The best apps for long distance couples

At a glance

Apps to feel each other's presence

Words carry a lot, but what long distance couples often miss most is simply feeling the other person near.

2Hearts

2Hearts is a relationship app for couples on iPhone and Apple Watch, built around sharing your heartbeat. Take your pulse with your iPhone's camera or your Apple Watch and send it to your partner to feel and replay, or start a live session so they feel it in real time. It also has shared notes with drawings and photos, questions you answer together, and one-tap "thinking of you" nudges. Everything you share goes only to your partner.

Good to know: iPhone only, with optional Apple Watch. One subscription covers both of you. How sending your heartbeat works.

Bond Touch

Bond Touch makes bracelets that let couples send and feel each other's touch from anywhere, with a companion app. It's a good fit if you'd like something to wear, or if Apple Watch isn't part of your life.

Good to know: you'll need the bracelets as well as the app.

Apps for daily questions and games

Question and game apps give you something new to talk about, which helps when calls start to feel like status updates.

Paired

Paired describes itself as a couples app with daily questions, quizzes, games and relationship advice. It's one of the best-known apps in the category.

Agapé

Agapé is built around one question a day for the two of you, which makes it an easy daily habit.

Lovewick

Lovewick describes itself as a free relationship app for couples, with a large library of couple questions and date ideas.

Tethered

Tethered is aimed specifically at long distance couples, with daily games to play together.

Apps for photos and widgets

A photo that appears on your Home Screen is a small, constant reminder of each other.

Locket Widget

Locket sends photos straight to friends' and partners' Home Screen widgets, so you see each other's moments without opening an app.

Between

Between is a private app for two, designed as a space for just you and your partner rather than a group chat.

Apps for watching together

SharePlay

Built into FaceTime on Apple devices, SharePlay lets you watch or listen together in supported apps while you're on a call.

Teleparty

Teleparty is a browser extension that keeps playback in sync across several streaming services, with a chat on the side.

Looking for more to do on those evenings? Here are 33 long distance date ideas.

Apps for calls

FaceTime and WhatsApp are free, reliable and probably already on your phone. Most long distance couples use one of them every day; the apps above are there to add what calls can't.

How to choose

• Start with what you miss most. If it's physical closeness, try a heartbeat or touch app. If it's conversation, try a questions app. If it's doing things together, start with watching together.
• Pick one or two. A single daily ritual you both keep does more than five apps you forget about.
• Check you're both covered. Some apps are iPhone only, others need extra hardware. Make sure the app works for both of your phones.
• Read the privacy policy. You'll be sharing personal moments, sometimes health data. Choose apps that are clear about what they collect.

Are there free apps for long distance couples?

Yes. FaceTime and WhatsApp are free, Lovewick describes itself as free, and many other apps offer a free version or a free trial with paid extras. 2Hearts is a subscription through the App Store, and one subscription covers both partners.

Apps help, but habits matter more. Read how to make a long distance relationship work for the rest.