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Moving home is hugely exciting but can also be very stressful. So, if you’re planning on finding a new place to live in the near future, you’ll need some tips and tricks to make sure everything runs smoothly! If your mobile phone is close at hand then you’re in luck. We’ve put together the ultimate list of great apps. Designed to help you find the right property, prepare for moving day and settle into your brand-new life. And all will take just a few minutes to download and put into action.

But with the most useful piece of kit so close at hand you can be vulnerable to theft, damage and loss. Before you get excited about your new home, the first thing any sensible owner must do is to get the very best mobile phone insurance in place. Get a quote online with the insurance specialists at Gadget Cover and get yourself covered before any moving disaster strikes!

Best apps for your property search

Working out how much you can afford and whether your ideal home really is all you think it is are big concerns. These handy apps will let you calculate your budget and search your target areas. They can also give you information about local schools, transport links, air quality and crime rates.

Mortgage Calculator (Android)

Buying a home is undoubtedly one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make. So, knowing exactly how much a bank will lend you, and how much you’ll need to repay every month are two very important questions. Bearing in mind that as a homeowner you’ll have many bills to pay and other living costs, you’ll want to get the balance just right.

This free app is very easy to use. Just enter the amount you’re looking to borrow, the interest rate and the loan length, and you’ll get all the details about mortgage payments. You also have the option to see the yearly or monthly breakdown of each payment. Very useful indeed for planning ahead. The calculator works for any type of loan, so if you need money for a new car it can also work that out, too.

Rightmove (Android and iOS)

Once you know how much you can comfortably afford, now comes the fun part – searching for properties. As one of the most important tasks for any prospective homebuyer or renter, you’ll want to have as much information on the property market in the area as possible. And that’s where the Rightmove app comes in so handy.

With access to one of the most comprehensive property databases, the app is invaluable. It allows you to browse the hundreds of thousands of homes currently for sale or rent through UK estate agents. The listings also include detailed information on the local area, schools and property history. Set up instant property alerts to stay ahead of the competition and share properties with family and friends at the swipe of a finger.

Zoopla (Android and iOS)

Battling it out with Rightmove for the top spot when it comes to property searches, Zoopla is a must-have app for anyone looking to buy or rent their dream home. It’ll provide you with up-to-the-minute market information, the ability to save your favourite properties and searches, and set alerts. Use Zoopla’s map-led search and augmented reality features to quickly see the property location and the nearest local amenities, schools, and rail links.

Zoopla also includes specialist sections on new-build homes, commercial property and overseas properties if you’re looking to make a new start abroad.

PlaceBuzz (iOS)

If you’re tired of opening up several property search apps to view potential new homes then PlaceBuzz has one distinct advantage over the competition. It’s super-fast search aggregates together almost all the UK’s properties up for sale or rent into one place. So, if you don’t want to install multiple apps it could be the perfect solution.

View property photos and floor plans, arrange viewings, save and share properties, receive notifications as soon as a potential property is listed, and request free property valuations from expert agents. At the moment the app is only available for iPhones but the developers say an Android version is in the pipeline.

SpareRoom (Android and iOS)

As the UK’s leading flat-sharing service, SpareRoom has helped millions of people find a new home with new people. Searching for a new flatmate or flat share isn’t easy but if you have the SpareRoom app on your phone then you’ve got a big advantage. As well as the search functions, there are also interior tips, shared living advice and housing news pieces to read. And if you’re finding the search difficult then contact their award-winning customer service team and they’ll be sure to help.

Room Planner (Android and iOS)

When looking at properties it’s important to be able to envisage their potential. Not every property you see will be perfect. But some require just a little bit of imagination to see how the rooms could look once you move in. This room planner app is one of the most popular on the market and allows you to plan your new home room by room using furniture from world-famous brands. It’s really a great app for playing with layouts before buying a property. It lets you try out interior design ideas for remodelling, renovation, decoration, house design, room planning and furniture planning – all in glorious 3D virtual reality.

ViaMichelin (Android and iOS)

Working out how long your daily commute from your new home will take is an important consideration. Using ViaMichelin’s handy real-time GPS maps you’ll be able to calculate your true commute rather than relying on the estate agent's promises. After all, you don’t want to be one of those people who move to be closer to their workplace, only to find the commute has actually become longer! The app can also calculate how much your fuel will cost – vital when it comes to working out your budget for living costs.

