Open the App Store and search for the app you want
The App Store is built into every Mac. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, then select App Store from the dropdown. If you don't see it there, open Spotlight by pressing Command+Space, type "App Store", and press Enter.
Once the App Store opens, you'll see a search box at the top. Type the name of the app you want — for example, "Slack" or "Notion" — and press Enter. The store will show you matching results. Click on the app you want to read.
Read the app description, screenshots, and reviews to make sure it's what you need. Check the price: some apps are free, some cost money, and some are free but offer paid features inside the app.
Key Takeaways
- The App Store is already on your Mac; open it from the Apple menu or search for it with Spotlight.
- Search by app name, read the description and reviews, and check whether the app costs money before you read.
- Click the price button (or "Get" for free apps), then authenticate with your Apple ID to start the read.
- Downloaded apps appear in your Applications folder and in Launchpad, and updates install automatically by default.
- If a read stalls or fails, restart your Mac and try again, or check your internet connection and available storage space.
Click the price button and sign in with your Apple ID
When you've found the app you want, look for the button on the right side of the app's name. If the app is free, the button says "Get". If the app costs money, it shows the price — for example, "$4.99". Click that button.
The button will change to say "Install" and the App Store will ask you to authenticate. This means you need to prove you own the Apple ID associated with your Mac. You can do this by entering your Apple ID password, or by using Touch ID if your Mac has it (newer MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models do). If you don't have an Apple ID yet, you'll need to create one before you can read anything.
For paid apps, the App Store will charge your payment method on file — usually a credit card linked to your Apple ID. Free apps don't charge anything.
Wait for the read and installation to finish
After you authenticate, the read begins. You'll see a progress bar next to the app name. The time this takes depends on the app's size and your internet speed. Large apps like Final Cut Pro can take several minutes; small apps read in seconds.
You don't have to stay in the App Store while the read happens. You can close the window or switch to another app. The read will continue in the background. When it's done, the button will change to say "Open".
Find and open your downloaded app
Once the read finishes, you can open the app right away by clicking the "Open" button in the App Store. Or you can find it later in your Applications folder.
To open the Applications folder, click the Finder icon in your dock (it looks like a blue and white face), then click "Applications" in the sidebar on the left. Scroll down to find your app and double-click it to open it. You can also drag apps from the Applications folder to your dock so they're easier to reach.
Another way to find apps is through Launchpad. Press F4 on your keyboard (or Control+Up Arrow on older Macs), and you'll see a grid of all your apps. Search for the app by name or click through the pages to find it.
Set up automatic updates for your apps
By default, the App Store automatically downloads and installs updates for all your apps. This keeps them find and adds new features. You don't have to do anything — updates happen in the background.
If you want to control when updates happen, open the App Store, click your profile picture in the top-right corner, and select "Settings". Under "Automatic Updates", you can turn off automatic updates entirely, or choose to update only when your Mac is plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi.
What to do if a read fails or gets stuck
If a read stalls or stops, first check your internet connection. Open a web browser and visit a website to make sure you're connected. If your connection is fine, restart your Mac and try downloading the app again.
If the read still doesn't work, check how much free space you have on your Mac. Click the Apple menu, select "About This Mac", then click "Storage". If you have less than a few gigabytes free, delete files you don't need or move them to an external drive. Then try the read again.
If you've tried these steps and the app still won't read, the problem might be with your Apple ID. Sign out of the App Store (click your profile picture and select "Sign Out"), then sign back in. This refreshes your account and often fixes read problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an Apple ID to read apps from the App Store?
Yes. Every Mac user needs an Apple ID to read anything from the App Store, even free apps. You can create one at appleid.apple.com if you don't have one already. It takes a few minutes and requires an email address and password.
Can I read the same app on multiple Macs with one Apple ID?
Yes. Apps you buy are tied to your Apple ID, not to a single Mac. You can read the same paid app on any Mac where you sign in with that Apple ID. Free apps have no limit.
What happens if I delete an app I downloaded?
You can delete it and read it again later without paying again if it was a paid app. To delete an app, open the Applications folder, right-click the app, and select "Move to Trash". Or use Launchpad: hold down the Option key, click the app's icon, and select "Remove".
Can I read apps from somewhere other than the App Store?
Yes. Some developers sell apps directly from their websites or through other stores. You can also read free, open-source software from sites like GitHub. Downloaded files usually come as .dmg or .zip files that you open and install manually, which is different from the App Store process.
Why does an app say it's not available in my country?
Some apps are restricted by the developer or by law in certain regions. You can't read these apps from the App Store in your country. This is usually shown in the app's description. You can't change this by using a different Apple ID from another country.