Top 10 Android Mobile Apps in South Africa to Download

Android Mobile Apps in South Africa can be found at playstores or at app stores or at the concerned site that offers the app.

Technology is changing fast in South Africa and now more than two thirds of people in five of Africa’s major mobile phone markets, namely South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and Uganda, own a mobile phone with internet to play slots and browse other utility apps.

  • With a mobile phone growth rate of over 300 percent, Africa has skipped the landline development phase of communication altogether.
  • The mobile users are high in some part of Africa like Nigeria having nine out of ten individuals owing a smartphone followed by Ghana and South Africa.

According to Statista in 2017, the number of smartphone users in South Africa was 18.48 million and expected to reach over 25 million by 2022. The study also reveals that the most popular mobile phone brand is Samsung (with 40% of the market share) followed by other various  brands and that shows that  Android is the most popular phone here among South Africans.

Android Mobile Apps in South Africa to Download

Study revealed that 70% of mobile users browse internet and download apps on Android phones.

So as Android apps are easily available to download in South Africa here are the 10 popular Android mobile apps in South Africa to download.

1. iROKOtv

IROKOtv app ZA

IROKOtv app offers fantastic movies from Nollywood.

  • Nigerian movie and TV series app featuring over 6,000 Nigerian and Ghanaian films, along with a selection of Bollywood, Hollywood and Korean movies too.
  • You can download your favourite movies and TV series after signing up and subscribing to the service provider.
  • The subscription price is USD 14.99/quarter, quoted in U.S. dollars, and may vary in South Africa.
  • You can know the subscription in ZAR by writing to support@irokotv.com or WhatsApp on +234 817 892 4632. If you give missed call, they’ll call you right back.
  • The app is free on the Google Play Store. It is available to customers in South Africa, and iROKOtv can also be accessed online.

2. Hello Food

Hello Food App

HelloFood app offers the convenience of allowing users in Ghana to order food at a click of a button.

  • You are given an array of restaurants to choose from based on your location, while being able to customize their meals with various sauces and toppings.
  • The app also offers exclusive deals to save you money. HelloFood was recently awarded the Best Mobile App Company of the Year at the 5th edition of the Ghana Telecom Awards.

3. Leti Arts

Leti Arts

Leti Arts is game app which was developed by Ghanaians Eyram Tawi and Wesley Kirinya in 2009, the two develop cross-platform interactive media products based on African history and folklore, including digital comics and mobile games.

Their current game on offers is ‘Africa’s Legends’, a superhero series influenced by folklore and historic legends from across the continent. Leti Arts games are available on the Google Play Store for free.

4. Safaricom M-Ledger

Safaricom M_Ledger

The Safaricom M-Ledger app was created out of a need for M-PESA users to track and monitor their transactions. M-PESA is a popular money transfer and micro-financing service that was launched in 2007 by Vodafone for Safaricom and Vodacom.

  • The service enables subscribers to deposit money, send money to any mobile number or bank account, withdraw money and make utility payments.
  • The Safaricom M-Ledger allows M-PESA users to monitor their transactions by providing users with their financial status from their M-PESA transactions, and this information is stored on their smartphones.
  • The app scans all the received SMS messages sent by M-PESA for all transactions and builds a database from that information.

5. Vula

Vula App

Vula app is a South African medical-based app that that connects general healthcare workers directly to specialists.

  • The health practitioners can make referrals, get advice, find information, and undertake diagnostic tests, all through their mobile phone, resulting in more accurate diagnoses and more appropriate referrals.
  • The app simplifies the current referral system used by health practitioners.

6. 2Go

2Go App

2Go is a mobile app to communicate with your friends like MXit and Whatsapp.

  • You can chat with friends, create user profiles and upload profile pictures, meet new people in chat-rooms and play games in online rooms.
  • Even though the app is a South African app founded by Alan Wolff and Ashley Peters, the biggest user base in Africa is in Nigeria with over 10 million active users.
  • Overall, it has more than 20 million active users in Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya. 2Go is available on the Google Play Store or via the 2Go website.

7. Uber

Uber app

Uber is fairly well established in South Africa, with operations available in numerous major cities including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. As such, the app is a popular download in the country, making the taxi-hailing application the 10th most downloaded from android mobiles in South Africa.

  • Just open the app and tell where you’re going.
  • The app uses your location so your driver knows where to pick you up. You’ll see your driver’s picture, vehicle details, and can track their arrival on the map.
  • Payment can be made by credit card, cash in select cities, Android Pay, PayPal, and more. After the ride, you can rate your driver and provide feedback to help and improve the Uber experience. You’ll also get a receipt by email.

8. Capitec Remote Banking

Capitec app

Capitec Remote Banking is android app that gives Capitec Bank clients secure banking any time or place, which includes viewing account balances,  paying beneficiaries, transferring money between own accounts, approving sign-in and certain transactions (through website).

  • Once you’ve registered and activated this application, remember to keep your android safe and in your possession at all times and keep Remote PIN (personal identification number) secret.
  • The Capitec Bank app is the ninth most downloaded app in South Africa, making it the most downloaded banking app for Android, topping traditional digital powerhouse bank FNB in the process.

9. Joom – Better Shopping

Joom app

Joom is an online shopping app that has gained great popularity in South Africa over the last year, which is reflected by its place in this ranking.

  • The app offers users free delivery on a variety of items, with numerous discounts and promotions available.
  • Joom analyzes millions of products and finds the best ones for you.
  • It offers free and fast worldwide delivery from only qualified sellers with high-quality goods. You can keep track of your shipping order.
  • The app also has money back  offer if order’s not delivered or a product looks not as described.

10. Opera Mini

Opera Mini

Opera mini is the most widely used mobile browser on the African continent and has over  100 million active users across its portfolio of products.

  • In South Africa the browser has also proven to be popular, with new lightweight design that makes it easier to find what you need and do what you came online to do.
  • Get the latest news from the start page keeps everything in one place.
  • Choose the categories you’re interested in and Opera Mini will serve you the top stories and freshest content from across the web.

The newest app you can also download besides these above popular apps is Homio app. This is utility app that you can use in case of any household emergency in South Africa.

Conclusion

South Africa has a diverse and growing mobile app market, and there are various Android mobile apps available to cater to different needs and interests. Whether your interest is on games, finance, utility, health or any, there are hundreds of apps that you can find at play stores for your needs.

FAQs

Q1. What banking apps are popular in South Africa for mobile banking services?

Several South African banks offer mobile banking apps, including ABSA, Standard Bank, FNB, Nedbank, and Capitec. Users can download these apps to access a range of banking services such as account management, fund transfers, and mobile payments.

Q2. Are ride-sharing apps like Uber and Bolt widely used in South Africa?

Yes, ride-sharing apps such as Uber and Bolt are popular choices for transportation services in South Africa, especially in urban areas. These apps provide a convenient and efficient way to book and pay for rides.

Q3. Which streaming services have dedicated apps for entertainment in South Africa?

Streaming apps like Netflix, Showmax, Spotify, and Deezer have dedicated apps available in South Africa. Users can download these apps to access a wide range of movies, TV shows, music, and other entertainment content.

Q4. What are the popular food delivery apps in South Africa?

Food delivery apps like Uber Eats, Mr D Food, and others are commonly used in South Africa. These apps allow users to order food from local restaurants and have it delivered to their doorstep.

Q5. Are there local news apps for staying updated on current events in South Africa?

Yes, many local news organizations in South Africa offer mobile apps that provide news updates, articles, and other information. Users can download these apps to stay informed about current events both nationally and locally.

About the author

Kamal Kaur