Top App Recommendations for 2017

In 2017, Android smartphone users were able to choose among 2.8 million available apps. Apple’s App store offered 2.2 million. Finding the ones that add value to your daily life is a wonderful, but often times overwhelming, part of the modern technology landscape.

I’ve talked about a lot of apps on our blog this year, and thought it might be helpful to highlight some of the ones that I enjoyed most. I encourage everyone to explore and find their own favorites—there is literally something for everyone out there. But here are four that I found especially useful.

While there are plenty of terrific options for cloud storage, Google Photos for iPhone and Android is, in my book, the handiest. It offers unlimited storage, and allows you to find, sort, and share your photos easily, freeing up space on your device for other things.

To truly jazz up my photos and videos, I adore Apple Clips for iPhone. I use it to make fun, short video clips, to which I can add text, filters, emojis, and more. It’s easy to use, and it really lets you get creative.

I’m a big fan of apps that help you stay organized. My current favorite is Todoist for Android and iPhone. It’s the most comprehensive and user-friendly app I’ve found for keeping track of everything from errands I need to run to saving receipts to making a grocery list. You can even sync the app with your favorite calendar.

And while you’re out and about, here’s how you can make your steps count: try the Charity Miles tracker app for Android and iPhone. As you accumulate steps, the app converts them into matching donations from corporate sponsors to more than 40 charities you select from.

It would be easy to go on and on, with apps for news, weather, shopping—you name it. The options are pretty much endless! Don’t hesitate to dive in and try a few of your own.

32 Thoughts on "Top App Recommendations for 2017"

  1. David Nance says

    How do you activate a phone if you don’t have a phone? Can’t you do it online? and don’t take 5 days to reply.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      You can indeed activate your new phone online, David. Once you receive your device, please login to My Account. You’ll see a message alert regarding activating your phone, then just follow the steps provided. It’s that easy. We’re always happy to answer any other questions you may have at 888-345-5509 if you like. Thank you for commenting, and we hope you have a great day!

  2. Sheryl-Kay Hall says

    Sales person was very nice and helpful on what phone I should get. I wish I could remember her name but you can look up my account and find it

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      That’s great to hear, Sheryl-Kay! I reviewed your account, and it looks like Tayler, our account advisor, was the person who assisted you. I’ll be happy to pass your kind words on the their supervisor. We appreciate you posting, and we hope you have a wonderful day!

  3. Robert atkinson says

    If I close a Verizon account still under contract ,can I change to consumer Cellular using same phone ?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for posting, Robert! In many cases, you can use an unlocked, GSM phone with our service by using our SIM card. You can watch a video here to see how easy it is. You’ll want to check with your previous carrier that your phone will be unlocked, as unfortunately, we aren’t able to do that for you. We also recommend that you verify any cancellation fees before porting your phone number to our service. If you have any other questions or concerns about making the switch, please don’t hesitate to call us at 888-345-5509. We’ll be happy to assist you! Thank you again for reaching out to us, and we hope you have a lovely day!

  4. Parry sharma says

    I do not remember the name of the helpful person who helped on Dec 5th to add one additional line to my account. In spite of complications she involved the third party and resolved the SIM card issues. Thanks to her for her help.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      We very much appreciate you posting, Parry! I’ve reviewed your account, and it looks like Mandy was the account advisor who assisted you. We will be sure to recognize her for her hard work. If we can assist you with anything else at this time, please don’t hesitate to call us at 888-345-5509. Thank you for taking the time to recognize a member of our team, and we hope you have a lovely day!

  5. sue jarvis says

    if we purchase through a store do they help u set up your phone

    • Thanks for asking, Sue. We don’t have Consumer Cellular stores, but you can visit a Target store and purchase many of our phones there. They will even answer questions you may have and help you sign up on the spot. To find the nearest Target store, check out our Store Locator page here. If you have any questions about our phones or our plans, please feel free to call us at 888-345-5509. We appreciate you posting!

  6. Edmond says

    If they don’t support Microsoft phones, they aren’t really a cellphone company.

    • Hi Edmond, thanks for your comment. If your phone is unlocked and uses a SIM card you may be able to use it with our service. This includes devices used previously with T-Mobile or AT&T. Please understand that while our Customer Service representatives do everything they can to help solve problems, we can’t guarantee every cellphone model can be configured with our service. The best way to know if your phone works with our SIM card is to try it, risk-free. You can pick up our SIM card at your local Target store, order it on our website or we can help you over the phone at 888-345-5509. Please don’t hesitate to call us if you have any questions as well. We appreciate you posting, and we hope you have a great day!

  7. Linda says

    Does this give you WiFi also or do u still have to purchase a carrier

    • Thanks for your question, Linda. We offer cellular service for different types of phones and devices including smartphones with cellular data. If you’re interested in a ZTE Mobile Hotspot for Wi-Fi service, we offer that as well. You can review additional details about our plans and services here. Let us know if you have any other questions and have a great day!

