Where to find and read iOS apps

All apps for iPhone and iPad come from the App Store, which is built into every iOS device. You cannot read iOS apps from websites or other sources the way you might read software on a computer. The App Store is the only official place Apple allows apps to come from.

To open the App Store, look for the blue icon with a white stylized "A" made of sticks. Tap it once. If you cannot find it on your home screen, swipe down from the top of the screen and search for "App Store" — the search will find it even if it is in a folder you have not opened recently.

Once the App Store opens, you will see a row of icons at the bottom of the screen. The one that looks like a magnifying glass is the search tab. Tap it to look for a specific app by name, or browse the featured apps that Apple displays on the home tab (the first icon, which looks like a house).

Key Takeaways

  • The App Store is the only place to read apps for iPhone and iPad, and it is built into your device — you do not need to visit a website.
  • You need an Apple ID to read any app, even free ones, and you must set up payment information before you can read paid apps.
  • Tap the cloud icon with a down arrow to read an app you have owned before, or tap "Get" and then "Install" for a new app.
  • Downloaded apps appear on your home screen automatically, and you can organize them into folders by dragging one app onto another.
  • If a read stalls or fails, force-close the App Store by swiping up from the bottom of the screen, wait a few seconds, and try again.

Setting up your Apple ID before you read

Before you can read anything from the App Store, you need an Apple ID — a username and password that ties your device to your account. If you set up your iPhone or iPad when you first turned it on, you created an Apple ID then. If you skipped that step, you can create one now directly in the App Store.

To check whether you already have an Apple ID set up, open the App Store and tap the person icon in the bottom right corner. If you see your name or email address at the top of the screen, you are already signed in. If you see a sign-in button, tap it and enter your Apple ID email and password.

If you do not have an Apple ID yet, tap "Create New Apple ID" on the sign-in screen. You will need a valid email address and a password you create yourself. Apple will also ask for your date of birth and country. This takes about two minutes and is free.

For paid apps, you will need to add a payment method — a credit card or debit card — to your Apple ID. Tap the person icon, then "Payment and Shipping," and follow the prompts to add a card. You will not be charged until you actually read a paid app.

Downloading a free app step by step

Open the App Store and use the search tab to find the app you want. Type the app name into the search box — for example, "Gmail" or "Spotify" — and tap the result that matches what you are looking for. Read the description and reviews to make sure it is the app you intended.

On the app's page, you will see a button that says either "Get" or a price (like "$4.99"). For a free app, tap "Get." Your device will ask you to confirm your identity using Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password. Use whichever method your device supports — most newer iPhones use Face ID, which means you just look at the screen.

After you confirm, the button will change to say "Install." Tap it. The app will begin downloading and installing automatically. You will see a progress circle that fills as the read happens. When it finishes, the button will change to "Open," and the app will also appear on your home screen.

You do not need to wait for the read to finish before closing the App Store or using your device. The read will continue in the background. If you want to check on progress, open the App Store again and tap the person icon — you will see a list of apps currently downloading under "Purchased."

Downloading a paid app and managing your payment method

Paid apps work the same way as free apps, except the button shows a price instead of "Get." Tap the price button, confirm your identity, and the app will read. You will be charged to the payment method on file with your Apple ID.

If you want to change which card is charged, or if your card has expired, open the App Store, tap the person icon, then "Payment and Shipping." You can edit your existing card, delete it, or add a new one. Any changes take effect the next time you read a paid app.

If a read fails because your payment method was declined, the App Store will show an error message. Check that your card information is correct and current, then try downloading again. If the problem continues, contact your bank to make sure the card is not blocked for online purchases.

Reinstalling an app you have owned before

If you have downloaded an app in the past and then deleted it, you can read it again without paying a second time — even if it is a paid app. Open the App Store, search for the app, and you will see a cloud icon with a down arrow instead of a "Get" button or price.

Tap the cloud icon. Your device will ask you to confirm your identity, then read and install the app. You will not be charged. This works for any app you have ever purchased on any iOS device that uses the same Apple ID.

If you want to see a list of all the apps you have ever purchased, open the App Store, tap the person icon, then "Purchased." You will see two tabs: "My Purchases" shows apps you have owned, and "Not on This iPhone" shows apps you owned but are not currently installed on this device.

Organizing apps into folders and managing storage

As you read more apps, your home screen will fill up. You can organize apps into folders to keep things tidy. Press and hold any app icon until a menu appears, then tap "Edit Home Screen." Now you can drag apps around or drag one app onto another to create a folder.

When you drag one app onto another, iOS will suggest a folder name based on the app category — for example, "Games" or "Productivity." You can accept the suggestion or type your own name. Tap outside the folder to close it and see your home screen again.

Each app takes up storage space on your device. If you run out of space, you will see a warning when you try to read. You can delete apps you no longer use to free up room. Press and hold an app, tap "Remove App," then "Delete App." The app will be removed, but you can read it again later without paying.

Troubleshooting downloads that fail or get stuck

Sometimes a read will stall or show an error message. The fastest fix is to close the App Store completely and reopen it. On newer iPhones, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app switcher, find the App Store, and swipe it up to close it. On older iPhones with a home button, double-tap the home button instead.

Wait a few seconds, then tap the App Store icon again and try downloading the app once more. Most of the time, this solves the problem. If the read fails again, check that you are connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data — downloads require an active internet connection.

If you see a message that says "Cannot Connect to App Store," your device may have lost its internet connection. Turn Wi-Fi off and back on, or move closer to your router. If you are using cellular data, try switching to Wi-Fi instead, since some networks block App Store traffic.

If a read fails repeatedly and you have checked your internet connection, restart your device. Press and hold the power button until "Slide to Power Off" appears, slide it, wait 10 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. Try downloading the app again after the device restarts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read iOS apps on a computer?

No. iOS apps only work on iPhone and iPad and can only be downloaded through the App Store on those devices. You cannot read them on a Mac or Windows computer. However, you can manage your Apple ID and payment information from a computer by visiting appleid.apple.com.

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

Open the App Store, search for the app, and tap the cloud icon with a down arrow. The app will read and install again. If it was a paid app, you will not be charged a second time because your purchase is tied to your Apple ID.

Do I need Wi-Fi to read apps, or can I use cellular data?

You can use either. However, large apps may read slowly on cellular data, and some carriers charge extra for large downloads. If an app is bigger than 200 MB, the App Store may require Wi-Fi. You can change this in Settings under App Store if you want to allow large downloads over cellular.

Why does the App Store ask for my password every time I read?

This is a security feature. Your device is confirming that you are the person authorized to use your Apple ID. You can reduce how often this happens by going to Settings, tapping your name, then "Password and Security," and adjusting the "Require Password" setting. However, Apple recommends keeping this on for protection.

Can I read apps for someone else's device using my Apple ID?

Yes, but they will need to use your Apple ID to read the app, or you can set up Family Sharing in Settings to let family members read apps you have purchased without sharing your password. Family Sharing also lets you manage purchases and set spending limits for children.