The iPhone may be the best learning tool ever created.
While smartphones can be used to mindlessly scroll through highly-distracting content like news and social media feeds, they can also be used mindfully for lifelong learning and constantly upgrading your skills.
In today’s rapidly changing world, your iPhone gives you access to the resources you need to educate yourself and make online learning a daily habit that fits into your busy routine.
But where do you begin? This guide covers the best educational apps for your iPhone.
Make Mindful Learning A Habit
One of the thing I help people do in our Mindful Habits Community is to replace mindless habits that drain their time, energy attention with mindful habits that boost their focus, energy and mood.
One of the easiest ways to do this is remove highly-distracting apps like Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok from your notifications and homescreen so you don’t instantly see them every time you unlock your iPhone.
Instead of getting your dopamine hit from these apps that facilitate mindless scrolling and shallow learning, I recommend creating a specific folder on your homescreen with 9 of your favorite educational apps from the list below.
This way, when you feel the urge to check social media or open a gaming app to mindlessly waste your time, make a conscious effort to productively procrastinate by learning with those educational apps instead.
You’ll be surprised at how much more you can learn with this simple approach.
Online Courses:
Easily take online courses from the world’s best Universities on your iPhone.
1. Coursera – The world’s largest massive open online course (MOOC) platform with over 10 million students taking courses from the best professors at 140+ of the best colleges and universities in the world.
2. EdX – Take online courses from Ivy League Universities in computer science, engineering, history, psychology, nutrition, big data, statistics and hundreds more.
3. Udemy – Watch online video courses in coding, web development, business, marketing, SEO, SEM, design, drawing, photography and more.
4. Skillshare – Learn in-demand web, business, tech and creative skills with courses taught by industry experts.
5. Khan Academy – Catch up on all the stuff you missed (or forgot) from high school (and University) in subjects like biology, history, physics, mathematics, economics and computer science.
Innovative Learning Tools:
Use these cutting-edge learning tools to accelerate your learning.
1. Brilliant – Award-winning teachers, researchers, and professionals illuminate the soul of math, science, and computer science through fun, bite-sized problem solving explorations.
2. Socratic by Google – An indispensable app for high school and University students that helps you find the best online resources for you to learn new concepts and get help on any subject.
3. Nearpod – a student engagement platform built to make teaching with technology easy with VR Field Trips, game-based activities, and collaboration boards.
4. Top Hat – A comprehensive assessment platform that helps you learn better before, during and after class.
5. Cerego – An innovative personalized learning app that focuses on short, frequent interactions known as “microlearning” and improving your study habits.
6. Imprint – The world’s most important knowledge, visualized. Understand complex topics quickly with elegant visuals that clarify key ideas and help you stay focused.
Self-Organization:
Get better organized, schedule your learning sessions each week and create a structure for your self-directed studies.
1. Voice Dream Reader – A best-in-class text-to-speech app that reads text aloud from just about any digital source, whether it’s a web page or PDF, in more than two dozen languages.
2. Asana – The project management and task to-do app that I use for planning out all my weekly self-directed learning activities.
3. My Study Life – Everything your paper planner is and more. Create a learning schedule and making sure you stay on top of assignments, exams, important deadlines, and collaborative group work.
4. Week Plan – Set personal goals, track your progress and motivate yourself for your self-directed learning.
Educational AI:
Improve your learning, research and creative ideation process with artificial intelligence apps.
1. ChatGPT – The ultimate creative assistant. Use ChatGPT to come up with new ideas, ask questions, write emails and make yourself a lot more productive.
2. Character.ai – Let’s you create characters and chat with them. Chat with historical figures like Albert Einstein, Nikola Tesla, Issac Newton and 1000s of user generated chatbots.
3. Perplexity – An AI-powered curiosity and discovery engine. Get answers for your most important questions with cited sources for every answer. Learn new things from their massive community.
