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# Springboard's Best App Picks – March 2025
- URL: https://darylbaxter.com/posts/springboard-best-ios-mac-apps-march-2025/
- Published: 2025-03-12T12:17:05.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-09T11:23:54.000Z
- Author: Daryl Baxter
- Tags: Apps

Although my opinion of Apple has slightly changed in recent times, that's not to say I've stopped looking at and trying out various apps on my devices.

One thing I was proud of at Future was being able to [highlight](https://www.techradar.com/news/interview-how-one-developer-created-ios-4-in-an-app?ref=darylbaxter.com), [countless](https://www.imore.com/iphone/this-is-exactly-what-ive-been-hoping-for-since-launching-altstore-prolific-developer-celebrates-apples-massive-eu-app-store-overhaul-in-exclusive-interview?ref=darylbaxter.com), [developers](https://www.imore.com/iphone/this-is-exactly-what-ive-been-hoping-for-since-launching-altstore-prolific-developer-celebrates-apples-massive-eu-app-store-overhaul-in-exclusive-interview?ref=darylbaxter.com), and their apps that could help users in many different ways. I now want to carry on the tradition here.

With that in mind, I want to highlight a few apps, once a month, that I've been using on my *iPhone*, *Mac*, and other devices that deserve a mention. There's no strict amount to this list — it could be three in one edition or four in another. It's simply what I've spotted and what I've been using that I feel needs to be on the list.

If you're a developer and you want to let me know about any updates or new apps you're working on, [please email me](mailto:springboard@darylbaxter.com).

![](https://darylbaxter.com/content/images/2025/03/Metal-Gear-Solid-VR-Missions-2023-10-05-13.04.46.png) 

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## Croissant

![](https://darylbaxter.com/content/images/2025/02/Dropped-Screenshot.png)

[**Download here**](https://croissantapp.com/?ref=darylbaxter.com)

It's fair to say that social media is currently in massive flux. Some companies in the category are fast becoming the main ones to use, while others are showing their true colors to aid a government. But this can mean you're using multiple social apps at once, and posting to them separately can be a chore. This is where *Croissant* comes in. Developed by [Ben McCarthy](https://obscura.camera/about/?ref=darylbaxter.com), known for the camera app [*Obscura*](https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/obscura-pro-camera/id1579306989?ref=darylbaxter.com) and [*Ketchup*](https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/ketchup-for-pok%C3%A9mon/id6477297968?ref=darylbaxter.com) for Pokémon fans, and [Aaron Vegh](http://innoveghtive.com/?ref=darylbaxter.com), an iOS developer and Author. You only need to sign in with your *Threads*, *Bluesky*, and *Mastodon* accounts, and then you can use *Croissant* to post to these networks all at once. It's incredibly easy to use, and one of those apps that makes you think, "Why hasn't someone done this before?"

*Croissant* is free to download but has a paid tier that allows you to post to multiple accounts, as well as other exclusive features, for $2.99 a month / $19.99 a year, and $59.99 as a one-off payment.

## Shareshot

![](https://darylbaxter.com/content/images/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-08-at-11.37.25.png)

[**Download here**](https://shareshot.app/?ref=darylbaxter.com)

Back at [TechRadar](https://www.techradar.com/uk/author/daryl-baxter?ref=darylbaxter.com) and iMore, I'd make sure that any articles featuring apps are shown in the main header banner instead of a press photo. To me, it gave the reader confidence that I was using what I was writing about, instead of giving them fluff. However, making sure the images fit into an *iPhone* or *iPad* frame would only work 50% of the time, which was endlessly frustrating. Even after leaving Future, I still found myself wasting time trying to make frames fit.

That's why, when I came across [*Shareshot*](https://shareshot.app/?ref=darylbaxter.com) earlier this year, it instantly replaced what I've been doing for years, while also improving how I create banners. Created by [Marc Palmer](https://iosdev.space/@marcpalmer?ref=darylbaxter.com) and [Mark Levy](https://twitter.com/marklevyart?ref=darylbaxter.com), *Shareshot* is available for *iPhone*, *iPad*, *Vision Pro*, and [now *Mac*](https://shareshot.app/blog/Release-1-2-2-frame-app-screenshots-on-mac.html?ref=darylbaxter.com). You can unlock all of its features for $1.99/month or $14.99/year, which removes the watermark, allows for custom frames, and much more.

