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 Google Play. On Windows computers, you use the Microsoft Store. On Mac computers, you use the App Store (the same one as iPhone). Each store is built into your device — you do not need to find a website or type anything into a browser.

The store shows you apps that work on your specific device. An app built for iPhone will not work on Android, and an app built for Windows will not work on Mac. The store prevents you from downloading something that will not run on what you own, so you cannot make a mistake by accident.

Most apps are free. Some cost money — usually between $0.99 and $9.99, though a few cost more. The store shows the price before you download, and you will not be charged until you confirm. If you have never bought an app before, you will need to set up a payment method the first time.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the app store built into your device — App Store for iPhone and Mac, Google Play for Android, Microsoft Store for Windows — and search for the app by name.
  • Tap or click the download button, wait for the download to finish, and the app will appear on your home screen or in your applications folder.
  • Free apps download instantly; paid apps require you to confirm payment before the download starts.
  • If an app will not download, check that you have enough storage space, that you are signed into your account, and that your internet connection is working.

How to download an app on iPhone or iPad

Open the App Store app — it is the blue icon with a white square on it, usually on your home screen. At the bottom of the screen, tap the Search tab (it looks like a magnifying glass). Type the name of the app you want. When you see it in the results, tap it to open its page.

On the app's page, you will see a button that either says Get or shows a price. Tap that button. If the app is free, you may be asked to confirm with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple password — do this to start the download. If the app costs money, you will see the price and a confirmation screen before you are charged. Once you confirm, the download starts automatically.

The button will change to say Install while the app downloads, then Open when it is done. You can tap Open to start the app right away, or just close the App Store. The app will appear on your home screen, and you can open it from there anytime.

How to download an app on Android

Open Google Play — it is usually a colorful triangle icon on your home screen or in your app drawer. Tap the Search icon at the top (it looks like a magnifying glass). Type the name of the app you want. When you see it in the results, tap it to open its page.

On the app's page, you will see a button that either says Install or shows a price. Tap that button. If the app is free, it will start downloading right away — you do not need to confirm anything. If the app costs money, you will see the price and be asked to confirm your payment method before the download starts.

While the app downloads, the button will show a progress bar. When the download finishes, the button will say Open. You can tap it to start the app right away, or close Google Play. The app will appear on your home screen or in your app drawer, and you can open it from there anytime.

How to download an app on Windows

Open the Microsoft Store — search for "Microsoft Store" in your Start menu and click it. At the top of the window, click the Search box and type the name of the app you want. When you see it in the results, click it to open its page.

On the app's page, you will see a button that either says Get or shows a price. Click that button. If the app is free, it will start downloading right away. If the app costs money, you will see the price and a confirmation screen before you are charged. Once you confirm, the download starts.

While the app downloads, the button will show a progress bar. When the download finishes, the button will say Launch. You can click it to start the app right away, or close the Microsoft Store. The app will appear in your Start menu, and you can open it from there anytime. You can also pin it to your taskbar for faster access.

How to download an app on Mac

Open the App Store — click the Apple menu in the top left corner, then click App Store, or search for "App Store" using Spotlight (press Command and Space at the same time). At the top of the window, click the Search icon and type the name of the app you want. When you see it in the results, click it to open its page.

On the app's page, you will see a button that either says Get or shows a price. Click that button. If the app is free, you may be asked to confirm with Touch ID or your Apple password — do this to start the download. If the app costs money, you will see the price and a confirmation screen before you are charged.

While the app downloads, the button will change to say Install. When the download finishes, the button will say Open. You can click it to start the app right away, or close the App Store. The app will appear in your Applications folder, and you can open it from there anytime. You can also drag it to your Dock for faster access.

What to do if an app will not download

The most common reason an app will not download is that you do not have enough storage space on your device. Check how much space is left: on iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage (or iPad Storage). On Android, go to Settings > Storage. On Windows, right-click the C: drive in File Explorer and click Properties. On Mac, click the Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage. If you have less than 1 GB free, delete photos, videos, or old apps you no longer use.

The second most common reason is that you are not signed into your account in the store. On iPhone and iPad, open the App Store and look at the top right corner — if you do not see your profile picture, tap it and sign in. On Android, open Google Play, tap your profile icon in the top right, and make sure you are signed in. On Windows and Mac, open the Microsoft Store or App Store and check that you are signed in at the top of the window.

The third reason is a weak or broken internet connection. Make sure you are connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data, and that the connection is working — try opening a website in your browser to test. If the connection is working but the app still will not download, restart your device and try again. If it still does not work after restarting, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app store itself, though this is rare.

How to manage apps you have already downloaded

Once an app is on your device, you can open it anytime by tapping or clicking its icon. To remove an app you no longer want, press and hold its icon on your home screen (iPhone, iPad, Android) or right-click it (Windows, Mac), then select Remove or Uninstall. The app will be deleted, but you can download it again anytime from the store for free if you change your mind.

To update an app to a newer version, open your app store and look for an Updates section or tab. You will see a list of apps with updates waiting. Tap or click Update next to the app you want to update, or Update All to update everything at once. Updates are always free, even if you paid for the app originally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I download an app on one device and use it on another?

No. An app downloaded on your iPhone will not work on your Android phone, and an app on your Windows computer will not work on your Mac. You need to download the app separately on each device. Many apps are free, so you can download them on all your devices without paying again.

What happens if I delete an app by accident?

You can download it again from the app store for free. If you paid for the app, you will not be charged again — the store remembers that you bought it. Open the app store, search for the app by name, and tap or click the download button just as you did the first time.

Do I need to pay for every app?

No. Most apps are free. Some cost money, usually between $0.99 and $9.99. The store shows the price before you download, so you always know whether an app costs money before you confirm the download.

Why does an app say it is not compatible with my device?

Apps are built for specific versions of operating systems. An app might need a newer version of iOS, Android, Windows, or Mac than what you have installed. Check your device's current version in Settings, and update it if a newer version is available. After updating, try downloading the app again.

Can I download an app without Wi-Fi?

Yes, you can download over mobile data (4G, 5G, etc.). However, large apps may download slowly or use a lot of your data plan. If you have a limited data plan, it is usually better to wait until you are on Wi-Fi to download large apps.