5 of the best new Android apps you need to try this January
January 5, 2026
Keeping pace with the ever-evolving world of mobile applications can be a daunting endeavor. However, January 2026 brings a fresh selection of Android apps and games that cater to diverse interests, from enhancing your reading habits to immersing you in expansive virtual worlds.
DogEar
A widget for bookworms.
Price: Free / In-app purchases from .99 – .99
Developer: Arta Dev
DogEar has quickly emerged as a favorite among avid readers, offering a unique widget that can be pinned to your home or lock screen. This widget cycles through quotes from your cherished books, providing a daily dose of literary inspiration. The app also features a library view that allows users to browse through memorable quotes from popular novels. However, the free version restricts users to just three books, which may feel limiting for some. Unlocking the full version requires a significant monthly payment or a hefty one-time fee, and unfortunately, there is no trial option available.
Where Winds Meet
A massive open-world RPG set in 10th-century China.
Price: Free / In-app purchases from [cyberseo_openai model=”gpt-4o-mini” prompt=”Rewrite a news story for a business publication, in a calm style with creativity and flair based on text below, making sure it reads like human-written text in a natural way. The article shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. The article shall NOT start from a title. Response language English. Generate HTML-formatted content using
tag for a sub-heading. You can use only
,
,
,
, and HTML tags if necessary. Text: Aamir Siddiqui / Android AuthorityKeeping up with the latest and greatest apps and games is a difficult task, but I’m here to help. Each month, I detail a list of the best new Android apps and games, and the January 2026 edition is packed with a wide range of options for all, including a classic PC title, apps to help you with that new year reading resolution, and more.Let’s jump right in. Here are the best new Android apps and games you should try in January 2026. Don’t want to miss the best from Android Authority?
DogEar
A widget for bookworms.
Price: Free / In-app purchases from $2.99 – $49.99
Developer: Arta Dev
DogEar is one of my favorite new finds and came very close to making my list of the best Android apps of 2025. Its concept is simple: it’s chiefly a widget that you pin to your home screen or lock screen that cycles through quotes from your favorite books. Its library view also functions as a quote browser, allowing you to revisit memorable moments from popular novels.There is one caveat, though. The free version limits users to just three books, which I find far too restrictive. Nevertheless, to unlock the full version, which includes several additional widget UI unlocks and convenience features, you’re looking at a rather steep monthly payment and a massive one-time fee. It’s a shame that there’s no trial version.
Where Winds Meet
A massive open-world RPG set in 10th-century China.
Price: Free / In-app purchases from $0.49 – $99.99
Developer: Exptional Global
There are plenty of Android apps on today’s list, so how about a game? December is a long month, so getting stuck into an open-world RPG is just the ticket. Where Winds Meet was released on the PS5 and PC in mid-November, but it has now rolled out to Android devices.You play as a budding swordsperson making their way through 10th-century China. Visually, the game is stunning, featuring vibrant and scalable environments, a reasonably broad character creator, and numerous fighting styles and weapons to choose from. Where Winds Meet also offers a co-op mode, which makes for a nice respite while traveling the world alone.It’s worth noting just how large this game is. Exptional Global notes that there’s at least 150 hours of single-player content on offer. Good luck finishing this title by the end of January.
Seriatim Reader
An e-book reader with a nifty gimmick.
Price: Free
Developer: Invisible Hours UG (haftungsbeschränkt)
The second book-related app on my list this week is one that completely revolutionizes the reading experience. My colleague Aamir Siddiqui gave Seriatim a full review, but for the uninitiated, this app breaks down and displays books sentence by sentence. The idea is to capture and keep the readers’ attention, allowing them to plough through books they wouldn’t typically complete.The app supports all major e-book formats, including EPUB, PDF, and text files, making it ideal for navigating more complex studies or academic content.
Caresleep
Enjoy sleep sounds without interruption and offline.
Price: Free
Developer: Pedros studio
I’ve been searching for a high-quality background sound app that I can use without an internet connection, and I think I’ve finally found it. Caresleep features a range of soundscapes, user-customizable sounds, and the option to save these settings. It also features a built-in sleep timer and a lullaby category, making this app ideal for calming children.Notably, the app functions entirely offline, and it includes no ads or limits. It’s rather brilliant.
Doki Doki Literature Club!
Another PC and console port arrives on Android.
Price: Free / In-app purchase from $9.99
Developer: Serenity Forge
Serenity ForgeWell, this was a surprise! Launched on PC back in 2017, Doki Doki Literature Club! is a visual novel in which you play as a new student who joins his school’s literature club. I don’t want to give too much away, but the title genuinely spirals into something that breaks your initial conception. It probably doesn’t have the replayability of other titles, but it’s well worth playing with fresh eyes.As its genre doesn’t demand too much of the hardware, it should work well across a vast number of Android devices. Additionally, the base game now supports 1080p content and assets. Fans can also opt for Plus, which includes all the DLC.
