ICB Expat Guide · Moving to Bangalore

Essential Apps for Expats in Bangalore

Moving to Bangalore (Bengaluru), or new to India altogether? Your phone will quickly become your most useful tool for settling in. From groceries and taxis to home repairs, healthcare and bill payments, almost everything in the city can be sorted through an app, often within minutes. Whether you've just arrived or are still exploring a move, here are the apps our ICB expat community relies on most, grouped by what you'll need them for.

Before you start: if you're new to India, note that most Indian apps work best with a local mobile number (for OTP verification) and many payments run on UPI, which needs an Indian bank account. Getting a SIM card and bank account set up early will unlock almost everything on this list.
Food delivery rider on a scooter in Indian city traffic
Photo: Ritesh Mitha / Pexels.com

Food Delivery & Dining Out Apps

  • Swiggy / ZomatoRestaurant delivery from almost anywhere in the city.
  • District / Dineout (Dineout is in the Swiggy app)Table reservations and dining deals at restaurants.
  • EazyDinerRestaurant bookings with discounts, popular for weekend brunches.
Fruit seller arranging oranges and apples at a market stall in India
Photo: Pratik Mali / Pexels.com

Grocery Delivery Apps in Bangalore

  • BigBasketScheduled grocery orders, plus BB Now for quick delivery.
  • Zepto / Blinkit / Swiggy InstamartGroceries and household essentials delivered in 10–20 minutes.
  • Flipkart Minutes / Amazon Now (inside the Flipkart and Amazon apps)Quick-delivery options from the big online retailers.
  • JioMart / DMart ReadyGood value for bulk and monthly stock-ups.
  • Nature's BasketImported and gourmet products.

Meat, Seafood & Fresh Produce

  • Meatigo / LiciousFresh meat, seafood, and ready-to-cook items.
  • FreshToHomeChemical-free fish, seafood, and meat.
  • Country Delight / AkshayakalpaDaily milk, dairy, eggs, and fresh produce delivered by subscription, usually before breakfast.
Bangalore auto-rickshaw loaded with purple flowers on a city street
Photo: Nikhil Shinde / Pexels.com

Getting Around: Taxi, Auto & Metro Apps

  • Ola / UberTaxis and autos across the city, including airport runs.
  • RapidoAutos, cabs, and bike taxis, often quicker to find at peak times.
  • Namma YatriA Bangalore-born app for autos and cabs with no commission, so drivers are generally happy to accept rides.
  • Namma Metro (BMRCL)Official metro app for QR tickets, routes, and travel passes.
  • Namma BMTC 2.0The upgraded city transport app: live bus tracking, bus passes, and combined bus and metro tickets.
  • Google MapsDirections and live traffic. Check it before you head out, as Bangalore traffic can change quickly!

Payment Apps & UPI in India

  • Google Pay / PhonePe / PaytmUPI mobile payments, accepted almost everywhere, from supermarkets to street vendors and autos.
  • Your bank's appHDFC, ICICI, Axis, HSBC and others: everyday banking, transfers, and bill payments.
  • CREDCredit card bill payments and reminders.
  • WiseTransfers between your home-country account and India.
Tip Scanning a shop's QR code with a UPI app is by far the most common way to pay in Bangalore, so it's worth setting one up as soon as your bank account is open.

Home Services & Household Help Apps

  • Urban CompanyCleaning, repairs, appliance servicing, pest control, and salon & spa treatments at home.
  • Snabbit / ProntoOn-demand house help for cleaning, dishes, and laundry, often within minutes.
  • PorterMini-trucks and two-wheelers for moving furniture or sending parcels across town.
  • NoBrokerRentals without broker fees, plus packers & movers, painting, and home services.
  • JustdialLocal directory for finding plumbers, electricians, tailors, and more.

