The App Categories You’ll Need On Your Mobile By 2026

2026 is nearly upon us, but have you considered what technology you’ll be using in the New Year? You might want to spend the run-up to January considering whether your mobile phone has the right sort of applications for you and your needs. Here are some of the best types of apps you’ll want on your phone by 2026.

Gaming And Gambling

One of the biggest sectors when it comes to mobile apps is gambling and gaming. There is a different game for everyone, depending on their personal preference. A video game fan of a certain age might try the mobile versions of Rockstar’s iconic and iconoclastic Grand Theft Auto series, while there are such classics as chess, Scrabble, and Monopoly available for people to try. The growth of mobile gaming over the last 10 to 15 years means that some notable game developers have taken the plunge into the world of mobile gaming, so there are more options than ever before. Don’t forget about online casinos and gambling apps, either. These games are getting more and more popular, and people who want to view full details about them have plenty of trustworthy review sites to look at, too. In all, there’s a game for you on your mobile somewhere.

Streaming

Back in the day, there was the monoculture. People mostly listened to the same music, watched the same TV shows and movies, and even read the same books, newspapers, and magazines. Thanks in no small part to the internet, that monoculture is no more. Instead, there is a fragmentation of both popular culture and the content that feeds it. That means you really should get on board with a streaming content app of some description by the time 2026 rolls around. The good news is that there’s no one particular app you need to have. You could go with a long-form streaming giant like Amazon Prime or Netflix, a short-form video app such as TikTok or its many derivatives, or even somewhere in the middle, with the likes of YouTube. The choice is yours.

Shopping

If you want to go to the shops these days, there’s a very real chance that you’ll be doing something online. In 2025, online retail sales are expected to reach into the trillions of dollars, and if you’ve got a smartphone, there’s a very strong chance you’ve contributed to that growth. When you’ve found some online stores that you both like and trust, it may well save you time and hassle if you download their app to your smartphone, if they have one. Regardless, with the majority of online shopping being mobile-first, it makes sense to get straight to the apps. Not only is it often a lot more convenient than going through a website, but some apps also give loyal customers rewards that they wouldn’t get if they didn’t have them. So, whether it’s the major online retailers or marketplaces for independent product creators, a shopping app will help you.

Health And Fitness

A lot of people make getting into shape and keeping fit one of their New Year’s resolutions. If, however, you have a health and fitness app on your mobile by the end of 2025, then you can steal a march on everyone else. Apps that help with your physical fitness are a big deal, and having one of them on your phone is seen as being pretty much essential if you’re interested in exercise. Luckily, though, there are plenty of options. With a range of apps that can give you personalized workout plans, down to a simple yet addictive steps tracker, not to mention ones that can track your diet or your sleep patterns, your phone can keep you healthy with the right app.

Transport And Navigation

Maybe 2026 is going to be the year when you’ll get out of your present surroundings and see more of the world. If that’s something you are hoping for, then you might well benefit from having a navigation or transportation app on your phone. While Androids have Google Maps and iPhones have Apple Maps, the likes of Waze make navigation a bit more social. With that app, you can let people track you when you’re on your way to or from them. Similarly, there are a lot of ride-hailing and car-sharing apps out there, so you can go where you need to thanks to your phone.