Dwell sport scores? Oh yeah! What about Lens, Gemini, and the articles and hyperlinks you’ve saved? Sure, sure, and sure once more. The Google app helps all of those options and extra, and in the event you depend on any of them as I do, you can't go with out it.

Naturally, meaning there isn't any equal to the Google app. Positive, you may exchange particular person options — Shazam for music recognition, Perplexity or ChatGPT for Gemini, one other information app for Uncover, as an example — however you received’t take pleasure in the identical seamless integration that the Google app offers. That is definitely a typical theme with the Google apps on this record.

Google Maps

<img class="e_Gh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="street view in google maps" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/street-view-in-google-maps-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/street-view-in-google-maps-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/street-view-in-google-maps-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/street-view-in-google-maps-1920w-1080h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/street-view-in-google-maps-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/street-view-in-google-maps-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/street-view-in-google-maps-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/street-view-in-google-maps-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/street-view-in-google-maps-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="street view in google maps" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/street-view-in-google-maps-scaled.jpg"/> Megan Ellis / Android Authority

Now, for what is probably my most-used Google app. We’ve all had our gripes with Google Maps up to now. It lacks many options boasted by different mapping apps, together with street floor data and extra granular routing choices, however in relation to exploring a brand new place, I couldn’t think about utilizing one other app.

Whereas it’s a dependable navigation software, its actual power lies in its person contributions freely issued by its immense group. Because of your (and my) opinions and crowdsourced details about eating places, companies, and locations, customers can simply discover one of the best seafood restaurant, inexpensive but snug lodging, or the hidden gems that vacationers overlook. If you happen to take away the group factor from Maps, it loses its shining core performance.

If you happen to take away the group factor from Maps, it loses its shining core performance.

It’s why I’ve urged that Google make higher use of this group side, permitting customers a platform to seamlessly create and share customized maps with others. It was an choice up to now, however the trendy Maps app makes this far too tough to be worthwhile.

After all, Maps isn’t my solely mapping app. There are conditions once I’ll boot up OsmAnd to test a street’s floor or view a path by means of a nature space, however Google Maps is one Google app I definitely can’t dwell with out.

Android Auto

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Going hand-in-hand with Maps is Google’s phone-to-car mirroring platform, Android Auto.

I’ll always remember the primary time I drove a automotive in a international metropolis. My rental didn’t assist Android Auto. I had sign points, so Maps wasn’t engaged on my cellphone. I used to be misplaced. I finally discovered my method, however now that I've Android Auto in my life, I can’t think about stepping into this case once more.

Android Auto is crucial for navigation, leisure, and communication whereas driving.

Auto is a type of instruments you by no means suppose you’d want till you give it a strive. Having rapid entry to vital data and performance in your cellphone whereas driving is a large comfort. I depend on Android Auto each time I drive, whether or not it’s to view visitors move on Google Maps, change tracks on Spotify, or talk with my buddies or household whereas I journey.

Android Auto is fully distinctive; there are not any different platforms prefer it for the Android ecosystem. Sure, there are automotive dashboard apps, however none provide the dashboard integration or pure performance of Auto. If I needed to interchange it, I’d must get an iPhone and use CarPlay.

Google Pictures

<img class="e_Gh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="google photos new ask search interface 3" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/google-photos-new-ask-search-interface-3-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/google-photos-new-ask-search-interface-3-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/google-photos-new-ask-search-interface-3-1000w-562h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/google-photos-new-ask-search-interface-3-1920w-1080h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/google-photos-new-ask-search-interface-3-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/google-photos-new-ask-search-interface-3-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/google-photos-new-ask-search-interface-3-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/google-photos-new-ask-search-interface-3-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/google-photos-new-ask-search-interface-3-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Search results from the new Ask Photos mode in Google Photos." src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/google-photos-new-ask-search-interface-3-scaled.jpg"/> Joe Maring / Android Authority

Google Pictures is the silent guardian that retains my pictures safely backed up. It requires no direct intervention, which makes it invaluable to shutterbugs like me.

Of all of the merchandise on this record, Pictures is probably the simplest to interchange. It’s not precisely distinctive, and there are many picture backup alternate options on the market. Immich is one we’ve coated in prior articles, whereas direct Google rivals Amazon and Microsoft have their very own Pictures rivals. None of those choices is as instantly accessible or seamless as Google Pictures.

Google Pictures is the silent guardian that retains my pictures safely backed up.

