If you’ve got a teenager in the house, chances are their phone feels like a permanent extension of their hand. Rather than fighting it, here’s a way to turn that screen time into something a bit more useful — a round-up of handy, free apps that can genuinely make your teen’s daily life easier (and maybe even save you both some money).
Phones get a bad reputation, but they’re not all bad news. Plenty of teenagers say texting and messaging feel more comfortable than face-to-face chat, and many feel that having a phone helps them stay connected to parents and feel safer when they’re out and about. So instead of worrying about the phone itself, it’s worth making sure the apps on it are actually pulling their weight.
Here are ten free apps worth having on your teen’s phone.
1. Find My Phone
Let’s be honest — teenagers lose things. There’s going to come a day when that phone goes missing somewhere in the depths of their bedroom, or gets left behind at a friend’s house. A “find my phone” app means it doesn’t have to stay lost.
If your teen has an iPhone, the Find My app lets them use another Apple device to locate it on a map, play a sound to help track it down, lock it remotely, or wipe it if it’s genuinely gone. Android has equivalent built-in device-finding tools too.
And if the phone itself takes a tumble, it’s worth knowing there are independent repair specialists, such as LoveFone, who can help.
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2. AroundMe
Handy for teenagers who are travelling, staying with friends, or heading off to college, AroundMe highlights nearby restaurants, shops, cash machines and hotels, and gives directions once you’ve picked somewhere.
Available on iOS & Android
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3. WhatsApp
Plenty of parents end up covering part or all of a teenager’s mobile bill, so anything that helps keep costs down is worth having.
WhatsApp uses Wi-Fi or data rather than your SMS allowance, and lets your teen send photo messages and chat in groups for free — handy for planning a night out or keeping in touch with family further afield.
NB: WhatsApp has a recommended minimum age of 16.
Available on iOS & Android
Viber is a similar alternative, recommended from age 13+. As with any messaging app, the main thing to be aware of is the possibility of contact from strangers.
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4. Mobile banking
Most banks now offer a mobile banking app, so whatever bank your teen uses, they can check their balance, transfer money and pay bills on the go. It’s a simple way to help them build good money habits early — even if you still get the odd phone call when they’ve run out of funds.
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5. All Recipes
The All Recipes app pulls together recipes, tips and reviews in one place, making it a great option if your teen is away at college, or if you’re just trying to get them cooking a bit more before they fly the nest. Let them show off their new kitchen skills while you put your feet up.
6. Wi-Fi Finder
Phone plans are pricier than ever, and nobody wants to burn through a monthly data allowance unnecessarily. A Wi-Fi finder app does exactly what it says — it hunts down free Wi-Fi nearby so your teen doesn’t have to.
Available on iOS & Android
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7. Google Maps
Most phones have a built-in maps feature, but Google Maps remains one of the easiest ways to find your way around somewhere new. Street View and voice-guided navigation make it hard for even the most directionally-challenged teenager to get lost.
8. Dropbox
Dropbox is a simple way to move files between a phone and a laptop or computer — lecture notes, photos, even video. Drop the files into a folder and they’re accessible from any device, with the option to save them for offline viewing too.
Available on iOS & Android
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9. 1Password
Remembering passwords is hard enough for adults, let alone teenagers juggling logins for dozens of apps. A password manager like 1Password keeps everything stored securely behind one master password, so they’re not stuck resetting forgotten logins every other day.
Available on iOS & Android — check the app listing for current pricing and free-tier details, as password manager plans do change from time to time.
10. Pandora Radio
Teenagers do love their music, especially when it’s free. Pandora is an internet radio app that’s great for discovering new artists, letting your teen build personalised stations around the music they already love. Availability can vary by country, so it’s worth checking the app store listing to confirm it works where you are before your teen sets their heart on it.
Available on iOS & Android
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are these apps really free?
All ten started life as free downloads, and most remain free to use for their core features. A few, like password managers, sometimes offer paid tiers for extra features — it’s worth checking the current listing in the app store before your teen installs anything.
Are these apps safe for teenagers to use?
Most are safe for everyday use, but messaging apps like WhatsApp and Viber do carry the usual risks of any app that lets strangers make contact. It’s worth having a conversation with your teen about privacy settings and who they’re chatting to, alongside using any parental controls your phone or provider offers.
What age are these apps suitable for?
Most of these apps don’t have a strict age requirement, but messaging apps do — WhatsApp recommends 16+, and Viber recommends 13+. Always check the age rating in the app store, as these can be updated by the developer.
Do I need to set up parental controls as well as installing these apps?
Yes, it’s a good idea. These apps are designed to make everyday tasks easier, but they don’t replace basic phone safety settings. Combining useful apps with sensible parental controls gives you the best of both.
Related Articles
- Choosing a Mobile Phone for Your Child
- Putting Parental Controls on Your Child’s Mobile Device
- 11 Money Management Tips for Your Teen
- Keeping Your Kids Safe Online: 11 Apps and Sites to Be Aware Of
- Screen Time: How Much is Too Much for Kids?
- You Know You Have a Teenager When…
Save These Ideas
No printable this time, but it’s worth bookmarking this page or saving it to your phone’s notes so you have the list handy when you’re setting up (or tidying up) your teen’s apps.
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Tell us in the comments — what apps would you add to this list for teens?
