La augmented reality (AR) has ceased to be a futuristic technology and has become an essential ally in our daily lives. Beyond simple entertainment, augmented reality apps for Android They open the door to new ways of learning, working, shopping, and socializing. From trying on sneakers without leaving your couch to creating works of art or bringing planets and constellations to life in your living room, the possibilities of AR on your Android phone are nearly endless.
With the evolution of technologies such as Google ARCore With the increasing power of today's smartphones, more and more apps are emerging that leverage AR to offer practical, educational, or simply fun experiences. If you haven't yet explored everything you can do with augmented reality on your Android, get ready to discover a world of apps that will surprise you.
What is augmented reality and why is it so popular on Android?
La augmented reality It's a technology that combines the physical world with digital elements superimposed in real time. Unlike virtual reality, which creates a completely digital environment, AR uses what you see through your phone's camera and adds information, 3D graphics, animations, or interactive effects. On Android, the expansion of AR has gone hand in hand with the platform. Arcore, which allows developers to create much more realistic and stable experiences.
Why is it succeeding? Because you don't need expensive accessories No special glasses required—just your smartphone. You can enjoy apps ranging from games and educational apps to decorating, shopping, design, and more—all at your fingertips.
Essential augmented reality apps for Android
The catalog of AR apps for Android is growing by leaps and bounds. Here are the most popular and surprising options, ranked by utility:
Decoration, shopping and interior design
- Ikea Place: Have you ever wondered how that new sofa would look in your living room? This official IKEA app lets you see life-size furniture and objects in any room before purchasing. Simply focus on the space and drag the digital furniture where you prefer. You can also browse the catalog and even check product information in physical stores. thanks to RA.
- Myty AR: Similar to Ikea's proposal but focused on inspiration and customization, Myty AR lets you create virtual rooms, change wall or floor colors and discover new furniture brands, all from your mobile.
- Houzz: For the most discerning, Houzz combines inspiration, furniture shopping, and real-life testing using 3D models, with access to thousands of products and a community for design ideas.
Measure and create plans with your mobile
- Google Measure: Completely free and very simple, it turns your phone into a virtual tape measure to measure distances, heights, and surfaces. Ideal for renovations, moving, or small home projects.
- AR Plan 3D and MagicPlan: They take the concept a step further, allowing you to create complete room plans, calculate perimeters, and even share the results with others. MagicPlan stands out for the professional quality of its plans and their ease of use.
Virtual fitting rooms: fashion, makeup, and tattoos
- Inkhunter: Thinking about getting a tattoo? Before taking the plunge, try any design on your skin using AR. This app lets you adjust, rotate, and modify tattoos on your arm, leg, or anywhere else, and even use your own sketches.
- Wanna Kicks: Specializing in footwear, it lets you see how the latest sneakers would look on your feet, with models from leading brands. Although it's still in early access on Android, it's constantly adding more features.
- YouCam Makeup: The most realistic virtual makeup, with millions of downloads. You can try out styles, skin tones, lipsticks, eyeshadows, and even accessories like glasses or jewelry without getting dirty. Plus, many brands are using this technology to make your makeup look more realistic. buy directly from the app.
Education, science and interactive knowledge
- Starwalk 2: Point your phone at the sky and instantly discover the names of stars, planets, constellations, or satellites above you. Ideal for astronomy, whether you are a novice or want to go deeper.
- sky map: Another free and easy way to learn about the universe, with detailed information and a friendly interface for both kids and adults.
- Atlas of Human Anatomy: If you're interested in medicine or are studying medicine, this app takes anatomy to the next level with 3D models of organs, bones, and entire systems. You can view details, make sections, explore muscles and bones, and even see how they function in motion.
- AR Anatomy 4D+: Especially useful for students, it recreates the human body interactively and allows you to discover characteristics of each part thanks to AR triggers.
- Explore the World: Ideal for little explorers, it allows you to see animals and monuments from around the world in 3D on a real globe, encouraging learning about geography, wildlife, and culture.
- Big Bang AR: An official CERN project, it takes us on an interactive journey through the birth of the universe, from the Big Bang to the formation of planets, blending science and entertainment in a spectacular narrative.
- Civilizations AR and BBC Civilization: Educational apps about history and art, linked to BBC documentaries. Ideal for viewing historical artifacts, exploring ancient civilizations, and activating X-ray mode to reveal hidden details.
Creativity and art with augmented reality
- Quiver: Drawings come to life. Download templates, color them with markers or pencils, and then watch them animate in front of you with special effects—perfect for kids and families.
- SketchAR: Designed for learning to draw, this app projects guide lines onto paper so you can improve your technique step by step, imitating images from the library, the internet, or your phone's gallery.