Before *Shareshot*, I'd take a screenshot, and run a [Shortcut](https://www.techradar.com/features/9-iphone-shortcuts-i-cant-live-without?ref=darylbaxter.com) to blend the image into an *iPhone* frame. Next, I'd drop it into *Adobe Photoshop* or [*Photopea*](https://www.photopea.com/?ref=darylbaxter.com), add a background color to match the site's theme, and upload the image. Now? I just drop the image in, or *Shareshot* detects a new screenshot via *Photos* and blends it into a frame. From there, I can tweak colors, shadows, and more. This is far, **far** easier than before, and ultimately, it's even fun to do!

Having spoken with Palmer ahead of the *macOS* launch, improvements are already on their way, such as video support and improved export options, both of which I'm really looking forward to! If any ex-colleagues reading this have been struggling with their own banners lately (hello!), do yourself a favor and use *Shareshot*.

## Quick Reviews

![](https://darylbaxter.com/content/images/2025/03/New-Screenshot-1.png)

[**Download here**](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quick-reviews/id6740369719?ref=quickreviews.app)

Although Quick Reviews' developer, [Matt Birchler](https://birchtree.me/?ref=darylbaxter.com), has a soft spot for *Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes*, I can forgive him because of his new app. In previous years, I've seen Birchler post on various social networks with reviews featuring an elegant template. I subsequently found out that [anyone could create something similar via a website he made for it](https://quickreviews.app/?ref=darylbaxter.com). As a result, I was pleased to see Birchler announce the development and eventual release of a dedicated app for *Quick Reviews*.

For anyone unaware, you can quickly write up a 'quick review', complete with the type of media, such as a movie, game, and more, followed by adding an image, a description, and a rating. I can say for myself, at least, that when I watch something, I'm on my *iPhone* as well, so it makes perfect sense to release Quick Reviews as a dedicated app. I've also had a lot of fun creating reviews for previous posts. For instance, I used it for the [*Jedi Power Battles* review](https://darylbaxter.com/posts/star-wars-episode-i-jedi-power-battles-review-an-elegant-remaster-for-a-more-civilised-age/), the [*Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered* review](https://darylbaxter.com/posts/tomb-raider-iv-vi-remastered-review-out-of-the-darkness/), and the [*Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light* review](https://darylbaxter.com/posts/lara-croft-and-the-guardian-of-light-for-iphone-review-perfect-for-a-commute/). Ultimately, *Quick Reviews* has a great user interface and is fun to use. There's also a paid option to enhance your reviews with more detail, as well as a [*Letterboxd*](https://letterboxd.com/?ref=darylbaxter.com) import option and unlimited review history for $9.99/£9.99 per year.

## Dumb Phone

![](https://darylbaxter.com/content/images/2025/03/New-Screenshot.png)

[**Download here**](https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/dumb-phone-dp/id6504743503?ref=darylbaxter.com)

I came across this app just after iOS 18 came out in 2024\. One of the first thoughts I had, was how useful it would have been when I was back at the phone shop as tech support. I could have shown this to a new user, almost terrified to use an iPhone for the first time, and eased them into how the device could benefit them.

Developed by [Michael Tigas](https://www.instagram.com/michaeltigas%5F/?ref=darylbaxter.com), *Dumb Phone* transforms an *iPhone* into a minimal list by showing every function and app from your handset through a simple list. You can create pages to display multiple lists, add a widget to your home screen so the lists can be easily available, reduce animations, and lots more. It's fantastically useful, and it makes me wonder if an *iPad* version could benefit users further.

You can download [*Dumb Phone*](https://dumbphone.so/?ref=darylbaxter.com) for free with an option to upgrade for $2.99/month, $9.99/year, or for $24.99 as a one-time payment, which unlocks all of the app's functionality.

