6 Apps for Boosting Your Short-Term Memory

We live in a frenzied world.

We zip around from place to place, check our smartphones, plug into our devices, and try to balance a million tasks at once. In this often chaotic, tech-driven world, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Sometimes, with so much information to retain and recall, it’s easy to lose our memories.

Cognitive conditions, like ADHD, Alzheimer’s disease, and other forms of dementia, can make this even harder.

Fortunately, technology can help. While it’s easy to get distracted and diminish our short-term memories through ceaseless gadgets, we can also use these tools for better memories.

Let’s check out six of the top apps for boosting short-term memory today.

1. Lumosity

One of the better-known apps for enhancing cognitive abilities, Lumosity offers many activities tailored to all aspects of improved brain functioning. From memory tasks to attention and problem-solving methods, it’s very useful for people who want full-spectrum challenges.

All of its neuroscience-based games target different areas of the brain, making challenges fun and worthwhile.

If you’re looking for a personalized app, Lumosity will customize your training sessions based on your ongoing performances, making it an adaptive program.

Want to increase your memory first and foremost? Try games like “Memory Matrix” and “Lost in Migration,” which challenge you to recall sequences, locations, and patterns. As you go, you can track your progress, gaining invaluable insights about your cognitive improvement. With time, you’ll access higher levels of complexity and cross-functionality, making Lumosity a great tool for continuous improvement.

2. Peak

Another popular brain-teasing app, Peak also focuses on a wide range of cognitive capacities. With over 40 different games, it targets skills like memory, problem-solving, language, and mental agility, so you’ll never be at a loss for what to do.

The app is also streamlined and user-friendly, making it appropriate for all ages. With a clean, minimalistic design and straightforward game instructions, you’ll never need to be some tech whiz to get started. And should you start to feel bored just doing tasks on your own?

Peak also features a multiplayer mode where you can compete with friends and family and share your scores. You can even compare your ‘brainmap’ across various cognitive skill categories. Want to know your weaknesses and strengths, and see if you can beat those in your social circle?

It’s easy to add friends to games and workouts, making Peak ideal for multiple who love both solitary sessions and social challenges.

With adaptive difficulty levels and varied brain training, Peak can significantly help with memory impairments and attention deficits. The only downside is you might have to purchase the premium version to get all the capabilities you seek.

Peak has received Best of the Year and Editor’s Choice recognitions in both the Apple App Store and Google Play.

3. Cognifit

Offering personalized cognitive training programs, Cognifit is particularly helpful for individuals with ADHD and early-stage dementia. Whether you engage in tasks like “Math Madness” or simply want to track your performance trajectory in games like “Match It” or “Crossroads,” it’s easy with this tailored app.

The best part of this program is that it tests a wide range of cognitive skills. These include but are not limited to contextual memory, focus, divided attention, processing speed, planning, response time, visual perception, working memory, and more.

The program even offers multilingual options, making it accessible to people from many walks of life.

Before you begin the app, you can take an initial assessment to provide you with the most personalized interface for your needs. Thanks to this, you’ll always be targeting the areas of cognition that benefit the most.

4. Elevate

Another app with a plethora of games, Elevate targets more than just short-term and long-term memory. Its many games also help with writing, vocabulary, speaking, reading, and mathematics. Elevate has gained notable attention from publications as well. It has been featured in USA Today, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and more.

With 40+ training games, flexible options, unlimited access, and performance tracking, this app is sure to stimulate all critical aspects of your brain.

According to one independent study, participants trained over four weeks showed a 69 percent improvement in post-tests compared to a control group.

If you’re seeking a well-rounded approach to cognitive improvement, Elevate can take you to the next level!

5. Memrise

Memrise is a bit different than the other apps in this article, mostly due to its language-centric focus. With a unique approach to memory training, Memrise combines spaced repetition with gamified exercises to effectively improve retention and recall.

Although not generally considered a ‘memory training app,’ Memrise does target many of the vital aspects of remembering. You can practice memorizing words, phrases, and characters, as you chart your course for any of 23 languages.

With a premium subscription, you’ll get 48,000+ video clips of real-life phrases, gamified tests, personalized review plans, and access to comprehensive learning features. You can even get access to an AI language tutor, MemBot, that will provide endless practice and feedback.

Because learning a new language is often cited as one of the best ways to improve cognitive functioning, Memrise might just be perfect for you.

6. Simple Habit

Numerous studies have shown how meditation and mindfulness can actually physically alter your brain. In fact, these practices have long been shown to increase gray matter density and volume, thereby improving your memory, learning capacity, and even emotional regulation.

Why does this happen?

While the precise causes are not exactly known, it’s believed that meditation takes advantage of something called neuroplasticity. In other words, your brain’s ability to adapt and ‘rewire’ new neural networks.

The app, Simple Habit, taps into this.

With Simple Habit, you not only improve your mental well-being, but also relax, de-stress, and sharpen your mind! The cool thing about this app is that you can access multiple teachers, licensed psychologists, and executive coaches all across the world on one platform.

Each meditation is also only five minutes, allowing for optimum effect in a busy, hectic world. The recordings are also wide-ranging, meaning that you can find one for basically any situation or mood – whether you have a stressful workday ahead, or you’re just trying to unwind at night.

Not sure if Simple Habit is right for you?

With 12+ hours of free content, you’ll have plenty of time to try it out. If you find that you benefit, you can purchase one of three price plans, ranging from $11.99 a month to $299 for lifetime access.

Whether you’re fostering new interpersonal relationships with the Mindful Relationships meditation, learning to rest with the Deep Sleep meditation, or harnessing your concentration with the Sharpen Focus meditation, you’ll never be left wanting.

So what’s not to love?

Although the apps in this article all target various aspects of your brain, not all may be right for you. Give them a chance, explore their free options first, and if you notice an improvement in your memory (and life at large) consider buying a premium plan.

The investment in your cognitive functioning and mental health is well worth it!