The App Store comes built into every iPhone
You do not need to download the App Store itself — it is already on your iPhone. Apple installs it when you set up the device, and it appears as a blue icon with a white stylized "A" made of sticks. If you cannot find it on your home screen, it may be in a folder or on another page, or you can search for it using Spotlight.
The App Store is where you find, view, and install apps on your iPhone. Once you open it, you can browse thousands of apps, read what other users think about them, check the size before you download, and see what permissions each app needs. Everything you download through the App Store is checked by Apple before it becomes available.
Key Takeaways
- The App Store icon is a blue square with a white "A" symbol and is already on your iPhone — you do not need to download it.
- To find an app, tap the Search tab at the bottom of the App Store and type the app name or what it does.
- Tap the cloud icon or the plus sign to download an app, then authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password.
- Apps download in the background, and you can check progress by opening the App Store and tapping your profile picture in the top right corner.
- If the App Store is missing from your home screen, search for it using Spotlight or check if it is inside a folder.
Finding the App Store on your iPhone
Swipe down from the top of your home screen to open Spotlight search. Type "App Store" and tap the result that appears. This is the fastest way if you cannot see the icon on your screen.
If you want to keep the App Store visible, you can add it to your home screen. After you find it in Spotlight, press and hold the App Store icon, then tap "Add to Home Screen." Choose where you want it to appear and tap "Add" in the top right.
The App Store icon may also be inside a folder on your home screen — often a folder labeled "Utilities" or another category. Tap folders to open them and look inside.
How to search for and download an app
Open the App Store and tap the Search tab at the bottom of the screen — it looks like a magnifying glass. Type the name of the app you want or describe what it does. For example, you can type "weather" or "photo editor" and see what comes up.
Tap the app you want to download. Read the description, check the size (shown in megabytes or gigabytes), look at user reviews, and see what permissions it needs — for example, whether it needs access to your camera or location. If you are satisfied, tap the cloud icon with a downward arrow or the plus sign, depending on your iPhone model.
Your iPhone will ask you to authenticate — this means proving it is really you. You can use Face ID (look at your phone), Touch ID (press your fingerprint), or type your Apple ID password. After you authenticate, the download starts.
Checking download progress and finding your new app
Apps download in the background while you use your phone. To see how many are downloading and check their progress, open the App Store and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. You will see a list of apps that are currently downloading or waiting to download.
Once an app finishes downloading, it moves to your home screen automatically. You can also find it by swiping to the right on your home screen to see the App Library, which organizes all your apps by category. Tap the category and search for your new app there.
If you want to move an app to a specific spot on your home screen, press and hold it and tap "Move." Drag it to where you want it and tap elsewhere to finish.
What to do if you cannot find the App Store
If the App Store icon is not on your home screen and does not appear in Spotlight search, it may have been hidden. Open Settings and tap "Screen Time." Tap "Content & Privacy Restrictions" and make sure it is turned off. If it is on, you may need to enter a passcode to turn it off.
If Screen Time is already off and the App Store still does not appear, restart your iPhone. Press and hold the power button and volume up button together until you see "Slide to Power Off." Slide to turn off your phone, wait 10 seconds, then press the power button to turn it back on.
After your iPhone restarts, search for the App Store again using Spotlight. It should appear. If it still does not, you may need to sign out of your Apple ID and sign back in — go to Settings, tap your name at the top, scroll down, and tap "Sign Out."
Understanding app permissions and what apps can access
Before you download an app, the App Store shows you what permissions it is asking for — things like access to your camera, microphone, location, contacts, or photos. Read this list carefully. Some apps need these permissions to work (a camera app needs camera access), but others may not need what they are asking for.
You can change permissions after you download an app. Go to Settings, scroll down to find the app name, tap it, and toggle permissions on or off. For example, you can let a weather app see your location but not your contacts. Turning off a permission the app needs may cause it to stop working properly.
Troubleshooting common download problems
If an app stops downloading or gets stuck, open the App Store and tap your profile picture. Find the app in the list and tap the pause icon if it is downloading, or tap the cloud icon to try downloading again. Wait a few seconds, then tap the cloud icon once more.
If an app says "Waiting" and does not start downloading, your iPhone may be waiting for Wi-Fi or a cellular connection. Check that you are connected to the internet. You can also go to Settings, tap "App Store," and make sure "Automatic Downloads" is turned on if you want apps to download automatically when connected to Wi-Fi.
If you see an error message, write down the exact message and restart your iPhone. After it restarts, try downloading the app again. If the same error appears, the app may not be compatible with your iPhone model or iOS version. Check the app's description in the App Store to see what iOS version it needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an Apple ID to download apps?
Yes, you need an Apple ID to download any app from the App Store, even free ones. You create an Apple ID when you set up your iPhone, or you can create one in Settings by tapping your name and following the prompts. You will need a valid email address and a password.
Why does an app say "Waiting" instead of downloading?
An app waits when your iPhone is not connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data, or when you have too many apps downloading at once. Check your internet connection and try again. You can also pause other downloads to let this one start.
Can I download an app that is not in the App Store?
Apps from outside the App Store are not available on most iPhones. Apple only allows apps from the App Store on standard iPhones. This is a security feature that protects your device from harmful software.
What happens if I delete an app and want it back?
Open the App Store, tap your profile picture, and tap "Purchased." Find the app in the list and tap the cloud icon to download it again. You will not be charged a second time if it was free or if you bought it before.
How much storage space do apps use?
The App Store shows the size of each app before you download it. Sizes range from a few megabytes to several gigabytes. If your iPhone is running low on storage, you can delete apps you do not use to make room. Go to Settings, tap "General," then "iPhone Storage" to see which apps are using the most space.