The simplest way to get apps on Android

The Google Play Store is the main place to find and read apps for Android phones and tablets. It comes built into most Android devices. You open it like any other app, search for what you want, and tap a button to read — the app installs automatically and appears on your home screen.

If you cannot find an app in the Play Store, or if you have an older device that does not have it, you can read apps from other sources. The process is slightly different and requires you to change one setting first, but it works the same way once you do.

Key Takeaways

  • The Google Play Store is built into most Android devices and is the safest place to read apps.
  • You search for an app by name, tap "Install," and it downloads and installs automatically without any additional steps.
  • If an app is not in the Play Store, you can read it from other sources, but you must first turn on "Unknown sources" in your device settings.
  • Downloaded apps appear on your home screen or in your app drawer, and you can uninstall them the same way you would delete any file.

Downloading from the Google Play Store

Open the Play Store app — it usually has a colorful triangle icon and is on your home screen or in your app drawer. If you cannot find it, swipe down from the top of your screen and search for "Play Store" in the search box.

Tap the search icon at the top (it looks like a magnifying glass) and type the name of the app you want. Results appear as you type. Tap the app you want from the list. A page opens showing the app name, rating, number of downloads, and a description of what it does.

Tap the button that says "Install." The app begins downloading when ready. You will see a progress bar showing how much has downloaded. Once it finishes, the button changes to say "Open" — you can tap it to start the app right away, or just close this page and find the app on your home screen later.

The app is now on your device. You can open it anytime by tapping its icon on your home screen or finding it in your app drawer (usually a grid icon at the bottom of your home screen).

Finding apps when the Play Store does not have them

Some apps are not available in the Google Play Store. This might be because they are very old, made by a small developer, or region-specific. You can read these from other sources, but Android requires you to allow downloads from "unknown sources" first — this is a safety setting that prevents accidental installation of harmful software.

Go to your device settings. The icon usually looks like a gear and is on your home screen or in your app drawer. Scroll down and tap "Apps" or "Applications." Tap the three dots or menu icon in the top right corner, then tap "Special app access" or "Install unknown apps." You may see different wording depending on your Android version.

Find your web browser in the list (usually Chrome, Firefox, or Samsung Internet) and tap it. Toggle the switch next to "Allow installation of apps from this source" to turn it on. This tells Android that you trust downloads from your browser.

Now you can read the app file from a website. Open your browser, find the read link for the app, and tap it. The file downloads to your device. Once it finishes, a notification appears — tap it to install the app. Follow any prompts that appear. The app then installs and appears on your home screen.

What to do if an app will not install

If you tap "Install" but nothing happens, check that you have enough storage space on your device. Go to settings, tap "Storage" or "Device care," and look at how much space is free. If you have less than 100 megabytes free, delete some photos, videos, or old apps to make room.

If you have space but the app still will not install, try restarting your device. Hold the power button until a menu appears, tap "Restart," and wait for your phone to turn back on. Then try installing the app again.

If the app is still not installing, check that you are signed into a Google account. Go to settings, tap "Accounts," and make sure you see a Google account listed. If you do not, tap "Add account," select "Google," and follow the steps to sign in. The Play Store requires a Google account to read apps.

Removing apps you no longer want

To uninstall an app, press and hold its icon on your home screen until a menu appears. Tap "Uninstall" or "Remove." A confirmation message asks if you are sure — tap "OK" or "Uninstall" again. The app is deleted from your device when ready.

If you cannot find the app on your home screen, open your app drawer (the grid icon) and press and hold the app there instead. The same menu appears and you can uninstall it the same way.

You can also uninstall from the Play Store. Open the Play Store, search for the app, tap it, and tap the three dots in the top right corner. Select "Uninstall" from the menu.

Understanding app permissions

When you install an app, Android may ask for permission to access certain parts of your device — your camera, microphone, location, contacts, or photos. A screen appears listing what the app wants to access. Read this list carefully. If an app asks for permission to something that does not make sense for what it does, you can refuse.

Tap "Allow" to give the app permission, or "Deny" to refuse. You can change these permissions later. Go to settings, tap "Apps," find the app in the list, tap "Permissions," and toggle each permission on or off. You can allow an app to use your camera but deny access to your contacts, for example.

Keeping your apps updated

The Play Store automatically updates most apps in the background, but you can also update them manually. Open the Play Store, tap your profile icon in the top right corner, and tap "Manage apps and device." Tap the "Manage" tab. Any apps with available updates show an "Update" button next to them. Tap "Update" next to the app you want to update, or tap "Update all" to update everything at once.

Updates usually fix bugs and add new features. They are free and do not require any action from you beyond tapping the button.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to read apps from places other than the Google Play Store?

The Play Store is the safest option because Google checks apps before they appear there. If you read from other sources, use only websites you trust and know are legitimate. Never read an app from a random link someone sends you in a message.

Do I need a Google account to use the Play Store?

Yes, you need to be signed into a Google account on your device to read apps from the Play Store. If you do not have one, you can create one for free at google.com. Most Android devices prompt you to set up a Google account when you first turn them on.

What happens to my apps if I restart my phone?

Your apps stay on your device. Restarting does not delete anything — it just turns your phone off and back on. All your apps and files remain exactly where they were.

Can I move apps to an SD card to save space?

Some devices allow this, but it depends on your phone model and Android version. Go to settings, tap "Apps," find the app you want to move, and look for a "Storage" or "Move to SD card" option. If you do not see this option, your device does not support moving that app.

Why does an app say "Install" instead of "Update"?

This usually means you uninstalled the app at some point and are downloading it again. Tap "Install" just like you would for a new app. It will read the current version.