Hidden Google Apps: 3 Gems You Should Try Today! ✨
Let's be honest, most of us don't usually look beyond the standard Google apps. But if you like exploring alternatives, there's a world of little-known Google apps you probably haven't tried yet. 🚀
And no, I'm not referring to Area 120 experiments. I'm talking about official, full-featured apps officially released by Google that offer unique features. In some cases, they even surpass the main apps.
Here are three apps I use constantly. They don't usually get the spotlight, but they definitely deserve a spot on your home screen. Let's check them out! 👇
Gallery: A Simple and Quick Gallery
To clarify: Gallery is not Google Photos. It's a standalone Google app that isn't connected to the cloud, doesn't back up, and doesn't offer an AI photo assistant. It's a classic, simple gallery, perfect for those looking for speed and simplicity.
Why use Gallery if Google Photos already exists?
Sometimes you just want to open your phone and quickly see your latest captures, downloads, or photos without any extra layers. Google Photos is great for backups, smart suggestions, and organizing memories, but it does a lot.
If you're looking for a clean, local, and clutter-free view, Gallery is perfect. It has everything you need to browse your images without clutter or cloud storage.
Open the app and your last saved or captured content will appear instantly. Want to find that WhatsApp meme? Just tap the WhatsApp folder.
Works offline, fast, and protects your privacy
Gallery works offline, with no syncing or tracking. The first time you use it, it scans your device to locate media files, which may take a while with a lot of content.
Afterwards, it works smoothly and quickly. It's ideal for viewing screenshots, social media folders, or quickly browsing your images without the hassle of Photos. For me, Google Photos is for backups and editing; Gallery is my daily photo viewer.
Google Go: Fast and Functional Search
This app started out as a budget phone app for emerging markets. However, Google Go has become one of my favorites. alternative to the main Google app, especially for two key reasons.
Search bar below: convenience at last!
When you open Google Go, the first thing you notice is the search bar at the bottom. It seems like a small detail, but it greatly improves usability, especially on larger phones like the OnePlus 13 or Galaxy S25 Ultra.
In most apps, you have to extend your thumb to start a search. Google Go solves this problem by making it convenient, accessible, and fast for one-handed use.
Instant incognito search
With just one tap, you can perform a search that won't be saved to your history. You don't need to open Chrome, open new tabs, or deal with cookies. It works right from the app, and that simplicity is key to keeping you coming back for more every day.
Some details you should know
Not everything is perfect: The app doesn't support full dark mode, although the results page does, which can be inconvenient. Furthermore, its development is somewhat halted, with few recent updates.
However, Android Go continues to grow, so we hope Google will soon update this app, which is so useful in terms of design and functionality.
Photoscan: Digitize Your Paper Memories
If you have old printed photos stored in albums, frames, or boxes, Photoscan is an essential tool for digitizing them with professional quality.
Photoscan doesn't just point the camera. It guides you through a scan at four different points, captures the photo from multiple angles, and combines the images to remove reflections and straighten the digital photo.
Much better than taking a normal photo
I've used it to digitize many family photos, and I even taught my mom how to use it. It's so intuitive that anyone can achieve professional results without reflections, crooked angles, or manual cropping.
You can save the scanned photos to your phone or send them to Google Photos for backup. It doesn't include editing tools because it doesn't need them; it does its job perfectly.
Photoscan isn't an app for everyday use, but when you need it, it's invaluable. To preserve your old family memories, this is the ideal app! 📸
Honorable Mentions: Other Google Apps to Try
These three are my favorites, but I can't help but mention a couple more that are worth checking out. 🌟
Google Maps Go
A lightweight version of Google Maps, designed for basic phones, but useful even on advanced devices. I sometimes use it to search for nearby restaurants or information without interrupting navigation in the main app.
You can search for restaurants, view photos, menus, and reviews without pausing active browsing. Just keep in mind that Maps Go does not activate navigation step by step automatically.
Snapseed
A powerful photo editor that has fallen somewhat under the radar. Although some features have been integrated into Google Photos, Snapseed remains the best option for manual editing with full control.
It offers curves, brushes, healing tools, and precise adjustments. No cloud connection, no ads, just clean, professional editing at your fingertips.
Have you tried any of these apps yet? Tell us about your experience! And if you know of any other hidden gems or apps on Google Play, leave them in the comments. 🔍✨ I'm always looking for new tools to recommend and try.
