Senorit makes Framekin, which appears below. This page describes kinds of apps and the questions worth asking. It does not rank other apps, because we have not compared them and would rather say so than guess.
Five questions before you install anything
- What do you want to share? Daily pictures, words, voice, video calls or plans.
- Do you use the same phone system? One of you may use Android and the other an iPhone. Check the store listing for both.
- What does it cost? Look for a free trial that turns into a paid plan, and for what the plan includes.
- What happens to your data? Read what the app says about storage, encryption and who can see what you send.
- Are there ads? Ads in a private space for two people are worth a second look.
Sorted by job
Daily photos on the home screen. A photo widget shows the newest picture from the other person every time you unlock your phone. This is the job Framekin does. See what a photo widget does for long distance couples.
Messaging and voice. Chat apps cover talk. Their weakness is that every message asks for a reply.
Shared calendar and time zones. A shared calendar helps when your days run at different hours.
Games and questions. Small shared games give you something to do together on a quiet evening.
Video together. For a call with a movie or a walk, you need an app made for shared video.
Where Framekin fits
Framekin is an Android app that puts the newest photo from your people in a widget. You take a photo or a short video, pick who gets it and tap send. It has a countdown widget for the next visit, read receipts, reactions and an unsend option. There are no ads, no analytics services and no phone number is needed. Photos are stored in a private bucket in the EU, and they are not end-to-end encrypted. It is Android only and available on Google Play. New customers get a 14-day free trial of Plus and Max, after which Framekin needs a plan. Framekin is for people aged 16 and over.
What none of them replace
An app gives you a channel. The visit, the call and the habit of paying attention come from the two of you. For ideas beyond apps, see long distance relationship ideas, and for the countdown to your next visit, the countdown widget guide.
Questions and answers
What is the best app for a long distance relationship?
It depends on the job you want done. Pick by what you want to share, then check price, privacy and platform.
How do long distance couples stay connected every day?
Many use a small daily habit, such as a photo of the day, along with calls. There is no rule for how often.
Is there an app that puts photos of my partner on my home screen?
Yes, photo widget apps do this. Framekin is one for Android.