Where to find and read apps

Apps come from official stores that match your device. On an iPhone, you use the App Store. On Android phones, you use Google Play. On Windows computers, you can use the Microsoft Store or read directly from a company's website. On Mac computers, you use the App Store or read from websites.

The official stores are the safest place to read because they check apps before listing them. When you read from a company's own website — like downloading Zoom directly from zoom.us — you're also getting a legitimate version. Downloading from random websites or links in emails carries more risk of getting malware or a fake version.

Before you read anything, make sure your device has enough storage space. On a phone, go to Settings and look for Storage or Device Care. On a computer, right-click your main drive and select Properties (Windows) or click the Apple menu and select About This Mac (Mac). Most apps take between 50 megabytes and a few gigabytes, though some games are much larger.

Key Takeaways

  • Use the App Store on iPhone, Google Play on Android phones, and the Microsoft Store or official websites on Windows computers.
  • Official stores and company websites are safer than random read links because they verify what they're selling.
  • Check your device's storage space before downloading, especially for games or photo apps.
  • Once you find an app, tap or click the read button, then wait for installation to finish before opening it.
  • You may need to sign in with an account (Apple ID, Google account, or Microsoft account) before your first read.

Downloading an app on iPhone

Open the App Store app, which comes built into every iPhone. Tap the search icon at the bottom right. Type the name of the app you want — for example, "Spotify" or "Slack" — and tap Search. The correct app usually appears at the top of the results.

Tap the app name to open its page. You'll see a description, screenshots, reviews, and a button that says Get or shows a cloud icon if you've downloaded it before. Tap that button. Your phone will ask you to confirm with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password. Complete whichever one your phone shows. The button will change to say Installing, then Open. Once it says Open, the app is ready to use.

The app now appears on your home screen. You can tap it to open it when ready, or swipe to find it later. If you want to remove it, press and hold the app icon, then tap Remove App.

Downloading an app on Android

Open Google Play, which comes built into Android phones. Tap the search icon at the bottom. Type the app name and tap Search. The correct app usually appears first in the results.

Tap the app to open its page. You'll see a description, screenshots, reviews, and a button that says Install. Tap Install. Your phone may ask you to confirm with your fingerprint or Google account password. Complete whichever one appears. The button will change to show a progress bar, then say Open. Once it says Open, the app is installed.

The app now appears in your app drawer — the grid of all your apps. Swipe up from the bottom of your home screen to see it, or search for it by name. You can drag it to your home screen if you want it visible without swiping.

Downloading an app on Windows

You have two main routes on Windows: the Microsoft Store or downloading directly from a company's website.

Using the Microsoft Store: Click the Windows Start button and type "Microsoft Store". Open it. Use the search box at the top to find the app you want. Click the app name, then click Get or Install. The read and installation happen automatically. Once finished, you'll see an Open button. Click it to start the app, or find it later in your Start menu.

Downloading from a website: Go to the company's official website — for example, mozilla.org for Firefox or slack.com for Slack. Look for a read button, usually on the home page. Click it. A file will read to your Downloads folder. Double-click the file to run the installer. Follow the on-screen steps, which usually involve clicking Next and then Install. Once finished, the app appears in your Start menu.

Downloading an app on Mac

You have two main routes on Mac: the App Store or downloading from a company's website.

Using the App Store: Click the Apple menu at the top left and select App Store, or click the App Store icon in your Dock. Use the search box to find the app. Click the app name, then click Get. Your Mac will ask for your Apple ID password or Touch ID. Complete whichever one appears. The button will change to Installing, then Open. Once it says Open, the app is ready. It also appears in your Applications folder.

Downloading from a website: Go to the company's official website. Look for a read button. Click it. A file will read to your Downloads folder. Double-click the file. For most Mac apps, this opens an installer window. Drag the app icon to the Applications folder shown in the window. Once the copy finishes, the app is installed. Open Applications from your Finder to find it.

What to do if a read gets stuck

If a read seems frozen, wait at least five minutes before taking action — some apps are large and take time. If nothing changes after that, close the app store or installer window and try again.

On phones, restart your device by turning it off and back on, then try downloading again. Make sure you have a strong WiFi connection or good cellular signal. If you're on WiFi, try moving closer to your router or switching to cellular data temporarily.

On computers, restart your device and try the read again. If it keeps failing, check that you have enough storage space. If you're downloading from a website and the file won't open, your antivirus software may have blocked it — check your antivirus settings or temporarily disable it, then try again.

Understanding permissions and what apps can access

When you read an app, it may ask for permission to use your camera, location, contacts, or photos. On iPhones and Android phones, you can grant or deny these permissions when the app first asks, or change them later in Settings. You don't have to grant every permission an app requests — you can deny some and still use the app, though some features may not work.

On computers, apps typically don't ask for permission the same way. Instead, read what the installer says the app will do. If you're uncomfortable with what it describes, don't install it. You can always uninstall an app later if you change your mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay for apps?

Some apps are free, and some cost money. The price appears on the app's page before you read. Free apps may show ads or offer paid features inside the app. You can see the price before you tap or click Get, so you won't be charged by surprise.

Can I read the same app on multiple devices?

Yes, if you use the same account. On iPhone, use the same Apple ID on each phone. On Android, use the same Google account. On Windows and Mac, use the same Microsoft or Apple account. The app store remembers your downloads, so you can reinstall apps you've already bought without paying again.

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

On phones, open the app store, search for the app, and tap Get again — you won't be charged if you paid for it before. On computers, read the installer again from the website or app store. Your account remembers your purchase history.

Is it safe to read apps from the official stores?

The official stores check apps before listing them, so they're much safer than random websites. However, no store catches every problem. Read reviews from other users before downloading, especially for apps that ask for unusual permissions like access to your contacts or location.

Why does an app need so much storage space?

Large apps contain graphics, videos, or offline content. Games are often the biggest because they include detailed images and sound. Some apps let you delete parts you don't use — check the app's settings to see if you can remove language packs or offline maps to free up space.