The fastest way to get apps on your iPad
You download apps on an iPad through the App Store, which is built into every iPad. Open the App Store app (it looks like a blue square with a white grid), search for the app you want, and tap the cloud icon with a down arrow to download it. The app installs automatically and appears on your home screen within seconds to a few minutes, depending on the app's size and your internet speed.
You need an Apple ID to download anything from the App Store — this is the account you use to sign into your iPad. If you set up your iPad from new, you already have one. If you are using someone else's iPad or a used one, you may need to create a new Apple ID or sign in with an existing one before you can download apps.
Most apps are free, but some cost money. When you tap the download button on a paid app, you will be asked to confirm the purchase using Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password. The charge goes to the payment method on file with your Apple ID — usually a credit card or debit card you added when you set up the account.
Key Takeaways
- Open the App Store app, search for the app by name, and tap the cloud-and-arrow icon to download it to your iPad.
- You must be signed into an Apple ID before you can download anything, and paid apps charge the payment method linked to that account.
- Apps download and install automatically; you do not need to do anything after tapping the download button.
- If an app is taking too long to download, check your Wi-Fi connection or restart your iPad and try again.
- You can see all your downloaded apps in the App Library or by swiping left through your home screens.
Opening the App Store and finding the app you want
Tap the App Store icon on your home screen — it is a blue square with a white grid pattern. If you cannot find it, swipe down from the top of the screen to open Spotlight Search, type "App Store," and tap the result.
Once the App Store opens, you will see a row of tabs at the bottom: Today, Apps, Games, Arcade, and Search. Tap the Search tab (it looks like a magnifying glass). Type the name of the app you want in the search box at the top. As you type, the iPad will show you matching results. Tap the app name when you see it in the list.
The app's page will open and show you a description, screenshots, reviews, and the download button. Read the description to make sure it is the app you want — sometimes multiple apps have similar names. Check the reviews if you are unsure whether the app is worth downloading.
Downloading and installing the app
On the app's page, look for the button in the top right. If the app is free, it will show a cloud icon with a down arrow. If the app costs money, it will show the price (for example, "$4.99"). Tap this button to start the download.
For a free app, the download begins immediately. For a paid app, you will see a popup asking you to confirm the purchase. You can confirm using Face ID (look at your iPad), Touch ID (press your finger on the home button or the side button, depending on your iPad model), or by typing your Apple ID password. Choose whichever method your iPad supports.
Once you confirm, the app downloads and installs automatically. The button will change to show a checkmark or the word "Open." The app also appears on your home screen — you may need to swipe to find it if you have many apps. Small apps download in seconds; larger apps can take a minute or two depending on your internet speed.
What to do if the download is stuck or taking too long
If an app seems to be stuck downloading, the most common cause is a weak or interrupted internet connection. Check that you are connected to Wi-Fi by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Center. If the Wi-Fi icon is not showing or is grayed out, tap it to turn Wi-Fi back on or move closer to your router.
If your connection is fine, restart your iPad. Press and hold the top button and one of the volume buttons until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your iPad, wait 10 seconds, then press and hold the top button again until you see the Apple logo. Once your iPad restarts, open the App Store and try downloading the app again.
If the download still does not work, try deleting the partially downloaded app and starting over. Go to your home screen, find the app icon, press and hold it, and tap "Remove App." Confirm that you want to remove it. Then open the App Store again, search for the app, and tap the download button.
Finding and opening apps you have already downloaded
Downloaded apps appear on your home screen automatically. Swipe left and right through your home screens to find the app you want, then tap it to open it. If you have many apps, this can take a while.
A faster way is to use the App Library, which organizes all your apps into categories. Swipe all the way to the right on your home screens until you reach the App Library. You will see categories like Social, Productivity, and Games. Tap a category to see all apps in that group, or use the search box at the top to find an app by name.
You can also use Spotlight Search to open any app quickly. Swipe down from the top of the screen, type the app's name, and tap it in the results. This works even if the app is buried on a home screen you rarely visit.
Updating apps and managing storage
Apps update automatically on most iPads, but you can also update them manually. Open the App Store, tap your profile picture in the top-right corner, and scroll down to see apps with available updates. Tap "Update" next to any app you want to update now, or tap "Update All" to update everything at once.
If your iPad is running low on storage space, large apps may fail to download. Check how much space you have left by going to Settings, tapping General, then tapping iPad Storage. If you are running low, delete apps you no longer use. Press and hold an app on your home screen, tap "Remove App," and confirm. This frees up space for new downloads.
Some apps also let you download content within the app itself — for example, maps or books for offline use. This uses additional storage beyond the app itself. Check the app's settings if you are running low on space and have downloaded a lot of content within apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Wi-Fi to download apps, or can I use cellular data?
You can use either Wi-Fi or cellular data to download apps. However, if an app is larger than 200 MB, the App Store will only let you download it over Wi-Fi to avoid using too much of your cellular plan. You can change this setting in the App Store settings if you want to download large apps over cellular, but this can use a lot of data quickly.
What if I see a button that says "Get" instead of a price or cloud icon?
A "Get" button means the app is free but requires you to sign in with your Apple ID before downloading. Tap "Get," confirm with Face ID, Touch ID, or your password, and the app will download. You will not be charged.
Can I download apps on someone else's iPad without using their Apple ID?
No. Every app download is tied to the Apple ID that purchased it. If you download an app using someone else's Apple ID, they own that app on that iPad. If you want your own apps, you need to sign in with your own Apple ID, but this will erase the iPad and set it up as a new device for your account.
Why does an app say "Open" instead of showing a download button?
This means the app is already downloaded and installed on your iPad. Tap "Open" to launch it, or find it on your home screen and tap it there. If you want to reinstall it, delete it first by pressing and holding the app icon and tapping "Remove App."
What happens if I delete an app and then download it again?
Deleting an app removes it from your iPad, but the App Store remembers that you downloaded it. When you download it again, it reinstalls with a fresh copy. Any data or settings you had in the app will be gone unless the app saves your information to the cloud or to your Apple ID.