7 free Android apps that make life easier.

1. NokoPrint

There are many ways to print from your phone, but most are wireless. When wireless printing isn't possible, NokoPrint is a lifesaver. This app allows you to connect your Android and iOS phones to a printer via an OTG adapter, and then print from your device.

The app has a minimalist and clean interface with three main printing options: Photos, Documents, and Web Pages. The web page printing option is useful for quickly saving web pages as PDFs . You can also customize print settings, including page size, layout, and the number of copies.

NokoPrint is free to use, but frequent users may encounter annoying ads. If you prefer an ad-free experience, you can upgrade to the premium version.

2. LocalSend

You can transfer files between Android and Windows using Phone Link , but it's slow and limited. LocalSend is an open-source, cross-platform utility that makes it easy to share files between Windows, Android, Mac, Linux, and iOS devices using your local Wi-Fi network.

LocalSend has a simple user interface where you can choose to send or receive files from nearby devices. With Quick Save, you can configure the app to automatically accept files from all devices on the local network or only those devices set as favorites. Another handy feature is the ability to share APK files  with friends and family to skip the download process.

3. Google Keep

One of the reasons people prefer Google Keep over other note-taking apps is its location-based reminders. These reminders are especially helpful when you need to remember tasks in specific locations, such as grocery shopping, handling home maintenance over the weekend, or checking tire pressure at the gas station.

To set a location-based reminder, open Google Keep and create a new note. Tap Remind Me (the bell icon) in the top right, select Choose a place , and set a location. You will need to allow location access for this app to run in the background.

Beyond basic note-taking functionality, Google Keep offers powerful features such as real-time transcription, a Chrome extension that lets you save text and images as notes, and seamless integration with Google applications.

4. Proton Pass

Proton Pass is a popular new free password manager, primarily due to its user-friendly interface. A well-designed tool that prioritizes both security and ease of use, it's a great choice for anyone new to password managers.

But looks aren't everything. Proton Pass is an open-source password manager and includes basic features. You can add login information, notes, payment information, and identification information, all protected by end-to-end encryption.

One of its standout features is email alias, which allows you to create a temporary email address to forward messages to your main inbox. This helps protect your real email address when signing up for the service. Proton Pass also supports autofill, works reliably across multiple platforms, and includes Passkey support. Additionally, if you need to share your archive, you can easily do so by sending invitations.

The free version is somewhat limited in the number of email aliases and the number of archives you can have. However, those who want more features can upgrade to one of Proton's premium options.

5. MacroDroid

MacroDroid is one of the first apps you always install on a new Android phone to help automate many mundane actions and app behaviors. It makes it easy to set up triggers and macros for simple actions, such as automatically increasing the volume when a specific app is opened.

Some of my favorite macros include:

1. Turn off notifications when the camera app is open.
2. Extend the lock screen timeout when using the Kindle app.
3. Enable auto-rotate for apps like YouTube, Amazon Prime, and Netflix.
4. Turn off media volume after locking your phone to avoid loud sounds when unlocking for video or voice chat.

Once you're familiar with how the application works, you can create more complex automation features that better suit your needs. Remember to check the Templates tab , where you'll find useful macros created and voted on by other users.

6. Shizuku

Shizuku is an Android tool that allows you to run applications requiring system-level access without rooting your device; at least a large number of them. It uses Android's Wireless ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to allow your application to directly use system APIs. The GitHub repository awesome-shizuku has a long list of applications that can utilize Shizuku's capabilities.

Some of these interesting applications include:

1. Total Commander - The Android version of the popular desktop file manager Total Commander
2. X-Plore - A file manager for accessing Android/data and OBB files.
3. ZArchiver Pro - A full-fledged file archiving tool with discoverability and Shizuku support.
4. Obtainium allows you to download Android app updates without the Google Play Store, directly from sources like GitHub, GitLab, F-Droid, APKPure, RuStore, etc.
5. aShell You - A terminal emulator for executing ADB commands on your device using Shizuku. For example, you can use it to uninstall system apps without using a PC.

7. ScreenZen

There are many ways to avoid pointless social media browsing, but the most effective way is to block apps. ScreenZen is a web-based app/app blocker that helps you better control your app usage habits. You can set app timers and the number of times you can open them, allowing you to use the app for a certain number of times.

Each time you try to open a blocked app, ScreenZen will prompt you to pause and reconsider with a 5-second delay. Usually, this short pause is enough to prevent you from opening the app unintentionally. If you decide to continue, you can use the app for 5 minutes before it automatically closes.

ScreenZen is free to use on Android and iOS devices. You can also make a small one-time donation to help keep the app free. This donation will unlock lifetime free access and allow you to customize the image and colors of your app blocking screen.

Whether you're managing passwords, printing on the go, sharing files securely, or prioritizing your digital well-being, each app here can help make your life easier.