How to Download Free Apps on App Store

A step-by-step guide to getting free apps on iPhone, iPad, and iPod

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: August 30, 2022 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to search for and download free iPhone and iPad apps using the App Store. You cannot download paid apps for free via the App Store.

Steps

1
Open the App Store
. Tap the App Store app icon, which resembles a white "A" on a blue background.
2
Tap Search. It's a magnifying glass-shaped icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
- On some iPads, the Search section is a search bar in the top-right corner of the screen. If so, tap the search bar and then skip the next step.
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3
Tap the search bar. This is at the top of the Search screen. Doing so will bring up your iPhone's or iPad's keyboard.
4
Enter an app's name or function. If you have a specific app in mind, type in its name; otherwise, type in a keyword or phrase that will help find an app to suit your needs.
- For example, if you're looking for a drawing app, you might type in draw or paint here.
5
Tap Search. This blue button is on the keyboard. Doing so will search the App Store for your entered word or phrase and bring up a list of matching/related apps.
6
Select an app. Scroll through the list of apps until you find one that you want, then tap the app's title to open the its page.
7
Tap GET. It's a blue button on the right side of the page.
8
Enter your Touch ID when prompted. If you have Touch ID enabled for the App Store, scanning your Touch ID will immediately prompt the app to begin downloading onto your iPhone or iPad.
- If you don't have Touch ID enabled for the App Store or your iPhone/iPad doesn't support Touch ID, you'll enter your Apple ID password and then tap Install when prompted.
9
Wait for the app to download. As the app begins downloading, you'll see a square with a progress circle appear on the right side of the screen. Once the circle is complete, the app has successfully been download.
- You can stop the app from downloading by tapping the square icon.
10
Tap OPEN. It's in the same place as was the GET button. Doing so will open your app.
- You can also open your app by tapping it on your iPhone's or iPad's Home Screen.

Community Q&A

Question

How can I have a new password?

Community Answer

To have a new password, you would have to click on Settings. Then you will be brought to General and there will be other ones you can choose under the general section. You will click on Password, type in your old password, and then it will ask you to input the new password, allowing you change it.
Question

How do I check which apps are downloading and how much storage space I have left?

Community Answer

Depending on the device, the answer is as follows. Android: Click on the top left of the screen and select settings and u should see a downloads button. For the iPhone: The icon should be at the bottom of the screen.
Question

Can I do this without jailbreaking my phone?

Community Answer

Yes. Download Vshare on your computer, and plug in your phone through a usb chord. Then go to the apps windoe and find the app you want.

Warnings

While some paid apps will become free after a certain amount of time, most paid apps remain as such. It is illegal to download paid apps for free by using a source other than the App Store.

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