Does downloading and using apps confuse you? You are less alone than you think. 

This apps for dummies * post is an app for I think anyone at one point in time. My mom suggested it and she can work a mac 1000 times better than me, so I think she can download and use the right apps for her. Except for the toddlers using iPads these days, we were all new to the idea of apps at one point. Even someone like me that now may or may not have around 150+ apps on my iPhone (for space reasons) and so more on my iPad…not every app is intuitive. Teenagers may correct me. I bet there are at least a few they need to click on the FAQs for though every once and a while.

Step 1 – Find Your Phone’s Mobile App Store.

First step to get an app is you need to go to the correct app store. I am unaware of phones having more than one – it is based off of the type of phone manufacturer you have (i.e., Apple, Google/Samsung/Android, Windows, Blackberry).

• For the iPhone, it is the “App Store” for the iPhone. This is convenient given the intuitive App Store name. It should be located on the first tab/screen of your iPhone (or iPad). It is one of the default apps you receive pre-installed with these devices.
• The next popular one is Google Play. This is for Google, Samsung and Android phones. It will be pre-installed on your phone. So you should see it on one of the screens on your phone if that is what you have, typically the first or main homepage.
• The other two (that I honestly know very little about) are BlackBerry App World for BlackBerry phones and Windows Phone Store for Windows phones.

NOTE: if you do not have a smart phone then that is probably why you are not seeing any of these four types of mobile apps.

• Otherwise one of the aforementioned should be pre-installed when you get your device.
• The four that I did mention should be pre-loaded on your phone when you purchase the device.
  • Likely only one of those four will be on there if you have a smart phone. There may be some additional ones for certain phones. If you do not see one of those that I mentioned, this may be the case. Try asking the phone’s manufacturer.

Summary

• Look for one of these four stores to get apps on your phone: App Store, Google Play, BlackBerry App World, or Windows Phone Store. That is (usually) your main app for buying mobile apps for your device.
• If you do not see any, contact your mobile carrier and just ask! You can also check the guide that came with your phone. Or contact me and I will be happy to look for you.

Step 2 – Now you have found your app store, find the app you want

• Note that not every mobile app store will offer the same apps.
  • So if you see one mentioned and it is nowhere to be found, it is possible it is only offered for certain phones.
• If you are new to your smartphone or just downloading apps – my tip: try downloading one of the featured free apps typically featured on the home page of the mobile app store. It’s popular for a reason and a good start to play around with.
• Remember you can delete apps if you don’t like it or just need more space later. If you are new to apps you are probably good on space. (Apps can generally be deleted by going to the phones general settings, but otherwise I suggest searching for this.)

Step 3 – Do not forget about the money!

Before downloading the app, consider the cost (if any).

Here are some possible options you may see in terms of free, types of pay, and the mixes between the two:

1. Free. Awesome! Free both to download and free to play

2. Hybrid Between Free and Pay (so called “Freemium” apps) – pay is not necessarily required, but is an option to obtain extras, advance faster, etc.

• Ever wonder how Clash of Clans makes so much? It follows this “freemium” model. With some “freemium” apps, these in-App purchases are not required, but without them, players may have difficulty advancing past a certain level.
• Others you can advance and never spend a dime. But what if you are playing your favorite game and you ran out of turns or lives. And have to wait 20 minutes for 1 more turn to generate (AH!). If say a message pops up offering you 5 more turns that you can use right then, no wait, for $1, a lot of people opt to pay for that at least at some point in the app-playing community. There are other in-App purchases that draw players in with extra items or what-have-you, something to offer you an advantage.
• Good news is usually the in-app purchases individually are not too bad for these freemium apps. But beware, they can add up.

3. Payment is required upfront to simply download the app 

• On the App Store for iPhones, this is displayed right with the download button for the app you are looking at to get.
  • I am not as familiar for the others but if in doubt – ask the help feature in the app or your phone’s carrier.
  • From what I see, it should be stated on the page in which you download the particular app.
• Or, for iPhones, it asks if you agree to the payment vs. just agree to download the app.
  • I believe this is likely the case for many others. But please read any thing that pops up and read the description for the app – it should be in there.
• These may have in-app purchases as well.
  • Same deal as the above freemium-type apps. Except here you have to pay to just get the app first as well, and then may also have options to pay for in-app purchases for additional or specific features.

4. App is free but to use it, you must make a payment within the app

• Similar to “freemium” since downloading the app is free, but except to use it at all, you need to pay once in the app. Or essentially do to proceed after some sort of free short trial.
• Typically seen with subscription type services such as TalkSpace (online therapy).
• Not really free. So pay attention once you get into the app. If it says free to download, that mean literally its online free to download but essentially useless without paying for something to use the app.

5. Pay to download the app AND in-app purchases required to use that app

• I do not see these often. Let’s call it a combo of #3 and #4 listed above. Except two payments pretty much required to just get AND use the app.
• So this can be an expensive combo. Boo 🙁
  • Note: look at prices though. Although I say this is the most expensive, if downloading the app is say 99 cents and then you choose a service that starts at a few dollars, you may be better off than the ones that you can download for free but can only use for a few days before you need to get a subscription for $50 a month.
  • Just read the app information on the pages that describe the app.