Microlearning:
Replace mindless social media with micro-learning sessions that make you more intelligent.
1. Blinkist – Get 15 minute audio summaries of the most popular non-fiction books as well as details on their key ideas.
2. DeepStash – Get access to 200,000+ powerful ideas from top books, podcasts, documentaries and more.
3. Uptime – Listen, read or watch bite-sized summaries of the world’s best books, podcast, documentaries and courses.
Ebooks:
Collect ebooks and store them in the cloud so they are accessible anywhere.
1. Free Books – Browse 23,469 free books in this iOS app or export to read them in the Kindle and iBooks apps too. Supports notes, highlighting, bookmarks and quick dictionary lookup.
2. Overdrive – Borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and streaming video from your local library using OverDrive and their other app Libby. They support more than 30,000 libraries worldwide.
3. Goodreads – A social network for avid readers. Share the books you read and quickly find new book recommendations from the community.
4. Bookly – Bookly allows you to set a time to read each day and it records your time spent reading. It also has an excellent personal assistant that will help you stay on track with your reading goals.
Audiobooks:
Listen to audiobooks and learn from your favorite authors while you’re on the go.
1. Free Audiobooks – Browse thousands of classic novels and Enjoy unlimited access to thousands of free audiobooks that you can search by author, title or narrator
2. Free Audiobooks – Browse over 4,728 audiobook classics that you can download and listen to for free.
3. Audible – Amazon’s popular audiobook subscription service for listening the latest books releases. Get a 1-month trial with a free audiobook, then $14.95/month.
Podcasts:
Learn from listening to interviews and informative talks with entrepreneurs, authors and all kinds of interesting people.
1. Overcast – The best podcast player that is completely free.
2. Pocket Casts – The podcast app that I use each day. The UI rocks and it’s jam-packed with amazing features. $3.99
3. Downcast – Another really popular choice for podcasting power users. $2.99
4. Stitcher Radio – Explore radio shows and podcasts from NPR, WNYC, the New York Times, Earwolf, BBC and more.
Notetaking:
Collect your ideas and take notes that are stored in the cloud and accessible on every device.
1. Notion – An all-in-one workspace for your notes, wikis and databases. This app is a game-changer.
2. Evernote – Evernote is the place to collect inspirational ideas, write meaningful words, and move your important projects forward. Hands down the most versatile notetaking tool.
3. MarginNote Reader – Annotate on page margins, organize your notes in mindmaps and sync up with your Evernote account.
4. SoundNote – Tracks what you type while also recording the audio of meetings, lectures and interviews. During playback, just tap a word and you will jump to the proper time in the audio. $4.99
5. Summarize – A beautifully designed app that gives you a good structure for summarizing the books you are reading.
Memory Apps:
Memorize important information with this memory repetition and flashcard apps.
1. Brainscape – A clever mobile education platform that helps you learn anything as efficiently as possible, based on solid cognitive science.
2. SmartCards+ – An excellent spaced repetition app for daily review based on a sophisticated algorithm that predicts when you are likely to forget and reminds you to keep learning.
Learn To Code:
Can you learn to code on your touchscreen iPhone or iPad? It sounds a bit crazy but you can actually do it.
1. Swift Playgrounds – Start learning to code in Apple’s programming language Swift by navigating Swift Playgrounds 200+ interactive lectures (iPad only).
2. Codeacademy Go – Learn to understand the basic structure of code behind the apps on your iPhone and the websites you visit with this free app from Codecademy.
3. Tynker – Play fun puzzle games to learn the basics of coding and then create your own amazing games using Tynker’s excellent coding tutorials.
4. SoloLearn – One of the best collections of free educational content for learning how to code.
5. Mimo – Mimo makes learning to code and diving into computer science as fun and easy as possible.
Virtual Reality:
Take your experience to the next level with a virtual reality headset or an inexpensive tool like Google Cardboard.