  8. Thomas Atkinson says

    Just a note to thank you for fixing my phone! The last update you sent solved the problem. Everything now works! Thanks so very much.

  9. Enrique says

    Is there a limit to the number of lines on one account? I currently have five on my AT&T account.
    Is there any way to select which of the phones on the account can share in the data plan? Two phones on my current account don’t intentionally use data but somehow manage to eat up some. They prefer the look and feel of smartphones or I’d just limit them to dumb phones.

    • I’m happy to answer these questions, Enrique! Smartphones can use data in the background to keep apps and features updated. The best way to restrict that is to turn off cellular data in the phone settings. All of the lines on your account would share your selected rate plans, including data, and each additional line is $15 per month. For brand new customers, the total number of lines on an account starts at three and based on credit approval can be higher or can go up after being on service for an additional period time. Our sales representatives will be happy to answer any additional questions you have; we can be reached at 888-345-5509. Thanks and have a great day!

  10. Tammy Williams Roark says

    I am currently with Sprint and I am thinking about closing my account with Sprint and going with Consumer Cellular. Do you happen to buy back iphone? I currently have a iphone 6 plus. Thanks, Tammy

    • Great question, Tammy! While we don’t have a buyback program, you may be able to use your iPhone 6 Plus with our service. If your iPhone is unlocked and takes a SIM card it should work, but you may need to contact your carrier to have it unlocked. Once that’s done, you can test it with one of our SIM cards which can be found at your local Target store, ordered online here or over the phone at 888-345-5509. It’s risk-free, and simple to do. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about our SIM card or our service, so please don’t hesitate to give us a call. We appreciate you taking the time to reach out to us, and we hope you have a great day!

  11. Terry Kreiling says

    Been trying to contact support of Consumer Cellular for 2 days with NO results. Not a happy customer!

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      We apologize for the wait you experienced, Terry, and we very much appreciate your patience. I reviewed your account, and I see that we were able to verify that a new SIM card was in order. If we can be of any further assistance to you at this time or help you with any other concerns, please don’t hesitate to call us at 888-345-5509 at your convenience. Thank you for posting, and we hope you have a great day!

  12. Fred Garwacki says

    Can you keep your existing phone #?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Great question, Fred! You can keep your number and it is very simple to do. Just be sure to keep your previous account open until we have verified that the number transfer is complete. To make sure we have all of the correct information, it’s best to have an invoice on hand when you call us to sign up for service. To get started, or if we can answer any other questions you may have, please call us at 888-345-5509. Thank you for posting, and we hope you have a great day!

  13. Thomas Sandknop says

    We have I pads and I phones with ATT
    Can these be converted to work with your service?
    Any problems?
    The cost?
    Thanks for your time

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      That’s a great question, Thomas! In most cases, devices used previously with AT&T can be used with our SIM cards as long as they have been fully unlocked by the original carrier. You’ll just need one of our SIM cards for each device. You can learn more about how this works here on our website. As for the monthly cost, you’ll need one of our Voice and Connect plans, which you can view here. With our flexible plans, you can always increase or decrease your plan as needed! If we can help you get started or if we can answer any other questions, please don’t hesitate to call us at 888-345-5509. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about us today, and we look forward to speaking with you soon!

  14. Stephanie L. Hilton says

    This has been the worst experience ever. I have been trying to activate my dad’s phone for over 3 hours. No activation code on back of the box, no automation, no call-back, just waiting on the phone for hours for someone to pick up and when they do, it’s the sales department. They transfer for another hour wait. We are seriously still waiting!! I will be warning everyone I know about this horrible scam.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for posting, Stephanie. We’re sorry to hear that your father has had a difficult time activating his phone. I see that we were assisting you via Facebook, and that we tried to call you so that we could assist you with your father’s account. Our account advisor was able to leave you a voicemail, and are happy to help you at 888-345-5509 as needed. We appreciate your patience, and we look forward to assisting you soon!

  15. WILLIAM ANDERSON says

    The Consumer tec. informed me the Doro 824 had a problem he could not repair so I threw the phone away. I have an old Samsung sgh-t199. This why I ask about the sim card, thank you very much.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for posting, William. I reviewed your account, and I see that Arnold, our account advisor, was able to assist you with the SIM card you purchased from Target. If we can be of any further help to you at this time, please don’t hesitate to call us at 888-345-5509. We appreciate you reaching out to us, and we hope you have a lovely day!

  16. Pamela Blinn says

    Why can I not make or receive calls? I tried calling from my husband’s phone and mine did not ring but voicemail picked up. I tried calling you with my husband’s phone but it wouldn’t ring through. I need to have phone service!

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      We appreciate you posting today, Pamela! Please turn your phones off, then back on again. This works best if you are near a window or outdoors. It will reset the connection between your phone and the tower nearest your location. If that doesn’t resolve the problem, we’re happy to investigate further and see if there are any outages in your area. We’re available to help you at 888-345-5509 if needed. Thank you for reaching out to us today!