Bible apps: one for reading every day, another for meditating

Two well-known examples: one for daily reading, the other for a short reflection.

Just type “Bible” into your phone's app store and a huge list of apps appears, many with similar icons and names. To avoid wasting time testing them one by one, start with a different question: what do you want to do with the app? Read every day, with the option of listening to some chapters, or receive a short reflection in the morning?

Below, each of these two needs comes with a well-known example and the name you can search for in your phone's app store. Availability may vary depending on your device, and the store description has the most up-to-date information; read it before installing.

For reading and listening every day: YouVersion

The YouVersion Bible app is free and has no ads. It brings together thousands of Bible versions in a huge number of languages, including several translations in your language, as well as reading plans and devotionals, audio Bibles for some of the versions, highlights, bookmarks and notes. There is also a space for recording prayers, and some versions can be downloaded for reading offline.

• Good for: beginners who need a daily nudge, with short plans and reminders.
• For listening: in the versions that have audio, you can listen to the chapter on your journey or while doing household chores. Check in the app itself which translations in your language offer this option.
• What sets it apart: plans can be followed as a group, with space to comment on the reading.
• How to find it: search for “YouVersion” in your phone's app store. Before installing, check the developer's name: it should be Life.Church. Official store pages: Google Play · App Store.

For a short reflection: Our Daily Bread

If you only have a few minutes in the morning, you may prefer a devotional app. Our Daily Bread is a devotional that has been published for decades in dozens of languages; in the app, you choose yours. Each day, the app offers a short text with a Bible passage and a reflection, which you can read or listen to. There are also reading plans.

• Good for: people who want to start the day with a short, guided reading, before leaving home or at the start of the working day.
• How to find it: search for “Our Daily Bread” in your phone's app store and check the developer's name before installing, because apps by other publishers may have similar names. Official store pages: Google Play · App Store.

And for in-depth study?

If you want to understand contexts, authors and the thread that links the books of the Bible, you will usually need more than a reading app. In that case, the app can support a Bible course done at home, with a plan, a reading order, notes and review.

Compare before installing

• Language and translation: check whether the version you prefer in your language is available.
• Offline use: check whether you can download text and audio.
• Ads and purchases: the store page shows whether there are any.
• Space: see how much space the app takes up, especially on devices with little memory.
• Privacy: read the data section on the store page and the developer's privacy policy.

Try it for seven days

Instead of installing several apps at once, choose one and use it for a week. At the end, answer honestly: did you feel like opening it? Was the font comfortable to read? Did the reminder help or annoy you? If the answers are negative, uninstall it without guilt and look for another one using the same criteria as on this page.

Three checks against copycat apps

1. Who published it? The developer's name in the store should be the same as the one given on the app's official page.
2. What does it ask for? Consider the reason for each permission: access to contacts may serve optional social features. Refuse any access that isn't needed for the way you intend to use the app.
3. What do users say? Recent reviews that mention intrusive ads, crashes or unexpected charges are a warning sign.

Common questions

Are both of the apps mentioned free?

Both can be installed at no cost. Conditions may change, so check the store page before installing.

Do I need to create an account?

Whether you need an account depends on the app and the feature. Check whether reading requires signing up and what data can be stored and recovered through the account.

In closing

Choosing well starts with knowing what you need right now. Start with one app, see how it fits into your routine and adjust your choice over time. For ideas on using it throughout the day, the main guide offers a complete plan.

Back to the guide to the Bible on your phone