New essential Android apps thread

I absolutely love Automate Android, it's like Tasker but more visual. Unfortunately apps like these are getting nerfed as time goes on due to changes to Android.

Just for fun, I made a 'flow' that listens for an Android Auto, or Bluetooth connection (Bluetooth only wasn't firing the flow and I assume it's the handhake being different if the BT connection is initiated b Android Auto). When a connection is seen, it starts another flow that listens for 'ETA postcode' via WhatsApp, it then quieries a Google API using my current location and the postcode to get an ETA to the postcode from where I am via driving. There's some fail safe checks in there such as pinging Google before trying to query the API.

I've also made it reverse Geocode my location on connection to the car, POST to a Google Sheet AppScript, which logs the date, time and address at the start and end of the trip.
This is for claiming mileage via P87 and whilst I have TripLog that records my trips and mileage, i'm not using the paid version to download the reports to easily get the trips as part of the P87 backup.

This is the flow just for listening for the car connection:
 
Disco_P said:

Private DNS Quick Setting​


If you're using a custom "private" DNS (and you should be), some wifi networks block the DoT requests and so your connection drops. This lets you toggle the private DNS on and off via a quick settings tile rather than having to go through the settings.
Click to expand...
Didn't realise this was on the Play store too, was using the F-droid version. Definitely handy since I found there was some public WiFi hotspots weirdly blocked private DNS, this makes it much quicker to toggle on/off.
 
Are there any alternatives to the National Rail app? I used it for platform numbers and whether the departures are on time or delayed. With my poor eyesight, getting info on a phone screen was usually better for me than the station's display boards which are often high up. The app has been great for years.

Then late last year or early this year, an update got pushed out and it now crashes to desktop within 1-2 minutes of use without an error message. This is across 3 devices - my S23U and S26U and my friend's S21U so I know it's not an issue with the devices. It also displays ads where I had previously paid to remove them. I'm not paying again in principle as app purchases should be tied to my Google (Play) account. The text is pretty unreadable now too even though text size and screen zoom are both set to max.
 
Pawnless Endgame said:
Are there any alternatives to the National Rail app? I used it for platform numbers and whether the departures are on time or delayed. With my poor eyesight, getting info on a phone screen was usually better for me than the station's display boards which are often high up. The app has been great for years.

Then late last year or early this year, an update got pushed out and it now crashes to desktop within 1-2 minutes of use without an error message. This is across 3 devices - my S23U and S26U and my friend's S21U so I know it's not an issue with the devices. It also displays ads where I had previously paid to remove them. I'm not paying again in principle as app purchases should be tied to my Google (Play) account. The text is pretty unreadable now too even though text size and screen zoom are both set to max.
Click to expand...

Try Trainline

I use Google Maps a lot for times/platforms.
I've just been to Edinburgh and Tweedbank and Google Maps was spot on for times/platforms
 
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Pawnless Endgame said:
Are there any alternatives to the National Rail app? I used it for platform numbers and whether the departures are on time or delayed. With my poor eyesight, getting info on a phone screen was usually better for me than the station's display boards which are often high up. The app has been great for years.

Then late last year or early this year, an update got pushed out and it now crashes to desktop within 1-2 minutes of use without an error message. This is across 3 devices - my S23U and S26U and my friend's S21U so I know it's not an issue with the devices. It also displays ads where I had previously paid to remove them. I'm not paying again in principle as app purchases should be tied to my Google (Play) account. The text is pretty unreadable now too even though text size and screen zoom are both set to max.
Click to expand...
Railchecker

play.google.com

RailChecker - Live Train Times - Apps on Google Play

Your app for live UK train times, formations and crowding
play.google.com play.google.com
 
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Pawnless Endgame said:
Thanks both :-) I knew thetrainline already as a web site but didn't know there was also an app for it. Will also check out RailChecker. I didn't know Google Maps can also provide train times.
Click to expand...

Maps also shows you the stops, same with bus journeys.
So for example on Friday we went from Tweedbank to Edinburgh on the train and I could see 8 white dots on the screen for station stops.
I know you have sight problems so hopefully you might be able to see them.
You can even buy the tickets through Google Maps.


Screenshot_20260504_113413_Maps.jpg


Screenshot_20260504_113427_Maps.jpg


Screenshot_20260504_113500_Maps.jpg
 
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What music apps are most popular? I don't use my phone for a lot other than calls and texting but would like to put music on it, or start streaming?
 
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Wizzfizz said:
What music apps are most popular? I don't use my phone for a lot other than calls and texting but would like to put music on it, or start streaming?
Click to expand...

For offline / old school organised folders of music, I use foldplay
play.google.com

Foldplay: Folder Music Player – Apps on Google Play

A feature-rich music player that respects your folders.
play.google.com play.google.com

Does exactly what I need - just point it at a folder e.g. in my case I have my music as "Music\Artist\Album\CDn\<flac files>" so I can either point it at an Artist or Album folder and then it will play the whole lot. Can also point at my root Music folder and hit random to have it pick from the whole lot.
 
I'm also still using Poweramp, did try a few others but always went back to it. I got the paid version years back though when it was on sale.
 
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