My Experience with Merge Labs NRW2
My friend Mark at work wouldn’t shut up about this app. He kept saying it saved his butt with client lists, so I figured for 99 cents, what’s the worst that could happen? I downloaded it on a Tuesday night when I was staring at two different supplier lists on my Galaxy S23—one from an email and one I typed up in my notes. I was dreading having to manually copy and paste everything into one sheet on my laptop. I opened NRW2, pointed it at the two files, and tapped merge. It just worked. The lists combined, and it even caught a bunch of duplicate entries I would have missed. That first five minutes sold me. It didn’t feel like using a “power tool,” it just felt like the app did exactly what I was hoping it would, without me having to think about it. I’ve been using it for a month now for little stuff here and there, and it’s become one of those apps I don’t open often, but I’m really glad it’s on my phone when I need it.
Features Worth Noting
The “Smart Merge” thing is the star. It’s not magic, but it’s clever. Last week, I was merging two contact lists from different events, and it popped up saying it found 22 possible duplicates. It showed me side-by-side comparisons and let me pick which info to keep. I tapped through them in like a minute. The interface is super clean. Big buttons, no confusing menus. I also used it while waiting at the dentist’s office with no wifi. I had some CSV files saved to my phone, and I could still mess around with merging and filtering them. When I got back online, it synced the final file to my Google Drive like nothing happened. That’s the kind of thing I appreciate—it just handles the situation. I haven’t used the live collaboration with a cursor, but Mark says he and his partner use it all the time to prep stuff together without calling each other.
What Needs Work
It’s mostly great, but I got stuck once. I was trying to filter out some specific rows after a merge, and I couldn’t find the option. The main screen is so simple that the more advanced stuff is hidden. I had to tap this tiny three-dot icon in the corner that I didn’t even notice at first. Once I found it, the filters were powerful, but that initial hunt was annoying. Also, while it opens my basic Excel files just fine, I tried to pull in data from this other program we use at work (a niche project management tool) and it couldn’t connect directly. I had to export the data first, which is an extra step. For 99 cents, I’m not really complaining, but if they added more direct connections, it would be perfect.
Pricing
It cost me less than a bag of chips. One dollar, and that’s it. No monthly fee, no annoying pop-ups trying to sell me a “pro” version. I’ve used free websites for this kind of thing before, and they’re always clunky, covered in ads, or want you to sign up. Paying a buck to just have a reliable tool in my pocket feels like a steal. I’ve definitely spent more on apps I used once and deleted. This one has already earned its keep.
Developer Notes
I haven’t had to email support, which is a good sign. But I poked around the Play Store reviews before buying, and I saw the developer, Merge Labs, actually replying to people. They weren’t just giving copy-paste answers; they were asking for details to help fix problems. I also notice the app gets updated pretty regularly. An update popped up a couple weeks ago that added support for a new file type I’d seen people request in the comments. It feels like they’re listening and tweaking things, which makes me trust the app more.
Security & Privacy
This was important for me because sometimes the lists I’m merging have work emails or phone numbers. The app’s description and privacy policy are clear that it processes everything on your phone or in your own cloud accounts. I checked my phone’s connection log once out of curiosity while using it, and it only talked to Google Drive when I told it to save something there. No random calls to weird servers. No ads inside the app at all. Knowing my data isn’t being sent off to who-knows-where to be analyzed lets me use it without a second thought.
What is the Smart Merge feature and how does it handle duplicates?
Smart Merge is the standout feature that automatically detects duplicate entries when you combine lists. It shows you side-by-side comparisons of suspected duplicates and lets you choose which information to keep, so you can clean up your merged file in about a minute.
Can I use Merge Labs NRW2 offline, and will it sync later?
Yes, you can merge and filter CSV files saved to your phone even without an internet connection. Once you're back online, the app syncs the final file to your Google Drive automatically, making it easy to work from anywhere.
I'm having trouble filtering out specific rows after a merge. What might be going wrong?
Filtering can sometimes be tricky if you're using complex criteria or if the app's filter options aren't immediately obvious. Try tapping the filter icon and selecting the exact column and value you want to exclude—if you're still stuck, restarting the app or checking for updates often resolves the issue.
The app says it found duplicates but I don't see them in my list. How do I proceed?
When the app flags duplicates, it usually shows them in a review screen before finalizing the merge. If you're not seeing them, make sure you're not accidentally skipping that step—tap the 'Review Duplicates' button that appears after the merge completes to see the comparisons and choose what to keep.
How does Merge Labs NRW2 compare to using a spreadsheet app like Google Sheets for merging lists?
NRW2 is much faster and simpler for quick merges—you just point it at your files and tap merge, while Google Sheets requires manual copying, pasting, and using formulas to find duplicates. For a one-time merge or on-the-go use, NRW2 saves you the hassle, though Sheets offers more advanced editing if you need it.
