The fastest way: use the Google Play Store

The Google Play Store is the main place to read apps on a Samsung phone. It comes built in, and you open it the same way you open any other app — by tapping its icon on your home screen or in your app drawer. The icon looks like a white triangle made of three colored shapes.

Once you open the Play Store, you will see a search icon at the bottom of the screen (it looks like a magnifying glass). Tap it, type the name of the app you want, and tap the app when it appears in the results. Then tap the button that says "Install" — it will be blue and near the top of the screen. The app will read and install automatically. When it finishes, that button will change to say "Open".

You do not need to do anything else. The app is now on your phone and ready to use. You can find it later in your app drawer or by swiping left on your home screen to see all your apps.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Google Play Store (the white triangle icon), search for the app by name, and tap Install to read it to your phone.
  • You need a Google account to read apps, and your Samsung phone almost certainly has one already set up.
  • Downloaded apps appear in your app drawer and can be moved to your home screen by pressing and holding them, then dragging them where you want.
  • If an app says "Install" is grayed out or unavailable, your phone version may be too old for that app, but most apps work on phones from the last five years.

What you need before you start

Your Samsung phone needs to be connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data — you cannot read an app without internet. Most apps are small enough that mobile data works fine, though Wi-Fi is faster and does not use your data plan.

You also need a Google account. This is the email address and password you use to sign into Gmail, YouTube, or other Google services. When you first set up a Samsung phone, it asks you to add a Google account, so you almost certainly have one already. If you are not sure, go to Settings, scroll down to Accounts, and look for Google. If you see your email address there, you are ready to read apps.

If you do not have a Google account, you can create one for free at google.com before you start. You will need to remember the email address and password you choose.

Finding the app you want in the Play Store

The search method works for any app, but the Play Store also shows you popular apps on its home screen. When you first open the Play Store, you will see rows of apps organized by category — Games, Social, Productivity, and so on. You can scroll through these to browse, or you can search directly if you already know what you want.

When you search, type the full name of the app if you know it. If you are not sure of the exact name, type what you remember — the search will show you close matches. For example, if you search "photo editor," you will see many photo editing apps. Read the description and look at the star rating (apps with more stars are generally more reliable) to pick the one you want.

Some apps are free, and some cost money. The price appears on the button where it says "Install" — if there is a price, you will see it there instead. Your payment method (usually a credit card linked to your Google account) will be charged when you tap Install.

What happens after you tap Install

After you tap Install, the app begins downloading. You will see a progress bar that fills up as the read happens. This usually takes less than a minute on Wi-Fi, though it can take longer on slower mobile data. Do not close the Play Store or turn off your phone while the read is happening.

When the read finishes, the button will change from "Installing" to "Open". At this point, the app is fully on your phone. You can tap "Open" to start using it right away, or you can close the Play Store and open the app later from your app drawer.

The app will stay on your phone until you remove it. You can delete an app by pressing and holding its icon in your app drawer, then tapping "Uninstall" from the menu that appears.

Moving an app to your home screen

When you read an app, it goes into your app drawer but does not automatically appear on your home screen. If you want quick access to it, you can move it there. Press and hold the app icon in your app drawer until a menu appears, then tap "Add to Home Screen." The app icon will now appear on your home screen where you can tap it directly.

You can also organize your home screen by moving apps around. Press and hold any app icon on your home screen, and drag it to a new spot. You can create folders by dragging one app on top of another — they will group together, and you can name the folder.

If an app will not install

Sometimes the "Install" button is grayed out or says "Unavailable." This usually means your phone's Android version is too old for that app. Samsung phones receive updates for several years, but very old phones may not support the newest apps. Check your phone's Android version by going to Settings, scrolling to About Phone, and looking for Android Version.

If an app requires a newer Android version than you have, you have two choices: update your phone's software (if an update is available), or find a similar app that works on your version. The Play Store will show you other apps in the same category that may work on your phone.

If you see an error message during read, try closing the Play Store completely and opening it again. If the problem continues, restart your phone and try again. Most read problems fix themselves after a restart.

Other places to read apps

The Google Play Store is the main source, but Samsung phones also come with the Galaxy Store, which is Samsung's own app store. It looks similar to the Play Store and works the same way — search, tap Install, and the app downloads. The Galaxy Store sometimes has Samsung-specific apps or early versions of apps, but most people use the Google Play Store for everything they need.

You should avoid downloading apps from websites or links you do not recognize. Apps from the official Play Store or Galaxy Store are checked for safety, but apps from random websites may contain malware or viruses. Stick to the two official stores.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay for every app?

No. Many apps are free and always will be. Some apps are free but show ads, and some cost money upfront. The Play Store clearly shows the price before you tap Install, so you will know whether an app costs money before you read it.

Can I read the same app on multiple phones?

Yes. If you use the same Google account on multiple Samsung phones, you can read the same apps on all of them. The Play Store remembers which apps you have installed, and you can read them again on a new phone without paying twice.

What if I run out of storage space?

If your phone is full, you may not be able to read new apps. Delete apps you no longer use by pressing and holding them in your app drawer and tapping Uninstall. You can also delete photos and videos to free up space. If you still do not have enough room, you may need a phone with more storage.

Can I read an app and then use it without internet?

Most apps need internet to work, but some work offline after you read them. Maps, note-taking apps, and some games work without internet. The app's description in the Play Store usually says whether it needs internet. Once you read an app, you can use it offline if it supports that feature.

Why does an app ask for permission to access my camera or contacts?

Apps ask for permission to use your phone's features only when they need them. A messaging app needs access to your contacts, and a video call app needs access to your camera. You can allow or deny these permissions when the app first asks, and you can change your mind later in Settings under Apps and Permissions.