1. Within – Extraordinary stories in virtual reality. VR content from the world’s finest VR creators.
2. FullDive VR – A 100% user-generated platform for virtual reality content.
Augmented Reality:
Apple’s ARKit has really improved augmented reality for learning.
1. Localscope – Discover new places and local stories around you using geo-tagged data from multiple local search engines, social networks, media sharing services and other apps.
2. Augment – A window into future possibilities for augmented reality. It allows you to visualize your 3D models in augmented reality, integrated in real-time in their actual size and environment.
3. GeoGebra Augmented Reality – Explore the potential of augmented reality for learning and teaching mathematics. Place math objects on any surface, walk around them, and take screenshots from different angles.
4. WWF Rivers – Through this immersive, augmented reality experience, you’ll discover a river that flows through the lives of people and wildlife
Math:
Improve your mathematics skills and use these math tools to solve complicated problems.
1. Math Ref – Browse over 1,400 formulas, figures, and examples to help you with math, physics, chemistry and more. $1.99
2. Photo Math – Uses innovative character recognition capabilities to help you solve math problems. Just point your iPhone’s camera and PhotoMath will instantly display the answer most of the time.
3. Brainly – A mega-popular homework math problem solver for problems in Algebra, Trigonometry and Geometry with expert-verified answers.
3. Free Graphing Calculator – A powerful, flexible graphic calculator that is completely free.
4. Math by YourTeacher – The most comprehensive math education app for iPhone and iPad. Browse over 50 courses for elementary, middle, and high school math; community college and college math; and standardized test prep.
5. Mathway – This handy app will solve problems for you in basic math, algebra, trigonometry, calculus, statistics and finite.
6. Mathemagics – Learn mental math tricks that will help you do calculations at lightning fast speed. Highly recommended if you use complex math in your job. $2.99
7. Next Numbers 2 – A simple brain game that trains concentration, reaction speed, and attention.
8. PhotoMath -Simply point your camera toward a math problem and Photomath will magically show the result with detailed step-by-step instructions. It actually works!
Science:
Explore the fascinating world of scientific discovery.
1. Journeys of Invention – Browse the fascinating history of science and technology from past to present. iPad only. $9.99
2. DIY Nano – Learn about nanoscale science, engineering and the future of nanotechnology. The iPad version is here.
3. Essential Anatomy – Uses cutting edge 3D technology to help you explore the human body. The best anatomy app I have found. It is used extensively by doctors and medical students. You can try Pocket Anatomy for free. $24.99
4. Just Science – Explore the warming of the Earth from 1800 to 2009 in an easy-to-understand video map of climate change.
5. Science360 – Explore fascinating science and engineering images and video from around the globe. iPad only.
6. 3D Brain – Discover each brain region and its functions by navigating the human brain in 3D.
Astronomy:
Massively increase the level of awe and wonder in your life by getting away from the city lights and exploring the stars in their full sparkling glory.
1. SkyView – Use the free SkyView app to identify stars, constellations, satellites, and more.
2. Sky Guide – A star and constellation guide has never been more beautiful and easy to use. Just hold it to the sky to automatically find stars, constellations, planets, satellites and more. $1.99
3. Sky Walk 2 – The most extensive guide to the night sky for identifying stars, planets, meteor shower and constellations. $3.99
4. NASA App – Few things stimulate our sense of wonder and awe more than studying our gigantic Cosmos. The NASA app has over 11,700 incredible images of outer space and 9,200 videos from NASA’s space exploration missions.
5. Exoplanets – Exoplanets are planets orbiting stars beyond our own Solar System. Explore what we know about these mysterious planets and whether they may have life like we enjoy on Earth.
6. DIY Sun Science – Dozens of easy to use, hands-on activities to learn about the incredibly beautiful sphere of blazing glory we call our Sun. Includes an amazing set of photos and videos.