Citymapper (Android and iOS)

In the constant battle to achieve work/life balance, cutting down on commuting time is often seen as a must-have in any potential property search. Billed as the ultimate transport app, Citymapper lets you work out how long your commute will actually be. Particularly if you’re commuting to busy areas, distance isn’t always the best indicator of how long it will take you in reality. Wouldn’t it be better to weed out all those properties that will in fact extend your commute?

Bikemap (Android and iOS)

Wondering whether you can cycle to work from your new home? Or do you just love discovering, navigating and tackling new bike routes on the weekends? This app will turn your phone into a bike computer, cycle route planner, and bicycle ride tracker all in one! It also features voice navigation to help you find your way without having to look at the distraction of a screen.

Remember though, if you’re using your phone while cycling you’ll want mobile phone insurance in case of any accidents.

IQAir (Android and iOS)

For many modern families, air quality has become an increasingly important issue when looking at new homes. Whether you or your children have asthma, or even if you just want to make sure your kids can play outside in clean air, then this air quality app is useful. It features real-time and forecast air pollution and weather data for more than 10,000 cities around the world. Perfect for checking the air quality around any new home you’re interested in buying.

Crime Map (Android) or Crime Map Watch UK (iOS)

When you’re looking at properties then it’s all too easy for sellers to focus on the positives such as great schools and transport links. However, if you’re moving to a new area then you’ll also need to understand the dynamics of local crime. This is vital if you want to avoid any potential crime hotspots. Both these apps use police data to let you see real crime statistics for any area in England and Wales. Pinpointing specific crimes on a map so you can see what’s happening and where.

Theft is a common occurrence no matter where you live. Invest in mobile phone insurance to protect your tech.

Norton 360 (Android and iOS)

It’s always important to keep your mobile phone and data safe when using apps or making big online financial transactions. As well as having the right mobile phone insurance, it’s also important to practice mobile phone safety. One of our top tips for making your mobile phone safer is to download antivirus and security software such as that provided by Norton 360.

Indeed Job Search (Android and iOS)

Moving home can often go hand-in-hand with moving jobs. Indeed is a great place to start looking for new job opportunities in your dream location.  In just a single search, you can access millions of potential jobs from thousands of company websites and job boards. It’s a one-stop shop for the entire job search process.

Best apps for your move

So, you’ve found the perfect property in the perfect location and you can’t wait to start your perfect new job. It all sounds great! But you’re not quite there yet. There’s still plenty to do. Download some of these apps to make the move as stress-free as possible.

Evernote (Android and iOS)

There are very few tasks in life that aren’t improved by the making of lists. And when it comes to moving home a note-taking app really is indispensable. Evernote is one of the best, serving as the perfect location for all your receipts, invoices, contracts, and quotes. You can even use Evernote to make a note of what boxes contain what items. Perfect for when you arrive at your new home and want to know where the kettle is.

Having important documents like your mobile phone insurance policy close to hand is always vital.

Which? Home-Moving Checklist

Okay, it’s not an app, but this free downloadable home-moving checklist from consumer champion Which? is well worth getting on your phone. It’s all too easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of things you need to do between now and moving day. All those tasks such as booking the removals firm, ordering packing cases, defrosting the freezer, and informing utilities providers can be easily assigned to particular days or weeks to make them more manageable. It’s oh-so-satisfying as you tick those off your list as the big day approaches!

Under the checklist, Which? has also listed all of the key organisations you'll need to inform of your move. Make sure to add your mobile phone insurance provider to the list to keep your beloved tech covered.

eBay (Android and iOS)

It may seem obvious, but the less you own, the less you’ll have to move. If you’re looking to keep your moving day costs down then selling anything that you no longer want or need (or simply won’t fit) is a great idea.

Shpock (Android and iOS)

If you don’t want to give all your business to eBay then how about the handy car boot sale app Shpock? It’s a super quick way of linking up with local buyers and sellers and may even cut down on some of that postage and packing palaver. Who knows, you might even make enough money to put towards your house move. Or at least buy yourself a gift for your new home!

ReGAIN (Android and iOS)

There are plenty of charities that would love your unwanted stuff. The ReGAIN app works with the British Red Cross to get your unwanted clothes reused, recycled or remade. While you get discount vouchers in return. Winner!

Sortly (Android and iOS)

This super-simple inventory tracking app lets you photograph and record details such as serial numbers for pretty much everything you own. Creating an inventory of your possessions is a great idea, particularly in case of fire or burglary. However, most of us will never get around to being this organised. But moving house is an ideal opportunity to catalogue everything before you pack it. If ever you need to make an insurance claim, you’ll be so glad you had this information to hand. And once your moving day is over, it’s so easy to keep using the app to catalogue the contents of your new home.

