Updated: January 12, 2026 — Automation on Android is having a moment again. On one end, you’ve got simple “tap once, done” shortcuts that eliminate daily friction. On the other, Google is pushing “agentic” AI experiences that can handle multi-step tasks inside a chat — including shopping and checkout. Meanwhile, governments are increasingly focused on how apps access sensitive permissions in the background, which could shape what automation looks like next.
This guide rounds up seven of the best free Android automation apps you can download right now — from Google’s Action Blocks to Samsung’s Modes & Routines, Automate, MacroDroid, IFTTT, and more — plus a quick look at the biggest automation-related headlines from today (Jan. 12, 2026) that could change how these tools evolve.
Today’s key automation news (Jan. 12, 2026) you should know
1) Gemini is turning into a “shop + checkout” assistant — with Walmart and more
Google announced it’s expanding shopping inside the Gemini AI chatbot through partnerships with Walmart, Shopify, Wayfair, and other retailers, including an instant checkout experience that lets users buy without leaving the chat. The rollout starts in the U.S., with international expansion planned.
AP reports the announcement was tied to the National Retail Federation’s annual convention in New York, where AI in retail and consumer shopping behavior is expected to be a central theme.
Why this matters for Android automation: it’s another sign that “automation” is shifting from single-device routines (like toggling Wi‑Fi when you get home) to assistant-led workflows (find → compare → buy → schedule delivery) — and it’s happening inside apps people already use daily.
2) India’s proposed phone security rules could reshape background permissions
Reuters published a detailed look at proposed smartphone security requirements in India that are worrying major tech firms. Among the key points: source code disclosure to government-designated labs, restrictions on background access for camera/microphone/location when phones are inactive, and continuous status bar notifications when sensitive permissions are active. Reuters also lists proposals around permission review alerts, malware scanning, one-year log retention, anti-rollback protections, and requirements around deletable pre-installed apps.
Why this matters for Android automation: many automation apps rely on location triggers, background services, and sometimes accessibility controls to run reliably. Rules that tighten background permission behavior — even if localized to one market — can foreshadow broader platform shifts over time.
The 7 best free Android automation apps to simplify your daily routine
These picks span three “automation styles”:
- One-tap shortcuts (fast, simple, great for families)
- Phone routines (context-aware “if this, then that” on your device)
- Cross-app workflows (connect phone + cloud services + smart home)
BGR recently highlighted these seven as standout free automation options for Android, and they line up well with what power users typically recommend.
1) Action Blocks (Google): one-tap buttons for everyday tasks
Best for: Anyone who wants automation without building “rules” — especially families, caregivers, and accessibility-focused setups.
Action Blocks lets you place customizable buttons on your home screen that run routine actions with a single tap. It’s powered by Google Assistant, meaning it can do anything the Assistant can do — like calling someone, controlling smart lights, or launching a favorite show. It can also be configured to speak phrases, which can help with communication needs.
Great starter automations:
- “Call my ride” / “Text my partner I’m leaving”
- “Turn on living room lights”
- “Start my commute playlist”
- “Set a timer for tea”
Privacy & reliability note: Because Action Blocks routes through Google Assistant, its capabilities depend on what Assistant supports on your device/account and the permissions you’ve granted.
2) Samsung Modes and Routines: built-in automation on Galaxy phones
Best for: Samsung users who want deep system control without installing extra apps.
Samsung’s Modes and Routines is a first-party automation tool that can automatically adjust settings and behaviors across the day. Samsung’s own support guide highlights how you can use suggested routines, customize triggers and actions, and even put shortcuts on the lock screen or quick settings for fast activation.
Easy routines that feel “magic” once you set them up:
- Work mode: mute notifications, enable Wi‑Fi, open your work apps
- Sleep routine: dim brightness, enable Do Not Disturb, change audio levels
- Driving routine: connect Bluetooth, start music, enable navigation shortcuts
- Home routine: turn Wi‑Fi on near your house; reduce mobile data usage
Quick setup tip: In the app, Samsung points to a Discover area with routine suggestions and categories you can copy and customize.
3) Automate (LlamaLab): flowchart-style automation with serious power
Best for: Tinkerers who want “visual programming” — more flexible than simple rule builders.
Automate is built around flowcharts: you connect blocks to build a workflow that reacts to triggers like schedule/time, location, activity, battery level, Wi‑Fi network, and more. The Play Store listing emphasizes that it’s “simple yet powerful” and supports both beginner-friendly configuration and advanced logic with expressions, variables, and functions.
Automations Automate is great at:
- Backing up files or moving files between local storage and cloud services
- Building multi-step “morning routines” (check calendar → adjust settings → open apps)
- Location-based behavior (arrive at gym → open workout app → enable media mode)
Important permissions note: Automate states it uses Accessibility API for UI interaction features and Device Administrator permission for certain security/lock capabilities. Only enable what you truly need.
