I got a new cell phone (or Handy in colloquial German) shortly before our trip to the States, but didn’t get around to putting on my favorite apps until our return. And many of those have to do with life in Germany.

Some of these have to do with the language, a never-ending process of trying not to embarrass myself constantly in German. Others help in day-to-day navigation, scheduling, or just better integrating into German life. As we live more and more of our lives on our phones, the best phone apps can be integral to your success in living abroad.

Find the best Germany apps for you! PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons

Clearly I am not the only one, as I see this question pop up frequently on a Facebook group I follow, Berlin Expats. I thought I would share what I am using, as well as apps I found intriguing. I am also happy to receive any tips on sites or apps I should try.

Please note, several of these are Berlin specific. If you have a great app for a different city or something I have missed, please share in the comments below.

German Language Apps

We featured a post on this topic a few years back, but it became dated and was deleted. However, I am now updating that with some of my favorites:

• Duolingo – Everyone who is interested in learning a language has downloaded this at one time or another. It is free and easy to get started with its game-like interface. There has been debate about how useful learning language in this way is, but I still recommend giving it a spin if you are trying to speak basic German quickly. It may not make you fluent, but it should get you talking. Also, there is a paid version that removes advertising.
• Babbel – This is another popular language app. I like that you can move to more or less advanced levels quite easily. It pairs well with Duolingo as the two work quite differently.
• Mondly – The Mondly app employs state-of-the-art speech recognition to listen to your words and phrases and respond with positive feedback if you utter them correctly. You can sound like a native speaker faster via a conversation-focused curriculum that features professional voice actors. Plus, with the MondlyAR app on iOS and Android, you’ll get to immerse yourself with the help of Augmented Reality. We tried out the basic Mondly app, and found it unique in the way it allows you to interact in a natural way.
• DW – The international news site, Deutsche Welle, also has a handy language learning site and downloadable app. Different courses focus on dialogue, exercises, and pronunciation up to B2 (higher levels on the website). Recommended by German teachers.

Leo is another language essential. Far more accurate than google translate, it provides the best online dictionary and is available as an app. I haven’t used it as much, but dict.cc is also popular.

German Transportation Apps

Google maps is constantly improving and a vital resource no matter where you go – even if the buildings are frequently blurred on street view because of German privacy laws.

However, there are a few apps that are just as important in navigating Germany’s wealth of public transport options.

A BVG tram at Alexanderplatz in Berlin. PHOTO: H. Flippo

• BVG – Responsible for most of Berlin’s public transport, BVG’s app is essential in the city. It provides route planning, maps, and the ability to buy your transport tickets through the app.
• Deutsche Bahn – The national rail service also has an app that is quite helpful if you’re frequently traveling by rail.
• Offi – This is just one of the alternative public transport apps outside of BVG. A friend in Kreuzberg (where you are dependent on buses) swears by this one for giving accurate arrival times.

And we can’t forget ride-sharing apps – especially as the newly legal e-scooters now litter corners of the city. Note that Uber continues to try to make it work in Germany, but it is much less popular than in most North American cities.

I have yet to use any of these, but among the better apps:

• DriveNow
• BlaBlaCar
• Drive2Day
• WunderCar
• Berlkoenig
• BBBike

Another I have yet to need but I imagine would be a life-saver in this city of stairs is wheelmap which offers info for people with disabilities on accessibility thorough the city.

Food Apps for Germany

Sadly, food delivery lags well behind places like the States and the recent abandonment by deliveroo means that Lieferando is really the only game in town.

That said, if you live in Berlin’s AB transport zone, it is best just to call restaurants around you directly for food delivery. Many fast-casual restaurants offer the service for free.

Also consider:

• Durst – Spätkauf or Spätis are like 24-hour corner stores and are everywhere until you need one. This app helps you track down the closest one for all your milk/cigarettes/beer needs.
• Sonntags – Or if you get caught on a Sunday without doing your shopping (gasp!), this app will show you everywhere that is still open from groceries to pharmacies.

Culture Apps for Germany

• Going Local Berlin – Offers filterable info on events, attractions, and tours in the city with a handy offline map.
• Street Art Archive – Street art is an inseparable part of the city’s cultural make-up and this app can help you find the very best.
• Berlin Wall – While the brick line tracing the former line of the wall is helpful, this app offers all the background info. See if you are on the former East or West and what happened here.
• Guidemate – This collective knowledge app allows anyone to share their story and include local tips on where to go and what to do.

Miscellaneous Apps That Are Vital in Germany

• WhatsApp – I had never heard of this before moving to Europe, but it is the preferred messaging platform for personal and business. My KiTa group has a Whatsapp group, as does my husband’s work. You can text, call, or send files.
• Slack – This is another group messaging platform that seems far more useful in Germany than in the States.
• Doodle – In a country where you plan a lunch date a month in advance, this scheduling app is used in both formal and informal settings.

Have a favorite site or app I missed? There are about a billion of them, so I am sure I have. Please add apps you use in the comments below or on our German Way Facebook Page!