My 5 favorite Android apps for staying organized - and they're all free

4 weeks ago 11

Constantly focusing on efficiency is what keeps me from falling behind in my daily routine. Given how much I write and produce, it's essential that I remain organized and always in the know of what needs to be done.

Because of that, I rely heavily on various Android apps to keep things moving along -- five in particular that I use regularly. Only one of them is included with Android by default (see if you can guess which it is), but the rest are easy to install.

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Let's dive in so you can start using these apps to make your daily grind less prone to disarray.

1. Google Keep - for notes

Yes, there are other note-taking apps out there with more features and even a better UI. But Google Keep strips away all of the complexity so I can focus on the only thing that matters with such an app: taking notes.

I've been using Keep for a very long time, and it has yet to let me down. With Keep, I can take a quick note, pin it to the top of my board if necessary, search for and share notes, and so much more. There's even a handy widget that allows you to add access to all your notes or just your pinned notes to the Android home screen.

Also: How to collaborate on Google Keep lists and why you should

Although I don't use widgets on my phone, I do employ them on Android tablets, and the Keep widget is outstanding. Keep can be installed for free from the Google Play Store.

2. Airtable - for workflows

Airtable is an app that allows you to organize just about anything. But it's more than just a database app. With Airtable, you can actually create your own app to manage and even automate workflows to keep you better organized. You even get dashboards for your databases to give you quick insights into what's happening.

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Yes, Airtable has a slight learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, you'll find it invaluable. I use Airtable to keep track of vinyl albums, various productions, book ideas, and more. There really is no limit to what you can do with this app.

Airtable can be installed and used on Android for free, but you'll be limited to 1,000 records and 1GB of attachments per base, five editors, 100 automation runs, and the interface designer. You can purchase a team plan for $20/seat/month, but the free option is the best bet for individual users.

3. Trello - for project management

Trello is my go-to for keeping all of my crazy projects on track efficiently. I use this app for pitching articles to clients, keeping track of various workflows for writing assignments, and even a very complicated theatre production I'm developing.

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Trello is a fantastic app for organization because it leans heavily into kanban boards, which give you instant feedback on how a project is moving forward. While Trello states it's all about team management, trust me when I say that an individual can also benefit from this app.

You can install Trello from the Google Play store and use it for free.

4. Bitwarden - for passwords

If you're not using a password manager at this point, you are behind the curve. Password managers make it so much easier for you to use strong, unique passwords without having to memorize them, write them down, or allow your browser to save them (which is a big no-no).

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My password manager of choice is Bitwarden. Not only does it run perfectly on Android, but it's also open-source, free to use (with paid plans available for more features), highly secure with end-to-end encryption, and includes all the features I need without the bloat.

I use Bitwarden's auto-fill feature on Android, as opposed to Google's, and it ensures I can more easily log into sites and services without having to worry my credentials will be discovered during the process. Given how many accounts I regularly work with, if Bitwarden wasn't there to lend a helping hand, I would find myself more disorganized than I care to be.

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You can install and use Bitwarden for free from the Google Play Store.

5. Google Calendar - for scheduling

If you guessed Google Calendar as the built-in app I use for organization, you're correct. I've tried other calendar apps that promise to best Google's option, but wind up returning to Google Calendar every time. Part of the reason for that is the user-friendly UI. But what really sells me on Google Calendar is the seamless integration with Android (especially with the virtual assistant - either Google Assistant or Gemini, whichever you use).

No third-party calendar app can match Google's Android integration. I use Google Calendar throughout my day to keep myself organized and on time. You'll find Google Calendar installed by default on Android.