diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/CommonsApplication.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/CommonsApplication.java
index 32d8b89f9..ef9ea90d0 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/CommonsApplication.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/CommonsApplication.java
@@ -62,7 +62,6 @@ import timber.log.Timber;
 )
 public class CommonsApplication extends Application {
 
-    private MWApi api;
     private Account currentAccount = null; // Unlike a savings account...
     public static final String API_URL = "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/api.php";
     public static final String IMAGE_URL_BASE = "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons";
@@ -81,13 +80,35 @@ public class CommonsApplication extends Application {
     public static final String FEEDBACK_EMAIL = "commons-app-android@googlegroups.com";
     public static final String FEEDBACK_EMAIL_SUBJECT = "Commons Android App (%s) Feedback";
 
-    public RequestQueue volleyQueue;
+    private static CommonsApplication instance = null;
+    private AbstractHttpClient httpClient = null;
+    private MWApi api = null;
+    private CacheController cacheData = null;
+    private RequestQueue volleyQueue = null;
 
-    public CacheController cacheData;
+    /**
+     * This should not be called by ANY application code (other than the magic Android glue)
+     * Use CommonsApplication.getInstance() instead to get the singleton.
+     */
+    public CommonsApplication() {
+        CommonsApplication.instance = this;
+    }
 
-    public static CommonsApplication app;
+    public static CommonsApplication getInstance() {
+        if(instance == null) {
+            instance = new CommonsApplication();
+        }
+        return instance;
+    }
 
-    public static AbstractHttpClient createHttpClient() {
+    public AbstractHttpClient getHttpClient() {
+        if(httpClient == null) {
+            httpClient = newHttpClient();
+        }
+        return httpClient;
+    }
+
+    private AbstractHttpClient newHttpClient() {
         BasicHttpParams params = new BasicHttpParams();
         SchemeRegistry schemeRegistry = new SchemeRegistry();
         schemeRegistry.register(new Scheme("http", PlainSocketFactory.getSocketFactory(), 80));
@@ -98,14 +119,36 @@ public class CommonsApplication extends Application {
         return new DefaultHttpClient(cm, params);
     }
 
-    public static MWApi createMWApi() {
-        return new MWApi(API_URL, createHttpClient());
+    public MWApi getMWApi() {
+        if(api == null) {
+            api = newMWApi();
+        }
+        return api;
+    }
+
+    private MWApi newMWApi() {
+        return new MWApi(API_URL, getHttpClient());
+    }
+
+    public CacheController getCacheData() {
+        if(cacheData == null) {
+            cacheData = new CacheController();
+        }
+        return cacheData;
+    }
+
+    public RequestQueue getVolleyQueue() {
+        if(volleyQueue == null) {
+            DiskBasedCache cache = new DiskBasedCache(getCacheDir(), 16 * 1024 * 1024);
+            volleyQueue = new RequestQueue(cache, new BasicNetwork(new HurlStack()));
+            volleyQueue.start();
+        }
+        return volleyQueue;
     }
 
     @Override
     public void onCreate() {
         super.onCreate();
-        app = this;
 
         Timber.plant(new Timber.DebugTree());
 
@@ -116,9 +159,8 @@ public class CommonsApplication extends Application {
         }
         // Fire progress callbacks for every 3% of uploaded content
         System.setProperty("in.yuvi.http.fluent.PROGRESS_TRIGGER_THRESHOLD", "3.0");
-        api = createMWApi();
 