4) Microsoft Power Automate: business-grade workflows on your phone
Best for: People who live in Microsoft 365 (Teams, Outlook, OneDrive) and want automation that connects phone + work systems.
Power Automate is designed for workflow automation across hundreds of connected services. Microsoft highlights use cases like editing flows on the go, approvals, push notifications, and tasks such as downloading email attachments to cloud storage or recording hours to a spreadsheet with a tap.
Great use cases:
- Get pinged when an important email arrives (specific sender/keywords)
- Route form submissions into Teams/SharePoint workflows
- Approve requests or monitor flow activity from your phone
Reality check: It’s powerful, but it’s not the most “fun” option for phone-only automation. It shines when your automations live in the cloud and your phone is the control panel.
5) aProfiles: quick “profiles” you can trigger automatically
Best for: Users who want classic “profile” automation — silent mode, brightness changes, connectivity toggles — with simple rules.
aProfiles is built around three concepts:
- Actions (e.g., turn off Wi‑Fi)
- Profiles (a group of actions, like a Night profile)
- Rules (“if X happens, do Y profile”)
It supports triggers like time, location, battery level, Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth connections, and more, and also offers widgets for quick manual switching.
Good starter profiles:
- Night profile: silent + dim + reduce connectivity
- Meeting profile: vibrate only + disable distracting app notifications
- “Low battery” profile: dim + disable background-heavy settings
Location warning: The listing states it collects location data to enable location and “near Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth” conditions even when the app is closed/not in use. If you don’t need location-based automation, don’t enable those triggers.
6) MacroDroid: “trigger → action → constraint” automation that scales
Best for: People who want something easier than flowcharts, but more advanced than basic routines.
MacroDroid positions itself as a straightforward way to build automation in “just a few taps,” using a structure of Triggers, Actions, and optional Constraints. The Play listing gives examples like switching on Bluetooth and music when you get in the car, turning Wi‑Fi on near home, reading incoming messages via text-to-speech while commuting, and more.
What makes MacroDroid stand out:
- A large library of triggers (including sensors, connectivity, device status)
- Constraints that prevent annoying “misfires” (workdays only, certain times, etc.)
- Beginner-friendly templates and a guided wizard
Free vs paid: MacroDroid notes the free version is ad-supported and limits you to a small number of macros, while Pro removes ads and unlocks unlimited macros.
7) IFTTT: the classic “if this then that” connector for apps, home, and work
Best for: Cross-platform automation — connecting Android device actions to web services and smart home tools.
IFTTT is a no-code automation platform designed to connect “services and devices in your life,” letting you create workflows across thousands of apps and integrations — including Android device features, webhooks, smart home platforms, and popular productivity services.
The Play listing also highlights Android device automations (like Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth/ringer/battery actions), location-based features, and custom notifications and widgets, plus IFTTT AI features for creating/summarizing content.
Free idea starters (from IFTTT’s own 2026 suggestions):
IFTTT has also published examples of automations intended to “make 2026 easier,” like tracking spending, capturing ideas, and discovering new restaurants automatically.
Heads-up on pricing: The Play listing shows in-app purchases, and IFTTT’s feature access can vary by plan and service integration.
How to choose the right Android automation app (fast checklist)
If you want the quickest win:
- Choose Action Blocks for one-tap shortcuts.
If you’re on a Samsung Galaxy:
- Start with Modes and Routines (built-in, deeply integrated).
If you want advanced phone automation:
- Pick MacroDroid (easier) or Automate (more flexible, flowcharts).
If you want automation across work tools:
- Go with Power Automate.
If you want phone “profiles” and simple rules:
- Try aProfiles.
If you want cross-service automations (smart home + web + apps):
- Use IFTTT.
Automation safety in 2026: what’s changing, and what to watch
Background permissions and privacy are becoming a bigger deal
Reuters’ report on India’s proposed phone security rules is a reminder that background access to camera, mic, and location is increasingly scrutinized — and automation apps often depend on these permissions to be useful. If rules like these spread or influence platform policies, automation builders may need to rely more on explicit user actions, foreground tasks, or OS-approved automation frameworks.
Android is also building more “native” privacy controls
Separately, early Android 17 Canary findings reported by Android Authority suggest a native App Lock feature may hide notification content from locked apps (e.g., showing “New message” instead of the message preview). While it’s not final, it signals a platform direction: more privacy features built into Android itself.
Gemini is pushing automation into conversations — including shopping
Today’s Gemini shopping expansion underscores the other big direction: AI assistants turning routine multi-step tasks into “just ask” experiences, including product discovery and checkout.
Bottom line
If you want automation that actually sticks:
- Start with one app (don’t overbuild on day one).
- Automate the top 2–3 annoyances you repeat daily.
- Keep permissions tight — especially location and accessibility.
- Expect the next year to blend two worlds: local routines (fast, reliable) and assistant-led automation (powerful, but more connected to accounts, services, and policy changes).
