Augmented reality apps for Android are all about mixing the world around you with the digital world on your phone. From model viewers to effects on some social media apps, the tech is renowned for being fun to use.

There are also some AR apps out there that can offer you some great utility. If you're interested in learning about the top 12 AR apps for Android, read on!

1. Google Translate

Google Translate developed from simple text translations based on keyboard inputs to what is now a full-blown world-changing experience. The app is constantly evolving, and its use of augmented reality is pretty great.

While the app can translate spoken and written words efficiently, it’s most impressive when used with your camera. The app can translate words captured by your camera (such as on signs or menus) in real time. You can also use it to take a picture or import images for more relatively accurate translations of the text in those images.

Download: Google Translate (Free)

2. Assemblr Studio

Assemblr Studio is an immersive and feature-packed AR app that enables users to create their own augmented reality products without any coding or design skills. It comes with a variety of pre-made templates, making it easy to jump in and test features for a variety of industries and categories, such as marketing, printing, and presentation, to name a few.

The app revolves heavily around providing productive AR tools for teams and entrepreneurs. You can, with pre-made and homemade creations alike, use the build section of Assemblr to create unique scenes.

Once you’ve put together a scene, you can save it on your Assemblr profile. The free version makes all your creations available publicly. The app also creates a QR code for your creations, which you can print or share. Anyone that scans the QR code is redirected through a browser or the Assemblr app to view your scene.

Download: Assemblr Studio (Free, in-app purchases available)

3. AR Compass

AR Compass displays a 3D compass at the top or middle of the screen and an overhead view of your geographic location. The default background of the compass is set to your camera feed.

You can modify quite a few settings with the free version. Some of these settings include the camera resolution, compass update rate, compass filter strength, and display color or theme.

There are a few useful toggles to look at, as well. You can toggle the roll indicator, pitch indicator, and gyroscope. The roll indicator displays your phone’s rotation, while the pitch indicator displays the angle between your camera’s line of sight and the ground plane.

While AR Compass might seem like somewhat of a gimmick at first, its high accuracy and ease of use make it a fantastic app overall.

Download: AR GPS Compass Map 3D (Free, premium version available)

4. Halo AR

Halo AR is one of the most impressive and useful AR apps out there. You can use it to create overlays involving images, videos, text, 3D models, and audio files for almost any object in your surroundings. It’s a way to turn your environment into an engaging augmented reality experience.

To add an interactive overlay, tap the Create button and select one of the options. After that, you need to scan an object that has a relatively unique pattern. After scanning, select the item you want to add as an overlay.

And that’s it! Now, every time you use the Halo AR camera and point at the object you scanned, the overlay should appear. There’s a ton of creative potential in this app.

Download: Halo AR (Free, in-app purchases available)

5. View

View is another AR app you can use to view models. The app stands out because the models you can preview offer unique experiences. You can scan “ThingMarks” in your surroundings or use the pre-loaded models in the app.

Some of the experiences in View include a partial assembly and disassembly of a helicopter, medium-range missile, and industrial sealing machine. The default Welcome experience involves a detailed motorcycle, where you can zoom in and out and even see its internals.

The visuals are pretty impressive, and the app is easy to use. To get started, tap an experience, use your camera to scan a flat surface, then tap to place the object. You can then tap the different settings to assemble or disassemble the object or zoom in and out by pinching the screen.

Download: Vuforia View (Free)

6. Dulux Visualizer

Dulux Visualizer shows an innovative use of AR—you can use it to test a wide range of color palettes on the walls in your home.

The visualizer splashes the color of your choice on any wall you’re pointing at with just a tap. The app also comes with a few other features, like a color picker tool, a product catalog, and a section you can use for some inspiration.

Dulux Visualizer is region-locked and only officially available in the UK. However, you can find it on safe third-party websites that host APKs.

