You need an Android app, but the right store screen depends on your device, account, and where you are installing from. For most people, the Android app store means Google Play Store. Start there, then use the steps below to install apps, update them, manage payments, and keep downloads under control.
1. Open Google Play Store first
On an Android phone or tablet, go to the Apps section and tap Google Play Store. Once it opens, use Search or browse the store to find apps, games, and other content.
On a Chromebook that supports Android apps, select the time at the bottom right, then open Settings > Apps > Manage Google Play preferences. Follow the Terms of Service prompts, then open Launcher > Play Store.
2. Install an app on your device
Open Google Play Store, then tap Search or browse for the app. Select the app or content item, then tap Install. For a paid app, tap the app's price and follow the prompts.
Google Play availability depends on country, device compatibility, account, age settings, and administrator restrictions. Purchases and app ownership stay tied to the Google Account used in Play Store.
3. Send an app from the Play website
The Play website lets you install an app to a compatible phone, tablet, watch, TV, car, Chromebook, or other listed Play device signed in to the same Google Account.
- 1.Go to play.google.com.
- 2.Search or browse for the app.
- 3.Select the app.
- 4.Click Install.
- 5.Choose the target device from the device dropdown.
- 6.Click Install again.
You can browse Google Play by Games, Apps, Movies & TV, Books, and Kids. You can also filter by device types such as Phone, Tablet, TV, Chromebook, Watch, Car, and XR headset.
4. Add apps to your other devices
Open Google Play Store, then search or browse for the app. Select the app, then tap the down arrow next to Install. Select the checkbox for each device, then tap Install.
To sync eligible installs, open Google Play Store, tap your Profile icon, then tap Manage apps & device > Sync apps to devices. Select the devices you want to sync.
5. Update apps and Play Store
For manual app updates, open Google Play Store, tap your Profile icon, then tap Manage apps & device. Under Updates available, tap See details, then tap Update next to one app or Update all.
For automatic updates, open Google Play Store, tap your Profile picture, then open Settings > Network Preferences > Auto-update apps. Choose Update all apps over Wi-Fi or mobile data, Update with limited amount of mobile data (Google lists this one as available to a limited group, so you may not see it), Update over Wi-Fi only, or Don't auto-update apps.
To update Play Store itself, open Google Play Store, tap your Profile picture, then open Settings > About > Update Play Store. Tap Got it; when an update is available, it downloads and installs automatically.
6. Manage accounts payments and subscriptions
Add a Google Account: Open device Settings > Accounts > Add account > Google, then follow the prompts. Switch Play Store accounts: Open Google Play Store, tap the Profile icon, then select the account you want.
Manage payment methods: Open Google Play Store, tap the Profile icon, then tap Payments & subscriptions > Payment methods. Manage subscriptions: Open subscriptions in Google Play, select the subscription, then tap the available action, such as Cancel subscription, Resubscribe, Pause payments, Update, or Resume.
Uninstalling an app does not cancel a subscription billed through Google Play. Cancel the subscription in Google Play when you want billing to stop.
7. Remove or restore apps
To uninstall an app, open Google Play Store, tap the Profile icon, then tap Manage apps & device > Manage. Select the app name and tap Uninstall. Some system apps can only be disabled.
To reinstall or re-enable an app, open Google Play Store, tap the Profile icon, then tap Manage apps & device > Manage. Use a device or status filter such as This device > Not installed, select the app, then tap Install or Enable.
To uninstall from another supported device, open Manage apps & device > Manage, choose the device from the dropdown, select the apps, then tap Uninstall > Uninstall.
8. Secure downloads and set family limits
Play Protect is on by default, and Google recommends keeping it on. To manage scanning, open Google Play Store, tap the Profile icon, then tap Play Protect > Settings. Turn Scan apps with Play Protect or Improve harmful app detection on or off.
To check certification, open Google Play Store, tap the Profile icon, then open Settings > About and review Play Protect certification.
For device-level content restrictions, open Google Play Store, tap the Profile icon, then tap Settings > Family > Content restrictions. Tap Go to Parental controls, set up a parental controls PIN, then choose the filters.
For a child account, open Family Link, select your child, then tap Controls > Google Play. Choose the content type and set the filter or restriction.
9. Choose another store only when it fits
Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets can use Galaxy Store for apps, games, themes, fonts, stickers, stamps, and watch apps for Tizen OS. Watches split by model: Galaxy Watch3 and earlier download apps and watch faces from Galaxy Store, while Wear OS watches, including Galaxy Watch4 and later, use Google Play Store.
To update Galaxy Store apps, open Galaxy Store, tap Menu > Updates, then tap the update icon next to an app or tap Update all. Galaxy Store apps update separately from Google Play Store apps.
Android devices that permit sideloading can install apps from outside Google Play. On Android 8.0 and higher, grant permission for the source app in the Install unknown apps system settings screen. Managed work or school devices can block app stores, Play Store features, and installs from unknown sources.
Use Google Play Store for current Android phones and tablets instead of old Android Market instructions. Android Market was replaced by Google Play, Amazon ended Amazon Appstore support for non-Fire Android devices after August 20, 2025, and Microsoft says Amazon Appstore and Windows Subsystem for Android are not available in Microsoft Store starting March 5, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Google Play the same as the Android app store?
For most Android users, yes. Google Play Store is the main Android app store for downloading, buying, updating, and managing apps on supported Android devices.
Can I install Android apps from my computer?
Yes. Go to play.google.com, select an app, click Install, choose a compatible device linked to the same Google Account, and confirm the install.
Why do I not see an app in the Play Store?
Availability depends on your country, device compatibility, Google Account, age settings, and administrator restrictions.
Does deleting an app cancel its subscription?
No. If the subscription is billed through Google Play, cancel it from Google Play subscriptions.
Can I use Google Play on a Chromebook?
Yes, on Chromebooks that support Android apps. Open Settings, go to Apps, choose Manage Google Play preferences, accept the prompts, then open Play Store from the Launcher.
Can I still use Amazon Appstore for Android phone apps?
No. Amazon ended Amazon Appstore support for non-Fire Android devices after August 20, 2025. Use Google Play Store for current Android phones and tablets.