Those reviews are useful for other users, for developers and for app store owners. Īpp stores typically provide a way for users to give reviews and ratings. Some app stores may also include a system to automatically remove an installed program from devices under certain conditions, with the goal of protecting the user against malicious software. The selected app is offered as an automatic download, after which the app installs.

Critically, the application storefront itself provides a secure, uniform experience that automates the electronic purchase, decryption and installation of software applications or other digital media.Īpp stores typically organize the apps they offer based on: the function(s) provided by the app (including games, multimedia or productivity), the device for which the app was designed, and the operating system on which the app will run.Īpp stores typically take the form of an online store, where users can browse through these different app categories, view information about each app (such as reviews or ratings), and acquire the app (including app purchase, if necessary – many apps are offered at no cost).

Basic concept Īn app store is any digital storefront intended to allow search and review of software titles or other media offered for sale electronically. Today apps are normally designed to run on a specific operating system-such as the contemporary iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux or Android-but in the past mobile carriers had their own portals for apps and related media content. Complex software designed for use on a personal computer, for example, may have a related app designed for use on a mobile device. Apps provide a specific set of functions which, by definition, do not include the running of the computer itself. For the store for most Android devices, see Google Play Store.Īn app store (or app marketplace) is a type of digital distribution platform for computer software called applications, often in a mobile context. For the store for Fire OS, see Amazon Appstore. For the store for Apple Mac apps, see Mac App Store. For the store for Apple mobile apps, see App Store (iOS/iPadOS).

How to download the app store