7. Outland – Space Journey – Take a mind-expanding journey through space exploring nebulas, timelapse from the International Space Station and the geographical wonders of Planet Earth from above. $0.99
8. Earth Now – A fascinating way to visualize recent global climate data and learn more about Planet Earth.
9. SkyORB Lite – A 3D star map and planetarium for learning about the cosmos.
10. ISS Live Now – See the Earth as the astronauts see it with a 24/7 video livestream from the International Space Station.
Learn a Language:
One of the best ways to improve your memory, sharpen your social skills and challenge yourself to learn a new language (ideally while traveling).
1. Duolingo – Duolingo is my favorite tool for language learning. They make the difficult process of learning vocabulary and grammar fun and engaging using learning gamification. They currently support English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Portuguese.
2. Memrise – Use “mems”, which are fun and imaginative ways to remember a word or phrase to learn whatever your heart desires. This app will help you make those new words stick in your memory banks.
3. Learn Chinese (Mandarin) – Want a real challenge? Try learning Mandarin. A billion people can’t be wrong! You should also use Skritter to master the unique pictogram style of writing on your iPhone or iPad screen.
4. Google Translate – The world’s best offline translator. Supports 52 different languages.
5. English With Andy – A brilliant use of chatbots and artificial intelligence to help people learn English.
Explore The World:
Learn more about geography and the world’s different countries, ecosystems and animals.
1. Google Earth – Fly around the planet with a swipe of your finger using Google Earth.
2. Learn World Geography – Learn more about the world’s countries, capitals and geography through flashcards.
3. The World Factbook – Browse an extensive database of maps and information on the world’s 250 countries and territories. $1.99
4. WWF Together – An award-winning interactive experience that brings you closer to the stories of elephants, whales, rhinos and other endangered species. iPad only.
5. EarthViewer – EarthViewer is like a time machine for exploring Earth’s deep history. Based on the latest scientific research, it lets you scroll through the last 4.5 billion years with your fingertips.
Arts and Culture:
1. Google Arts & Culture – visit top exhibits, zoom in on artworks in mind-blowing detail and browse thousands of stories, photos, videos, and manuscripts.
2. WikiArt – WikiArt already features some 250.000 artworks by 3.000 artists, localized on 7 languages.
3. WattPad – Wattpad connects a global community of 70 million readers and writers through the power of story.
History:
1. The Pyramids – Explore in exquisite 3D detail the only ancient wonder of the world that still stands: the Pyramids of Giza. iPad only.
2. World History Quiz – Are you a history expert? Test your knowledge of the world’s history with this fun history quiz game.
3. Ben Franklin’s World – Learn about the man who defined the early American ethos as a marriage of the practical values of thrift, hard work, education, community spirit, self-governing institutions, and opposition to authoritarianism
4. Civilisations AR – BBC’s first-ever Augmented Reality app ‘Civilisations AR’ puts history in the palm of your hand.
5. The History of Everything – An animated timeline that allows you to navigate, explore, and compare events from the Big Bang to the birth of the Internet.
Music:
Learning to play a musical instrument such as an acoustic guitar is a great way to improve your focus on the learning process.
1. Songsterr – A massive catalog of 500,000+ tabs and chords. Excellent visual guitar engine for learning and playing.
2. Video Guitar Lessons – An excellent free app for learning to play guitar through guided instructional videos.
3. Guitar Jam Tracks – Learn to play guitar scales and practice by jamming along with 5 different styles: rock, acoustic blues, humbucker blues, jazz and reggae. $3.99
News:
The best iPhone apps to get your daily scoop on what’s happening in the world.
1. Flipboard – Find interactive content from the web’s best sources and curate your own digital magazine of the websites, articles, videos and photos that inspire you.
2. Feedly – Subscribe to your favorite blogs and read them offline in this RSS feed reader.
3. Pocket – Save the best articles you read on the web for later and read them offline.
4. SmartNews – This app uses artificial intelligence to analyze millions of articles every day to deliver the top trending stories to you, tailored to your interests.
