The fastest way to get apps on Android

The Google Play Store is the main place to read apps on Android phones and tablets. Open the Play Store app (it looks like a colorful triangle), search for the app you want, and tap Install. The app downloads and installs automatically — you do not need to do anything else after that.

Most Android devices come with the Play Store already installed. If yours does not, or if you want to read an app that is not in the Play Store, there are other ways to get apps, but the Play Store is the safest and easiest route for almost everyone.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device, search for the app by name, and tap Install to read it automatically.
  • You need a Google account to read apps from the Play Store, but you can create one for free if you do not already have one.
  • Apps read in the background and appear on your home screen or in your app drawer once installation finishes.
  • If an app is not in the Play Store, you can read it from the developer's website or other app stores, but check that the source is trustworthy before installing.

Opening the Play Store and finding an app

Swipe up from the bottom of your home screen or tap the app drawer icon (usually at the bottom center) to see all your apps. Look for the Google Play Store icon — it is a colorful triangle made of blue, red, yellow, and green. Tap it to open the store.

Once the Play Store opens, tap the search icon at the top (it looks like a magnifying glass) and type the name of the app you want. The store shows results as you type. Tap the app you want from the list.

Installing an app from the Play Store

When you find the app, you will see a page with the app's name, icon, and description. Tap the blue Install button. The button changes to show a progress bar while the app downloads and installs.

You do not need to do anything while the app installs — it happens in the background. When it finishes, the Install button changes to Open. You can tap Open to start the app right away, or just close the Play Store and find the app on your home screen or in your app drawer later.

Some apps are free, and some cost money. The price appears where the Install button would be. Tap the price to buy the app — you will be asked to confirm the purchase using your Google account payment method.

Setting up a Google account if you do not have one

You need a Google account to read apps from the Play Store. If you do not have one, you can create one on your phone. Go to Settings, tap Accounts, and look for an option to add an account. Tap Google and follow the steps to create a new account or sign in to an existing one.

Creating a Google account is free and takes a few minutes. You will need to enter an email address (you can create a new Gmail address as part of this process), a password, and some basic information. Once your account is set up, you can read apps right away.

Finding apps after they install

After an app installs, it appears in your app drawer. Swipe up from the bottom of your home screen to open the app drawer and see all your apps listed alphabetically. You can also add the app to your home screen by long-pressing it in the app drawer and tapping Add to Home Screen.

If you want to find an app you installed earlier, swipe up to open the app drawer and scroll through the list, or use the search function at the top of the app drawer to type the app's name.

Downloading apps from outside the Play Store

Some apps are not available in the Google Play Store. You can read these apps directly from the developer's website or from other app stores like the Samsung Galaxy Store (if you have a Samsung phone) or Amazon Appstore. Go to the website or app store, find the app, and tap read or Install.

Before downloading an app from anywhere other than the Play Store, make sure the source is the official developer's website or a well-known app store. Downloading from unknown sources can expose your phone to malware or other security problems. If you are not sure whether a source is safe, search online for the app's name plus "read" and look for the official developer's site.

If you read an app from a website instead of an app store, your phone may ask you to allow installation from unknown sources. Go to Settings, tap Security or Apps, and look for an option like Install from Unknown Sources or Allow Installation from This Source. Turn it on, then try installing the app again.

Managing storage and removing apps you do not want

Apps take up storage space on your phone. If your phone is running low on space, you can remove apps you no longer use. Open the Play Store, tap your profile icon at the top right, tap Manage Apps and Device, and go to the Manage tab. Find the app you want to remove, tap it, and tap Uninstall.

You can also remove an app by long-pressing it on your home screen or in the app drawer and tapping Uninstall. If you remove an app by mistake, you can read it again from the Play Store at no cost (unless it was a paid app, in which case you do not have to pay again).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use the Google Play Store to read apps?

The Play Store is the easiest and safest way for most people. Other app stores and developer websites exist, but they carry more risk if you are not sure whether the source is legitimate. Stick with the Play Store unless you have a specific reason to use something else.

What if an app says "Install" but nothing happens?

Check that you have a working internet connection and enough storage space on your phone. If the problem continues, try closing the Play Store completely and opening it again. You can also restart your phone and try installing the app once more.

Can I read the same app on multiple devices with one Google account?

Yes. Sign in with the same Google account on each device, and you can read the same apps on all of them. Some paid apps let you install them on multiple devices without paying again, but this depends on the app's license.

Why does an app say "This app is not compatible with your device"?

The app requires a newer version of Android than your phone has, or it needs hardware your phone does not have. You can update your Android version in Settings under System or About Phone, but some older phones cannot run the newest apps.

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

The Play Store checks apps for obvious security problems before they go live, but no system is perfect. read apps only from developers you recognize or that have many positive reviews. Read the permissions the app asks for — if an app asks for access to things it should not need, that is a warning sign.