Whilst you could imagine different merchandise are extra feature-rich, and also you could be proper, nothing can beat Pictures’ simplicity. That is particularly vital for novice smartphone customers, like my dad. Pictures has ensured all of his treasured household moments are protected, even when his finances cellphone fails him.

In my world, Pictures doesn’t work by itself. The amount of pictures I’ve saved through the years requires a sacrifice, a 200GB One subscription to be exact. That is maybe the one main snag in an in any other case wonderful product.

NotebookLM

<img class="e_Gh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="raspberry pi information in notebooklm" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/raspberry-pi-information-in-notebooklm-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/raspberry-pi-information-in-notebooklm-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/raspberry-pi-information-in-notebooklm-1000w-562h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/raspberry-pi-information-in-notebooklm-1920w-1080h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/raspberry-pi-information-in-notebooklm-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/raspberry-pi-information-in-notebooklm-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/raspberry-pi-information-in-notebooklm-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/raspberry-pi-information-in-notebooklm-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/raspberry-pi-information-in-notebooklm-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="raspberry pi information in notebooklm" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/raspberry-pi-information-in-notebooklm-scaled.jpg"/> Megan Ellis / Android Authority

I lament corporations for shoving AI into as many merchandise as attainable, however NotebookLM is an exception. It’s one of many few AI-infused creations I’ve discovered to be infinitely helpful and virtually indispensable.

At its core, NotebookLM is a private LLM that strains by means of the knowledge you feed it. This makes it a hyper-focused analysis and studying aide, but in addition works as a private search engine.

My favourite NotebookLM use case is as a fast reference digital automotive guide. If I can’t fairly bear in mind the torque spec of the wheel nuts or the coolant my automotive requires, I hearth a fast search right into a pocket book that homes the guide, advertising and marketing materials, and associated information, and it provides a solution. This protects me the trouble of a Google search or a flick by means of the bodily guide.

NotebookLM is crucial for rapidly parsing a great deal of data.

It’s additionally sensible for evaluating dense documentation, corresponding to buy quotes, contracts, phrases and circumstances, and research supplies. I wouldn’t depend on it to be my authorized advisor, however it definitely hurries up the invention of knowledge.

There’s merely no different to NotebookLM at current, no less than none as complete or accessible free of charge.

What in regards to the different Google apps?

<img class="e_Gh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="google chrome mozilla firefox android feature 1" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/google-chrome-mozilla-firefox-android-feature-1.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/google-chrome-mozilla-firefox-android-feature-1-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/google-chrome-mozilla-firefox-android-feature-1-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/google-chrome-mozilla-firefox-android-feature-1-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/google-chrome-mozilla-firefox-android-feature-1-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/google-chrome-mozilla-firefox-android-feature-1-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/google-chrome-mozilla-firefox-android-feature-1-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/google-chrome-mozilla-firefox-android-feature-1-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="google chrome mozilla firefox android feature 1" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/google-chrome-mozilla-firefox-android-feature-1.jpg"/> Andy Walker / Android Authority

The apps above will seemingly all the time have a spot on my Android cellphone, however not all Google apps are exempt. I’ve changed loads in years previous with higher third-party alternate options.

Google Duties, as an example, is changed by Duties.org. I’d a lot relatively use Tubular than the YouTube app. As a substitute of Messages and Telephone, I may simply use Samsung’s default alternate options. (I don’t use RCS and barely use my cellphone as a cellphone). As for Chrome, Firefox replaces Google’s browser on desktop, Android, and past for me.

There are heaps of different Google apps that I may (and have) simply swat apart.

Which Google app do you need to exchange essentially the most? 842 votes

Chrome

30%

Gmail

21%

Pictures

24%

Password Supervisor

10%

Drive

11%

Different (let me know within the feedback)

3%

Meet? I’d a lot relatively use WhatsApp for household video calls and Zoom for work. Translate? Gemini does a reasonably good job by itself. Drive? I usually don’t entry information within the Drive app on my cellphone; as a substitute, I exploit Sheets or Docs if required. What in regards to the Play Retailer? Nicely, there’s Aurora Retailer, which is arguably a much better Play Retailer expertise than the precise factor.

And whereas I may exchange a number of extra Google apps on my cellphone, doing so would require a workflow change and a few relearning on my half. Ditching Google Pockets would imply I’d have to whip out my bodily card extra usually and use PDFs for boarding passes. Changing Google Calendar is feasible, however I’ve grown so used to its performance.

These are the Google apps I discover irreplaceable on my Android cellphone proper now, however do you agree with my opinion? Which Google apps are in your everlasting record, if any? Make sure to let me know within the feedback beneath.

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