5. Reddit – The official app of Reddit, the frontpage of the Internet.
Edutainment:
Watch inspiring talks, find educational documentaries and test your knowledge and skills in interactive games.
1. TED Talks – The annual conference that brings leading academics, business leaders and innovators together under the banner of “Idea Worth Spreading”. They have an excellent app with all their talks on iPhone and iPad.
2. Catena – A challenging word game that will challenge you to expand your vocabulary.
3. Trivia Crack – Another great trivia game for challenging your friends and playing online with strangers.
4. Sudoku – Solve Sudoku puzzles in this gamified Sudoku puzzle app.
5. Chess – Learn to play chess and play with more than 10 million players around the world. Highly recommended.
6. Kahoot! – Create your own quizzes in seconds, play anywhere, anytime, on your own or with friends.
Brain Training:
1. Elevate – A personalized brain training app designed to improve focus, speaking skills, processing speed, and more. I like this brain training app the best.
2. Peak – Improve your cognitive skills and build healthy training habits with fun and challenging games and mental workouts.
Solve Puzzles:
Increase your brain’s gray matter and exercise your pattern recognition skills by solving complex puzzles.
1. Sky: Children of the Light – Soar and explore 7 dreamlike realms to solve puzzles and uncover mysteries. Voted Apple’s iPhone Game of the Year in 2019.
2. Monument Valley – A surreal exploration through stunning architecture and impossible geometry. $3.99
3. The Room Two – An award-winning puzzle game where you follow a trail of mystery and exploration inside a beautifully tactile 3D world. $2.99
4. Device 6 – A surreal thriller in which the written word is your map, as well as your narrator. $3.99
5. 80 Days – Choose your own route around a 3D globe, traveling by airship, submarine, mechanical camel, steam-train and more, racing other players and a clock that never stops. $4.99
6. Windosill – Explore a dream-like world of eleven beautifully constructed environments. Equal parts puzzle game, physics toy, and living picture-book. $2.99
7. Har•mo•ny 2 – An immersive puzzle game of beautiful color palettes and beautiful music… blended in perfect harmony. $1.99
8. Lyne – Deceptively simple. Infinitely complex. LYNE is a minimalist puzzle game that will knot your brain as it calms your soul. $2.99
9. Limbo – The puzzle game that is a great tool for challenging yourself.
Quick Reference:
Access all the reference information you need at your fingertips using these essential reference apps for iPhone.
1. Wolfram Alpha – A computational search engine. Wolfram Alpha’s excellent app gives you access to the world’s facts and data and calculates answers across a wide range of topics. $2.99
2. Dictionary.com – The best English dictionary and thesaurus with over 2,000,000 definitions, synonyms and antonyms. Most content works with offline access and there are great features like audio pronunciations, example sentences, word origin and history.
3. PCalc – The best scientific calculator app hands down. $9.99
4. WikiWeb – A visual Wikipedia reader for your iPhone and iPad that allows you to explore Wikipedia in style and visualize the connections between articles so you can generate unexpected insights. $4.99
5. Encyclopedia by Farlex – An encyclopedia of the world’s knowledge. Search 330,000+ encyclopedia articles on almost any topic.
Outdoor Learning:
Play more outside and bring your iPhone with you to use its augmented reality, GPS, optical image recognition capabilities.
1. Geocaching – Go on treasure hunts with your friends. You’ll be amazed that there are geocaching hidden everywhere around you.
2. iNaturalist – Learn about the plants, trees and fungi in your local ecosystem and all over the world.
3. The Outbound – Discover the best local spots for adventure in this incredible community of mobile adventurers.
4. Cairn – An indispensable tool for outdoor adventurers. Keep your loved ones updated, get maps offline and know where you’ll have cell coverage.
These educational apps should help you turn your iPhone into the ultimate learning tool.