- Just a Line: Simple yet addictive, it lets you doodle in the air, record short videos, and share them. You can even collaborate in real time with another person from your phone.
- Google Arts & Culture: Enjoy museum collections, historical paintings, and all kinds of art, brought directly to your home so you can explore them in real size and discover unique details.
Augmented Reality in the Classroom: Immersive Education and New Ways of Learning
La Education is one of the fields where AR is most revolutionizing learning., making classes much more interactive and practical. There are specific apps for teachers and students that make it easier to teach and learn science, math, languages, history, and art in a fun and memorable way.
- JigSpace: Although it started only on iOS, it's a powerful tool for exploring 3D objects and answering questions like "how does this work?"—perfect for explaining everything from the composition of the Earth to the human body.
- Chromeville Science: It combines traditional worksheets that students can color with augmented reality, ideal for working with natural sciences in a fun way.
- Cyberchase 3D Builder: Educational game for girls and boys to understand three-dimensional geometric shapes, spatial reasoning, and logic.
- FETCH! Lunch Rush: Using physical cards in class, teach math actively and collaboratively thanks to AR.
- Metaverse: An online platform that allows you to create collaborative educational AR experiences, including games, quizzes, and simulations for all types of subjects.
- STEM App Kits: With experimental simulations, 3D molecular models, and virtual exhibits, they bring science and technology into any classroom.
Social and messaging apps based on augmented reality
La social dimension is another field of innovation in AR:
- WallaMe: It lets you leave secret messages or drawings on walls or in real-life locations, visible only to those who have the app and are in the same location. A social network literally based on geolocation and AR.
- Snap AR: Snap Inc.'s (creators of Snapchat) technology allows users and brands to create interactive experiences, filters and effects that go far beyond traditional ones, including 3D animations, games and viral campaigns.
- Giphy World: Turn your photos and videos into animated messages by overlaying stickers and 3D digital art, something that's especially popular with younger people.
Tools to create your own augmented reality content
You no longer need to be a programmer to create personalized experiences. There are several tools that make it easy, whether you're an educator, a brand owner, or just want to experiment. Plus, you can use some of these platforms to further personalize your content.
- CoSpaces: It allows you to create interactive spaces, design simulations, narratives, or games, and share them via links or QR codes. It features a visual environment for those without technical knowledge, but also a more advanced editor for programmers.
- Zappar and ZapWorks: A platform designed for both education and marketing, with simple design options and a very active community.
- HP Reveal: Although it has changed its name (previously Aurasma), it remains a benchmark for associating interactive content with specific images, objects, or places, ideal for school projects and printed materials.
- Aumentaty Author: Specifically geared towards Windows, it allows you to import 3D models and link them to markers in a very intuitive way.
- Appy Pie and Vuforia: Tools for those who want to go further and create true AR apps, whether without programming knowledge (Appy Pie) or with advanced SDKs (Vuforia).
- Blippar: Focused on business development, it also includes an educational section for applying AR in the classroom.
- instructables: If you prefer a DIY approach, you can find step-by-step tutorials for creating AR projects using QR codes, simple apps, and your Android phone.
Professional and business applications: boost your business with AR
La Augmented reality is not just a matter of leisure and educationCompanies are increasingly using this technology to sell more and improve the customer experience:
- Shopify: Allows customers to view products in 3D directly in their environment before purchasing, increasing confidence and reducing returns.
- Enhanced: It offers rapid solutions for transforming 2D assets into 3D models and creating personalized user experiences in eCommerce without the need for an app or special hardware.
- Augment – 3D Augmented Reality: Ideal for visualizing products, comparing multiple options, and simulating them in real space, especially useful in sales, design, and architecture.
Other amazing AR apps on Android
- Google Lens: Beyond identifying objects, it now translates menus, finds stores, describes monuments, and even recognizes animals in 3D. A wild card for travelers and curious people. Find out how .
- ARLOOPA: Play with 3D animals, combine models to create magical scenes, revive works of art, and explore the metaverse—all from your mobile device and without the hassle.
- Pokemon GO: The classic that put AR on everyone's lips continues to be updated with social features, global events, and new creatures hidden throughout your city.
The range of Android augmented reality apps It's so broad that it covers everything from education and leisure to productivity, e-commerce, and creativity. New apps and offerings are constantly appearing, many of them free and others with premium options for those seeking advanced features. If you have a mobile phone compatible with ARCore, the limit is the imaginationAR is changing the way we interact with the world, learn, and have fun. Don't hesitate to experiment, test, and find the apps that best fit your daily life. The future is here, and it fits in your pocket!
