Third-party applications are programs made by companies other than the one who built your device or operating system
A third-party application is any software created by a developer that is not the manufacturer of your device or operating system. If you use Windows, Microsoft makes Windows — but Spotify, Adobe Photoshop, and Discord are third-party apps because other companies built them. On an iPhone, Apple makes iOS — but Instagram, Slack, and Zoom are third-party apps. The distinction matters because third-party apps follow different rules, update on different schedules, and may access your data differently than built-in software.
Your device comes with first-party applications — the ones the manufacturer includes. Windows includes Notepad and File Explorer. iPhones include Mail, Calendar, and Safari. These are made by the company that controls your device. Everything else you download or install is third-party, whether it's free or paid, whether you get it from an official store or elsewhere.
Key Takeaways
- Third-party apps are made by companies other than your device manufacturer, and they make up the vast majority of software you actually use.
- You install third-party apps through app stores (like Google Play or the Apple App Store), directly from a company's website, or through software installers on Windows and Mac.
- Third-party apps update independently from your operating system, so you may need to update them separately to get new features or security fixes.
- Third-party apps can request permission to access your location, contacts, camera, and other sensitive data — you should review these requests before installing.
- Not all third-party apps are trustworthy; downloading from official app stores reduces risk, but malicious apps can still slip through.
Where third-party apps come from
On phones and tablets, the easiest source is your device's official app store. Android users download from Google Play, iPhone users from the Apple App Store, and iPad users from the same App Store. These stores review apps before listing them, though the review process varies in strictness. Google Play has looser standards than Apple's App Store, which means more apps are available on Android but also more risk of low-quality or malicious software.
On Windows and Mac computers, third-party apps come from many places. You can download installers directly from a company's website — Microsoft Office, Slack, and Zoom all offer direct downloads. You can use software stores like the Microsoft Store or the Mac App Store. You can also use package managers on Mac (like Homebrew) or Windows (like Chocolatey) that automate downloading and installing. On older Windows systems, you might still download .exe files and run them directly, though this is less common now.
Some third-party apps are free, some cost money upfront, and some are free but show ads or ask for a subscription. The payment model does not determine whether an app is trustworthy — a paid app can be malicious, and a free app can be legitimate.
How third-party apps access your data
When you install a third-party app, it may ask for permissions — access to your location, contacts, photos, microphone, or camera. On phones, you see these requests clearly: "This app wants access to your location" with options to allow or deny. On computers, the process is less visible, but apps still request access to files and folders.
You should review these requests before installing. A weather app needs your location to work — that makes sense. A note-taking app asking for access to your contacts does not. Denying unnecessary permissions reduces the data a third-party app can collect about you. Some apps will not run if you deny required permissions, while others will run with reduced features.
Third-party apps also collect data through their normal use. When you use Spotify, Spotify learns what music you listen to. When you use Gmail (which is Google's app), Google sees your emails. This is different from a malicious app stealing data — it is the normal operation of the service. The app's privacy policy explains what data it collects and what it does with it.
How third-party apps update
Third-party apps update independently from your operating system. When Apple releases a new version of iOS, your iPhone updates as a unit. But Spotify, Instagram, and Slack update on their own schedule, whenever their developers release a new version. You may see dozens of app updates in a week, or you may see none for months.
On phones, updates usually happen automatically if you have automatic updates turned on. On computers, some apps update automatically (like Chrome and Slack), while others require you to manually check for updates or reinstall a newer version. Keeping third-party apps updated is important for security — developers release updates to patch vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit.
Some third-party apps stop updating when the developer abandons the project or goes out of business. An app that has not updated in years may have security problems and should not be trusted with sensitive data.
The difference between third-party and first-party apps
First-party apps come with your device and are made by the manufacturer. They integrate more tightly with the operating system and usually cannot be fully removed. Microsoft Edge comes with Windows; Safari comes with iPhones. First-party apps update when your operating system updates, so you get security fixes and new features on the same schedule as the rest of your system.
Third-party apps are separate from the operating system. You can uninstall them completely. They update on their own schedule. They may have different privacy policies and different security standards. On the other hand, third-party apps often have more features and more customization than first-party alternatives — there are thousands of third-party email apps, but only one first-party Mail app on iPhone.
Many people use both. You might use Safari (first-party) for basic browsing but Chrome (third-party) for work because Chrome syncs across devices. You might use the built-in Camera app (first-party) but download Snapseed (third-party) for advanced photo editing.
Security risks with third-party apps
Third-party apps are a common vector for malware and data theft because there are so many of them and they come from so many sources. A malicious app can steal your passwords, track your location, access your contacts, or display unwanted ads. The risk is real but manageable with basic precautions.
Download from official sources: the Apple App Store, Google Play, or the company's own website. These sources review apps before listing them. Downloading from random websites or third-party app stores dramatically increases your risk. Check the app's reviews and download count — an app with millions of downloads and mostly positive reviews is more likely to be legitimate than an app with 50 downloads and no reviews.
Read the permissions the app requests. If an app asks for permissions it does not need, that is a red flag. If an app has not been updated in years, do not install it. If you notice an app behaving strangely — draining your battery, using excessive data, or showing strange ads — uninstall it immediately.
How to manage third-party apps on your device
On phones, go to Settings and look for "Apps" or "Applications." You can see all installed apps, check how much storage each one uses, see what permissions each one has, and uninstall apps you no longer use. You can also turn off automatic updates for individual apps if you want to review changes before updating.
On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features to see all installed programs. You can uninstall apps from here, or you can use the Control Panel's "Programs and Features" for older software. On Mac, most apps live in the Applications folder — you can drag them to the Trash to uninstall them, though some apps include an uninstaller you should run first.
Regularly review your installed apps and uninstall anything you no longer use. This reduces clutter, frees up storage, and reduces the number of apps that could potentially have security problems. If an app has not been updated in over a year and you do not use it regularly, uninstall it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to download third-party apps?
Third-party apps are generally safe if you download from official sources like the Apple App Store, Google Play, or the company's website. The risk increases significantly if you download from random websites or unofficial app stores. Check reviews and permissions before installing, and uninstall anything that behaves strangely.
What is the difference between a third-party app and a web app?
A third-party app is software you install on your device. A web app runs in your browser and does not need to be installed. Gmail is a web app — you access it through your browser. The Gmail app on your phone is a third-party app that wraps the web version in a native interface. Web apps are generally safer because they run in a sandboxed browser environment.
Do I have to pay for third-party apps?
No. Many third-party apps are free, supported by ads or optional subscriptions. Some charge a one-time purchase price. Some offer a free version with limited features and a paid version with more features. You can find high-quality apps in all these categories.
Can I use the same third-party app on multiple devices?
Usually yes, if you use the same account. If you buy an app on the Apple App Store, you can install it on all your iPhones and iPads using the same Apple ID. If you download an app from Google Play, you can install it on all your Android devices using the same Google account. On computers, you typically need to install the app separately on each device.
What happens if a third-party app stops being updated?
An app that stops updating may still work, but it will not receive security patches. If a vulnerability is discovered, hackers could exploit it. You should uninstall apps that have not been updated in over a year, especially if they handle sensitive data like passwords or financial information.