## Micro Social

![](https://darylbaxter.com/content/images/2025/03/New-Shareshot.png)

[**Download here**](https://apps.apple.com/app/micro-social/id6741072380?ref=darylbaxter.com)

For the record: I don't use [Micro.blog](https://micro.blog/?ref=darylbaxter.com), a social networking site built around blogging. But when I saw that my good friend [Greg Morris](https://gregmorris.co.uk/?ref=darylbaxter.com) was creating an app to bring the platform to your iPhone, I revived my old account and gave the app a go. I can happily report that *Micro Social* is well made, works great, and even reminds me of *Tweetie*, a third-party *Twitter* client before the company [acquired it.](https://techcrunch.com/2010/04/09/twitter-acquires-tweetie/?ref=darylbaxter.com) *Micro Social* is so polished it could easily be mistaken for the official client for Micro.blog. I even love the look of the icon.

There's also 'Micro Social Plus', which unlocks extra features by paying a small, medium, or large tip. This includes reply suggestions, book recommendations, and more. A standout is a smart 'Micro Gram' feature, which displays an Instagram-style layout on the Photos tab from the people you follow.

If you're a heavy user of Micro.blog, download *Micro Social*. Also worth noting, Greg offers a [sponsorship](https://buymeacoffee.com/gregmorris?ref=darylbaxter.com) that grants access to a [*TestFlight*](https://developer.apple.com/testflight/?ref=darylbaxter.com) app build that showcases features currently in development.

## Flycast

![](https://darylbaxter.com/content/images/2025/03/Flycast-1.jpg)

[**Download here**](https://github.com/flyinghead/flycast/releases?ref=darylbaxter.com)

Since Apple changed its rules in 20224 to [allow emulators on the App Store](https://www.macrumors.com/2024/04/19/ps1-gamecube-wii-emulator-coming-to-app-store/?ref=darylbaxter.com), I've been using them on my *iPhone*, *iPad*, and *Apple TV* like there's no tomorrow. Being able to easily play games and take screenshots has been a lot of fun. For some reason, no dedicated *Dreamcast* emulators — or even multi-system ones like [RetroArch](https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/retroarch/id6499539433?ref=darylbaxter.com) — support Sega's final console. Although a big fuss has been made about [JIT](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39947969&ref=darylbaxter.com) recompilers (Just In Time), which can give a big speed boost to certain emulated consoles on Apple devices, I've never thought its absence would be an issue for a console released back in 1999\. In the meantime, I've been using a great emulator on my *Mac* called *Flycast*.

Compared to other *Dreamcast* emulators I've used in the past, such as [*Chankast*](https://segaretro.org/Chankast?ref=darylbaxter.com), [*Redream*](https://redream.io/?ref=darylbaxter.com), and more, *Flycast* wins out by being so easy to set up and configure. For example, I can enable a [VMU](https://segaretro.org/Visual%5FMemory%5FUnit?ref=darylbaxter.com) display to show up in a corner as I play *Sonic Adventure*, alongside a widescreen hack in a couple of clicks. Recently, Flycast brought back support for online play, with many games ready to go. Wes Fenlon's newsletter, *Read Only Memo*, [published an issue in February all about it](https://www.readonlymemo.com/flycast-dcnet-dreamcast-online-play-interview/?ref=darylbaxter.com). Although it's currently impossible to play *Dreamcast* games on *iPhone* and *iPad*, I'm hoping *Flycast* will come to Apple's mobile devices soon, as it's currently the best in showcasing why the *Dreamcast* was ahead of its time.

🦖

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---

Again, I've always loved trying out new and updated apps that can help folk in many ways. [Compiling a similar list in 2024](https://www.imore.com/ios/ios-18/these-are-the-iphone-apps-getting-a-major-ios-18-overhaul-so-far?ref=darylbaxter.com) was a lot of fun, and I'm thankful to all the developers who reached out.

I want to bring that back once *iOS 19* arrives later this year. But that's it for this month! Let me know about any apps you've been enjoying lately. And if you have a great app or an upcoming update you want to shout about, [I'd love to hear about it for a future edition](mailto:springboard@darylbaxter.com).

*Thanks for reading.*