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Most of us carry our phones everywhere we go nowadays. From work and communication to music and photography, our phones hold all our favorite apps for staying connected and entertained. Some apps also make life downright easier. Our friends from Pacific Prime Hong Kong are here to go over the top apps for expats living in HK, broken down by category.
Transportation
Thanks to its efficient public transportation system, Hong Kong is incredibly convenient to move around. However, it can be confusing to navigate - especially if you’re a newcomer or are traveling to unfamiliar places. Google Maps is entirely in English and very user-friendly. Additionally, the MTR Mobile app can help you get around the world-class subway system, offering route suggestions, real-time train and bus information, and more.
If you prefer to take taxis, TakeTaxi ensures you won’t get lost in translation. Or call an Uber for advance bookings, ride options, and more. When moving to a metropolis like Hong Kong, it’s easy to expand your social network and stay in touch with loved ones back home. Even though English is widely used in Hong Kong, the Alive app comes in handy whenever you need reliable voice or text Cantonese translations. Whatsapp is a popular app in HK for everything from casual conversations to business information and bookings.
Interested in exploring the Hong Kong dating scene or making a new friend? Then give apps like CoffeeMeetsBagel, Tinder, and Bumble a go.
Food
Dining in Hong Kong is nothing short of a gastronomic adventure. Nowadays, you don’t even have to leave your flat to eat and drink whatever you please. Originally an app where you could read reviews and make bookings, OpenRice now also allows you to pre-order food for takeaway. But if you want food delivered right to your door then Deliveroo is one of the most popular food delivery apps for HK expats.
Health and wellness
While health and wellness apps can be used no matter where you are in the world, there are some apps that health-conscious expats in Hong Kong are guaranteed to appreciate. For flexible membership packages and access to a wide selection of studios and classes across the city, ClassPass is hard to beat. Likewise, you’ll love Trailwatch if you’re keen to explore Hong Kong’s hiking trails. To keep an eye on air pollution levels, AirVisual is a must.
We can’t forget to mention the LeaveHomeSafe app as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Designed to protect the community and your privacy, the app makes it easy to record your visit history by scanning QR codes, provide vaccination records, and more. Over 110,000 venues require the contact-tracing tool at present, making it a recent must-have for expats and locals alike.