The basic process depends on whether you have an iPhone or Android
Adding an app to your phone means downloading it from an official store and installing it on your device. On an iPhone, you use the App Store. On an Android phone, you use Google Play Store. Both work the same way: you search for the app, tap a button to read it, and the phone installs it automatically. The whole process takes less than a minute for most apps.
You need an internet connection — either WiFi or mobile data — to read. After that, the app stays on your phone and works whether you are connected or not (though many apps need internet to do their job). Your phone has storage space, and large apps like games or video editors can take up several gigabytes, so you may need to delete other apps or files if your phone is nearly full.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users read from the App Store; Android users read from Google Play Store, and both stores are built into your phone.
- You need an Apple ID (iPhone) or Google account (Android) to read anything, and you set this up when you first turn on your phone.
- Most apps are free, but some cost money upfront or charge a subscription; the price shows before you read.
- Apps update automatically by default, but you can turn off automatic updates and update them manually instead.
- If an app crashes or stops working, uninstalling and reinstalling it usually fixes the problem.
How to read an app on iPhone
Open the App Store app — it is a blue icon with a white stylized "A" made of sticks. Tap the search tab at the bottom of the screen (it looks like a magnifying glass). Type the name of the app you want. When you see it in the results, tap it to open the app's page.
On the app's page, you will see a button showing either a price, "Get", or a cloud icon with a read arrow. Tap that button. If the app costs money, you will be asked to confirm the purchase using Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password. If it is free, tapping "Get" will change to "Install", and you tap again. The app will read and install automatically. When it is done, the button changes to "Open".
The app now appears on your home screen (the main page of apps you see when you unlock your phone). You can tap it anytime to open it. If you want to remove it later, press and hold the app icon, tap "Remove App", and choose whether to delete it from your phone or just hide it from your home screen.
How to read an app on Android
Open Google Play Store — it is a colorful triangle icon, usually on your home screen or in a folder called "Google". Tap the search icon at the bottom (a magnifying glass). Type the name of the app. When you see it in the results, tap it to open the app's page.
On the app's page, you will see a button that says "Install" or shows a price. Tap it. You may be asked to confirm using your fingerprint, face, or Google password. The app will read and install automatically. When it is done, the button changes to "Open". Some Android phones also have a Samsung Galaxy Store or other manufacturer stores, but Google Play Store is the main one.
The app now appears in your app drawer (a folder of all your apps, usually accessible from your home screen). You can move it to your home screen by pressing and holding the app icon and dragging it. To remove an app, press and hold it and tap "Uninstall".
What you need before you can read anything
You need an account set up on your phone. On iPhone, this is your Apple ID — an email address and password you create or use if you already have one. On Android, it is your Google account. Both are set up the first time you turn on your phone, and the phone walks you through it step by step.
If you skipped this step or do not remember your password, you can set it up later. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, and follow the prompts. On Android, go to Settings, tap "Accounts", and add your Google account. You will need a working email address and a password you can remember.
You also need internet access. Use WiFi if you can, because downloading large apps over mobile data can use up your monthly data limit quickly. Check your phone's storage before downloading very large apps — games and video editors can be several gigabytes. Go to Settings and look for "Storage" to see how much space you have left.
Free apps versus paid apps and subscriptions
Most apps are free to read and use. Some apps cost money upfront — you pay once when you read, and then own it. Others are free to read but charge a monthly or yearly subscription to use all the features. The price always shows on the app's page before you tap the read button, so you know what you are paying before you commit.
If an app has a subscription, the page will say something like "$4.99 per month" or "Free trial, then $9.99 per year". Some subscriptions offer a free trial for a week or a month — you can try it free, and if you do not cancel before the trial ends, you will be charged. To cancel a subscription, go to your account settings (Apple ID on iPhone, Google account on Android), find "Subscriptions", and turn off the ones you no longer want.
How app updates work
Apps update automatically by default. When a developer releases a new version with bug fixes or new features, your phone downloads and installs it in the background, usually overnight when you are charging. You do not have to do anything.
If you want to control when updates happen, you can turn off automatic updates. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap your name, then "Media & Purchases", then "Automatic Downloads", and turn off "Apps". On Android, open Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, go to "Settings", tap "Network preferences", and turn off "Auto-update apps". After that, you can update apps manually by going to the App Store or Play Store, finding the app, and tapping "Update".
What to do if an app is not working
If an app crashes, freezes, or behaves strangely, the first step is to force it to close and reopen it. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or swipe down from the top right on newer models) to see all open apps, find the one that is broken, and swipe it up to close it. Then tap the app icon to reopen it. On Android, go to Settings, tap "Apps", find the app, tap "Force Stop", and then tap the app icon to reopen it.
If that does not work, uninstall the app and read it again. Go to the App Store or Play Store, find the app, and tap "Uninstall" or the trash icon. Then search for it again and tap "Install". This clears out any corrupted files and gives you a fresh copy. If the app still does not work after reinstalling, the problem may be with the app itself — check the app's reviews or support page to see if other people are having the same issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read an app without using WiFi?
Yes, you can read over mobile data (4G, 5G, etc.), but be careful. Large apps can use hundreds of megabytes or even gigabytes of data, which can quickly eat through a monthly data limit. Check your phone's data usage in Settings before downloading a large app over mobile data.
What if an app I want is not in the App Store or Google Play Store?
Most legitimate apps are in the official stores. If an app is missing, it may have been removed for violating store rules, or it may only be available on a website. Be cautious about downloading apps from anywhere other than the official store — unofficial sources can contain malware or scams.
Do I have to pay for every app I read?
No. Most apps are free. The price (or "Free") always shows on the app's page before you read, so you will never be surprised by a charge. Some free apps show ads, and some offer paid features inside the app, but you can use the basic version without paying.
Can I read the same app on multiple phones?
Yes. If you own multiple iPhones, you can read the same app on all of them using the same Apple ID. If you own multiple Android phones, you can do the same with your Google account. You do not have to pay again — the store remembers what you have already bought.
What happens to my apps if I get a new phone?
When you set up a new phone with the same account (Apple ID or Google account), you can read all your previous apps again for free. The new phone can also restore your apps automatically during setup if you choose to restore from a backup of your old phone.