12 Useful Mobile Apps for Foreign Travelers and Expats in the Philippines
Thanks to modern technology, expats and tourists now have tons of mobile apps to choose from that can help make life easier and more convenient in their host countries. Whether it’s navigating your way around the neighborhood, teaching you the local language and culture, or looking for new restaurants to try in the city, there’s an app for just about everything.
Below, you’ll find our top ten apps that expats and tourists will find useful while staying here in the Philippines.
Grab
IMAGE from Grab
Starting out as a ride-sharing app, Grab has extended its services to include food, grocery and package delivery. You can also use the app to pay for your bills, purchase load, or even book rooms in hotels. Download it from the App Store or Google Play.
foodpanda
IMAGE from foodpanda
foodpanda is a food and grocery delivery app that allows users to connect with restaurants that offer food delivery in their vicinity. It also allows customers to take advantage of different resto deals and promos while ordering their eats. Get this from the App Store or Google Play.
MetroMart
IMAGE from MetroMart
Popular among locals and expats alike, MetroMart delivers anything from groceries to pet supply to medicine from various establishments such as S&R, Landmark, Robinsons Supermarket, and Shopwise. Shop on the app to get your daily essentials delivered to your place within two hours. Get it from the App Store or Google Play.
Viber
IMAGE from Viber
Just like Facebook Messenger, Viber is a messaging app that lets you connect with and exchange audio and video calls, stickers, group chats, and voice and video messages local communities and groups. Chatting with them is great to get updates and news such as flash sales, renovations and repairs announcements, and more. Get the app from the App Store or Google Play.
GCash
IMAGES from Gcash
Simply put, GCash is a cashless payment app that’s paired with your mobile number. You can use this to buy prepaid load, pay bills, transfer money, and purchase stuff–both online and in real life–without paying cold, hard cash. Get it from the App Store or Google Play.
Waze
IMAGE from Waze
If you drive around the Metro, you will need Waze. It’s a GPS and navigational tool that guides users through the shortest route possible while driving. Just input your destination and the app will give you the best route based on the traffic situation in the city. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play.
Lazada and Shopee
IMAGES from Lazada
IMAGES from Shopee
From electronics to furniture and everything in between, Lazada and Shopee have them all! These are online shopping and selling platforms that provides multiple payment methods, excellent customer care services, and returns options. Delivery is fast, convenient, and affordable. They also offer big monthly sales too. You may download Lazada from the App Store or Google Play. Get Shopee from the App Store or Google Play.
AIDE
IMAGES from AIDE
AIDE is a health app where patients can schedule online consultations and home visitations with affiliate health professionals. It runs COVID-19 and lab tests, vaccinations, and more via home service. Users may even get their medicine delivered to their door using the app. Get AIDE from the App Store or Google Play.
DeepL
IMAGES from Deepl
If translating words isn’t your strong suit, you might want to use DeepL during your stay in the country. This app allows users to translate texts and document instantly and accurately, especially when it comes to context and slang. Get it from the App Store or Google Play.
AccuWeather
IMAGES from AccuWeather
The last thing you want while traveling is canceled trips due to bad weather. This can be avoided by preparing the right activities by factoring in weather forecasts. Do it so by checking the AccuWeather app which is considered one of the most accurate weather apps, thanks to its usage of global real-time, historical data most advanced forecast engine, among other tools. Get this app from the App Store or Google Play.
Viu
IMAGE from VIU
VIU is a video streaming platform that lets users watch the most up-to-date Asian programs from any device (mobile phone, Smart TV, tablet, and desktop). Registered members can also bookmark their favorite shows and sync them across devices for hassle-free viewing. You may download this from the App Store, Google Play, or AppGallery.
Mercari
SCREENSHOT from Mercari
From electronics to sporting goods to toys, Mercari has something for everyone! It’s an online retailing site that allows users to sell anything and everything in a secure environment by using an escrow payment system in order to guarantee a safe and reliable transaction service for everyone. Here, users can sell just practically anything as long as it can be shipped. Get it from App Store or Google Play.