Zipcar (Android and iOS)

For the easiest way to move from one house to another, try the Zipcar app. It’s the UK’s largest car sharing club and lets you rent a car or a van for your move by the hour.

Thrive (Android and iOS)

Moving house is often a cause of stress for many. However, there are lots of great mental health apps out there that could help. Recommended by the NHS, Thrive is a UK-created, game-based app that will give you the tools to manage the stress and anxiety that come with moving home.

Best apps for settling in

Bubble Level (Android and iOS)

If you’re planning on hanging pictures or installing shelves then this app is really invaluable. It’s a spirit level on your phone — very simple, effective and helpful.

TaskRabbit (Android and iOS)

If DIY really isn’t your cup of tea, or there’s simply too much to take on, then calling on experienced local helpers will make any task manageable. From moving heavy items and retiling bathrooms to assembling flat-pack furniture there’s bound to be someone who can help. Make that lengthy to-do list a thing of the past by hiring a skilled Tasker to get things done.

British Gas app (Android and iOS)

Moving into a new home can be a minefield when you don’t know your way around. Whether your boiler is on the blink or there’s a leak in your roof, this helpful app could provide a solution. It also lets you look after your energy account, take a meter reading, monitor your energy usage, book an engineer, and do even more with a simple swipe and tap of a finger.

Just Eat (Android and iOS)

After a long day unpacking removal boxes, cooking may be the last thing on anyone’s agenda. Take a rest for the night by ordering from a local takeaway. Download the free Just Eat app and you’ll be eating some of the finest food from a restaurant near you in just a few simple taps. Whether a classic curry or a perfect pizza there’ll be something to please everyone.

Around Me (Android and iOS)

Yes, you’ll no doubt spend plenty of time exploring the local area. But sometimes you need to quickly find out where all your local amenities are. From the best coffee shops, bars and restaurants to the nearest hospital and petrol station, this app does it all for you.

National Trust (Android and iOS) or English Heritage (Android and iOS)

Exploring all your new location has to offer is a lot of fun. Download either or both of these apps and you’ll have access to hundreds of opportunities for memorable days out. Whatever the season there’s always something new to discover with these helpful apps. Just make sure you’ve got mobile phone insurance in case of any slips or trips while out and about.

Splitwise (Android and iOS)

If you’re moving in with a group of friends then splitting monthly bills for everyday household items such as milk and loo roll can get a bit of a pain. This clever app is the easiest way to share expenses and makes working out who owes what a breeze. Say goodbye to stress and awkwardness around the home by downloading Splitwise.

Pinterest (Android and iOS)

Pinterest is the perfect place to get inspiration on how to organise and decorate your new home. You can create different ‘boards’ of ideas to share with your family and friends. While also shopping for those must-have items. You might also discover entirely new ways to use old items or make better use of the space you now have.

Photo Measures (Android and iOS)

When out furniture shopping for your new home or meeting with builders it’s always useful to have measurements to hand. Photo Measures is an elegant and easy solution for keeping track of measurements. Simply take a photo of your room or furniture and add your own measurements to them. If you love planning how you want your new home to look then download this app now.

Dulux Visualiser (Android and iOS)

On the subject of home decorating, an easy solution when you move into a new home is to give it a colour refresh. The Dulux Visualizer app helps you to choose a paint scheme that you’ll love. It’s so easy to test hundreds of different colours before you make a decision. Simply point your phone’s camera at your room and hey presto you can decorate it in a bewildering variety of different colours.

Facebook (Android and iOS) or WhatsApp (Android and iOS)

You’ve probably already got both these apps on your phone anyway. But if you’re moving into a new neighbourhood, it’s a great idea to get connected with your new neighbours so you can keep in touch about local events. Or share worries about local issues.

Arrange mobile phone insurance with Gadget Cover

Moving home can give you a thousand and one things to think about, it can all get a bit much. But don’t stress, Gadget Cover’s helpful team of insurance specialists will always be there to find the right mobile phone insurance policy for the right price.

Policies arranged through Gadget Cover are perfect for protecting your devices from accidental damage, liquid damage, theft, breakdown and unauthorised usage. For an extra premium, loss can also be covered.

And if you’re taking your phone on a foreign holiday to recover from the move, cover is also automatically extended to include use of your phone anywhere in the world, up to 180 days in any one year.

We can even cover your immediate family in case they lose or damage your phone.

Isn’t it time you got mobile insurance?