-        ImageLoaderConfiguration imageLoaderConfiguration = new ImageLoaderConfiguration.Builder(getApplicationContext())
+        ImageLoaderConfiguration imageLoaderConfiguration = new ImageLoaderConfiguration.Builder(this)
                 .discCache(new TotalSizeLimitedDiscCache(StorageUtils.getCacheDirectory(this), 128 * 1024 * 1024))
                 .build();
         ImageLoader.getInstance().init(imageLoaderConfiguration);
@@ -147,13 +189,6 @@ public class CommonsApplication extends Application {
                 }
             };
         }
-
-        //For caching area -> categories
-        cacheData  = new CacheController();
-
-        DiskBasedCache cache = new DiskBasedCache(getCacheDir(), 16 * 1024 * 1024);
-        volleyQueue = new RequestQueue(cache, new BasicNetwork(new HurlStack()));
-        volleyQueue.start();
     }
 
     private com.android.volley.toolbox.ImageLoader imageLoader;
@@ -161,7 +196,7 @@ public class CommonsApplication extends Application {
 
     public com.android.volley.toolbox.ImageLoader getImageLoader() {
         if(imageLoader == null) {
-            imageLoader = new com.android.volley.toolbox.ImageLoader(volleyQueue, new com.android.volley.toolbox.ImageLoader.ImageCache() {
+            imageLoader = new com.android.volley.toolbox.ImageLoader(getVolleyQueue(), new com.android.volley.toolbox.ImageLoader.ImageCache() {
                 @Override
                 public Bitmap getBitmap(String key) {
                     return imageCache.get(key);
@@ -176,13 +211,9 @@ public class CommonsApplication extends Application {
         }
         return imageLoader;
     }
-    
-    public MWApi getApi() {
-        return api;
-    }
 
     /**
-     * @return Accout|null
+     * @return Account|null
      */
     public Account getCurrentAccount() {
         if(currentAccount == null) {
@@ -203,21 +234,12 @@ public class CommonsApplication extends Application {
             return false; // This should never happen
         }
         
-        accountManager.invalidateAuthToken(AccountUtil.accountType(), api.getAuthCookie());
+        accountManager.invalidateAuthToken(AccountUtil.accountType(), getMWApi().getAuthCookie());
         try {
             String authCookie = accountManager.blockingGetAuthToken(curAccount, "", false);
-            api.setAuthCookie(authCookie);
+            getMWApi().setAuthCookie(authCookie);
             return true;
-        } catch (OperationCanceledException e) {
-            e.printStackTrace();
-            return false;
-        } catch (AuthenticatorException e) {
-            e.printStackTrace();
-            return false;
-        } catch (IOException e) {
-            e.printStackTrace();
-            return false;
-        } catch (NullPointerException e) {
+        } catch (OperationCanceledException | NullPointerException | IOException | AuthenticatorException e) {
             e.printStackTrace();
             return false;
         }
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/EventLog.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/EventLog.java
index 694c03b6b..dea4d7c23 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/EventLog.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/EventLog.java
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import android.os.Build;
 import android.preference.PreferenceManager;
 
 import org.apache.http.HttpResponse;
+import org.apache.http.impl.client.AbstractHttpClient;
 import org.json.JSONException;
 import org.json.JSONObject;
 
@@ -30,10 +31,10 @@ public class EventLog {
             boolean  allSuccess = true;
             // Not using the default URL connection, since that seems to have different behavior than the rest of the code
             for(LogBuilder logBuilder: logBuilders) {
-                HttpURLConnection conn;
                 try {
                     URL url = logBuilder.toUrl();
-                    HttpResponse response = Http.get(url.toString()).use(CommonsApplication.createHttpClient()).asResponse();
+                    AbstractHttpClient httpClient = CommonsApplication.getInstance().getHttpClient();
+                    HttpResponse response = Http.get(url.toString()).use(httpClient).asResponse();
 
                     if(response.getStatusLine().getStatusCode() != 204) {
                         allSuccess = false;
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/MediaDataExtractor.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/MediaDataExtractor.java
index 344546c7a..44e7b8242 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/MediaDataExtractor.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/MediaDataExtractor.java
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ public class MediaDataExtractor {
             throw new IllegalStateException("Tried to call MediaDataExtractor.fetch() again.");
         }
 
-        MWApi api = CommonsApplication.createMWApi();
+        MWApi api = CommonsApplication.getInstance().getMWApi();
         ApiResult result = api.action("query")
                 .param("prop", "revisions")
                 .param("titles", filename)
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/auth/AccountUtil.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/auth/AccountUtil.java
index 29f6fcf91..773eb5d63 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/auth/AccountUtil.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/auth/AccountUtil.java
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ public class AccountUtil {
 
