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The best hardware on the planet is nothing without great software. If you want to get the most our of your Samsung Galaxy Note 5, you’re going to need some great Android apps and games. There are so many outstanding apps and games these days, it’s impossible to know them all. In this list we’ll highlight some of the best apps that come on the Note 5, and some other ones you should download.
Galaxy Note 5 Apps
Milk Music
With so many options out there for streaming music and video it would be easy to write off Samsung’s own offerings as more bloatware, but Milk Music is actually a compelling option for Note 5. With a unique interface aimed at discovery, you’re sure to discover a new artist, song, or video almost every time you open either app. [Download]
Nova Launcher
The default Samsung launcher is…okay, but it leaves a lot to be desired. If you want something with much more flexibility and customization, you can’t beat Nova Launcher. It has tons of options for everything from home screen animations, app drawer size, icon packs, icon size, dock pages, and so much more. It’s one of the all-time greatest Android apps. [Download]
Phandroid News
You can’t have an Android device without an app for keeping up with all the Android news. The Phandroid News app allows you to easily read everything we post, and be notified of new articles (if you want). We’ll tell you about new phones, new apps, great games, and much more. [Download]
Pocketcasts
Podcasts are very popular these days, so you’ll want an app for them. The best podcasts app you can find on any platform is Pocketcasts. It can sync progress across devices, play to a Chromecast, auto-download new episodes, and so much more. Oh, and you’ll want to subscribe to our very own Mobile Roar Podcast. [Download]
Samsung SideSync
SideSync is an app that comes pre-installed on the Note 5, but this is one Samsung app you won’t want to disable. SideSync allows you to get phone notifications on your PC, and even control your phone’s screen from your PC. It’s incredibly easy to set up, and works extremely well. If you ever wished you could use an Android app on a PC this is the best way to do it. [Download]
Samsung Smart Switch
One of the biggest pain points of buying a new phone is getting all of your data from one device to another. It’s particularly frustrating for those changing platforms, or even just switching from a different Android phone. If you gave up hope because the task seemed too daunting, download Samsung Smart Switch now and effortlessly transfer your data regardless of platform. [Download]
SketchBook Express
The Note 5 has one of the best stylus’ you can get on a mobile device, so you probably want to take advantage of it. SketchBook Express is a professional-grade paint and drawing application designed for android devices. It offers a set of sketching tools and delivers them through a streamlined and intuitive user interface. [Download]
Snapseed
If you checked out our Note 5 review, you will know that we found its camera to be the best you can find on a smartphone today. Take it to the next level with Snapped, an app that offers powerful photo editing and manipulation tools to touch up photos or turn them into works of art. [Download]
S Note
S Note is the quintessential app for the S Pen stylus. This stock app allows you to take full advantage of everything the S Pen can do, and other productivity features. You can scribble notes, create collages, take quick memos, and much more. Since it’s built into the Note 5, you’ll find it works really well with everything else.
Wunderlist
Since the Note 5 is so much about productivity, you’ll want a great app for making lists and getting things done. Wunderlist is one of the best list apps out there. It can sync across tons of different devices, and it’s great for collaborating with others. Nothing feels better than crossing something off your list. [Download]
More Best Apps Lists
There are plenty of other great apps available in the Google Play Store, and we’ve done our best to cover them in every capacity. Check out the lists below for even more app recomendations.
- 40+ apps for new Android users
- (Semi) Monthly Best Android Apps posts
- Best Android Keyboards
- Best Email Apps
- Best Weather Apps
- Best Messaging Apps
- Best Twitter Apps for Android
- Best Apps for College Students
- Best Apps for Guitar Players
- Best Dating Apps for Android
- Best Apps for Football Season
- Best Android Apps for Learning a Language
Galaxy Note 5 Games
Since the Note 5 is one of very few devices that have a stylus, we have picked out some games that work especially well with the S Pen.
Brain Dots
Brain Dots is all about getting a blue dot to meet up with a pink dot. You get to draw the props and tools used to perform this action. It might be a ramp, a bridge, a heavy falling object, or whatever you can imagine. The possibilities are nearly endless. [Download]
Draw Something
Perhaps the most well-known drawing game is Draw Something. Everyone from your little old Grandma to your baby brother has probably played this game. Draw Something is basically Pictionary for the smartphone age, and with the S Pen you can kick some serious butt by out-drawing your friends. [Download]
Flow Free
Flow is a very simple game, but it’s the simple games that suck you in for hours at a time. The aim of the game is to connect matching colored dots while also filling in the entire board with their trails. It’s a lot harder to explain than it is to play. [Download]
Follow the Line
Follow the Line is another stupidly simple, but difficult, game. The idea is to keep your dot inside the lines for as long as possible. The lines are very narrow, and there are many obstacles along the way. If you use the S Pen in this game it’s much easier, but still very hard. [Download]
Scribble Racer
Scribble Racer is similar to Follow the Line, but it’s more like a racing game. Your job is to draw a line to stay on the track and collect items along the way. As you progress through the game the track will move faster and faster, making it more difficult to stay in the lines. [Download]
Super Hexagon
This timeless classic is still super fun, super hard, and super addictive. If you’ve never played Super Hexagon you really need to download it. The goal is to keep the little triangle icon from colliding with the walls. A lot of times it’s a tight fit, which makes the precision of the S Pen very helpful. [Download]
TwoDots
At its core, Two Dots is about connecting strings of dots. It’s a simple concept, but there is much more involved. Sometimes the dots are frozen in ice, sometimes fire burns the dots, and sometimes you have to get anchors to the bottom of the grid. It starts easy and gradually adds more tactics into the game. [Download]
Wordbase
Wordbase is what would happen if a simple word search became a multiplayer battle. Each player starts on one side of the word search grid. The goal is to create words that branch off each other and reach the other player’s side of the board. You can stop your opponent by cutting off their strings with your own words. [Download]
More Best Games Lists
Of course, you don’t have to play a game that takes advantage of the S Pen. There are thousands of other great apps that don’t require a stylus to play. Check out the lists below for more ideas.
- Most addictive games for Android (2015)
- (Semi) monthly Best Android Games posts
- Most addictive games for Android (2014)
- Best 2 Player Games for Android
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