When freshly settled in the UK, you’re looking for ways to ease into British life smoothly. In times like these, your phone is your best mate, connecting you to many essential services. From finding the nearest GP to sorting out your weekly shop, installing the correct set of apps can make the transition easier. This can mean quicker access to local family-friendly activities, healthcare services, and educational resources to help the adjustment for young families.
So, let’s set you up with some of the best UK apps to enjoy this exciting new chapter with less stress and more confidence.
Shopping Apps
Shopping apps can help you manage your grocery needs and snag fantastic deals. They make the shopping experience seamless, saving you both time and money. Some of the best UK shopping apps are:
- Tesco Grocery & Clubcard: This app has a click-and-collect service and home delivery and is intuitive and user-friendly. Joining their loyalty program gives you savings on your shopping and even fuel discounts.
App available for iOS and Android
- ASDA – Your go-to for keeping costs down without compromising on the variety or quantity of products. Their app is straightforward, ensuring you can easily find what you need at very reasonable prices.
App available for iOS and Android
- Ocado – This app prides itself on delivering convenience straight to your doorstep. It offers a wide range of high-quality products, including some hard-to-find items.
App available for iOS and Android - Waitrose & Partners – They offer an app experience centred around premium products and top-notch groceries. You can indulge in some finer things or maintain a specific dietary preference.
App available for iOS and Android
Food Delivery Apps
When juggling family life and all its demands, finding the time to cook every meal from scratch can seem impossible. Food delivery apps can be a lifesaver here, giving you access to many meals without spending ages in the kitchen. Some of the most used UK food delivery apps are:
- Uber Eats – This app offers a wide selection of restaurants and eateries and has fast delivery times, so you won’t wait long for the food. It’s a user-friendly and easy-to-navigate app.
App available for iOS and Android - Deliveroo – Alongside the broad selection of cuisines, this app offers frequent special deals and discounts. The app is intuitive and very easy to figure out.
App available for iOS and Android
Finance and Payment Apps
Managing your finances and sorting payments in a new country can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, there are many apps out there that seriously simplify things, including:
- Revolut – This app allows you to send money internationally at competitive rates. Its budgeting tools can help you keep track of your spending and family budget.
App available for iOS and Android - PaybyPhone – This app lets you pay for parking in countless locations across the UK directly from your phone. It will also send you reminders to extend your parking session or to move your car.
App available for iOS and Android
Ride-Sharing Apps
When you first move, sorting out a car might take some time. Until then, ride-sharing apps can make your life easier. The most used ride-share app in the UK is:
- Uber – Available practically everywhere in the UK. It’s reliable and has many safety features, like sharing your trip details with a partner or a friend. Booking a ride takes just a few taps on your smartphone.
App available for iOS and Android
Local Services Apps
Getting to grips with the local community and finding the essential services you need can seem like a daunting task. However, there are a variety of local service apps that can make this process much smoother.
- Olio – Allows sharing extra food and household items with people in your vicinity. That helps reduce waste and is a perfect opportunity to connect with your neighbours.
App available for iOS and Android - Nextdoor – An excellent platform to learn more about your local community. Find everything from local services to community events (and a lot of scam alerts, theft alerts, etc)
App available for iOS and Android - Vinted – This is a marketplace for selling and buying pre-loved clothes and items in your local community. It’s useful for families looking to economise or find something unique.
App available for iOS and Android
Fitness Apps
Fitness apps can help active families find the best local spots for exercising. One of the best apps to find nearby fitness activities is:
- BetterUK – This app lets you book activities at nearby leisure centres, gyms, and swimming pools. It can help you find family-friendly fitness options without trawling through countless websites.
App available for iOS and Android
Learning Apps
One thing you’ll want to tackle early on is getting around by car, which means passing your UK driving theory test. A fantastic app to help you with this is:
- Theory 4 in 1 – An all-in-one platform that has helped over 17 million learners ace their driving theory test. The app covers everything you need to know, from road signs to hazard perception, making it easy to study for your driving theory test without feeling overwhelmed.
App available for iOS and Android
Entertainment Apps
If you’re keen to keep up with UK and international media, there’s an app for that:
- Amazon Prime Video – This platform is a fantastic option for streaming movies, TV shows, and Amazon Originals. It’s very flexible and allows watching content on several devices, making it perfect for family movie nights or entertaining kids. The option to download content means you can stock up on shows and films for when you’re without internet access.
App available for iOS and Android
There’s an App for Everything
The apps covered can help smooth out those initial bumps when adjusting to a new country. From managing day-to-day tasks with ease to finding the best local haunts, these digital tools will support you.
They’re a brilliant way to lessen the stress of moving and help you feel more at home, connecting you with the new community much faster. These apps are the perfect toolkit to make the most of it. Embrace this journey, knowing you’ve got all you need in your pocket to smooth your transition.