     @NonNull
     private static CommonsApplication app() {
-        return CommonsApplication.app;
+        return CommonsApplication.getInstance();
     }
 
 }
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/auth/AuthenticatedActivity.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/auth/AuthenticatedActivity.java
index 6a99764af..7e195ed3e 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/auth/AuthenticatedActivity.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/auth/AuthenticatedActivity.java
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ public abstract class AuthenticatedActivity extends NavigationBaseActivity {
     @Override
     protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
         super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
-        app = (CommonsApplication)this.getApplicationContext();
+        app = CommonsApplication.getInstance();
         if(savedInstanceState != null) {
             authCookie = savedInstanceState.getString("authCookie");
         }
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/auth/LoginActivity.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/auth/LoginActivity.java
index bbadc757a..0bec4bac6 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/auth/LoginActivity.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/auth/LoginActivity.java
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ public class LoginActivity extends AccountAuthenticatorActivity {
     public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
         super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
 
-        app = (CommonsApplication) getApplicationContext();
+        app = CommonsApplication.getInstance();
 
         setContentView(R.layout.activity_login);
         final LoginActivity that = this;
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ public class LoginActivity extends AccountAuthenticatorActivity {
     }
 
     private void showUserToast( int resId ) {
-        Toast.makeText(getApplicationContext(), resId, Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show();
+        Toast.makeText(this, resId, Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show();
     }
 
     public void showSuccessToastAndDismissDialog() {
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/auth/LoginTask.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/auth/LoginTask.java
index 8785bff71..d952e6535 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/auth/LoginTask.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/auth/LoginTask.java
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ class LoginTask extends AsyncTask<String, String, String> {
         this.username = username;
         this.password = password;
         this.twoFactorCode = twoFactorCode;
-        app = (CommonsApplication) loginActivity.getApplicationContext();
+        app = CommonsApplication.getInstance();
     }
 
     @Override
@@ -44,9 +44,9 @@ class LoginTask extends AsyncTask<String, String, String> {
     protected String doInBackground(String... params) {
         try {
             if (twoFactorCode.isEmpty()) {
-                return app.getApi().login(username, password);
+                return app.getMWApi().login(username, password);
             } else {
-                return app.getApi().login(username, password, twoFactorCode);
+                return app.getMWApi().login(username, password, twoFactorCode);
             }
         } catch (IOException e) {
             // Do something better!
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/auth/SignupActivity.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/auth/SignupActivity.java
index 5965c8928..530953c9f 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/auth/SignupActivity.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/auth/SignupActivity.java
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import android.webkit.WebView;
 import android.webkit.WebViewClient;
 import android.widget.Toast;
 
+import fr.free.nrw.commons.CommonsApplication;
 import fr.free.nrw.commons.theme.BaseActivity;
 import timber.log.Timber;
 
@@ -39,10 +40,10 @@ public class SignupActivity extends BaseActivity {
                 //Signup success, so clear cookies, notify user, and load LoginActivity again
                 Timber.d("Overriding URL %s", url);
 
-                Toast toast = Toast.makeText(getApplicationContext(), "Account created!", Toast.LENGTH_LONG);
+                Toast toast = Toast.makeText(CommonsApplication.getInstance(), "Account created!", Toast.LENGTH_LONG);
                 toast.show();
 
-                Intent intent = new Intent(getApplicationContext(), LoginActivity.class);
+                Intent intent = new Intent(CommonsApplication.getInstance(), LoginActivity.class);
                 startActivity(intent);
                 return true;
             } else {
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/auth/WikiAccountAuthenticator.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/auth/WikiAccountAuthenticator.java
index 7233b6be8..ebbd6c285 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/auth/WikiAccountAuthenticator.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/auth/WikiAccountAuthenticator.java
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ public class WikiAccountAuthenticator extends AbstractAccountAuthenticator {
     }
 
     private String getAuthCookie(String username, String password) throws IOException {
-        MWApi api = CommonsApplication.createMWApi();
+        MWApi api = CommonsApplication.getInstance().getMWApi();
         //TODO add 2fa support here
         String result = api.login(username, password);
         if(result.equals("PASS")) {
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/category/MethodAUpdater.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/category/MethodAUpdater.java
index 33835119e..9300f640d 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/category/MethodAUpdater.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/category/MethodAUpdater.java
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ public class MethodAUpdater extends AsyncTask<Void, Void, ArrayList<String>> {
     protected ArrayList<String> doInBackground(Void... voids) {
 
