If you have a new telephone, tablet or computer, you’re probably looking to download some new apps to make the nigh of your new technology. Short for “application,” apps let you do everything from listening to music to syncing your phone to your car to playing games.
With so many apps to choose from, however, it can be a bit daunting if you lot don’t know how to download them. Fortunately, downloading apps can exist quick, elementary and like shooting fish in a barrel regardless of the kind of technology you’re using. Read on to acquire about how and where to download apps.
How Downloading Apps Works
When you lot download a file on the net, whether from a store or elsewhere, a file hosted on an online server is copied onto your computer. If you’ve ever been online, either on a phone or estimator, y'all’ve probable already downloaded files on many occasions. Apps are no different — they’re just specific kinds of files yous download from the internet.
Apps are typically fix as executable (.exe) files, although apps meant for Apple tree devices often come as either APP (.app) or DMG (.dmg) files. Sometimes (especially when information technology’s meant for computers), an app is compressed into a ZIP file (.zip or .zipx) to salve space. To do this, you may need some other program, such as WinZip or seven-Zip, to open it, although yous may too be able to open it past left- or right-clicking if your device came with the ability to open Cipher files.
In many cases, all the same, downloading an app is every bit simple every bit clicking a button on an app’s page. As long as at that place’s plenty space left on your device, the app volition likely be set up for employ once it’s done downloading.
Android is an operating system used for phones, tablets and more. Odds are that if your telephone isn’t an iPhone, information technology’s probably an Android device — brands include Samsung, Huawei, LG, Motorola, ZTE and many more. To download apps for an Android device, yous tin can either visit the Android website or use the Google Play app. (Information technology’due south oft pre-installed on phones and tablets, so you may already have it.) Be aware that you’ll probable exist prompted to sign in with your Google account or create ane if you haven’t already.
Open up the Google Play store on your device and then search for the specific name of the app or any broader category that might involvement you lot. Click on the app result to learn more about it. If the app is free, it should brainstorm to download; if non, you’ll be prompted to pay for information technology. Either way, in one case the file is downloaded, you’re good to go.
Downloading Windows Apps
Microsoft hosts apps on its website, which y'all can access via any device with a web browser. You can use the site to download apps for tablets, computers, phones, Xbox consoles, virtual reality sets and more, then it’s important to check the system requirements on each app’south page to ensure that the app is compatible with your device.
Select whichever gratis or paid app y'all’re interested in to see a cursory description of the app. If you choose a paid app, you’ll be prompted to enter your credit bill of fare information or a gift card to complete your gild.
Using the Apple App Store
The Apple App Store hosts apps designed for iPhones, iPads and other Apple devices. Every bit with Google Play, information technology’due south oft pre-installed on phones. Similar other app stores, information technology lets you filter apps by category, including featured apps, newest apps, popular apps, themed categories and more. Choose the app you lot want and follow the onscreen directions to download information technology to your device. You lot’ll demand to log in or create an business relationship complete the purchase.
