Best Apps for Over-60s: UK, Ireland & the Netherlands

Smartphones can feel like they were designed for someone else, full of icons, notifications, and settings that seem to multiply overnight. Underneath all of that, a handful of apps can make daily life noticeably easier, from keeping in touch with family to managing your health and money. You do not need to use all of them, just the ones that fit how you live. 💚

This guide covers six categories of apps worth knowing about, whether you are in the UK, Ireland, or the Netherlands, along with a few tips for setting up your phone so everything is easier to see and use.

1. Staying in touch: WhatsApp and video calling

WhatsApp remains one of the easiest ways to message and call family, whether they are around the corner or on the other side of the world. It works over wifi, so calls to family abroad do not cost anything extra, and group chats are a simple way to keep up with grandchildren, siblings, or a circle of friends.

For video calls, WhatsApp, FaceTime (on iPhones), and Zoom are all widely used. The key is agreeing with family on which one to use, since everyone needs the same app to call each other.

Simple action: If you do not already have WhatsApp, ask a family member to help you set it up and add a few key contacts. Once it is there, a video call is just two taps away.

2. Managing your health and government services: NHS App, HSE Health App, and DigiD

In the UK, the NHS App lets you book and manage GP appointments, order repeat prescriptions, view parts of your health record, and check your NHS number, all from your phone. It is run by the NHS, so your data is handled under the same rules as your GP surgery.

In Ireland, the HSE Health App was launched in 2025 and gives you secure access to information such as your Medical Card and GP Visit Card status, your Drugs Payment Scheme details, and a place to keep a personal list of your medications. You will need a verified MyGovID account to log in.

In the Netherlands, the DigiD app works a little differently. It is your digital identity for logging into government and public service websites, including the Belastingdienst (tax office), your gemeente, healthcare insurers, and the SVB for pension matters such as your AOW account. Many of these services now prefer or require the app for logging in securely, so it is worth setting up even if you only use it occasionally. If you need help getting started, our DigiD guide walks through registration step by step.

💡 Tip: All three apps can save you a phone call or a trip to an office. Before ringing your GP surgery, pharmacy, or local council, check whether the relevant app already has the answer, such as whether a prescription has been issued or a form has been received.

3. Banking and money: convenience with a healthy dose of caution

Most banks now offer an app that lets you check your balance, see recent transactions, and transfer money without visiting a branch or queuing on the phone. For many people, this is one of the most useful apps on their phone, especially for keeping an eye on spending or spotting anything unusual quickly.

The flip side is that scam messages pretending to be from your bank have become more common, often asking you to click a link or confirm your details urgently. Your bank will never ask you to share your PIN, full password, or a one-time code over the phone, by text, or by email.

Example: If you get a text saying there has been "suspicious activity" on your account and asking you to log in via a link, do not tap it. Instead, open your banking app directly, or call the number on the back of your card, to check if anything is actually wrong.

4. Getting around: maps and journey planning

Google Maps is useful well beyond driving directions. It can show you walking routes, nearby bus stops, and how long a journey will take by public transport, which is especially handy in an unfamiliar area. Citymapper offers similar journey planning and is particularly strong in larger cities for working out the best combination of bus, train, and walking.

Both apps can also save your home and frequently visited places, such as a GP surgery or a family member's house, so you do not need to type the address each time.

Simple action: Try saving your home address and one or two regular destinations in Google Maps now. Next time you need directions, it will already know where you are starting from and where you usually go.

5. Everyday helpers: medication reminders and password managers

If you take medication regularly, an app like Medisafe can send reminders when it is time for each dose, and keep a simple record of what you have taken. This can be reassuring both for you and for family members who help keep track of your health.

Password managers such as LastPass store your passwords securely so you do not need to remember dozens of them or write them down. You set one strong master password, and the app fills in the rest when you log into a website or app.

💡 Tip: If remembering one master password feels daunting, write it down and keep it somewhere safe at home, such as with other important documents, rather than relying on memory alone.

6. Setting up your phone for ease of use

Most of the difficulty with smartphones comes down to small text, cluttered screens, and settings buried several menus deep. The good news is that both Android and iPhone have built-in accessibility settings that can make a real difference: larger text size, bold fonts, higher contrast, and the option to simplify your home screen down to the apps you actually use.

If you are choosing a new phone, Age UK's guidance on device accessibility is a good starting point. As a general rule, a phone with a screen around 6 inches, decent storage, and a battery that lasts a full day will run all the apps above comfortably, without needing anything especially expensive.

Technology is at its best when it quietly makes life a bit easier, not when it adds another thing to manage. Start with one or two apps that solve a problem you actually have, get comfortable with those, and add more only if and when you want to. 💛

If you are in the Netherlands and want to check your state pension build-up via DigiD, our guide on The AOW Bridge walks through what to look for. If you would like more support getting set up, our Assistance page can connect you with help, or browse more guides on Una for other practical tips.