They say that distance makes the heart grow fonder. Unfortunately, many people in long-distance relationships may beg to differ. In some cases, distance makes people prone to forget.
With the rise of online dating, many people have found that the love of their life can actually live oceans away. However, no matter the reason, the challenge of keeping the fire alive can be well worth the effort.
Thankfully, we’re no longer limited to love letters and fading photographs. These days, keeping in touch is made possible through apps on your iPhone or Android device. Here are a few of them.
1. Love Nudge
Have you ever heard of the five love languages? According to Doctor Gary Chapman, there are five love languages: Physical Touch, Acts of Service, Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, and Receiving Gifts. These love languages give clues on how we give and receive love.
With the official Love Nudge app, you and your partner can take a quiz about each other to determine your individual love languages. Then, Love Nudge will create goals and reminders for you to show affection in the ways that make you both feel the most loved.
For example, if your partner’s love language is words of affirmation, Love Nudge will remind you to send them a sweet message every now and then. It's a great way to get your feelings across in the best possible way.
Download: Love Nudge for iOS | Android (Free)
2. Between
For long-distance lovers that are still in the secret stage of things, Between helps keep your relationship private in every sense of the word. From encryption, secret albums, and password protection, Between helps keep couples connected with privacy in mind.
Best for couples in Romeo and Juliet scenarios with strict parents or those who just aren’t ready to go public. Between helps relationships develop without the pressure of outside interference.
Download: Between for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases available)
3. Koya
Have you ever found yourself messaging “I wish I was there with you”? Koya is a location-based gifting and video messaging app that lets you surprise your loved one with a recorded message or gift.
Imagine walking into your favorite café, receiving a sweet message, and magically getting a gift card that pays for your cup of coffee for the day. You can pre-record messages when you’re visiting or send one from far away. Koya lets you share an experience, even when you can't be there in person.
Download: Koya for iOS (Free)
4. Gyft
Speaking of gifts, Gyft lets you send coupons and gift cards for just about anything. If you struggle to get your lover the perfect gift, Gyft lets them decide what they want for themselves. With over 200 retail partners, it is easy to find brands that your partner would love. If you are not sure, the generic Gyft card will work for all its partners, too.
Gift cards are also a great way to give in more practical ways. With Gyft, your significant other can make use of gift cards for their weekly groceries at Whole Foods, repair tools at The Home Depot, and more. The best part? Gyft does not charge transaction fees, so it is as good as cash.
Download: Gyft for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases available)
5. Rave
Trying to play a stream at the same time takes a lot of effort. When done wrong, many couples will find themselves out of sync. Thankfully, there’s an app that can help play a stream for both of you at the exact same time---Rave.
Rave is a stream syncing app that lets couples watch Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube, and more. The best part is only one of you needs a subscription for it to work. You’ll never have to worry about screen-sharing lags ever again. Rave even works for almost every operating system out there.
Download: Rave for iOS | Android (Free)
6. Twig
Not a big fan of social media but still want to stay updated on what your partner is doing? Twig is a shared journal app that is perfect for long-distance couples.
For couples who only see each other a few weeks out of a year, every date night matters. Twig helps keep track of all of them. From throwback photos of your best vacations to milestones like anniversaries, Twig is like a living scrapbook that helps keep track of all your memories. Twig lets you keep in touch while staying low-key.
Download: Twig for iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)
7. Lovebox
Is your partner trying to do a social media detox? Using Lovebox, you can send little love notes and photos to a physical box. Lovebox displays messages on its screen without asking users to open their phones.
Unlike other apps on this list, the only person who needs to download it is you, and they can experience its joys. A perfect companion for workstations or bedside counters, your significant other doesn’t need to sift through endless notifications to hear from their favorite person.
Download: Lovebox for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases available)
8. TouchNote
Old school romantics will know that getting something in the mail is a lot more swoon-worthy than a simple text. Surprise your lover with a real postcard that you can mail directly to their home with TouchNote.
TouchNote lets you send customized postcards anywhere in the world. You can add your own photos, stickers, and message. While each postcard is worth $2 to $4, the shipping cost is always 100% free.
Download: TouchNote for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases available)
Keep the Long-Distance Love Alive
All relationships take effort, especially the ones with oceans in between, to sustain. However, just because long-distance relationships are challenging, it does not mean they are impossible to maintain. Long-distance relationships may have an added layer of complexity, but they can be just as rewarding.
Thankfully, many apps are already available for both iPhone and Android users to stay in touch in every way. From time zone trackers to private journals to stream syncing apps, there are more and more options for long-distance couples popping up every year.
For those committed to their partners, modern technology is stepping up to the challenge. Regardless, here is to hope that you and your partner don't need to keep using them for too long. After all, some experiences are still better in person.