You've come to the right place! Health Navigator NZ website is now Healthify He Puna Waiora.
Low on data? Visit zero.govt.nz, scroll down the page then click on our logo to return to our site and browse for free.

Happify app

An app for anyone who would like to improve their personal well-being and learn more about positive psychology.

Happify	By Happify Inc
	Features Goal setting Follow different tracks based on your goals Gamification Reminders Get the app from (external link) (external link)
Country of origin	USA
Clinical review	Free version: Read a clinical review of this app.
Privacy and security	Does the app: collect medical information? Yes require a login? Yes have password protection? Yes have a privacy policy? Yes require internet access? Yes Read more safety tips around health apps.
Cost	Free – basic Paid upgrade – $234.99 per annum/$24.99 per month

What does the app do?

This app aims at making you feel happier. The core of the app is following different ‘tracks’ where you complete activities to reach a goal such as conquering negative thoughts, controlling anger, improving sleep etc. It uses ‘gamification’ with the ability to ‘level up’ and increase different ‘stats’ namely Savor, Thank, Aspire, Give and Empathise. The app is highly interactive, and there are many mini-games. You can take a positive psychology personality test to discover your strengths and then try and use these strengths in your daily life to increase wellbeing. For the complete app description, go to the App website(external link) , or iTunes(external link) and for a detailed review, see Reviews.

PROS	CONS
✔ Several trials published showing improvement in well-being in those with chronic health conditions and young people, but this research should be taken as preliminary given the lack of control groups in the studies and small sample sizes. ✔ Activities are extensively explained and referenced although exercises prescribed may be only loosely associated with the theories they reference. ✔ Community section, but I couldn’t see any evidence of it being extensively monitored. ✔ Complete a validated personal character strengths questionnaire. ✔ Paired website, can complete activities on all devices. ✔ Attractive format.	✘ Some mini games felt gimmicky and are only very loosely associated with the positive psychology research findings they claim to support. ✘ Free version is very limited. ✘ Navigation was very slow. ✘ App is glitchy and logging in on a phone can be difficult. ✘ The use of “tracks” or individually prescribed courses means that the user is set 3 or 4 daily tasks chosen by the app each day. It is difficult to use these tools and strategies outside the days they are prescribed, limiting users’ ability to learn how to use psychological tools and incorporate these into daily life. This is a very passive way of engaging in wellbeing strategies. ✘ Some users will find it frustrating to have little choice in the coping tools and strategies they use each day. ✘ New Zealand audiences may find some interpersonal tasks and assignments do not match their ways of expressing themselves in relationships.

PROS

CONS

✔ Several trials published showing improvement in well-being in those with chronic health conditions and young people, but this research should be taken as preliminary given the lack of control groups in the studies and small sample sizes.

✔ Activities are extensively explained and referenced although exercises prescribed may be only loosely associated with the theories they reference.

✔ Community section, but I couldn’t see any evidence of it being extensively monitored.

✔ Complete a validated personal character strengths questionnaire.

✔ Paired website, can complete activities on all devices.

✔ Attractive format.

✘ Some mini games felt gimmicky and are only very loosely associated with the positive psychology research findings they claim to support.

✘ Free version is very limited.

✘ Navigation was very slow.

✘ App is glitchy and logging in on a phone can be difficult.

✘ The use of “tracks” or individually prescribed courses means that the user is set 3 or 4 daily tasks chosen by the app each day. It is difficult to use these tools and strategies outside the days they are prescribed, limiting users’ ability to learn how to use psychological tools and incorporate these into daily life. This is a very passive way of engaging in wellbeing strategies.

✘ Some users will find it frustrating to have little choice in the coping tools and strategies they use each day.

✘ New Zealand audiences may find some interpersonal tasks and assignments do not match their ways of expressing themselves in relationships.

Review details

April 2022; Android
April 2018; Android

Other useful resources

This app has been reviewed by other independent websites.

Happify – a professional review(external link) One Mind PsyberGuide

Happify app

What does the app do?

Review details

Other useful resources

Related topics