The basic steps to get an app on your iPhone

To download an app on your iPhone, open the App Store (the blue icon with a white circle), tap the Search tab at the bottom, type the app name, and tap Get. You'll then confirm with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password. The app downloads and installs automatically — you don't need to do anything else.

The whole process takes less than a minute for most apps. Once it's done, the Get button changes to Open, and the app appears on your home screen. You can start using it right away.

Key Takeaways

  • The App Store is the only official place to get apps for your iPhone, and it's built in — you don't need to install anything first.
  • You need an Apple ID to download apps, even free ones, but you can create one for free if you don't have one yet.
  • Most apps download in seconds, but larger ones (games, photo editors) can take a minute or two depending on your internet speed.
  • If a download stalls or fails, force-close the App Store and try again — this fixes the problem about 80 percent of the time.
  • You can delete an app by holding your finger on its icon and tapping Remove App, then choosing Delete App.

Finding the app you want in the App Store

Open the App Store by tapping the blue icon with a white circle. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see five tabs: Today, Games, Apps, Arcade, and Search. Tap Search (the magnifying glass on the far right).

Type the name of the app you want in the search box at the top. As you type, suggestions appear below. Tap the app name when you see it. If you're not sure which one is the right app, read the description and look at the screenshots — they show what the app actually does.

Some apps have similar names. For example, there are multiple weather apps. Check the developer name (the company that made it) and the number of ratings to pick the one you want. The most popular version usually has hundreds of thousands of reviews.

Downloading and installing the app

Once you've found the app, tap the Get button. Your iPhone will ask you to confirm with Face ID (look at the screen), Touch ID (press your finger on the home button), or your Apple ID password. Do whichever one your phone prompts you for — it happens automatically.

The Get button will turn gray and show a loading circle while the app downloads. This usually takes 10 to 30 seconds for small apps, and up to a few minutes for large ones like games. You don't need to do anything while it's downloading — you can lock your phone or use other apps.

When the download finishes, the button changes to Open. The app also appears on your home screen automatically. You can tap Open to start using it right away, or tap the app icon on your home screen later.

What to do if you don't have an Apple ID

You need an Apple ID to download any app, even free ones. If you don't have one, you can create one directly on your iPhone. When you tap Get on an app and the sign-in screen appears, tap Create Apple ID.

You'll need to enter your email address, create a password, and provide your date of birth. Apple will send a verification code to your email — check your inbox and enter the code to finish. The whole process takes about five minutes.

If you already have an Apple ID but aren't signed in, tap the profile icon at the top right of the App Store and sign in with your email and password.

Fixing downloads that get stuck or fail

If a download stalls (the loading circle stops moving) or shows an error message, the fastest fix is to close the App Store completely and open it again. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to see all open apps, find the App Store, and swipe it up to close it. Then tap the App Store icon to open it again and try downloading the app once more.

If that doesn't work, check your internet connection. Open Safari and try loading a website — if that doesn't work, reconnect to your Wi-Fi or move closer to your router. Once the connection is stable, go back to the App Store and tap Get again.

If the download fails a second time, restart your iPhone. Hold down the power button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears. Slide it to turn off your phone, wait 10 seconds, then hold the power button again to turn it back on. Try downloading the app one more time.

Managing storage if your iPhone is full

If your iPhone doesn't have enough storage space, the download will fail with a message saying "Not Enough Storage." You need to delete files or apps to make room. Go to Settings, tap General, then Storage. You'll see a list of apps and files using the most space.

Delete apps you don't use anymore by tapping them and choosing Delete App. You can also delete old photos and videos, or clear out your Downloads folder if you have one. Most apps need between 50 and 500 megabytes of space, so deleting even one large app usually frees up enough room.

Once you've made space, go back to the App Store and try downloading the app again. It should work this time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay for every app I download?

No. Many apps are free, and you can see the price before you tap Get. Free apps show Get instead of a price. Paid apps show the cost (like $4.99). Some apps are free to download but charge money for features inside the app — the description tells you if that's the case.

Can I download an app on my computer and send it to my iPhone?

No. Apps are tied to your Apple ID and your device. You have to download each app directly on your iPhone using the App Store. You can't transfer apps from a computer or another phone.

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

You can download it again for free anytime. Go to the App Store, search for the app, and tap Get. Your settings and data inside the app might be gone (depending on the app), but the app itself reinstalls in seconds.

Why does an app say "In-App Purchases" in the App Store?

That means the app is free to download, but it offers things you can buy inside it — like extra levels in a game or premium features. You don't have to buy anything to use the app, but the option is there if you want it.

Can I download apps without Wi-Fi?

Yes, you can use cellular data (your phone's data plan) to download apps. However, very large apps (usually games over 200 megabytes) require Wi-Fi. If you try to download a large app on cellular, the App Store will ask you to connect to Wi-Fi first.