How to Download Android Apps: The Complete Beginner's Guide

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It's never been easier to download apps on Android

Written by Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: July 6, 2025 Fact Checked

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Using the Google Play Store

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Using Popular Alternatives

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Video

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Q&A

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Tips

Did you know there's an app for almost anything, and that you can download it? From home and car insurance policies to games, there are plenty of apps out there on the Google Play Store that you can get on your phone. This wikiHow article teaches you how to download apps to your Android.

Quick Steps

Open the Google Play Store.
Tap the magnifying glass icon.
Type the name of the app you want to download.
Select an app.
Tap INSTALL.

Section 1 of 2:

Using the Google Play Store

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1
Open the Google Play Store
. Tap the icon that looks like a multicolored sideways triangle in your app list. This app is usually called "Play Store," but may just be called "Google Play" on some Android phones and tablets.
- If it’s your first time opening the Play Store, you’ll have to enter your Google account information and payment details. Follow the on-screen instructions when prompted.
- You can also use the Google Play Store to download apps for Google TV, Chromebook, and more.^{[1]
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2
Tap Search. This is at the bottom of your screen with a magnifying glass icon.
- Skip this step if you want to browse categories instead. Instead, you can browse through the different categories that appear as soon as you open the Play Store.
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3
Type an app name into the search box and tap the magnifying glass on your keyboard. The search field is at the top of the screen, and the magnifying glass is on your keyboard.
- For example, you can type wikihow to search for the wikiHow app, or photos to browse various photo apps.
- If you’re just browsing, skip this step.^{[2]
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Select an app you want to download. This brings you to the details page, where you can read the app’s description, check out user reviews, and view screenshots.
- Many apps have similar names, so your search may return several results. Apps in the search result appear on their own “tiles,” each displaying the app’s icon, developer, star rating, and price.
- Tap an app, whether you're browsing or searching, to see more information about it.
- Be mindful of the last time the app was updated. An older app that hasn't been updated in a long time is prone to being hacked and might have malware.
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Tap INSTALL. It’s a button just beneath the name of the app. If the app is not free, the green button will say the app’s price instead of “INSTALL” (e.g., “$2.49”).^{[3]
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- When downloading an app that costs money, you may have to confirm your Google account password.
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Tap OPEN. When the installation is complete, the “INSTALL” (or price) button will change to an “OPEN” button. Tapping it will launch your new app for the first time.
- To open the new app in the future, tap the Apps icon on your home screen, then tap the new app’s icon.
- Accidentally deleted the Google Play Store? You can easily get it again using an APK.

Section 2 of 2:

Using Popular Alternatives

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1
Try an alternative app store. Is the game or app you want not available on the Google Play Store? While the Play Store has security features that ensure the games and apps on the platform are safe, you can also find apps elsewhere. Here are some popular alternatives:
- Samsung Galaxy Store: This usually comes pre-installed on Galaxy devices and has access to exclusive (Samsung-only) apps.
- Amazon Appstore: You can find some discounts or freebies for games or apps this way. (Although this is being discontinued in August 2025 for non-Amazon Android devices, so a Fire tablet will still be able to use the Amazon Appstore).^{[4]
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- F-Droid: This is a popular alternative to the Google Play Store that focuses on open-source software.
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Download the alternative app store from its official website. For example, if you want to download F-Droid, go to the F-Droid official website. If you're using a Samsung phone or tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Store is most likely pre-installed, so you don't have to download it to use it.
- You'll first have to change some settings on your phone to allow downloads from sources other than the Play Store. To do this:
  - Go to Settings.
  - Tap Apps.
  - Tap ⋮.
  - Tap Special access.
  - Tap Install unknown apps.
  - Tap the source downloading the apps (since you're downloading an alternative, your web browser will be downloading an APK, so tap the toggle next to your browser, like Chrome, to enable it).
    - If you're using a Samsung, you have another step to take before you can download apps outside the Google Play Store. This is all enabled for your protection, but here's how you can disable it:
      
      Go to Settings.
      
      Tap Security and privacy.
      
      Tap the toggle next to "Auto Blocker" to turn it off.
You will need to repeat the process to install unknown apps from the alternative (F-Droid, etc).
Using an alternative app store is great if you want to download specialized apps that aren't available in the Google Play Store. However, only download apps from sources you recognize, or you run the risk of downloading malware or viruses that endanger your personal information, including payment information.

Community Q&A

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Question

Why does my phone prompt me to update the time and date when they're already correct?

Community Answer

This issue often indicates a temporary technical glitch; you can usually resolve it by restarting your phone and then re-checking your date and time settings.

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How can I use my mobile phone's internet connection to access the internet on my laptop or another mobile device?

Community Answer

Enable your mobile phone's Hotspot feature. You may need to contact your telecom provider to add or increase data for this use.

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How do I download an app on an old-fashioned phone, like a Hinto, if I have a Microsoft account?

Snakey006550

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If your Hinto phone is old, it may not support modern apps or app stores. You can try accessing web-based versions of apps through the phone's browser. If the phone has a compatible app store, check if the app you want is available. Otherwise, you may need to use a newer device to download apps.

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Tips

Read some reviews before installing an app because you can learn a lot of valuable information, such as whether or not an app is full of ads, inappropriate for children, etc.

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The Play Store will improve your app recommendations as you continue to download apps. To see your recommendations, open the Play Store and scroll down to “Recommended for You.”

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Delete or uninstall apps by tapping and holding their icon and selecting Uninstall.

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