NOTE. If this is confusing, here are some tips:

• At least for the App Store on iOS and from what I see on Google Play, you will see if an app costs you money just to download it.
• Once you log-in to the app, you will then be able to see if payment is required because (and this has always been my experience), they will tell you if you need a subscription after a trial or how much you can spend for say extra lives, tokens, etc.
• IF THE APP IS FREE TO DOWNLOAD, YOU CAN DOWNLOAD AND SEE IF YOU NEED TO SPEND MONEY ONCE IN THERE.
  • This may be easier if you do not want to read through the app information prior to downloading it. As you should be made aware if you need to pay (or have an option to pay for upgrades) once you download the free app.
  • If you do need to pay some amount, and do not want to pay that, then delete it!
  • For instructions to delete an app, I will say google this for your phone. If you have paid for a subscription, you may need to do a bit more steps. So I do not want to lead you astray, but feel free to contact me with questions.
• IF THE APP SAYS IT COSTS MONEY TO DOWNLOAD, NOW I WOULD SAY READ THE APP DESCRIPTION.
  • If you are going to spend money to just download the app, look at the description of the app in the app store platform you are using (based on the type of phone you have), and see if in the information or in the list of in-app purchases, it talks about spending more.
  • There should be some descriptions on what this costs as well. This way you have an idea of what you may need to pay after paying to just download the app before you do spend the initial upfront cost.
  • If you have questions, ask the developers of the app the contact information in the app’s description within the app store or visit the app’s website.

Step 4.5 – Payment Required – How to Set This Up (If Applicable)

• iPhone / App Store Payment:
  • When using an app downloaded via the App Store, at least based on my experience, a message appears to authorize to let that app charge your Apple account.
  • The in-app purchase is then charged to the payment method on file with your Apple account, which likely is the same as for the App Store.
  • If you never added a payment method to your Apple ID account, then you will need to. Payment methods include debit card, credit card or iTunes gift card.
• Google Play Payment: Payment instructions are available here.
• Windows Phone Store Payment: Uses Microsoft Wallet. Instructions are available here.
• Blackberry App Store Payment: Please find payment methods and instructions on this link.

Step 5 – Download the App!

• Click download on the app’s main page.
• If it is free to download, it may be hard to even see if there are in-app purchases until after you download it. See above under Tips>IF THE APP IS FREE TO DOWNLOAD, YOU CAN DOWNLOAD AND SEE IF YOU NEED TO SPEND MONEY ONCE IN THERE..
  • Recap: This information may be provided in the app’s description on your phone’s mobile app store. If not and now you see a ton of in-app purchases you need to make, you can always download the app.

Step 6 – Open the App and Get Going!

• If you have not yet installed an app via your phone’s mobile app store, finding the app you just downloaded should be easy. The only other apps on your phone should be those pre-installed when you bought it, so just look for the new one!
• If you have a lot of other apps already installed, you may need to search around your phone.
  • So search around the pages and look around for a new icon.
  • Chances are if you are reading this post, you likely do not have many apps on your phone already. Good news: the new ones that you download will be easy to find.
  • Note: sometimes it takes a minute or few minutes for the app to download to your phone. So you may not see it immediately.
  • Some phones let you search as well.

Step 7 – Using Your New App

• Many apps have frequently asked questions (FAQs), a help tab or contact method, and/or a contact support option.
  • These are usually found right within the app.*
  • If there are FAQs, they may not answer everyone’s question. If they do not answer your question, look for a contact support or contact help option. Apps want you to be able to use your app. So ask if you have a question or need help.
• No contact app for support or help? No FAQs that answer your question?
  • Try returning to your phone’s mobile app store and go to the page you downloaded this app from. This typically has screenshots of the app as well as user reviews that can be very helpful!
  • *While usually there is some form of help option within the app itself, occasionally, you may need to visit the app’s webpage. Look on the app’s description page within the app store to see if it is on there. Also, a quick google search of the app’s name should land you there.
• I ask questions all the time and support has typically been very helpful. If every app was intuitive and user friendly, there would be no need for usability studies.
  • New apps tend to have very helpful, prompt and fast replies to questions. You won’t be the only one – especially if it is newer and Google cannot give you an answer.
  • If the app’s contact or support is less than helpful – there are plenty of apps in the mobile sea to choose from.
• If I mentioned this app or if you really want it but are getting no help or just have any questions about how to download an app, CONTACT ME via my contact page or leave a comment – I AM HAPPY TO HELP.

Remember: no one is born knowing how to use every app out there or that comes out in the future.

• If it is unclear to you on how to use some feature, app developers typically are thankful if you pointed it out.
• Unless you are the one person using an app, which is heading towards failure very soon in that case, then you are not the only one with any question.
• If you are the only person with that question – who cares! Just ask!

Now try out my steps and try some apps. And contact me if you have questions!

Stay tuned! 

there is an asterisk * next to dummies because anyone can use an app, but not everyone feels comfortable. It is just a matter of getting familiar with the process. I in no way think anyone is a dummy if they are not yet familiar with using apps. Again, we are not born knowing this.

Hopefully it helps: (1) knowing you are never the only one; and (2) there are plenty of resources that want to help you out. I hope this helps you try some apps out.