How to Download Apps on Google Play

The Google Play Store app is built into all Android devices. Here’s how to download apps from the store:

  • Open the Google Play Store on your smartphone or tablet.
  • Search for the app you want to download or select a category, such as Games or Movies & TV, or other filters like Editors’ Choice or Family.
  • Tap the app’s listing.
  • Tap Install. When the download is complete, Install changes to Open.

Google Play on Desktop

You can manage app downloads on the desktop for any Android phones or tablets you’ve connected to your Google account. Using the Play Store on your desktop is convenient if you use more than one device or manage app downloads for others, such as your children.

You can download Google Play apps from a desktop browser in addition to your smartphone or tablet. Google keeps a running list of devices supported by the Play Store.

Open the Google Play Store on your smartphone or tablet.

Search for the app you want to download or select a category, such as Games or Movies & TV, or other filters like Editors’ Choice or Family.

Tap the app’s listing.

Tap Install. When the download is complete, Install changes to Open.

  • In a desktop browser, navigate to play.google.com.
  • Search for the app you want to download or click Categories, Top Charts, or New Releases to browse the library.
  • Once you find the app, click its entry and then Install. If you have more than one Android phone linked to your Google account, you will see a list of smartphones and tablets. Choose your device; if you’re not sure which is which, there’s a “last used” date next to each one.
  • Click Install or Buy and the app should appear on your device within a few minutes.

In a desktop browser, navigate to play.google.com. 

Search for the app you want to download or click Categories, Top Charts, or New Releases to browse the library. 

Once you find the app, click its entry and then Install. If you have more than one Android phone linked to your Google account, you will see a list of smartphones and tablets. Choose your device; if you’re not sure which is which, there’s a “last used” date next to each one.

Click Install or Buy and the app should appear on your device within a few minutes.

The price of the app is on the Buy button.

Search or browse for the app you want.

Tap Get or the button with the price for a paid app.

Then tap Download on the next page.

Samsung Galaxy Apps on Mobile

The Galaxy App store is pre-installed on most Samsung Galaxy devices. It includes Exclusive Apps Made for Samsung (apps explicitly made for Galaxy phones), Galaxy Essentials (curated Samsung apps), and Samsung DeX apps. It also has a sticker shop, live stickers, and fonts.

Click Appstore for Android.

Search or browse for the app you want and click its listing.

Click Get App (free) or Buy Now (paid).

To get apps from Samsung, open Galaxy Apps and search or browse for the app you want. Tap the app’s listing, then Install.

Google Play Protect

One of the most important things to consider before downloading any apps on Android is security. Like a computer, an infected smartphone can cause performance issues and privacy breaches and even cause you to lose your data.

In response to some high-profile security incidents, which included malicious apps in the Play Store, Google rolled out Play Protect, which regularly scans your device for malware. By default, this setting is on, but you can also run a manual scan if you want.

  • Go to Settings > Security > Google Play Protect.
  • Tap Scan.
  • Here, you can also see recently checked apps and the time of the last scan.

Downloading Apps From Unknown Sources

If you try to download an app from somewhere other than Google Play using a mobile browser or another app, you’ll get a warning that your device doesn’t allow the installation of unknown apps from this source.

Go to Settings > Security > Google Play Protect.

Tap Scan.

Here, you can also see recently checked apps and the time of the last scan.

Google Play Protect also checks apps in the Play Store before you download them.

  • Go to Settings.
  • Tap Apps & notifications > Advanced > Special app access.
  • Tap Install unknown apps.
  • You’ll see a list of apps that can download apps, such as Chrome and other mobile browsers. Tap any app you use to download apps and toggle on Allow from this source.

Go to Settings.

Tap Apps & notifications > Advanced > Special app access.

Tap Install unknown apps.

You’ll see a list of apps that can download apps, such as Chrome and other mobile browsers. Tap any app you use to download apps and toggle on Allow from this source.

Beware that an unknown app could compromise your device. To further protect yourself, toggle on Improve harmful app detection in the Google Play Protect section of your device’s settings.

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