Essential Apps Guide 📱
한국 생활 필수 앱 가이드
📋 Table of Contents
📲Essential Apps Overview (필수 앱 개요)
Living in Korea requires specific smartphone apps that are essential for daily life. From communication and navigation to shopping and payments, these apps will make your life much easier. Most apps are available in Korean, with some offering English support.
🎯 Top 10 Must-Have Apps
- KakaoTalk: Messaging (everyone uses it)
- Naver Map: Navigation
- Papago: Translation
- Coupang: Online shopping
- Baemin: Food delivery
- Kakao T: Taxi & transportation
- KakaoPay: Mobile payment
- Subway Korea: Subway navigation
- 민원24: Government services
- Your Bank App: Mobile banking
📝 What You'll Need
- ✅ Korean phone number (most apps require this)
- ✅ Korean address (for delivery apps)
- ✅ ARC or passport (for identity verification)
- ✅ Korean bank account (for payments)
- ✅ Credit/debit card (local or international)
⚠️ Important: Download apps from official app stores (Apple App Store or Google Play Store). Some apps may require a Korean Apple ID or Google account. Korean phone number verification is required for most apps.
💬Communication Apps (메신저 앱)
1. KakaoTalk (카카오톡) ⭐ #1 Essential
KakaoTalk is THE messaging app in Korea. Over 95% of Koreans use it daily. You'll need it for personal communication, work, and even business transactions.
Features:
- 📱 Free messaging and voice/video calls
- 👥 Group chats and open chat rooms
- 💸 KakaoPay integration (mobile payment)
- 🎁 Gift shop (send coffee, gifts to friends)
- 🚕 Kakao T (taxi booking)
- 📧 KakaoTalk channels (follow brands/services)
Setup Steps:
- Download KakaoTalk from App Store/Play Store
- Verify with your Korean phone number
- Set up profile (name, photo, status message)
- Add friends by phone number or ID search
- Enable notifications for important chats
2. Papago (파파고) - Translation App
Naver's AI translation app. Much better than Google Translate for Korean-English translation. Essential for reading menus, signs, and documents.
Features:
- 📸 Photo translation (scan text with camera)
- 🎤 Voice translation (speak and translate)
- 💬 Conversation mode (two-way translation)
- 📝 Text translation (type or paste text)
- 🌐 Offline mode (download language packs)
- 📖 Handwriting recognition
🛒Shopping & Delivery Apps (쇼핑 및 배달)
1. Coupang (쿠팡) - Korea's Amazon
Korea's largest e-commerce platform. Fast delivery (Rocket Delivery delivers next day or same day), competitive prices, and English support available.
What You Can Buy:
- 🍜 Groceries & food
- 📱 Electronics
- 👕 Clothing & fashion
- 🏠 Home & living
- 💄 Beauty & cosmetics
- 📚 Books & stationery
2. Baemin (배달의민족) - Food Delivery
Korea's most popular food delivery app. Delivers from thousands of restaurants. See our Delivery Apps Guide for details.
Features:
- 🍕 Order from thousands of restaurants
- 📍 Delivery to your door
- 💳 Multiple payment options
- ⭐ Restaurant reviews and ratings
- 🎁 Coupons and discounts
3. Market Kurly (마켓컬리) - Fresh Groceries
Premium grocery delivery service. Order fresh produce, meat, and groceries online and receive delivery before 7am if you order by 11pm.
🚕Transportation Apps (교통 앱)
1. Kakao T (카카오 T) - Taxi & More
The most popular taxi-hailing app in Korea. Also offers bike rental, parking, and designated driver services.
Services:
- 🚕 Taxi: Regular taxi hailing
- 🚙 Kakao T Black: Premium taxi
- 🚴 Bike: Bike-sharing rental
- 🅿️ Parking: Find & reserve parking spots
- 🚗 대리운전: Designated driver service
How to Call a Taxi:
- Open Kakao T app
- Set pickup and destination
- Choose taxi type (regular or black)
- Confirm booking
- Track driver's arrival in real-time
- Pay with card, KakaoPay, or cash
2. UT (Uber Taxi)
Uber doesn't operate ride-sharing in Korea but offers UT (Uber Taxi) which calls regular Korean taxis through the Uber app.
💳Payment Apps (결제 앱)
Mobile payment is extremely popular in Korea. These apps let you pay at stores, transfer money, and split bills easily. See our Korean Payment Guide for complete details.
💛 KakaoPay
Most popular mobile payment app. Integrated with KakaoTalk.
- ✅ Pay at stores with QR code
- ✅ Send money to friends
- ✅ Pay bills
- ✅ Invest in stocks
💚 Naver Pay
Naver's payment service. Great for online shopping.
- ✅ Pay on Naver Shopping
- ✅ Cashback rewards
- ✅ QR code payments
- ✅ Point management
💙 Toss
Simple money transfer and payment app.
- ✅ Instant money transfers
- ✅ Split bills easily
- ✅ Savings & investment
- ✅ Simple interface
🏛️Government & Utility Apps (정부 및 유틸리티)
1. 민원24 (Government Services)
Official government app for certificates, documents, and administrative services. Get resident registration certificate, proof of residence, and more.
Available Services:
- 📄 Resident registration certificate (주민등록등본)
- 🏠 Proof of residence (거주사실증명)
- 📋 Various government documents
- 💰 Pay taxes and fees
- 📱 Digital certificate issuance
2. Pass (통합인증)
Digital certificate app for identity verification. Required for banking, government services, and many online services in Korea.
3. Hi Korea (하이코리아)
Official immigration app for foreigners. Check visa status, make appointments for immigration office, and access foreigner services. See our Visa Extension Guide.
💡App Setup Tips (앱 설정 팁)
🔐 Identity Verification
Many Korean apps require identity verification using your ARC (Alien Registration Card) or passport.
- PASS app: Install and verify with your ARC for digital certificate
- Phone verification: Keep your Korean phone number active
- Photo ID: Have clear photos of your ARC/passport ready
📱 App Store Tips
- Korean Apple ID: Some apps (like Baemin) may require Korean App Store
- Google Play: Usually works with any account, but region may affect availability
- Updates: Keep apps updated for best compatibility
🌐 Language Settings
- English support: Coupang, Yogiyo, UT, Subway Korea have English
- Korean only: Baemin, Kakao T, most bank apps are Korean only
- Use Papago: Take screenshots and translate in Papago if stuck
💳 Payment Setup
- Link cards: Register your credit/debit card in each app
- KakaoPay: Set up for easiest payments across many services
- Bank apps: Install your Korean bank's app for transfers
🗣️ Essential Korean App Phrases
Common App Terms
다운로드
Download
로그인 / 회원가입
Login / Sign up
본인인증
Identity verification
결제
Payment
Delivery & Navigation
주소
Address
배달
Delivery
길찾기
Find route
도착
Arrival