Landed in Singapore with a suitcase, a new phone number and a long to-do list? You are not alone. The good news is that this city is very app-friendly: getting around, booking a badminton court, borrowing a book or checking for rain can all be done from your phone.

Here is a refreshed guide to the apps newcomers (and long-time residents) find most useful, with the official ones first. You do not need dozens of apps. Start with Singpass, MyTransport.SG and myENV, then add the rest as you settle in.

Singpass and LifeSG: your digital keys

Singpass and LifeSG: your digital keys
For illustrative purposes only. Actual locations, scenes, and appearances may vary.
Credit: InSingapura.com (AI-assisted)

Singpass is the digital identity used to log in to government and many business services. According to GovTech, Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents and Foreign Identification Number (FIN) holders aged 15 and above can have one, and the address on your NRIC or FIN card needs to be correct. The app also gives you a digital IC for use at government counters and kiosks, and one-tap access to services such as CPF, HDB and IRAS.

Heads-up: Singpass is not available to everyone. Visitors and some foreign users may instead be issued a separate Singpass Foreign User Account through certain organisations such as Corppass, IRAS, MinLaw or GoBusiness. You cannot register for that one directly with Singpass.

LifeSG brings together over 100 government services. You log in with Singpass, then book public facilities, check your eligibility for schemes, search for social and financial assistance (SupportGoWhere), find affordable coffee shop meals (BudgetMealGoWhere) and keep track of messages from agencies in one inbox. It also has guides for different life stages, such as new parents and seniors. Some services depend on your residency status, so read the eligibility notes first.

MyTransport.SG and myENV: getting around and staying prepared

MyTransport.SG and myENV: getting around and staying prepared
For illustrative purposes only. Actual locations, scenes, and appearances may vary.
Credit: InSingapura.com (AI-assisted)

MyTransport.SG, run by the Land Transport Authority, shows nearby bus services and MRT stations, lets you save your regular routes, manage push alerts for MRT or road conditions and plan multi-modal journeys. A travel guide from SimCorner also notes live bus arrival countdowns and MRT crowd levels. Tap your contactless card or mobile wallet at the gantry, and use the same payment method throughout your trip.

myENV, from the National Environment Agency and its partner agencies, has 2-hour, 24-hour and 4-day forecasts, rain alerts, PSI and PM2.5 readings and dengue cluster locations. It can also help you find hawker centres, check food establishment hygiene grades and spot flash flood warnings. Handy for deciding whether to bring an umbrella to that hawker centre lunch!

ActiveSG, NLB Mobile and HealthHub: fitness, reading and health

ActiveSG, NLB Mobile and HealthHub: fitness, reading and health
For illustrative purposes only. Actual locations, scenes, and appearances may vary.
Credit: InSingapura.com (AI-assisted)

ActiveSG lets you reserve sports facilities, sign up for fitness classes and buy entry passes to ActiveSG Sport Centres. You can also pay with Active Wallet at participating merchants, log your steps and join challenges for rewards.

NLB Mobile is the National Library Board's app for managing loans and reading eBooks. Membership is open to Singaporeans, PRs and foreigners residing here with valid documents, but the fees differ. Basic Membership is free for Singaporeans, has a one-time registration fee of $10.69 for PRs, and costs foreigners $43.60 a year or $3.82 a month, plus the one-time $10.69 fee (all GST-inclusive). Check NLB's membership page for the latest rates.

HealthHub lets you view health records, book medical appointments and track medications. One guide says it is intended for permanent residents, so if you are on an employment pass or dependant's pass, check on HealthHub's own pages whether your account will work before relying on it.

Everyday apps most guides recommend

Everyday apps most guides recommend
For illustrative purposes only. Actual locations, scenes, and appearances may vary.
Credit: InSingapura.com (AI-assisted)

These are private apps, so features and fees can change. Always check inside the app.

Grab: ride-hailing, taxis, and food or grocery delivery. Add your card before you land, and pick your exact pickup point at busy venues to avoid cancellation fees.
Chope: restaurant reservations, with off-peak discounts at some venues.
FairPrice: grocery orders for pickup or delivery, shopping lists and scan-and-go checkout.
Foodpanda: food delivery.
Shopee and Lazada: online shopping with promotions and vouchers.
Parking.sg: pay for parking on your phone at coupon car parks.
CDG Zig, Gojek and TADA: other ride and taxi options if you like to compare fares.
Citymapper or Google Maps: an extra route planner to use alongside MyTransport.SG.
PropertyGuru or 99.co: property listings for renting or buying.
SP Utilities: view and pay water and electricity bills.

A simple first-week plan

  1. Get your mobile line or eSIM sorted and download your telco's app.
  2. Set up Singpass once you receive your FIN or NRIC.
  3. Add MyTransport.SG, myENV and your preferred ride app.
  4. Join ActiveSG and NLB if you want to use sports facilities and libraries.
  5. Download LifeSG to track government services you may be eligible for.

Things to keep in mind

Not every government service is open to every pass type, so eligibility varies.
Foreign-issued cards can attract extra fees on some apps, so check before you travel.
App features and prices change, so treat this as a starting point and confirm inside each app.

In a nutshell

You do not need dozens of apps. Start with Singpass, MyTransport.SG and myENV, add a ride and grocery app, then explore the rest as you settle in. Which app can't you live without? Tell us and we may add it to our list!