Where to find and download apps

Apps live in stores specific to your device. If you have an iPhone or iPad, you use the App Store. If you have an Android phone, you use the Google Play Store. On Windows computers, you use the Microsoft Store. On Mac computers, you use the App Store. Each store is built into your device — you do not need to find it or install anything first.

The store app is usually on your home screen or in your applications folder. Open it the same way you would open any other app: tap or click its icon. Once inside, you search for the app you want by name, then download it directly to your device. The whole process takes a few minutes and costs nothing for most apps.

Some apps do cost money — usually between $0.99 and $9.99 — and the store will ask you to confirm the purchase before downloading. Free apps outnumber paid apps by a large margin, so you have plenty of options that cost nothing.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the app store that came with your device: App Store for iPhone and Mac, Google Play Store for Android, or Microsoft Store for Windows.
  • Search for the app by name using the search button or search bar inside the store.
  • Tap or click the download button, and the app will install automatically without any action from you.
  • Most apps are free, but some charge a one-time fee that you pay through the store using a saved payment method.
  • Once downloaded, the app appears on your home screen or in your applications folder and is ready to open immediately.

Downloading an app on iPhone or iPad

Open the App Store app — it has a blue icon with a white symbol that looks like overlapping sticks. At the bottom of the screen, tap the Search tab (it looks like a magnifying glass). Type the name of the app you want into the search box at the top.

When you see the app in the results, tap it to open its page. You will see a button that says Get or shows a price. Tap that button. Your phone will ask you to confirm using Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple password — do whichever one your phone prompts you for. The button will change to Install, then to Open once the download finishes. You can now tap Open to start using the app, or close the App Store and find the app on your home screen later.

Downloading an app on Android

Open the Google Play Store app — it has a colorful triangle icon. At the bottom of the screen, tap the Search tab (it looks like a magnifying glass). Type the name of the app you want into the search box.

When you see the app in the results, tap it to open its page. You will see a button that says Install or shows a price. Tap that button. If the app is free, it will begin downloading immediately. If it costs money, Google Play will ask you to confirm the purchase using a saved payment method. Once the download finishes, the button will change to Open. You can tap it to start the app right away, or close Google Play and find the app on your home screen later.

Downloading an app on Windows

Open the Microsoft Store app — it usually appears in your Start menu or taskbar. At the top of the window, you will see a search box. Type the name of the app you want. When you see it in the results, click it to open its page.

Click the Get button or the price button if the app costs money. Windows will ask you to sign in with your Microsoft account if you are not already signed in. Once you confirm, the download begins automatically. The button will change to Install, then to Open once the download finishes. You can click Open to start the app immediately, or close the Microsoft Store and find the app in your Start menu later.

Downloading an app on Mac

Open the App Store app — it is usually in your Dock or Applications folder. At the top of the window, click the Search tab. Type the name of the app you want into the search box.

When you see the app in the results, click it to open its page. You will see a button that says Get or shows a price. Click that button. Your Mac will ask you to confirm using Touch ID or your Apple password. The button will change to Install, then to Open once the download finishes. You can click Open to start the app right away, or close the App Store and find the app in your Applications folder later.

What to do if the download gets stuck

If a download stops or seems frozen, close the app store completely and open it again. Tap or click the app you were downloading — most stores will resume the download from where it left off rather than starting over. If the download still does not move after a few minutes, restart your device and try again.

If you see an error message, write down what it says and search for that exact message online — the error usually has a specific fix. Common problems include not enough storage space on your device, a weak internet connection, or a temporary problem with the app store itself. Restarting your device and reconnecting to your internet often solves these issues without any other action needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a credit card to download free apps?

No. You can download free apps without adding any payment method to your account. If you want to download a paid app later, the store will ask you to add a payment method at that time.

Can I download the same app on multiple devices?

Yes, as long as they use the same operating system and you sign in with the same account. An app you download on your iPhone using your Apple account can also be downloaded on your iPad with that same account. The same applies to Android devices and Google accounts.

What happens if I delete an app and want it back?

Open your app store and search for the app by name. The download button will appear again, and you can download it a second time at no cost. Your account remembers every app you have ever downloaded, so the store will not charge you again for paid apps you previously bought.

Why does an app say "Install" instead of "Download"?

Some app stores use "Install" and some use "Download" to mean the same thing — the app is being copied to your device and set up to run. Either way, you just tap or click the button and wait for it to finish. The terminology does not change what happens.

Can I download apps on a computer and send them to my phone?

No. Apps are designed for specific devices and operating systems. You must download each app directly from the store on the device where you want to use it. You cannot move an app from a computer to a phone or between different types of phones.