There are millions of apps on the Google Play Store, both paid and free, and sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming. You know who makes some pretty great apps? Google. I’m not talking about Gmail or Chrome, but apps made by Google that’ll earn you money or transform how you manage files on your phone.
Most of us interact with multiple Google apps daily, whether Chrome, Gboard, Google Messages, or something else. However, I wanted to highlight three underrated (or forgotten) Google apps you’re probably not using, but should.
Google Opinion Rewards
Pay for your subscriptions by answering surveys
Did you know that Google has an app you can use to earn a little money and then use those funds to pay for Android apps? It’s called Google Opinion Rewards, and it’s been around forever.
If you’ve already heard of it, you probably forgot it existed. And if not, you’ll be happy to learn that it’s an easy way to earn a few bucks a month to buy apps or pay for subscriptions. I use Google Opinion Rewards to pay for my Google One cloud storage, and occasionally, if I earn enough, I’ll pay for a month of HBO Max.
Google Opinion Rewards is a rewards-based survey app. It’s available for both Android and iOS, and all you have to do is answer simple questions or surveys while you’re out and about during the day. After each survey, you earn money. You’ll earn more if you enable location tracking or complete your profile, which asks for your age and a few other questions.
Naturally, some people will hate the idea of giving Google all of this information in return for $0.30, but I’ve earned nearly $1 several times lately. In fact, I’m sitting on about $17.00 this year alone, and have earned hundreds since installing the app.
Google Lens
Identify anything
Long-time smartphone users may remember an app called “Google Goggles”. Launched in 2010, it was one of the first glimpses into the current reality of using a smartphone camera combined with AI and Google Search to learn about or interact with the world around us. You can even copy text from your phone camera to a computer. It’s pretty handy.
Google Goggles eventually became Google Lens, an image and text recognition tool that’s been available on Android for years.
However, thanks to AI, it’s become increasingly popular lately. You’ve surely seen things like Google’s Circle to Search or Samsung phones letting you aim your camera at something and then use Galaxy AI to figure out what it is.
Again, Google Lens isn’t new; most Android phones already have it installed. You probably see it on the right side of your Google Search widget, but never use it. Most people just tap the microphone to complete a Google search with their voice, but Google Lens is right there, waiting for you to tap and do more with your phone. I use it quite often, and you should too.
Files by Google
No need for a third-party file manager
Years ago, file manager apps were hugely popular on Android. Yes, I’m talking about whatever “files” or “downloads” app you have on your phone for managing downloads, documents, or sorting through your internal storage. Most Pixel users already have Google’s option, and Samsung Galaxy owners are probably familiar with Samsung’s My Files app.
While some users still use various third-party file managers, like ASTRO, my favorite is the one made by Google. Files by Google isn’t new by any means, but many people simply use whatever comes on their phone and don’t realize other options are available.
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Files by Google is a popular file management app for Android with a ton of upside. I use it to manage all the storage on my device, transfer files, organize image galleries, and more when I upgrade to a new phone. I manually add fun notification chimes to my device, deal with PDFs, and handle other documents. All of that is made easier than ever thanks to Files by Google.
Other features include file categorization, document scanning, junk file cleaning to save space on your phone, offline file storage instead of relying on the cloud, and easy file sending over Wi-Fi to other devices. There’s also a cloud backup option, secure file controls, and more. Basically, it’s an all-in-one file management tool that’s pretty helpful.
Sure, you can use whatever came pre-installed, or you can download Google’s app and have a better experience.
Stop neglecting these apps, they’re a game-changer!
There’s a good chance you’ve heard of these apps or already use one, especially if you have a Google Pixel phone. And for everyone else who uses something else or wasn’t around when Google Goggles and Opinion Rewards were bigger talking points, now you know.
Earn some money with Google Opinion Rewards for in-app purchases, take advantage of the power of Google Lens, or manage your phone efficiently with Files by Google.
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