         //otherwise if user has typed something in that isn't in cache, search API for matching categories
-        MWApi api = CommonsApplication.createMWApi();
+        MWApi api = CommonsApplication.getInstance().getMWApi();
         ApiResult result;
         ArrayList<String> categories = new ArrayList<>();
 
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/category/PrefixUpdater.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/category/PrefixUpdater.java
index 350c0b21f..05770081d 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/category/PrefixUpdater.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/category/PrefixUpdater.java
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ public class PrefixUpdater extends AsyncTask<Void, Void, ArrayList<String>> {
 
         //otherwise if user has typed something in that isn't in cache, search API for matching categories
         //URL: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/api.php?action=query&list=allcategories&acprefix=filter&aclimit=25
-        MWApi api = CommonsApplication.createMWApi();
+        MWApi api = CommonsApplication.getInstance().getMWApi();
         ApiResult result;
         ArrayList<String> categories = new ArrayList<>();
         try {
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/category/TitleCategories.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/category/TitleCategories.java
index a372b353d..6ca46be0f 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/category/TitleCategories.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/category/TitleCategories.java
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ public class TitleCategories extends AsyncTask<Void, Void, ArrayList<String>> {
     @Override
     protected ArrayList<String> doInBackground(Void... voids) {
 
-        MWApi api = CommonsApplication.createMWApi();
+        MWApi api = CommonsApplication.getInstance().getMWApi();
         ApiResult result;
         ArrayList<String> items = new ArrayList<>();
 
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/contributions/ContributionsActivity.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/contributions/ContributionsActivity.java
index d9dd05b26..73b657329 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/contributions/ContributionsActivity.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/contributions/ContributionsActivity.java
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ public  class       ContributionsActivity
     @Override
     protected void onAuthCookieAcquired(String authCookie) {
         // Do a sync everytime we get here!
-        ContentResolver.requestSync(((CommonsApplication) getApplicationContext()).getCurrentAccount(), ContributionsContentProvider.AUTHORITY, new Bundle());
+        ContentResolver.requestSync(CommonsApplication.getInstance().getCurrentAccount(), ContributionsContentProvider.AUTHORITY, new Bundle());
         Intent uploadServiceIntent = new Intent(this, UploadService.class);
         uploadServiceIntent.setAction(UploadService.ACTION_START_SERVICE);
         startService(uploadServiceIntent);
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ public  class       ContributionsActivity
     @Override
     public Loader<Cursor> onCreateLoader(int i, Bundle bundle) {
         SharedPreferences sharedPref =
-                PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(getApplicationContext());
+                PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(this);
         int uploads = sharedPref.getInt(Prefs.UPLOADS_SHOWING, 100);
         return new CursorLoader(this, ContributionsContentProvider.BASE_URI,
                 Contribution.Table.ALL_FIELDS, CONTRIBUTION_SELECTION, null,
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/contributions/ContributionsListAdapter.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/contributions/ContributionsListAdapter.java
index 3a6aa72c3..182e9762a 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/contributions/ContributionsListAdapter.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/contributions/ContributionsListAdapter.java
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ class ContributionsListAdapter extends CursorAdapter {
         if(views.url == null || !views.url.equals(actualUrl)) {
             if(actualUrl.startsWith("http")) {
                 MediaWikiImageView mwImageView = views.imageView;
-                mwImageView.setMedia(contribution, ((CommonsApplication) activity.getApplicationContext()).getImageLoader());
+                mwImageView.setMedia(contribution, CommonsApplication.getInstance().getImageLoader());
                 // FIXME: For transparent images
             } else {
                 ImageLoader.getInstance().displayImage(actualUrl, views.imageView, contributionDisplayOptions, new SimpleImageLoadingListener() {
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ class ContributionsListAdapter extends CursorAdapter {
                     public void onLoadingFailed(String imageUri, View view, FailReason failReason) {
                         super.onLoadingFailed(imageUri, view, failReason);
                         MediaWikiImageView mwImageView = views.imageView;
-                        mwImageView.setMedia(contribution, ((CommonsApplication) activity.getApplicationContext()).getImageLoader());
+                        mwImageView.setMedia(contribution, CommonsApplication.getInstance().getImageLoader());
                     }
                 });
             }
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/contributions/ContributionsListFragment.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/contributions/ContributionsListFragment.java
index 364071e22..be83b3327 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/contributions/ContributionsListFragment.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/contributions/ContributionsListFragment.java
@@ -159,8 +159,7 @@ public class ContributionsListFragment extends Fragment {
         menu.clear(); // See http://stackoverflow.com/a/8495697/17865
         inflater.inflate(R.menu.fragment_contributions_list, menu);
 