That’s my best new Android apps list to kick off 2026. Are there any new apps you discovered that you believe readers should check out? Drop your suggestions in the comments below.
Thank you for being part of our community. Read our Comment Policy before posting.” temperature=”0.3″ top_p=”1.0″ best_of=”1″ presence_penalty=”0.1″ ].49 – .99
Developer: Exptional Global
For those seeking adventure, Where Winds Meet offers an expansive open-world RPG experience. Originally launched on PS5 and PC, this title has now made its way to Android devices. Players step into the shoes of a budding swordsperson navigating the rich landscapes of 10th-century China. The game boasts stunning visuals, a broad character creator, and a variety of fighting styles and weapons. With over 150 hours of single-player content, it promises to keep players engaged well beyond the month of January.
Seriatim Reader
An e-book reader with a nifty gimmick.
Price: Free
Developer: Invisible Hours UG (haftungsbeschränkt)
Transforming the reading experience, Seriatim Reader presents books one sentence at a time, designed to capture and maintain the reader’s focus. This innovative approach allows users to tackle books they might otherwise find daunting. Supporting all major e-book formats, including EPUB and PDF, it’s particularly useful for navigating complex academic texts.
Caresleep
Enjoy sleep sounds without interruption and offline.
Price: Free
Developer: Pedros studio
For those in search of tranquility, Caresleep offers a delightful array of soundscapes that can be enjoyed offline. Users can customize their sound settings and even save them for future use. With a built-in sleep timer and a lullaby category, this app is perfect for creating a calming environment, especially for children. Notably, it operates entirely without ads or limitations, making it a standout choice for relaxation.
Doki Doki Literature Club!
Another PC and console port arrives on Android.
Price: Free / In-app purchase from .99
Developer: Serenity Forge
Surprising many, Doki Doki Literature Club! has made its debut on Android after captivating audiences on PC since 2017. This visual novel invites players to join a literature club, leading to unexpected twists that challenge initial perceptions. While it may lack the replayability of some other titles, it offers a fresh narrative experience that is worth exploring. The game is optimized for a wide range of Android devices, now supporting 1080p content and additional downloadable content for those who wish to delve deeper.
As we embark on 2026, this selection of new Android apps provides a glimpse into the innovative tools and experiences available to users. Should you have any recommendations for new apps that deserve attention, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
5 of the best new Android apps you need to try this January
Keeping pace with the ever-evolving world of mobile applications can be a daunting endeavor. However, January 2026 brings a fresh selection of Android apps and games that cater to diverse interests, from enhancing your reading habits to immersing you in expansive virtual worlds.
DogEar
A widget for bookworms.
DogEar has quickly emerged as a favorite among avid readers, offering a unique widget that can be pinned to your home or lock screen. This widget cycles through quotes from your cherished books, providing a daily dose of literary inspiration. The app also features a library view that allows users to browse through memorable quotes from popular novels. However, the free version restricts users to just three books, which may feel limiting for some. Unlocking the full version requires a significant monthly payment or a hefty one-time fee, and unfortunately, there is no trial option available.
Where Winds Meet
A massive open-world RPG set in 10th-century China.
tag for a sub-heading. You can use only
,
,- Price: Free
- Developer: Invisible Hours UG (haftungsbeschränkt)
- Price: Free
- Developer: Pedros studio
- Price: Free / In-app purchase from .99
- Developer: Serenity Forge
,- , and HTML tags if necessary. Text: Aamir Siddiqui / Android AuthorityKeeping up with the latest and greatest apps and games is a difficult task, but I’m here to help. Each month, I detail a list of the best new Android apps and games, and the January 2026 edition is packed with a wide range of options for all, including a classic PC title, apps to help you with that new year reading resolution, and more.Let’s jump right in. Here are the best new Android apps and games you should try in January 2026.
- Price: Free / In-app purchases from $2.99 – $49.99
- Developer: Arta Dev
- Price: Free / In-app purchases from $0.49 – $99.99
- Developer: Exptional Global
- Price: Free
- Developer: Invisible Hours UG (haftungsbeschränkt)
- Price: Free
- Developer: Pedros studio
- Price: Free / In-app purchase from $9.99
- Developer: Serenity Forge
- Developer: Exptional Global
Don’t want to miss the best from Android Authority?
DogEar
A widget for bookworms.
