Recommended Software

Phones & Tablets (Android)

General

Firefox - Web browser. Allows desktop extensions, such as uBlock Origin, so internet ads aren't really a thing. Also allows sending pages from device to device; start an article on your phone, but then get home, takes 3 taps and that page is open on your laptop.
Download from Google Play

Google Keep - Best note app I know of. Access via desktop browser, phone, or home assistant (just tell your house "Hey Google, add peanut butter to the shopping list", or "Add Frozen II to the Movies list"). Allows images (albeit only 1/note), recordings (with voice-to-text), checklists, scribbled images, reminders, etc. I probably use this more than any other app.
Download from Google Play

Firefox Lockwise - Allows me to use passwords saved on Friefox (desktop or mobile browser) inside apps. Great for when you are setting up a new device & don't want to have to re-enter 4 million passwords. Uses fingerprint sensor.
Download from Google Play

Nova Launcher - Really great customization options for your home screen, apps behavior, etc. Free version is good, one-time-payment Pro version adds a lot of extra utility.
Download from Google Play

Swiftkey - A better keyboard.
Download from Google Play

Mint - Track, sort, & organize your money.
Download from Google Play

Fun

Libby - Free access to digital books & audio books from your local library's collection.
Download from Google Play

9gag - When you want to kill a little time on an amusing content-scroller. When you get tired of the ads, you can do a 1-time purchase to disable them.
Download from Google Play

Rif is fun for Reddit - a Reddit browser. Minimal ads.
Download from Google Play

Communications

Google Voice - A free phone number & app from Google. Allows you to access your phone for texting & calls from mobile or desktop. Voice-to-text voicemail. Free. The one communications app Google has NEVER broken in over a decade.
Download from Google Play

Signal - For secure communications. Can also be used as your default SMS app. Has desktop version. Only downside is it doesn't sync conversations from device to device, only contacts.
Download from Google Play

Facebook Messenger - Yes, Facebook. Ick. But some people are only on it and will not move to Signal. Plus those chat-heads are spectacular. If they continue to remove functionality at the rate they have been lately, this one will be a goner.
Download from Google Play