-        CommonsApplication app = (CommonsApplication)getActivity().getApplicationContext();
-        if (!app.deviceHasCamera()) {
+        if (!CommonsApplication.getInstance().deviceHasCamera()) {
             menu.findItem(R.id.menu_from_camera).setEnabled(false);
         }
     }
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/contributions/ContributionsSyncAdapter.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/contributions/ContributionsSyncAdapter.java
index 81510e23b..52b966cfd 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/contributions/ContributionsSyncAdapter.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/contributions/ContributionsSyncAdapter.java
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ public class ContributionsSyncAdapter extends AbstractThreadedSyncAdapter {
     public void onPerformSync(Account account, Bundle bundle, String s, ContentProviderClient contentProviderClient, SyncResult syncResult) {
         // This code is fraught with possibilities of race conditions, but lalalalala I can't hear you!
         String user = account.name;
-        MWApi api = CommonsApplication.createMWApi();
+        MWApi api = CommonsApplication.getInstance().getMWApi();
         SharedPreferences prefs = this.getContext().getSharedPreferences("prefs", Context.MODE_PRIVATE);
         String lastModified = prefs.getString("lastSyncTimestamp", "");
         Date curTime = new Date();
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/contributions/ContributionsSyncService.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/contributions/ContributionsSyncService.java
index 3af92935c..946da6915 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/contributions/ContributionsSyncService.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/contributions/ContributionsSyncService.java
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ public class ContributionsSyncService extends Service {
         super.onCreate();
         synchronized (sSyncAdapterLock) {
             if (sSyncAdapter == null) {
-                sSyncAdapter = new ContributionsSyncAdapter(getApplicationContext(), true);
+                sSyncAdapter = new ContributionsSyncAdapter(this, true);
             }
         }
     }
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/media/MediaDetailFragment.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/media/MediaDetailFragment.java
index 6d46da801..b96845eb6 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/media/MediaDetailFragment.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/media/MediaDetailFragment.java
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ public class MediaDetailFragment extends Fragment {
         if(actualUrl.startsWith("http")) {
             Timber.d("Actual URL starts with http and is: %s", actualUrl);
 
-            ImageLoader loader = ((CommonsApplication)getActivity().getApplicationContext()).getImageLoader();
+            ImageLoader loader = CommonsApplication.getInstance().getImageLoader();
             MediaWikiImageView mwImage = (MediaWikiImageView)image;
             mwImage.setLoadingView(loadingProgress); //FIXME: Set this as an attribute
             mwImage.setMedia(media, loader);
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/media/MediaDetailPagerFragment.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/media/MediaDetailPagerFragment.java
index 9adbdb882..c7e06cefa 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/media/MediaDetailPagerFragment.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/media/MediaDetailPagerFragment.java
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ public class MediaDetailPagerFragment extends Fragment implements ViewPager.OnPa
         if(savedInstanceState != null) {
             editable = savedInstanceState.getBoolean("editable");
         }
-        app = (CommonsApplication)getActivity().getApplicationContext();
+        app = CommonsApplication.getInstance();
         setHasOptionsMenu(true);
     }
 
