Five Apps Which Earn Their Space on my Phone
I don’t tend to have lots of apps on my phone.
It’s not because I don’t like trying new things, but because accessibility requires intention — not unnecessary clutter. Not apps that slowly eat through gigabytes of storage, but ones that offer consistency, reliability, and ease of use.
If an app doesn’t meaningfully improve my life (daily or weekly), sorry — but it’s a hard no from me.
Of course, I still have the standard apps that 99% of people do: WhatsApp, YouTube, a music app, and so on. But there are also plenty of apps that claim to be accessible. These five are my tried-and-true favourites — the ones that have genuinely earned their place on my phone.
This is the navigation app I rely on most when I’m out on my own.
Although its core function is similar to tools like Google or Apple Maps, Citymapper goes above and beyond in ways that really matter. It earns that trust through clear instructions, a predictable layout, and breaking journeys into distinct legs in a way that simply makes sense.
The standout feature for me is the live tracker that follows your progress on public transport.
That reliability matters — especially when public transport is busy or noisy, and when reading onboard screens or hearing audible announcements clearly isn’t always possible.
If I had to choose one app to get me from A to B, it would be this one. It just works — every time.
Sometimes, tech alone isn’t enough. Sometimes you need a bit of human assistance.
Be My Eyes isn’t an app I reach for daily, but it’s often the only one that works when nothing else does. It gives me instant access to a real person for quick visual tasks — from identifying objects to getting a fast description or alt text for images friends and family send me.
While it can take slightly longer to solve a problem, it’s a reliable resource with minimal effort required: open the app, connect to a volunteer, get help, done.
It’s a reminder that accessibility isn’t just about the right software and settings — sometimes it’s about a person. Be My Eyes understands that.
Otter AI earns its place on this list by saving me energy. Live transcription allows me to focus on understanding what’s happening, rather than mentally exhausting myself trying to keep up.
It’s particularly helpful for meetings, group conversations, and educational settings. It’s not perfect — no live transcription tool is — but it offers strong access to information in a way that’s simple, easy to navigate, and adaptable to my needs.
Less fatigue means more energy for everything else. A simple tool, but a powerful one.
ReBokeh stands out because it doesn’t assume there’s a single “correct” way to see.
The ability to customise contrast, outlines, and filters lets me adjust what I need based on what I’m viewing in that moment — from menus to information signs. While many magnifier apps overwhelm me visually, this one consistently doesn’t.
It feels like it was designed by someone like me, for people like me — and that shows.
This might seem like an unusual inclusion on an accessibility list, but there’s a good reason it’s here.
Public transport often means longer journeys and unavoidable waiting. Buffer time is essential for independence, but waiting doesn’t have to be miserable. Blockudoku gives me something mentally engaging to do without reducing my awareness.
Its high-contrast design, simple shapes, clear colours, and lack of time pressure make it accessible for me. Crucially, I can play it while still hearing audible cues from apps like Citymapper.
Accessibility isn’t just about surviving the day — it’s about enjoying it too.
Every new app gets a trial period. It has to earn its place — not once, but repeatedly. If something better comes along, I delete the old one and move on. That’s not failure; it’s constant refinement.
These five apps aren’t perfect, and they don’t solve every problem. But they solve enough to make daily life easier — and that’s what matters.
It’s not because I don’t like trying new things, but because accessibility requires intention — not unnecessary clutter. Not apps that slowly eat through gigabytes of storage, but ones that offer consistency, reliability, and ease of use.
If an app doesn’t meaningfully improve my life (daily or weekly), sorry — but it’s a hard no from me.
Of course, I still have the standard apps that 99% of people do: WhatsApp, YouTube, a music app, and so on. But there are also plenty of apps that claim to be accessible. These five are my tried-and-true favourites — the ones that have genuinely earned their place on my phone.
What Makes an App Worth It?
Before diving into the list, it’s worth explaining the criteria I use. An app earns its storage space if it:- Works reliably with the accessibility settings enabled on my phone
- Has a predictable visual layout with minimal pop-ups
- Doesn’t rely on sound or visual cues alone, but instead combines them — strong haptic feedback scores highly
- Remains functional even on bad days (vision, hearing, or cognitive)
1. Citymapper
Navigation I trust when travelling independently.
Although its core function is similar to tools like Google or Apple Maps, Citymapper goes above and beyond in ways that really matter. It earns that trust through clear instructions, a predictable layout, and breaking journeys into distinct legs in a way that simply makes sense.
The standout feature for me is the live tracker that follows your progress on public transport.
That reliability matters — especially when public transport is busy or noisy, and when reading onboard screens or hearing audible announcements clearly isn’t always possible.
If I had to choose one app to get me from A to B, it would be this one. It just works — every time.
2. Be My Eyes
Human help when technology isn’t enough.
Be My Eyes isn’t an app I reach for daily, but it’s often the only one that works when nothing else does. It gives me instant access to a real person for quick visual tasks — from identifying objects to getting a fast description or alt text for images friends and family send me.
While it can take slightly longer to solve a problem, it’s a reliable resource with minimal effort required: open the app, connect to a volunteer, get help, done.
It’s a reminder that accessibility isn’t just about the right software and settings — sometimes it’s about a person. Be My Eyes understands that.
3. Otter AI
Reducing listening fatigueOtter AI earns its place on this list by saving me energy. Live transcription allows me to focus on understanding what’s happening, rather than mentally exhausting myself trying to keep up.
It’s particularly helpful for meetings, group conversations, and educational settings. It’s not perfect — no live transcription tool is — but it offers strong access to information in a way that’s simple, easy to navigate, and adaptable to my needs.
Less fatigue means more energy for everything else. A simple tool, but a powerful one.
4. ReBokeh
Seeing on my terms.ReBokeh stands out because it doesn’t assume there’s a single “correct” way to see.
The ability to customise contrast, outlines, and filters lets me adjust what I need based on what I’m viewing in that moment — from menus to information signs. While many magnifier apps overwhelm me visually, this one consistently doesn’t.
It feels like it was designed by someone like me, for people like me — and that shows.
5. Blockudoku
Accessible downtime without compromising awareness.This might seem like an unusual inclusion on an accessibility list, but there’s a good reason it’s here.
Public transport often means longer journeys and unavoidable waiting. Buffer time is essential for independence, but waiting doesn’t have to be miserable. Blockudoku gives me something mentally engaging to do without reducing my awareness.
Its high-contrast design, simple shapes, clear colours, and lack of time pressure make it accessible for me. Crucially, I can play it while still hearing audible cues from apps like Citymapper.
Accessibility isn’t just about surviving the day — it’s about enjoying it too.
Final Thoughts:
It’s a short list, and that’s intentional. Many apps introduce more problems than they solve and simply aren’t worth the effort.Every new app gets a trial period. It has to earn its place — not once, but repeatedly. If something better comes along, I delete the old one and move on. That’s not failure; it’s constant refinement.
These five apps aren’t perfect, and they don’t solve every problem. But they solve enough to make daily life easier — and that’s what matters.
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