Google picks the best Android apps and games of 2022: download them now

Google picks the best Android apps and games of 2022: download them now

Google followed Apple in announcing its apps and games of the year, and if you're looking for something new to install on your Android phone, these Play Store picks are worth checking out.

These selections were made (opens in a new tab) by the Google Play editorial team, and there are some honorable mentions and winners in each category. Google has also highlighted the best books and audiobooks. From what we can tell, there are country-specific options as well - find your local pick here (opens in a new tab).

Most of us probably spend our days browsing the same basic set of apps on our phones. These lists are therefore a good opportunity to discover something new that we may not have found before.

Best Android Apps of 2022

Best overall app: Dream (opens in a new tab) (freemium) - Artificial intelligence just keeps getting better, so it seems only fitting that the AI ​​Dream art generator takes the top spot. All you need to do is input a few prompts and the app will produce fantastic digital artwork.

The best app for fun: PetStar (opens in a new tab) (freemium) - If we tell you that PetStar gives you the tools you need to create a music video featuring your pet's face, we probably don't need to say more. However, we don't know exactly what your pet will think of the final results.

The best app for personal growth: breath (opens in a new tab) (freemium) - Ready for a self-improvement campaign over the next year? Breathwrk wants to help you reduce stress and release energy from your body through hundreds of carefully selected app-controlled breathing exercises.

breathing app

Breathwrk (Image credit: Breathwrk)

The best app for everyday essentials: plant father (opens in a new tab) (freemium) - As the name suggests, this app helps you grow your plants and gives you personalized advice on what your plants need to stay healthy. You can also identify almost any plant through your smartphone's camera.

The Best Hidden Gems App: regain athletics (opens in a new tab) (freemium) - We're not sure exactly what qualifies as a "hidden gem," but Google chose Recover Athletics, which works with Strava to make sure your body recovers properly after exercise to avoid injury and fatigue. .

The best app for good: The application of stigma (opens in a new tab) (free) - The Stigma app has an important mission to normalize conversations about mental health. You can use the simple app to listen to other people's stories, ask for help, and also support others.

The best app to use: Todoist (opens in a new tab) (freemium) - If you're looking for something to enhance the experience on your Wear OS smartwatch, Todoist is worth a look. The complete to-do list app gives you everything you need to plan and organize your life.

pocket app

Pocket (Image credit: Pocket)

The best app for tablets: Poached (opens in a new tab) (freemium) - There's never enough time to read everything online, and Pocket helps by providing an archive of articles to catch up when you can. A distraction-free layout and the ability to read articles aloud add to the app's appeal.

The best app for Chromebook: band lab (opens in a new tab) (freemium): Chromebooks can now run Android apps, of course, and this is one of the most laptop-friendly apps around. BandLab makes it easy to create and mix music, whether you're a veteran or a complete beginner.

Best application chosen by users: Be real (opens in a new tab) (free) - We're not sure which users voted for this category, but the winner is BeReal, the social app that challenges you to post a photo of everything you do at a certain time of day . every time the application tells you to.

That's not all: Google also found time to give honorable mentions to DanceFitme (opens in a new tab), the noteit widget (opens in a new tab), Learn to Read – Duolingo ABC (opens in a new tab) , Gym Log & Workouts (Opens in a new tab), Ukulele by Yousician (Opens in a new tab), Book Morning Routine Wakeing Up (Opens in a new tab), Daily Diary (Opens in a new tab) , Sleep Tracker (Opens in a new tab), Linktree (Opens in a new tab), Little Lunches (Opens in a new tab), Wamble (Opens in a new tab), Sleep Fruits (Opens in a new tab) and Zario (opens in a new tab).

The best Android games of 2022

Best overall game: apex legends mobile (opens in a new tab) (freemium) - This strategic battle royale shooter continues to be incredibly popular and also received a User's Choice award. There are multiple game modes to choose from, and the speed and fun of the combat are hard to beat.

Best Multiplayer Game: dislyte (opens in a new tab) (freemium) – a mythological urban role-playing game that stands out for its style, the quality of its visuals, and the story that runs through it. The game also manages to remain challenging as you improve.

The best game to pick up and play: The journey of the angry birds (opens in a new tab) (freemium) - Angry Birds needs no introduction to those familiar with its mobile gaming history, and this is the latest in the series. It's always fun to launch birds to demolish structure after structure.

Game Dicey Dungeons

(Image credit: Dicey Dungeons)

Best Indie Game: risky dungeons (opens in a new tab) ($4.99 / €4.19) - Sometimes the best games don't need to be incredibly complex, and Dicey Dungeons has a simple format and uses it well. You are a giant die in this deck-building roguelike and must escape the whims of chance.

Best Story Game: papers please (Opens in a new tab) ($4.99 / €4.09) - One of the most immersive and engaging games on the Play Store right now, Papers, Please is described as a "dystopian document thriller," asking you to be clever in identifying smugglers. , spies and terrorists.

Best current game: Genshin impact (opens in a new tab) (freemium) - Assuming this is your type of game (an open-world action RPG), you're guaranteed to get the most out of Genshin Impact, which features beautiful scenery and memorable events. . characters.

Very Little Nightmares Game

Very Little Nightmares (Image credit: Very Little Nightmares)

Best game on Play Pass: very little nightmares (opens in a new tab) ($4.99 / $4.99 per month) - If you pay a monthly fee for Google Play Pass, you get games like Very Little Nightmares included, a brilliantly spooky and compelling puzzle game that will give you hours of entertainment .

Best game for tablets: fantasy tower (opens in a new tab) (freemium) - Tower of Fantasy is one of the best games on the Play Store when it comes to taking advantage of the larger screens tablets offer, and the world fantasy adventure title opens high scores in most areas.

Best game for Chromebook: Roblox (opens in a new tab) (freemium) - Roblox has been making waves in recent years, and Google has chosen it as one of the best Android games to run on a Chromebook, giving you access to a keyboard and a Touch panel.

Wait a minute, because there's a lot of honorable mentions here, too - you might also want to check out Catalyst Black (Opens in a new tab), Diablo Immortal (Opens in a new tab), Rocket League Sideswipe (Opens in a new tab ). Tab), Gun & Dungeons (Opens in a new tab), HOOK 2 (Opens in a new tab), Hyde and Seek (Opens in a new tab), Quadline (Opens in a new tab), Dungeons of Dreadrock (Opens in a new tab), Knotwords (Opens in a new tab), One Hand Clapping (Opens in a new tab), Phobias (Opens in a new tab), DEEMO II (Opens in a new tab ), Inua - A Story in Ice and Time (Opens in a new tab), The Secret of Cat Island (Opens in a new tab), Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion (Opens in a new tab), Candy Crush Saga (Opens in a new tab), Garena Free Fire (Opens in a new tab), Pokémon GO (Opens in a new tab), Bridge Constructor (Opens in a new tab), Final Fantasy VII (Opens in a new tab), opens in a new tab), Linelight (opens in a new tab), and Path of Giants (opens in a new tab).