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/modifications/ModificationsSyncAdapter.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/modifications/ModificationsSyncAdapter.java
index fdc9e28a5..898c41f7d 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/modifications/ModificationsSyncAdapter.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/modifications/ModificationsSyncAdapter.java
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ public class ModificationsSyncAdapter extends AbstractThreadedSyncAdapter {
             return;
         }
 
-        MWApi api = CommonsApplication.createMWApi();
+        MWApi api = CommonsApplication.getInstance().getMWApi();
         api.setAuthCookie(authCookie);
         String editToken;
 
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/modifications/ModificationsSyncService.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/modifications/ModificationsSyncService.java
index b664aaaa4..bf6878622 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/modifications/ModificationsSyncService.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/modifications/ModificationsSyncService.java
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ public class ModificationsSyncService extends Service {
         super.onCreate();
         synchronized (sSyncAdapterLock) {
             if (sSyncAdapter == null) {
-                sSyncAdapter = new ModificationsSyncAdapter(getApplicationContext(), true);
+                sSyncAdapter = new ModificationsSyncAdapter(this, true);
             }
         }
     }
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/nearby/NearbyActivity.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/nearby/NearbyActivity.java
index 2446800d3..181643e79 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/nearby/NearbyActivity.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/nearby/NearbyActivity.java
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import java.util.List;
 import butterknife.BindView;
 import butterknife.ButterKnife;
 import fr.free.nrw.commons.R;
+import fr.free.nrw.commons.CommonsApplication;
 import fr.free.nrw.commons.location.LatLng;
 import fr.free.nrw.commons.location.LocationServiceManager;
 import fr.free.nrw.commons.theme.NavigationBaseActivity;
@@ -184,7 +185,7 @@ public class NearbyActivity extends NavigationBaseActivity {
         @Override
         protected List<Place> doInBackground(Void... params) {
             return NearbyController
-                    .loadAttractionsFromLocation(curLatLang, getApplicationContext()
+                    .loadAttractionsFromLocation(curLatLang, CommonsApplication.getInstance()
                     );
         }
 
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/settings/SettingsFragment.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/settings/SettingsFragment.java
index 84c5e1e13..bdac4a0f5 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/settings/SettingsFragment.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/settings/SettingsFragment.java
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import android.preference.Preference;
 import android.preference.PreferenceFragment;
 import android.preference.PreferenceManager;
 
+import fr.free.nrw.commons.CommonsApplication;
 import fr.free.nrw.commons.R;
 import fr.free.nrw.commons.Utils;
 
@@ -46,7 +47,7 @@ public class SettingsFragment extends PreferenceFragment {
 
         final EditTextPreference uploadLimit = (EditTextPreference) findPreference("uploads");
         final SharedPreferences sharedPref = PreferenceManager
-                .getDefaultSharedPreferences(getActivity().getApplicationContext());
+                .getDefaultSharedPreferences(CommonsApplication.getInstance());
         int uploads = sharedPref.getInt(Prefs.UPLOADS_SHOWING, 100);
         uploadLimit.setText(uploads + "");
         uploadLimit.setSummary(uploads + "");
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/upload/ExistingFileAsync.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/upload/ExistingFileAsync.java
index 14988c60c..27b9ed8d8 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/upload/ExistingFileAsync.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/upload/ExistingFileAsync.java
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ public class ExistingFileAsync extends AsyncTask<Void, Void, Boolean> {
 
     @Override
     protected Boolean doInBackground(Void... voids) {
-        MWApi api = CommonsApplication.createMWApi();
+        MWApi api = CommonsApplication.getInstance().getMWApi();
         ApiResult result;
 
