An process is a program you install on your phone, computer, or tablet that does one specific job
An process (or "app") is software built to perform a particular task. Unlike your operating system — which manages your entire device — an process does one thing: email, banking, maps, video calls, note-taking, photo editing. You read it, install it on your device, and open it when you need it.
Applications exist on phones, tablets, computers, and even smart home devices. A banking app lets you check your balance and transfer money. A weather app shows you tomorrow's forecast. A video streaming app plays movies. Each one is separate software that runs on top of your device's operating system.
The distinction matters because applications have different security and privacy rules than your operating system does. An app can only access what you give it permission to access — your camera, your location, your contacts. Your operating system controls everything.
Key Takeaways
- Applications are programs that do one specific job, like email or banking, and you read them separately from your device's operating system.
- You control what information each process can access by granting or denying permissions when you first open it.
- Applications come from app stores (Apple App Store, Google Play Store) or directly from a company's website, and the source matters for security.
- Uninstalling an process removes it completely from your device, including any data it stored.
Where applications come from and why it matters
Most people read applications from an official app store: the Apple App Store for iPhones and iPads, or Google Play Store for Android phones and tablets. These stores review applications before they appear, which reduces — but does not eliminate — the risk of downloading something malicious.
Some applications come directly from a company's website instead. Microsoft Office, for example, can be downloaded from Microsoft's website or from an app store. Banking apps often direct you to read from their official website rather than a third-party store. Downloading directly from a company's website is generally safe if you type the web address yourself or search for the company by name.
The risk increases when you read from unofficial sources: third-party app stores, links in emails, or websites you do not recognize. These sources may host applications that steal your passwords, track your location, or display unwanted advertisements.
How permissions work and what they mean
When you open an process for the first time, it asks for permissions — access to parts of your device. A weather app might ask for your location. A photo editor might ask for access to your photo library. A messaging app might ask for access to your contacts.
You can usually grant or deny each permission individually. On iPhones, you see a popup asking "Allow [App Name] to access your location?" You choose "Allow" or "Don't Allow." On Android phones, you see similar popups, and you can also change permissions later in your device's settings.
Denying a permission may limit what the app can do. A maps process cannot show you turn-by-turn directions if you deny location access. But you are not required to grant every permission an app requests. If an app asks for access to your camera and you do not plan to use that feature, you can safely deny it.
The difference between web browsers and applications
A web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge) is itself an process — but it works differently from other apps. When you use a browser, you visit websites that run inside it. Those websites are not applications you install; they are programs that run on a company's server and display in your browser window.
Some services exist as both a website and an process. You can check your email in a web browser by going to Gmail.com, or you can read the Gmail app. You can check your bank account on your bank's website or through their app. The app version is usually faster and can access more of your device (like your camera for mobile check deposit), but the website version works without installing anything.
What happens when you uninstall an process
Uninstalling an process removes it completely from your device. The app no longer appears on your home screen, and it no longer runs in the background. On most devices, uninstalling also deletes any data the app stored locally — saved passwords, downloaded files, cached information.
However, uninstalling an app does not delete data that the app's company stored on their own servers. If you uninstall a banking app, your account still exists at the bank. If you uninstall a social media app, your account and posts still exist on the company's servers. You can reinstall the app later and log back in to access everything.
Some applications leave behind small files even after uninstalling. On computers especially, you may need to use a dedicated uninstall tool to remove all traces. On phones, uninstalling is usually cleaner, though some data may remain in your device's backup if you use iCloud or Google backup.
How applications update and why updates matter
Applications receive updates regularly. Updates fix bugs, add new features, and patch security vulnerabilities. When a security flaw is discovered in an app, the company releases an update to close it. If you do not update, you remain vulnerable to that flaw.
Most devices allow you to set applications to update automatically, which is the safest approach. On iPhones, go to Settings > App Store and turn on "App Updates." On Android phones, open Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, go to Settings > Network Preferences, and choose to update apps automatically over WiFi.
If you prefer to update manually, check your app store weekly for updates. An app with a red notification badge usually indicates an update is waiting. Delaying updates for months leaves your device exposed to known security problems.
Applications and your privacy
Each process can collect different information about you. A fitness app might track your location and heart rate. A shopping app might track what you browse and buy. A social media app might track your contacts and your activity.
You can see what information an app collects by reading its privacy policy, though these are often long and written in legal language. A simpler approach: look at what permissions the app requests. If a flashlight app asks for access to your contacts, that is a red flag — a flashlight does not need your contacts.
You can also check what data apps have collected about you. On iPhones, go to Settings > Privacy to see which apps have accessed your location, camera, microphone, and contacts. On Android, go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Permissions. If an app has permissions it should not need, you can revoke them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an app and a program?
"App" is short for process. The terms mean the same thing. "Program" is older terminology that refers to any software, including operating systems and applications. In modern usage, "app" usually means a smaller, single-purpose program you read separately, while "program" can mean anything.
Can I use the same process on my phone and my computer?
Sometimes. Many companies make versions of their app for different devices — a Gmail app for phones and a Gmail app for computers. But the phone version and computer version are separate downloads. Some applications exist only for phones or only for computers. Check the app store for your specific device to see what is available.
Is it safe to read free applications?
Free applications from official app stores are generally safe. The risk increases with unofficial sources. Before downloading any app, check the reviews and the number of downloads. An app with millions of downloads and mostly positive reviews is lower risk than an app with few downloads and mixed reviews. Also check what permissions it requests — if they seem excessive for what the app does, skip it.
What should I do if an process keeps crashing?
First, check if an update is waiting in your app store and install it. If the app still crashes, try uninstalling and reinstalling it. If it continues to crash after reinstalling, the app may have a bug or may not be compatible with your device. Contact the app maker's support team, or switch to a different app that does the same job.
Can applications see what I am doing on other apps?
No. Each process runs in its own space and cannot see what you do in other apps. However, some apps can see general information about your device — like your location or the time — if you grant those permissions. An app cannot read your text messages, emails, or passwords unless you explicitly give it permission to access those specific things.