Healthcare & Pharmacy Apps

  • PractoFind doctors, book appointments, and consult online.
  • Apollo 24|7Doctor consultations, lab tests, and medicine delivery.
  • Tata 1mg / PharmEasyMedicine delivery and home sample collection for lab tests.
  • Your hospital's appMany hospitals (Aster, Manipal and others) have their own apps for appointments and reports.
Hand-painted wooden owl clock and Indian handicraft home decor
Photo: Subhasish Baidya / Pexels.com

Online Shopping & Setting Up Home

  • Amazon IndiaEverything else!
  • FlipkartIndia's other big online store, especially good for electronics and appliances.
  • Myntra / AjioClothing, shoes, and accessories for the whole family.
  • NykaaBeauty, skincare, and personal care.
  • IKEA / PepperfryFurniture and home décor.
  • Furlenco / RentomojoRent furniture and appliances instead of buying.
  • DecathlonSports gear and kit for every age and activity.

Mobile, Bills & Utilities

  • Airtel Thanks / MyJio / ViManage your mobile plan, home broadband, and recharges.
  • BESCOM MithraPay your electricity bill and report outages (you can also pay through Google Pay, PhonePe, or Paytm).
  • e-FRRONot an app, but bookmark the online portal for visa registration and extensions.
Gold and teal pillars inside Mysore Palace, a popular weekend trip from Bangalore
Photo: Vivek V / Pexels.com

Travel, Weekend Getaways & Entertainment

  • BookMyShow / DistrictMovies, concerts, plays, and family events.
  • MakeMyTrip / Cleartrip / ixigoFlights, hotels, and holiday packages.
  • IRCTC Rail Connect / RailOneOfficial Indian Railways apps for train tickets; RailOne also covers PNR status, live train tracking, and food orders.
  • redBusIntercity bus tickets for weekend getaways to Mysore, Coorg, and beyond.
  • IndiGo / Air IndiaAirline apps for domestic and international travel.

Staying Connected & Safe in India

  • WhatsAppThe way almost everyone communicates in India, from your residential community and social groups to vendors and household staff.
  • TruecallerIdentifies unknown callers and filters spam calls.
  • 112 IndiaThe national emergency app, connecting you to police, fire, and ambulance services.
  • Google TranslateHandy for Kannada and Hindi, including translating signs and menus with your camera.

Frequently Asked Questions

What apps do I need when moving to Bangalore?

Start with a UPI payment app (Google Pay, PhonePe or Paytm), a ride app (Uber, Ola, Rapido or Namma Yatri), a food delivery app (Swiggy or Zomato), a quick grocery app (Zepto, Blinkit or Swiggy Instamart), Urban Company for home services, Practo for doctors, and WhatsApp, which almost everyone in India uses to communicate.

Can foreigners use UPI and Google Pay in India?

Yes. Once you have an Indian bank account linked to an Indian mobile number, you can use UPI apps such as Google Pay, PhonePe and Paytm like everyone else. Short-term visitors without a local bank account can look into UPI One World, a prepaid UPI wallet for foreign passport holders offered through selected banks and providers.

Do I need an Indian phone number to use apps in India?

In most cases, yes. Indian apps verify your account with a one-time password (OTP) sent by SMS, and UPI payments require a mobile number linked to your Indian bank account. Getting a local SIM card is one of the first things to do when you arrive.

What is the best taxi app in Bangalore?

Uber and Ola are the most widely used for cabs and airport runs. Rapido is often quickest at peak times and also offers autos and bike taxis. Namma Yatri, a Bangalore-born app, charges drivers no commission, which makes autos easier to find. Many residents keep two or three installed.

How do I find household help in Bangalore?

Urban Company offers vetted professionals for cleaning, repairs and appliance servicing, while Snabbit and Pronto provide on-demand house help within minutes. For regular domestic staff, referrals from your residential community and fellow expats are usually the most trusted route.

Ask the Community

Your residential community's WhatsApp group and fellow ICB members are a great source of recommendations, from the best grocery delivery in your area to trusted local service providers. Don't hesitate to ask!

Join the ICB community

Last updated September 2026. App details checked September 2026.