Best Augmented Reality apps for Android

Apps with augmented reality integration interact with the things around you, giving you a different perspective and way to see the world. Some hardware, such as Project Tango in Lenovo’s PHAB2 Pro can even help with this! Augmented apps take physical items and add a digital aspect to them, reminiscent of pop-up books, adding an element of fun to whatever you’re doing, whether it’s playing Pokemon Go, looking at the stars, or just scanning your favorite snack at the store. Here’s some of our favorites.

Snapchat

Contrary to popular belief, Snapchat is not only for teens. Businesses and companies have utilized this app to further their brand and show their raw, behind-the-scenes work to their customers and fans. So no matter your age or your field of work, Snapchat is an augmented reality blast.

With all of the different filters you can use to change your look (or someone else’s), Snapchat brings a different element to wherever you find yourself, whether that be with your friends, in your own cubicle, with your coworkers, and yes, even the in-laws.

LandscapAR

If you find yourself doodling in the corner of your paper during those agonizing meetings, you might get a kick out of LandscapAR. And even if you don’t have to sit through those meetings, but you’re a doodler at heart, this app is a great way to use your creativity.

In LandscapAR, you’ll draw shapes of any kind, but for them to work with the app, the lines must be connected. After you’ve drawn your shapes, lettering, or something extravagantly detailed, you’ll scan it with the app and it’ll immediately be turned into islands on your phone. You’ll learn how to create different peaks and elevations, and put those doodles to good use!

Augmented Reality Solar System

If you’ve ever wished you could see our solar system in person, or get a better view of it than just from mere photos in a textbook or online, Augmented Reality Solar System is your chance. Although I’m sure it is still far from the real thing, it’s one step closer than just a photo.

With this app, you’ll get to view the planets through a different lens so to speak, and see the different planets in a new way, wherever you are. Look at them in the sky at dusk, on your dining room table during the day—literally, wherever! That’s the beauty of augmented reality. Same amazing picture, any time, anywhere.

INKHUNTER

Thinking about getting your first tattoo, or another tattoo, but not sure where to have it put? Inkhunter is a genius app that takes any tattoo design you’re wanting, and allows you to project it onto any part of your body through augmented reality.

The steps are easy: you’ll draw a simple square smile on your skin wherever you want to test the tattoo out, and then your chosen design will appear there for you to see, looking so real, as if you’d already gotten the tattoo. Especially if you’re unsure of getting a tattoo because you’re afraid of how it will look once it’s done, we can’t recommend Inkhunter enough. This app takes all the guess work out of getting your tattoo.

Sky Map

Although Sky Map is all about the solar system, it’s a whole different ball game than Augmented Reality Solar System. While that app gives you an up-close look at planets (without your phone being pointed at them), Sky Map is an app that you’ll actually take outside with you at night to help you connect constellations and find them in the night’s sky from where you’re standing. If you’ve ever had a hard time connecting the stars and figuring out how they make constellations, Sky Map is such a fun and helpful app to have with you when stargazing.

Quiver – 3D Coloring

Fun for all ages and artists, Quiver – 3D Coloring brings their coloring pages to life as you color them. In this app, you’ll print off some of their featured coloring pages. These coloring pages are actually surprisingly educational, even though they might not look like it at first. That’s where augmented reality comes in. Once you color your pages, you’ll open Quiver and the amazing animations will come to life and tell you all about the history of what you’ve colored. This is great for kids, but actually pretty fun for adults just the same.

Pokemon GO

Our list here would not be complete without Pokemon GO. When it first became popular last year, no one thought the trend would last this long, but it has. Pokemon GO is still a hit among long-time Pokemon fans and new fans alike, and with the game’s recent updates, it’s clear that Pokemon GO is still going strong.

If you’re not familiar with Pokemon Go, it’s an app that you’ll take with you as you search to capture Pokemon in your own neighborhood. You’ll have to throw poke balls to try and catch them before they get away. You’ll also earn points, level up, and be able to stop at Poke Stops to restock Poke Balls and other items. If you haven’t given this game a shot yet, better late than never, because you won’t regret it!

ABC Augmented Reality

This one is more for kids, but it’s a great way to help them learn their ABC’s in a more hands-on way. If you have a particularly creative child who learns best that way, ABC Augmented Reality will become a lifesaver when helping them grasp onto the alphabet and how to read.

In ABC Augmented Reality, you’ll print off their unique flash cards and set them out somewhere. You can go over the letters and their sounds, but when you bring out your phone or device, the letters will come to life and start jumping off the page. Your kids will have a ton of fun watching the crazy letters, all while learning their alphabet along the way.