To start using a smartphone at an older age is not always easy. However this is not just some modern gadget, but a way to ensure safety and independence for the user that they would not have had access to otherwise. It’s important to be comfortable with these apps before they become a necessity! This list is compiled with our current clients in mind and includes a few Irish apps relevant to everyday living here.
Health and emergency
COVID tracker
COVID Tracker is a free app for your mobile phone. It will help us to protect each other and slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ireland. Using the COVID Tracker app along with the existing public health measures will help us all stay safe when we meet up, socialise, work or travel.
The app can:
– alert you if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
– advise you on what to do to protect yourself and others
– alert other app users that you were in close contact with, if you test positive for COVID-19
Download for Android
Download for IPhone
ICE
ICE Medical Standard App lets you put your Emergency Medical Contact Information on Your Smartphone’s Lock Screen Image Overlay Display, if you are in an Accident, First Responder’s, EMS, EMTs, FEMA, and ER Staff can find Your Emergency Medical Contact Information as soon as they turn on your Smartphone.
Download for Android
Download for IPhone
My therapy
MyTherapy is an ad-free, award-winning pill reminder and medication tracker. Combining a pill tracker, mood tracker, and a health journal, MyTherapy enables you and your doctor to put your treatment’s success into perspective.
Download for Android
Download for IPhone
Red panic button
You are in trouble? Press the Red Panic Button! You just have to set a panic number and the phone will send a SMS which contains a Google Maps link with your location (GPS or Network based coordinates).
Download for Android
Download for IPhone
Communication
WhatsApp
WhatsApp from Facebook is a FREE messaging and video calling app. It’s used by over 2B people in more than 180 countries. It’s simple, reliable, and private, so you can easily keep in touch with your friends and family. WhatsApp works across mobile and desktop even on slow connections, with no subscription fees.
Download for Android
Download for IPhone
Facebook
Connect with friends, family and people who share the same interests as you. Communicate privately, watch your favorite content, buy and sell items or just spend time with your community. On Facebook, keeping up with the people who matter most is easy. Discover, enjoy and do more together. For those who do not want to be social, but do like to see pictures of close family – you can create privacy settings that will not allow others to send friend requests your profile, you do not have to add your profile picture and you can switch off the possibility of being tagged.
Download for Android
Download for IPhone
WebEx
Meet Anywhere Anytime. Enjoy a rich meeting experience with background noise cancellation, high-quality video, integrated audio, and content sharing on the go. HSE Ireland is using WebEx for consultations which is a good reason to be comfortable with this app.
Download for Android
Download for IPhone
Travel and maps
Google maps
Navigate your world faster and easier with Google Maps. Over 220 countries and territories mapped and hundreds of millions of businesses and places on the map. Get real-time GPS navigation, traffic, and transit info, and find what you need by getting the latest information on businesses, including grocery stores, pharmacies and other important places.
Download for Android
Download for IPhone
Real time Ireland
The app provides live Luas, bus, train and DART times, helping you plan your journey on the TFI public transport network.
Download for Android
Download for IPhone
Free Now
FREE NOW (formerly mytaxi) is Irelands no.1 licensed taxi hailing app which is also in over 100 cities across Europe. It’s a quick and easy way to move around your city!
Download for Android
Download for IPhone
Handy tools
Magnifying glass & light
The Simplest, Easiest-to-Use Magnifying Glass in the App Store – Flashlight (LED Torch Light) and Digital Magnifier to read restaurant menus prescription labels and ingredient lists on packaging.
Download for Android
Download for IPhone
Last pass
LastPass is a password manager that securely stores your passwords and personal information in a secure vault. As you visit apps and sites, LastPass autofills your login credentials. All you have to do is remember your LastPass master password, and LastPass will autofill logins for you.
Download for Android
Download for IPhone
PDF scanner
Free Document Scanner & Scan PDF, if you need to scan multiple documents, open your smartphone, and enjoy high-quality document scanner on your device with just one tap using PDF scanner. Scan your PDF document anytime, anywhere. The fast document scanner and PDF creator allow you to quickly scan any type of personal files in your office, universities, class notes, and anything that needs to be on your device.
Download for Android
Download for IPhone
Organise life
Online banking
In order to maintain financial overview and independence, get used to banking from your smartphone. Al Irish banks have apps to check your current balance, make payments and block your card in case of loss or theft. Visit the website of your bank to read more about internet banking for your own accounts. Be sure to have a trusted person set up your online banking profile.
Calendar
Your phone comes standard with a calendar app. In this app you can add appointment, import another calendar (such as Irish public holidays) and birthdays. You can create “whole day” events, events of specific time, repeat event and even events over several days.
Tesco
Shop straight from the app, receive coupons to use both online and in-store and even scan your Clubcard from your phone. It will make shopping online and in-store quicker by having everything you need in one easy to use app. Choose from Home Delivery or Click+Collect and get your shopping in the way that suits you, even if you cannot leave the house or even your bed.
Download for Android
Download for IPhone
Amazon
Shop millions of products, fashion, books, toys, home appliances, sport accessories and much more. Send presents or gift vouchers to the other side of the world without having to rely on international postal services. Be careful to accept Amazon Prime – the app gives you a month free but if you don’t forget to cancel it will debit about €10 automatically.
Download for Android
Download for IPhone
Revolut
From payments to transfers, savings to investments Revolut offers similar to a normal bank account. We recommend to use Revolut for online shopping to ensure you will never lose more than the amount you put into this account. Very easy to connect to Apple Pay (pay with your phone) and sending and requesting money with a link, ensuring you pay the right person.
Download for Android
Download for IPhone