DogEar is one of my favorite new finds and came very close to making my list of the best Android apps of 2025. Its concept is simple: it’s chiefly a widget that you pin to your home screen or lock screen that cycles through quotes from your favorite books. Its library view also functions as a quote browser, allowing you to revisit memorable moments from popular novels.There is one caveat, though. The free version limits users to just three books, which I find far too restrictive. Nevertheless, to unlock the full version, which includes several additional widget UI unlocks and convenience features, you’re looking at a rather steep monthly payment and a massive one-time fee. It’s a shame that there’s no trial version.
Where Winds Meet
A massive open-world RPG set in 10th-century China.
There are plenty of Android apps on today’s list, so how about a game? December is a long month, so getting stuck into an open-world RPG is just the ticket. Where Winds Meet was released on the PS5 and PC in mid-November, but it has now rolled out to Android devices.You play as a budding swordsperson making their way through 10th-century China. Visually, the game is stunning, featuring vibrant and scalable environments, a reasonably broad character creator, and numerous fighting styles and weapons to choose from. Where Winds Meet also offers a co-op mode, which makes for a nice respite while traveling the world alone.It’s worth noting just how large this game is. Exptional Global notes that there’s at least 150 hours of single-player content on offer. Good luck finishing this title by the end of January.
Seriatim Reader
An e-book reader with a nifty gimmick.
The second book-related app on my list this week is one that completely revolutionizes the reading experience. My colleague Aamir Siddiqui gave Seriatim a full review, but for the uninitiated, this app breaks down and displays books sentence by sentence. The idea is to capture and keep the readers’ attention, allowing them to plough through books they wouldn’t typically complete.The app supports all major e-book formats, including EPUB, PDF, and text files, making it ideal for navigating more complex studies or academic content.
Caresleep
Enjoy sleep sounds without interruption and offline.
I’ve been searching for a high-quality background sound app that I can use without an internet connection, and I think I’ve finally found it. Caresleep features a range of soundscapes, user-customizable sounds, and the option to save these settings. It also features a built-in sleep timer and a lullaby category, making this app ideal for calming children.Notably, the app functions entirely offline, and it includes no ads or limits. It’s rather brilliant.
Doki Doki Literature Club!
Another PC and console port arrives on Android.
Serenity ForgeWell, this was a surprise! Launched on PC back in 2017, Doki Doki Literature Club! is a visual novel in which you play as a new student who joins his school’s literature club. I don’t want to give too much away, but the title genuinely spirals into something that breaks your initial conception. It probably doesn’t have the replayability of other titles, but it’s well worth playing with fresh eyes.As its genre doesn’t demand too much of the hardware, it should work well across a vast number of Android devices. Additionally, the base game now supports 1080p content and assets. Fans can also opt for Plus, which includes all the DLC.
That’s my best new Android apps list to kick off 2026. Are there any new apps you discovered that you believe readers should check out? Drop your suggestions in the comments below.
Thank you for being part of our community. Read our Comment Policy before posting.” temperature=”0.3″ top_p=”1.0″ best_of=”1″ presence_penalty=”0.1″ ].49 – .99
For those seeking adventure, Where Winds Meet offers an expansive open-world RPG experience. Originally launched on PS5 and PC, this title has now made its way to Android devices. Players step into the shoes of a budding swordsperson navigating the rich landscapes of 10th-century China. The game boasts stunning visuals, a broad character creator, and a variety of fighting styles and weapons. With over 150 hours of single-player content, it promises to keep players engaged well beyond the month of January.
Seriatim Reader
An e-book reader with a nifty gimmick.
Transforming the reading experience, Seriatim Reader presents books one sentence at a time, designed to capture and maintain the reader’s focus. This innovative approach allows users to tackle books they might otherwise find daunting. Supporting all major e-book formats, including EPUB and PDF, it’s particularly useful for navigating complex academic texts.
Caresleep
Enjoy sleep sounds without interruption and offline.
For those in search of tranquility, Caresleep offers a delightful array of soundscapes that can be enjoyed offline. Users can customize their sound settings and even save them for future use. With a built-in sleep timer and a lullaby category, this app is perfect for creating a calming environment, especially for children. Notably, it operates entirely without ads or limitations, making it a standout choice for relaxation.
Doki Doki Literature Club!
Another PC and console port arrives on Android.
Surprising many, Doki Doki Literature Club! has made its debut on Android after captivating audiences on PC since 2017. This visual novel invites players to join a literature club, leading to unexpected twists that challenge initial perceptions. While it may lack the replayability of some other titles, it offers a fresh narrative experience that is worth exploring. The game is optimized for a wide range of Android devices, now supporting 1080p content and additional downloadable content for those who wish to delve deeper.
As we embark on 2026, this selection of new Android apps provides a glimpse into the innovative tools and experiences available to users. Should you have any recommendations for new apps that deserve attention, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.