Download: Dulux Visualizer (Free)

7. Wanna Kicks

Wanna Kicks is an AR app you can use to browse a wide variety of different types of shoes. It's one of the ways you can use AR to shop online. While it provides information like pricing for each item, it’s unique in that you can use it to preview how each pair of shoes would look on your feet.

You can find and try on shoes from more than 40 different brands. These include Converse, Crocs, Dior, Gucci, Jordan, Nike, and Puma. Each pair comes with a brief description and a buy button. Tapping the buy button takes you to an official app or store to make the purchase.

Using the app is quite simple. Upon opening Wanna Kicks, your camera will turn on and a bar at the bottom of the screen shows a few examples of shoes you can try. To browse all available models, simply tap the search button on the bottom right of the screen.

Download: Wanna Kicks (Free)

8. Zenni Optical

Zenni Optical is another app that you can use to try on items before buying them. In this case, it’s all about glasses. The variety here is impressive. Not only is it packed to the brim with all kinds of glasses, but most of them also have color variations.

Getting started is simple. The app requests you to scan your face looking straight into the camera and then turning your head slowly left and right. This is so that, when you’re trying different types of glasses, you can swipe to move your head to see how they’d fit from multiple angles.

It’s a great way to save time on a trip to a store, and it’s honestly pretty fun to just try out all the spectacles on sale. Best of all, they all have direct links to where you can purchase them. So, you’re only a few taps away from ordering a pair that you feel fits just right.

Download: Zenni Optical (Free)

9. Goodstyle

Goodstyle is a simple app with limited AR implementation. It’s worth mentioning, though, given its utility. The app lets you scan your face and add it to a body to try out outfits. Similar to Wanna Kicks, you can try a wide variety of apparel and get an idea of how they’d fit with your face.

It’s worth noting that the only available clothing in the app is made by SHEIN. It’s the only brand you’ll find. However, given the variety, you can find similar pieces to those from other brands.

Download: Goodstyle (Free, in-app purchases available)

10. AR Ruler

AR Ruler is an app you can use to measure objects in your environment using augmented reality and your phone's camera. The functions you can use in augmented reality on the free version include line, height, angle, and distance, while the Pro version offers a whole lot more.

Using the app is easy. First, tap the measuring option you'd like to use. Your camera should open and prompt you to tap the screen to start measuring. Move your phone in the direction of your choosing, and then tap again to measure between those two points.

In terms of options, there isn’t much to tweak. The settings menu lets you change the measuring units, video timer, video sound capture, autofocus, and AR sticking.

Download: AR Ruler (Free, in-app purchases available)

11. Google Lens

Google Lens works similarly to Google Translate regarding its AR functionality. It uses your phone’s camera to scan the world around you. While it can also translate text in real-time, it’s primarily used to identify plants, animals, landmarks, and various commercial and non-commercial items.

After identifying an item, the app compiles a list of similar items and, if available, stores and locations where you can buy it. The AR functionality in Lens can also be used to scan specific locations, buildings, and landmarks. It’s quick, efficient, and pretty accurate. It still has room to grow, of course, but you wouldn’t be amiss giving it a try.

Download: Google Lens (Free)

12. AR Viewer

AR Viewer lets you import any AR models you've created, purchased, or found on the web, as well as a few you can preview that come with the app.

It doesn't offer much in terms of innovation. However, as a standard AR app for viewing 3D content in your surroundings, it's excellent. Models fix into place, and the app can track them even when they move off the screen. Its visual quality is consistent, zooming in and out is easy, and it comes with enough tools to make it worthwhile for designers and fans of 3D models alike.

Download: AR Viewer (Free, in-app purchases available)

Useful Android AR Apps

Augmented reality lets you mix the real world with digitally created content in real time. Many of the apps that implement the technology tend to offer very basic use cases, like adding stickers or text to a video feed. Others, though, can help you measure, paint, warp, identify, and add to the world around you.

The tech is finding its place in more and more use cases every day. However, augmented reality games are often confused with alternate reality games. Before jumping into either, you might consider learning about the differences between the two.