If you use Android apps like Gmail, Chrome, or Gboard daily, you’re not alone. But did you know Google offers powerful hidden tools that can earn money, improve your mobile productivity, and help you get more out of your phone?
Here are 3 must-know apps — including Google Opinion Rewards — that millions overlook, but you definitely should be using.
Google Opinion Rewards – Earn Free Credit for Simple Surveys
Google Opinion Rewards is a rewards-based survey app that pays you for your opinions. Yes, you can actually earn money from answering a few short questions.
Developed by Google Consumer Surveys, this app is available on both Android and iOS. You’ll receive small surveys related to your activity, interests, or location tracking. Each survey takes less than a minute and can earn you anywhere from ₹5 to ₹30.
“I use Google Opinion Rewards to pay for my cloud storage,” says Ravi Patel, a Pixel user from Mumbai. “Over time, I’ve saved enough for in-app purchases and even a month of HBO Max.”
You can boost your rewards by completing your user profile and enabling location tracking. While some users hesitate to share personal info, many are fine trading a few seconds of attention for extra Play Store credit.
How It Works:
- Get a notification when a new survey is available
- Answer 1–5 quick questions
- Instantly receive Google Play Store credit (or PayPal on iOS)
- Spend it on Android apps, games, or subscriptions
Whether you’re saving for a paid app or your next in-app purchase, this is one of the best hidden apps to install right now.
Google Lens – Use Your Camera to Search the World
Most smartphone users already have Google Lens on their phones — but few actually use it. Tucked next to the microphone in the Google Search bar, this AI-powered tool lets your camera recognition do the hard work.
Just aim your camera, and Google Lens identifies what it sees — from flowers to translations, from handwritten notes to clothing items online. It’s the future of voice search, but with your eyes.
“I used Lens to scan a recipe from a magazine and copy it straight into my notes app,” says Ayesha Khan, a teacher from Delhi. “It even pulled up YouTube videos of the dish!”
Originally launched as Google Goggles, the app has evolved dramatically, thanks to AI. With tools like Circle to Search and features on Samsung phones with Galaxy AI, Google Lens is more powerful than ever.
What You Can Do:
- Copy and paste text from real-world objects
- Translate signs or menus in real time
- Scan QR codes, barcodes, and product info
- Find similar products or visual search online
If you’re skipping this app, you’re missing out on smart search made simple.
Files by Google – Clean, Organize & Transfer Files Easily
Think your phone’s downloads app or Samsung’s My Files is enough? Think again. Files by Google is a free, fast, and super helpful file manager that goes way beyond basic browsing.
This file management tool is designed for speed, simplicity, and smart suggestions. It helps you find and clean up junk files, organize your internal storage, scan PDFs, and even send large files wirelessly over Wi-Fi file sharing.
“I use it to move songs and notification chimes from my old phone to my new one,” says Rohan Sinha, a music producer in Bengaluru. “No cables. No fuss.”
Unlike many third-party file managers like ASTRO, Files by Google has secure file controls, cloud backup, and no bloatware. It works offline and even suggests files to delete for more storage.
Key Features:
- Smart file categorization by type (images, documents, videos)
- Safe document scanning
- One-tap junk file cleaning to free up space
- Offline file sharing without data usage
- Cloud backup and restore for easy migration
Skip the pre-installed apps and get a better experience with this all-in-one tool that works for every user — from casual users to pros.
Why These Google Apps Deserve a Spot on Your Phone
Each of these apps solves a real problem:
- Want to earn money? Use Google Opinion Rewards.
- Want to search the world around you? Try Google Lens.
- Need to manage your phone better? Go for Files by Google.
They’re all made by Google, regularly updated, and optimized to work well on almost every Google Pixel phone, Samsung phone, or other Android device.
And the best part? They’re all completely free.
