Most Essential Apps For Olim

Here’s a comprehensive, detailed guide to the most essential apps for new immigrants (olim) in Israel:

 GOVERNMENT & BUREAUCRACY

MyGov (גוב) - HIGHEST PRIORITY

• Download: iOS | Android
• What it does: Personal Government Zone is a new application that makes digital services accessible to residents 
• Key features: Pay taxes, download official documents (like Teudat Zehut appendix), vehicle registration, benefits applications
• Setup tip: You’ll need to register for Gov.ID first using your passport and credit card for identity verification

My Aliyah - For new immigrants

• Download: Available in the same Gov.IL developer page
• What it does: Specific services for new immigrants including Aliyah benefit applications
• Pro tip: Essential for accessing your Aliyah benefits and tracking immigration paperwork

 TRANSPORTATION

Moovit - ESSENTIAL

• Download: iOS | Android
• What it does: Transform the way you navigate your city with Moovit, the all-in-one app for urban transit 
• Key features: Real-time bus/train arrivals, route planning, allows users to pay via app  - you can now pay for public transport directly through the app
• Pro tips:
  • It gives you travel duration estimates that are usually far from reality. It seems like it doesn’t consider the huge traffic jams in Israel  - always add 15-30 minutes to estimates
  • Available in multiple languages including English
  • Works offline for maps

Rav-Kav Online - ESSENTIAL

• Download: iOS | Website: ravkavonline.co.il
• What it does: Load your Rav Kav travel card straight from home using the mobile app or the website and pay with a credit card 
• Setup process:
  1. Get physical Rav-Kav card first (airport, train stations, Super-Pharm)
  2. Register online with passport (for non-Israeli citizens)
  3. Load money via app by holding card to back of phone
• Card costs: 5 NIS for anonymous card, free for personalized

Waze

• Download: Available on all app stores
• Why essential: Israeli-founded, best navigation for local traffic and road conditions
• Pro tip: Much more accurate than Google Maps for Israeli traffic patterns

Gett - Taxi/Rideshare

• Download: iOS | Android
• What it does: Israeli B2B Ground Transportation Management (GTM) platform and marketplace, and B2C ride-hailing app 
• Pro tips:
  • Being able to pay with credit card was especially helpful. Just make sure the taxi uses the meter 
  • Recently acquired by Israeli company Pango
  • Works in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and other major cities

 FOOD DELIVERY

Wolt - MOST POPULAR

• Download: iOS | Android
• What it does: The Wolt app makes it easy to discover and order (almost) anything from your city. From delicious food and fresh groceries to pharmacy and pet supplies 
• Key features:
  • Food delivery in ~30 minutes
  • Groceries, pharmacy items, alcohol
  • Wolt is currently available in 170+ cities located in Azerbaijan, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan 
• Subscription: Wolt+ offers free delivery and exclusive deals

Ten Bis (תן ביס) - WORKPLACE FAVORITE

• Download: iOS | Android
• What it does: 10bis (Ten Bis) is the leader in online and mobile food ordering from restaurants in Israel 
• Special features:
  • More then 70% of the high tech companies in Israel are using 10bis 
  • Many employers provide Ten Bis cards as a benefit
  • A popular option amid Tel Aviv startups and offices looking for lunch delivery 
• Pro tip: Can be used without company card - individuals can order directly

 BANKING & PAYMENTS

Bank Apps - ESSENTIAL

Bank Hapoalim:

• Download: iOS | Android
• Important note: right now the app only exists in Hebrew, but you can now bank in english on their site without using google translate 

Bank Leumi:

• Key advantage: Currently, the statement that Leumi is the only Israel Banking app with an english interface is true 

Setup tips for banking:

• Open account ASAP - needed for apartment rentals, utilities, salary
• Bring passport, proof of address, and employment letter
• Most banks offer English-speaking customer service

 SHOPPING & GROCERIES

Shufersal - LARGEST SUPERMARKET CHAIN

• Download: iOS/Android
• What it does: Shufersal is the largest supermarket chain in Israel, with a 20% market share 
• Features:
  • Quick buy using lists Instead of spending hours compiling online shopping lists, the Shufersal app will load the shopping basket for you with the products you buy regularly 
  • Digital services in Shufersal branches…releasing a shopping cart with a click without the need for coins 
• Important: The online ordering is only available in Hebrew, but with Google Translate from your browser, you can get by

Super-Pharm

• Download: Available on all app stores
• What it does: Israel’s largest pharmacy chain, also sells cosmetics, baby products
• Pro tip: You can buy and load Rav-Kav cards here

KSP/Zap

• Download: Available on app stores
• What it does: Electronics price comparison and shopping
• Pro tip: Essential for comparing prices on electronics and appliances

 SAFETY & EMERGENCY

Red Alert Apps - CRITICAL FOR SAFETY

RedAlert (Most Popular):

• Download: iOS | Android
• What it does: The most fastest, reliable emergency alerts app in Israel. Over 3,000,000 downloads and a 4.7 star rating to prove it 
• Features: Speed & reliability - alerts are received before / during the official siren thanks to dedicated notification servers 

Tzofar (Alternative):

• Download: iOS
• Features: receive alerts based on city selection, entire areas, current location, and relevant threats ‎

Setup tips:

• Choose specific cities/regions you care about
• Enable location-based alerts if you travel frequently
• Test the app regularly to ensure notifications work
• The application will override silent / vibrate mode to sound alerts ‎

 COMMUNICATION

WhatsApp - ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL

• Why: Primary communication method in Israel for everything from family to business to apartment hunting
• Pro tip: Join local community groups for your neighborhood/city

Telegram

• Why: Very popular alternative to WhatsApp, many Israeli groups and channels

Hebrew Learning Apps

• Ulpan Aviv: Structured Hebrew courses
• Hebrew Pod101: Audio-focused learning
• Duolingo: Free, gamified Hebrew learning

 UTILITIES & SERVICES

Israel Electric Corporation

• Download: Available on app stores
• What it does: Pay electricity bills, report outages, track usage

Water Company Apps

• Mei Avivim (Tel Aviv area)
• Hagihon (Jerusalem area)
• Mekorot (national water company)

Pango (Parking)

• Download: Available on app stores
• What it does: Pay for parking, tolls, gas stations
• Pro tip: Founded in 2007, the Pango app allows its more than 3 million users to pay for parking, toll roads, rescue services, refueling services and even purchases at Sonol convenience stores 

 SETUP PRIORITIES FOR NEW OLIM

Week 1 (Survival Apps):

1. MyGov - government services
2. Moovit - transportation
3. Waze - navigation
4. WhatsApp - communication
5. Red Alert - safety
6. Wolt - food delivery

Week 2-4 (Financial Setup): 7. Bank app (Hapoalim/Leumi/etc.) 8. Rav-Kav Online - public transport payment 9. Shufersal - groceries 10. Ten Bis - workplace food orders

Month 2+ (Quality of Life): 11. Hebrew learning apps 12. Utility company apps 13. Pango for parking 14. Shopping apps (KSP, Buyme)

CRITICAL LANGUAGE NOTES:

• Most apps have Hebrew interfaces - use Google Translate camera feature for menus
• Bank Leumi is the only major bank with English app interface
• Government apps (MyGov) have some English support
• Wolt and Moovit work well in English

FINANCIAL SETUP TIPS:

• Get Israeli bank account immediately - required for almost everything
• Many services require Israeli credit card - foreign cards often rejected
• Set up direct debit (הוראת קבע) for utilities to avoid late fees
• Keep cash handy - some small businesses still prefer cash

This comprehensive setup will handle 90% of your daily needs as a new immigrant in Israel!