No matter which stage of a relationship you’re in — looking for a date, going out on a date, long-term couple looking to spice things up or deepen your connection — there’s an app that’ll help you accomplish your love goals. Apps that help you hook up or otherwise find a date are the most common of course, but search a little and you’ll find apps for other aspects of a relationship as well. Now we’ve broken down some of the well-known apps that might help you, based on the stage of the relationship you’re in. Most of these are free (while a couple are paid), so you’ll want to figure out which of these is best for you before downloading. Here goes:
Relationship status: Singles looking to mingle
You’re spoilt for choice! Depending on what you’re looking for — a casual hook-up, a long-term romantic partner, or even a soulmate you can marry, there’s certainly an app (or two) that promises to deliver just that. Tinder is a global rage right now, and perfect for those who’re not ready for a serious commitment just yet. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something serious and steady, then OK Cupid might be a better choice. There are highly specialised dating apps as well — Tastebuds (for those who love their music and want to be matched with a partner who shares their love for the Beatles/Pink Floyd/classical ragas), Hinge (which provides more in-depth information on a potential date then the regular profile) or Tickr (which has users upload short video clips rather than photos). So scout your app options and then hit download.
Relationship status: Just started dating
You’ve just started seeing someone. Or, it’s your first date. Exchanging messages on your phone or chatting online seemed so effortless but now, faced with him/her in person, you’re tongue-tied. How do you get over that initial, early awkwardness? Worry not. There are apps to help people in exactly such situations. For instance, there’s Wingman (which does exactly what a Barney Stinson or a Ted Moseby might do for each other). The Wingman app provides you with over 200 chat-up lines and also has a “self call” function, in case the date turns out to be deadly dull and you need to fake an emergency and rush out. There’s also Body Language for Dummies, which — as the name so helpfully suggests — tells you just how to decode his/her body language and non-verbal cues. You might also get help from an app like Romeo To Go, which offers you conversation starting ideas and questions, suggest romantic ideas for you and your date — and suggest a gift when your date’s birthday is coming up. Handy, eh?
Relationship status: Long-term couple, looking to spice up things
Again, this is one segment that has a plethora of app options. If you’re hesitant about discussing with your partner what you’d like to do in the bedroom, there’s an app for that (Kindu); if, on the other hand, you feel that your intimacy has become too restricted to the bedroom, there are apps like “Play With Me”, which shuffles out locations (in your home and even outside) where you and your partner can get naughty! Among the very popular apps in this category are the ones that challenge you to try different positions — iKamasutra Lite and Cosmo Sex Position of the Day are both front-runners in that genre.
Relationship status: Going steady, but room for improvement
You’ve been together for a while now. The first heady rush of falling in love has passed and you’ve settled into a routine. There’s just a niggling feeling you have that you both could be getting to know so much more about each other than you are at present. You’re still figuring out this relationship — and there’s an app or two that might aid the cause. The IceBreak app comes up with questions that helps a couple figure out what they want emotionally and sexually. It poses questions that are really issues that you and your significant other need to think about: What do you equate with the idea of romance? How big a role does sex play in all of this? How important is friendship etc. Other apps like Spreadsheets and Kahnoodle offer tired couples brownie points to ensure that they put in effort and thought into keeping the romance alive. Spreadsheets tracks activities that the two of you do together (working out or spending a lazy Sunday morning in bed) and awards you points; Kahnoodle “reminds” you to do something special and sweet for your partner when his/her “love tank” is running low and also compares how much affection you’ve displayed as compared to your partner.
