When your daily routine is upended and you’re spending far more time at home than usual, your phone can be either a distraction or a genuinely useful tool — depending on which apps you reach for. This list, originally curated by CNN in April 2020 during the early weeks of COVID-19 lockdowns, covers apps across six categories: relaxation, gaming, learning, cooking, fitness, and staying informed. Nearly all of them are free to download, with optional in-app purchases available.
For Chilling Out
Stop, Breathe & Think
This meditation app opens with a simple check-in: you rate your physical and emotional state, and the app responds with tailored activities. Those might include guided breathing exercises, short meditations, or — occasionally — a calming compilation of cat videos. Activities are grouped by emotional tone, covering feelings like compassion, grief, and equanimity. Sessions are short enough to maintain focus but substantial enough to genuinely ease anxiety. The interface uses cool blues and approachable cartoon instructors to set the tone from the moment you open it.
For Gaming
Playing With Friends: Heads Up! on Houseparty
Heads Up! is a reverse-charades style game backed by Ellen DeGeneres. Houseparty is a group video-calling app that places multiple friends on screen simultaneously. When you can’t meet in person, combining the two is straightforward:
- Download Houseparty.
- Tap the dice icon in the upper-right corner.
- Select Heads Up! from the drop-down menu.
- Invite your friends and start playing.
Playing Solo: The Sims Mobile
The Sims franchise remains a reliable escape. In The Sims Mobile you control a virtual person who can shop, throw parties, go on dates, and interact with ghosts — essentially everything that indoor life temporarily limits. You can play it as wish fulfillment, or lean into the absurdity and trap your Sim inside the house by deleting all the doors. Either approach is oddly therapeutic.
For Learning
edX
edX provides access to thousands of university-level courses through its mobile app. Courses span subjects from computer science and data analysis to humanities and business, offered by more than 100 partner universities. Notable during the pandemic was Yale University making its popular “Happiness” course freely available to non-students. You won’t earn a formal degree through the free tier, but audit access to structured course content is a legitimate way to develop new skills or deepen existing knowledge.
Duolingo
Duolingo turns language learning into a habit through game-like mechanics: image-heavy lessons, streaks, XP points, and short daily sessions. The app offers more than 35 languages, including constructed languages like Klingon (from Star Trek) and High Valyrian (from Game of Thrones). Its gamified structure makes it easier to stay consistent compared to traditional study methods, though serious learners will eventually want to supplement it with other resources.
For Cooking
Project Foodie: Guided Cooking
Project Foodie is aimed at home cooks who want to go beyond their usual repertoire. It walks users through recipes via step-by-step video instruction led by professional chefs. Unlike broadcast cooking shows, the format doesn’t skip prep steps — every stage is demonstrated in full. This makes it genuinely useful for developing foundational culinary techniques like blanching, julienning, and proper knife work.
For Socializing
Nextdoor
Nextdoor connects you with people in your immediate neighborhood — many of whom you may never have met in person. The platform is organized by local area, making it useful for coordinating mutual aid, sharing local information, and checking in on neighbors who may need support. As with any social media platform, misinformation can circulate on Nextdoor, so approach unverified posts with appropriate skepticism and look to official public health sources for health guidance.
For Working Out
Aaptiv
Aaptiv delivers audio-guided workouts, meaning you follow spoken instructions rather than watching a screen. This makes it especially suitable for running, strength training, or yoga where you want to keep your phone in your pocket or on a surface without constantly glancing at it. The app recommends workouts based on your fitness goals and current level, making it a reasonable starting point if you’re building a routine from scratch.
Peloton
Peloton’s app extends well beyond its branded stationary bike. The video-guided content library includes strength training, yoga, boot camps, stretching, and cooldown classes. At the time of the original article’s publication (April 2020), Peloton was offering a 30-day free trial. Check the current Peloton website for up-to-date pricing and trial offers, as these change over time.
Runkeeper
Runkeeper tracks outdoor runs using GPS, logs distance and pace over time, and lets you monitor progress across sessions. The app includes training plans for different goals — from beginner 5K prep to longer distances — and previously offered rewards toward fitness gear for consistent use. It’s a straightforward tool for anyone using outdoor running as a daily mental reset.
For Staying Healthy and Informed
Apple’s COVID-19 App
During the pandemic, Apple released a dedicated COVID-19 app developed in collaboration with the CDC, FEMA, and the White House Coronavirus Task Force. It provided a symptom screening tool, state-specific guidance, and regularly updated public health information. Note: This app was specific to the 2020–2021 pandemic response period. Its current availability and relevance will have changed significantly since the original article was published. Check the Apple App Store and official public health sources for current tools.
For Escapist Entertainment
TikTok
TikTok’s short-form video format proved well-suited to periods of fragmented attention. The algorithm quickly surfaces content tailored to your interests — which means the experience varies dramatically from user to user. Beyond the dancing and lip-syncing that the platform is most associated with, TikTok hosts educational creators, comedians, journalists, activists, and community organizations. It’s worth exploring beyond the default feed to find content that is genuinely useful or entertaining to you. Be aware that TikTok’s data privacy practices have been subject to ongoing regulatory scrutiny in multiple countries; review current guidance if that is a concern.
A Note on This List
This article is based on a CNN list published in April 2020. App availability, features, pricing, and platform policies evolve continuously. Some apps mentioned — particularly those tied to pandemic-era initiatives — may have changed significantly. Always check the relevant app store listing or official website for the most current information before downloading.