The basic process differs slightly between iPhone and Android
On an iPhone, you open the App Store app (the blue icon with a white square), tap the search tab at the bottom, type the app name, and tap the cloud icon or "Get" button. You'll confirm with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password, and the app downloads and installs automatically. On Android, you open Google Play Store (the colorful triangle icon), search for the app, tap "Install," and confirm the permissions it needs. Both processes take a few minutes at most.
The main difference is that iPhones have one official store (App Store) while Android phones can download from Google Play Store, Samsung Galaxy Store, or other sources. Most people use Google Play Store because it's the default and most reliable. If you're using an older phone or a less common Android brand, the store app might have a different name or appearance, but the steps are nearly identical.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users find apps in the App Store app by searching and tapping "Get," then confirming with Face ID or Touch ID.
- Android users open Google Play Store, search for the app, tap "Install," and review the permissions the app requests.
- Most apps are free to download, though some charge a one-time fee or require a subscription to use all features.
- Your phone needs an internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data) to download apps, and enough storage space for the app to fit.
How to find an app on iPhone
Open the App Store app on your home screen—it's the blue icon with a white square. Tap the search tab at the bottom right (it looks like a magnifying glass). Type the name of the app you want, and results appear as you type. When you see the app you want, tap it to open its page.
On the app's page, you'll see a cloud icon with a downward arrow, or the word "Get" in a circle. Tap that button. Your phone will ask you to confirm your identity using Face ID (look at your phone), Touch ID (press your finger on the home button or side button), or your Apple ID password. After you confirm, the app downloads and installs. You'll see a progress circle while it's installing, and once it's done, the button changes to "Open."
How to find an app on Android
Open Google Play Store—it's usually on your home screen or in your app drawer, and it has a colorful triangle icon. Tap the search icon at the top (a magnifying glass), type the app name, and tap the result you want. This opens the app's page, where you'll see a blue "Install" button.
Tap "Install." Your phone will show you a list of permissions the app needs—for example, access to your camera, location, or contacts. Read through these to make sure they make sense for what the app does. If you're comfortable with the permissions, tap "Install" again. The app downloads and installs automatically. Once it's done, the button changes to "Open."
What to do if an app won't install
If an app fails to install, the most common reason is that your phone doesn't have enough storage space. Check how much free space you have: on iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage; on Android, go to Settings > Storage or Settings > About Phone > Storage. If you're running low, delete photos, videos, or apps you don't use anymore to free up space, then try installing again.
Another reason an app might not install is that your phone's operating system is too old. Some newer apps only work on recent versions of iOS or Android. Check your phone's current version (iPhone: Settings > General > About; Android: Settings > About Phone) and update it if an update is available. You can also try restarting your phone and checking your internet connection—a weak Wi-Fi signal or spotty mobile data can interrupt the download.
Paid apps and in-app purchases
Most apps are free to download, but some charge a one-time fee before you can install them. On iPhone, the price appears where the "Get" button would be. On Android, the price appears on the blue "Install" button. If you tap to install a paid app, you'll be charged through your Apple ID or Google account.
Many free apps also offer in-app purchases—extra features, levels, or content you can buy after the app is installed. These are optional. When you tap to buy something inside an app, your phone asks you to confirm the purchase, just like installing a paid app. You can turn off in-app purchases in your phone's settings if you want to prevent accidental charges, especially if children use the phone.
How to manage app permissions on Android
When you install an app on Android, it asks for permission to access things like your camera, microphone, location, or contacts. You can see what permissions an app has by opening Settings, tapping Apps (or Application Manager), finding the app, and tapping Permissions. You'll see a list of what the app can access.
You can turn individual permissions on or off. For example, if a weather app asks for location access but you'd rather not share it, you can deny that permission and the app will still work—it just won't know where you are. Some apps need certain permissions to function, so turning them off might limit what the app can do. If an app stops working after you deny a permission, go back and turn that permission back on.
Updating apps after installation
Apps receive updates regularly to fix bugs, add features, or improve performance. On iPhone, open the App Store, tap your profile icon at the top right, and scroll down to see apps with available updates. Tap "Update" next to any app you want to update, or tap "Update All" to update everything at once. On Android, open Google Play Store, tap your profile icon at the top right, tap "Manage apps and device," and go to the "Updates available" tab. Tap "Update" next to each app or "Update all" to update everything.
Most updates happen automatically if you have that setting turned on. On iPhone, go to Settings > App Store and turn on "App Updates." On Android, open Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, go to Settings > Network preferences, and turn on "Auto-update apps" (the option to choose Wi-Fi only or any network appears here). Automatic updates usually happen when your phone is plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi, so you won't use your mobile data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install an app that's not in the official app store?
On iPhone, no—all apps must come from the App Store. On Android, you can enable installation from unknown sources in Settings > Apps > Special app access > Install unknown apps, then download an app file directly from a website. This is riskier because you're not getting the security checks that Google Play Store provides, so only do this if you trust the source completely.
What if an app I want isn't available in my country?
Some apps are restricted to certain regions for legal or licensing reasons. You can't bypass this restriction through normal means. Your best option is to look for an alternative app that does the same thing and is available where you are. Search the app store for similar keywords to find other options.
Do I need a credit card to download free apps?
No. On iPhone, you can create an Apple ID without a payment method, though you'll need one if you ever buy a paid app or in-app purchase. On Android, you need a Google account but not a credit card for free apps. You only need to add a payment method when you want to buy something.
How much storage space do apps take up?
It varies widely. Small utility apps might take 5 to 20 megabytes, while games or photo editors can take 100 megabytes to over a gigabyte. Before you install, the app store shows the size. If you're running low on storage, check the size before installing large apps, or delete apps you no longer use to make room.
Can I move an app to my phone's SD card to save space?
On iPhone, there's no SD card slot, so you can't do this. On Android, some phones have SD card slots and some apps can be moved to the card. Go to Settings > Apps, find the app, tap Storage, and if the option is available, tap "Change" and select your SD card. Not all apps support this, and some manufacturers disable it, so the option might not appear for every app.