If you could only keep one app on your phone, what would it be?
5brike405/9/2025, 8:31:06 AM
Imagine if you were allowed to use only one single application for your whole life. Who would you pick?
Comments (40)
runjake · 33d ago
The web browser of course. It can do most anything an app can do including taking photos and recording audio.
I don’t know if there is another correct answer, right?
barnacl437 · 32d ago
yeah as long as you have given it sufficient permissions.
but actually i dont know if it does count default apps already come with phone, otherwise you'll already get a shiny ooh quality neat-looking (not guaranteed) camera app for better use.
paulcole · 33d ago
I mean this is like picking “satellite phone” if you could take one thing to a desert island with you. Kind of a boring answer even if it’s technically correct.
walthamstow · 33d ago
Google Maps or OSMAnd, assuming I get phone calls and texts for free.
Banking I can do on a computer, I live in a place with great public transport so losing Uber would not be the end of the world
Quinzel · 33d ago
Safari. Because at least you can access most other services from that. The navigation might be a bit shit, but you’re still connected.
owebmaster · 33d ago
Definitely not safari because its PWA implemention is lame.
brike · 33d ago
cheater....
dcminter · 33d ago
I mean "Firefox" was my first thought too, I blame the question ;)
Assuming pre-installed stuff is a given (in which case I guess I'm managing with Chrome) then here in Sweden I'd have to go with BankID so I could still do ecommerce stuff.
beAbU · 33d ago
OP, from your replies here it seems you came into this with your own opinions.
What is the one app you would keep, and why is it ChatGPT?
paulcole · 33d ago
I’ll try to not be boring here with my answer.
If I could only do one thing with my phone (app-wise) it’d either be music or podcasts. If I had to pick one, I’d go with podcasts.
So I’m going to say my podcast app of choice, OverCast.
Kuyawa · 33d ago
Brave. I could access the whole world with it, no ads, AI at my fingertips, maps, banks, crypto wallets, chats, apps, there is absolutely nothing I can't do and if there is, I'd build it.
Bender · 33d ago
SMS/Texting. All I use the phone for is voice and text. In fact I miss my old Danger Sidekick II for its nice physical keyboard, tiny phone with a slide-up screen. It was perfect for me.
anenefan · 33d ago
I'm in a very rural area so the first on any cheapie android phones is a good GPS program - doesn't need mobile network coverage to get position, time and speed of travel.
koliber · 33d ago
Notion.
Or the Telephone app that allows me to make phone calls, if we are pedantic.
d--b · 32d ago
2 Factor authentication.
I can do everything else on dumb phone + computer + camera, but 2FA is the reason I simply cannot drop the smartphone.
ValdikSS · 32d ago
There are feature phones which support applications (not Android-based), but indeed nobody made an OTP authenticator for it.
cypherg · 32d ago
Instagram because it's by far the app that gets the most use on an hour by hour basis. Endless content plus messaging.
codingdave · 33d ago
Merlin Bird ID.
I can do everything else at home on my PC.
barnacl437 · 32d ago
does it count default basic apps already installed on phones? otherwise it wouldnt even form a thing. well, as most others, a browser.
but i think i am NOT a person for one-app phone. i tend to install a lot and just throw em off the memory lane.
ValdikSS · 33d ago
Email client I guess.
Basically the only thing I really miss in the feature phones is email client.
mikewarot · 32d ago
The actual phone call app, of course. It's not really a phone without it.
hulitu · 32d ago
> If you could only keep one app on your phone, what would it be?
The phone app.
almosthere · 33d ago
assuming Phone is just a feature not an app, then maps
brike · 33d ago
interesting, I thought people are going to mention Notion, ChatGPT, tasks, but now maps:)
why it's the main app that you need? are you travelling a lot?
dcminter · 33d ago
> I thought people are going to mention Notion, ChatGPT, tasks ...
I'd bet good money that most people have neither Notion nor ChatGPT apps installed on their phones. How many people do you think don't use Maps or an equivalent whenever they're away from home?
rolph · 33d ago
maps are the most useful on phone as you tend to take maps with you.
most other apps are sedentary.
swah · 33d ago
Whatsapp but if I had no family then Safari.
pajko · 33d ago
OsmAnd+
tobinfekkes · 33d ago
1password
BOOSTERHIDROGEN · 33d ago
Ticktick
chistev · 33d ago
Chrome
cafard · 33d ago
Weather.
AznHisoka · 33d ago
My MFA app
shakna · 33d ago
Messages.
cranberryturkey · 33d ago
safari
brike · 33d ago
why not chatGPT/Claude etc?
cranberryturkey · 33d ago
i can do that with safari
davydm · 33d ago
Banking - no ways I want to waste time at a physical bank.
Sure, I'd miss all the messaging channels, but I could tell people they can only sms me.
KomoD · 33d ago
> but I could tell people they can only sms me.
Well, you wouldn't be able to keep the messages app would you? So they can't :)
brike · 33d ago
you had to have millions on your bank account if it's the most important app for you:)
I don’t know if there is another correct answer, right?
Banking I can do on a computer, I live in a place with great public transport so losing Uber would not be the end of the world
Assuming pre-installed stuff is a given (in which case I guess I'm managing with Chrome) then here in Sweden I'd have to go with BankID so I could still do ecommerce stuff.
What is the one app you would keep, and why is it ChatGPT?
If I could only do one thing with my phone (app-wise) it’d either be music or podcasts. If I had to pick one, I’d go with podcasts.
So I’m going to say my podcast app of choice, OverCast.
Or the Telephone app that allows me to make phone calls, if we are pedantic.
I can do everything else on dumb phone + computer + camera, but 2FA is the reason I simply cannot drop the smartphone.
I can do everything else at home on my PC.
but i think i am NOT a person for one-app phone. i tend to install a lot and just throw em off the memory lane.
Basically the only thing I really miss in the feature phones is email client.
The phone app.
why it's the main app that you need? are you travelling a lot?
I'd bet good money that most people have neither Notion nor ChatGPT apps installed on their phones. How many people do you think don't use Maps or an equivalent whenever they're away from home?
most other apps are sedentary.
Sure, I'd miss all the messaging channels, but I could tell people they can only sms me.
Well, you wouldn't be able to keep the messages app would you? So they can't :)