         // https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/api.php?action=query&list=allimages&format=xml&aisha1=801957214aba50cb63bb6eb1b0effa50188900ba
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/upload/MultipleShareActivity.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/upload/MultipleShareActivity.java
index 8c5e6b6d2..12b38a6ab 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/upload/MultipleShareActivity.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/upload/MultipleShareActivity.java
@@ -132,7 +132,11 @@ public  class       MultipleShareActivity
                     dialog.setProgress(uploadCount);
                     if(uploadCount == photosList.size()) {
                         dialog.dismiss();
-                        Toast startingToast = Toast.makeText(getApplicationContext(), R.string.uploading_started, Toast.LENGTH_LONG);
+                        Toast startingToast = Toast.makeText(
+                                CommonsApplication.getInstance(),
+                                R.string.uploading_started,
+                                Toast.LENGTH_LONG
+                        );
                         startingToast.show();
                     }
                 }
@@ -202,9 +206,9 @@ public  class       MultipleShareActivity
         uploadController = new UploadController(this);
 
         setContentView(R.layout.activity_multiple_uploads);
+        app = CommonsApplication.getInstance();
         ButterKnife.bind(this);
         initDrawer();
-        app = (CommonsApplication)this.getApplicationContext();
 
         if(savedInstanceState != null) {
             photosList = savedInstanceState.getParcelableArrayList("uploadsList");
@@ -241,7 +245,7 @@ public  class       MultipleShareActivity
 
     @Override
     protected void onAuthCookieAcquired(String authCookie) {
-        app.getApi().setAuthCookie(authCookie);
+        app.getMWApi().setAuthCookie(authCookie);
         Intent intent = getIntent();
 
         if(intent.getAction().equals(Intent.ACTION_SEND_MULTIPLE)) {
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/upload/MwVolleyApi.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/upload/MwVolleyApi.java
index 6544b4fff..367309593 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/upload/MwVolleyApi.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/upload/MwVolleyApi.java
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ public class MwVolleyApi {
 
     private static RequestQueue getQueue(Context context) {
         if (REQUEST_QUEUE == null) {
-            REQUEST_QUEUE = Volley.newRequestQueue(context.getApplicationContext());
+            REQUEST_QUEUE = Volley.newRequestQueue(context);
         }
         return REQUEST_QUEUE;
     }
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/upload/ShareActivity.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/upload/ShareActivity.java
index 08ddbe821..2353dd465 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/upload/ShareActivity.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/upload/ShareActivity.java
@@ -106,12 +106,16 @@ public  class       ShareActivity
             getFileMetadata(false);
         }
 
-        Toast startingToast = Toast.makeText(getApplicationContext(), R.string.uploading_started, Toast.LENGTH_LONG);
+        Toast startingToast = Toast.makeText(
+                CommonsApplication.getInstance(),
+                R.string.uploading_started,
+                Toast.LENGTH_LONG
+        );
         startingToast.show();
 
         if (!cacheFound) {
             //Has to be called after apiCall.request()
-            app.cacheData.cacheCategory();
+            app.getCacheData().cacheCategory();
             Timber.d("Cache the categories found");
         }
 
@@ -189,7 +193,7 @@ public  class       ShareActivity
 
     @Override
     protected void onAuthCookieAcquired(String authCookie) {
-        app.getApi().setAuthCookie(authCookie);
+        app.getMWApi().setAuthCookie(authCookie);
 
         shareView = (SingleUploadFragment) getSupportFragmentManager().findFragmentByTag("shareView");
         categorizationFragment = (CategorizationFragment) getSupportFragmentManager().findFragmentByTag("categorization");
@@ -217,7 +221,7 @@ public  class       ShareActivity
         setContentView(R.layout.activity_share);
         ButterKnife.bind(this);
         initDrawer();
-        app = (CommonsApplication)this.getApplicationContext();
+        app = CommonsApplication.getInstance();
         backgroundImageView = (ImageView)findViewById(R.id.backgroundImage);
 
         //Receive intent from ContributionController.java when user selects picture to upload
@@ -398,12 +402,12 @@ public  class       ShareActivity
             if (imageObj.imageCoordsExists) {
                 double decLongitude = imageObj.getDecLongitude();
                 double decLatitude = imageObj.getDecLatitude();
-                app.cacheData.setQtPoint(decLongitude, decLatitude);
+                app.getCacheData().setQtPoint(decLongitude, decLatitude);
             }
 
             MwVolleyApi apiCall = new MwVolleyApi(this);
 
-            List<String> displayCatList = app.cacheData.findCategory();
+            List<String> displayCatList = app.getCacheData().findCategory();
             boolean catListEmpty = displayCatList.isEmpty();
 
             // If no categories found in cache, call MediaWiki API to match image coords with nearby Commons categories
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/upload/UploadController.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/upload/UploadController.java
index 2bdee55f5..4266384c1 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/upload/UploadController.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/upload/UploadController.java
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ public class UploadController {
 
     public UploadController(Activity activity) {
         this.activity = activity;
-        app = (CommonsApplication)activity.getApplicationContext();
+        app = CommonsApplication.getInstance();
     }
 
     private boolean isUploadServiceConnected;
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ public class UploadController {
     };
 
     public void prepareService() {
-        Intent uploadServiceIntent = new Intent(activity.getApplicationContext(), UploadService.class);
+        Intent uploadServiceIntent = new Intent(activity, UploadService.class);
         uploadServiceIntent.setAction(UploadService.ACTION_START_SERVICE);
         activity.startService(uploadServiceIntent);
         activity.bindService(uploadServiceIntent, uploadServiceConnection, Context.BIND_AUTO_CREATE);
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/upload/UploadService.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/upload/UploadService.java
index 523b6a479..853952fae 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/upload/UploadService.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/upload/UploadService.java
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ public class UploadService extends HandlerService<Contribution> {
         super.onCreate();
 
         notificationManager = (NotificationManager) getSystemService(NOTIFICATION_SERVICE);
-        app = (CommonsApplication) this.getApplicationContext();
+        app = CommonsApplication.getInstance();
         contributionsProviderClient = this.getContentResolver().acquireContentProviderClient(ContributionsContentProvider.AUTHORITY);
     }
 
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ public class UploadService extends HandlerService<Contribution> {
     }
 
     private void uploadContribution(Contribution contribution) {
-        MWApi api = app.getApi();
+        MWApi api = app.getMWApi();
 
         ApiResult result;
         InputStream file = null;
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ public class UploadService extends HandlerService<Contribution> {
                 .setContentText(getResources().getQuantityString(R.plurals.uploads_pending_notification_indicator, toUpload, toUpload))
                 .setOngoing(true)
                 .setProgress(100, 0, true)
-                .setContentIntent(PendingIntent.getActivity(getApplicationContext(), 0, new Intent(this, ContributionsActivity.class), 0))
+                .setContentIntent(PendingIntent.getActivity(this, 0, new Intent(this, ContributionsActivity.class), 0))
                 .setTicker(getString(R.string.upload_progress_notification_title_in_progress, contribution.getDisplayTitle()));
 
         this.startForeground(NOTIFICATION_UPLOAD_IN_PROGRESS, curProgressNotification.build());
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ public class UploadService extends HandlerService<Contribution> {
             toUpload--;
             if(toUpload == 0) {
                 // Sync modifications right after all uplaods are processed
-                ContentResolver.requestSync(((CommonsApplication) getApplicationContext()).getCurrentAccount(), ModificationsContentProvider.AUTHORITY, new Bundle());
+                ContentResolver.requestSync((CommonsApplication.getInstance()).getCurrentAccount(), ModificationsContentProvider.AUTHORITY, new Bundle());
                 stopForeground(true);
             }
         }
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@ public class UploadService extends HandlerService<Contribution> {
     }
 
     private String findUniqueFilename(String fileName) throws IOException {
-        MWApi api = app.getApi();
+        MWApi api = app.getMWApi();
         String sequenceFileName;
         for ( int sequenceNumber = 1; true; sequenceNumber++ ) {
             if (sequenceNumber == 1) {