Over the past few days, we’ve covered the basic of apps for your smartphone.
Click here to get the basics about apps.
Click here to learn how to set up an account and download from the Google Play Store
The App Store is pretty easy to navigate. But before you can use it, you must set up an account. Your account is set up by using your Apple ID, which you set up when you first configured your device. As long as this is set up, you are automatically logged in. If not, you’ll be asked to log in or create a new Apple ID. Then you can log in and begin exploring the App Store.
The App Store is set up in categories. The main page will list the Best New Apps and the Best New Games, as well as Popular Apps and Games below that. You can scroll through these choices simply by swiping to the left or right, or you can hit the See All arrow to see all listings in that category.
Each app will show you a small icon, the title of the app and the creator, as well as a price if it is a paid for app.
If you want to learn more about an app, simply tap on it from this screen. A window will pop up giving you screenshots from the app, a description, age rating, and information, as well as tabs to look at reviews and related apps.
You can also share the app on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media or email by hitting the share icon in the top right corner. You’ll see the menu pop up.
Perhaps the easiest way to find a specific app is through the search feature at the bottom menu.
When you tap on the box, the keyboard will pop up and you can type what you want. The App Store will likely start filling in suggestions as you type. Tap on one of the suggestions or type your whole suggestion in and hit the magnifying glass.
You’ll see a list of suggested results.
To download the app, tap on Get (or the price). The box will change to Install (or buy).
You’ll be asked to confirm your Apple ID password before the app will download. Once confirmed, the app will start to download. You can see the progress by the circle icon next to the app.
Once the install is complete, you can open from the app store, or an icon will show up on your home screen.
If the app you want to download has already been installed on another device by your Apple ID, you’ll see a different symbol that looks like a cloud with an arrow. This tells you to download to your device.
Simply tap on the cloud symbol to download (or redownload) to your current device. The app will also be added to your home screen.
At the top of the App Store you’ll see a blue link that says Categories.
Tapping on this will open a menu listing different categories on the App Store. Scroll down on the list to see them all.
Tapping on one will show you a listing of new and popular apps of just that category, like this News category listing.
Near the search box on the right is a symbol with three lines.
This is where you can create a wish list for the App Store. This is only for apps that are paid apps. When you tap on an app, you’ll see the same description and reviews you’ll see on the free apps, but you’ll also see the price listed rather than Get. If you want to save the app for later, hit the little icon in the top right corner of this screen.
You’ll see several options available, like the ability to share the app through Facebook, Twitter, messages or mail on the top line.
On the bottom line, you can see Add to Wish list or Gift, among other things. To save it for later, simply tap Add to Wish List.
You can also scroll down on the Featured screen to see your account information and if you have any credits on your account. This is where you would redeem any iTunes gift cards. You can also send gifts to other iTunes and App Store users in any U.S. dollar amount.
The App Store also has menus at the bottom of the screen.
Featured is like the home page of the App Store and lists apps that are new and popular right now. Top Charts lists all the most popular apps currently, by any category. It is split into two halves, paid and free.
You can choose to filter by category by clicking on the Categories link at the top of the page.
Explore will let you search for apps by categories and subcategories. If you allow the device to have access to your location (you’ll have a warning pop up), the App Store can even give suggestions that are relevant to where you are.
This Popular Near Me feature could be especially helpful when you’re travelling or at a sporting event, to see what is popular with people around you.
If that app is already installed on the device, you’ll see Open by that app. If it’s been purchased but has not been downloaded or has been removed, you’ll see the cloud with the downwards arrow. To install it on your device, simply tap on this icon. If you have a lot of apps installed and just want to see what is not on your device, you can hit the tab at the top that says Not on This iPhone.
The last option in the menu at the bottom is Updates. If you see a number beside this listing, it means you have apps that have updates. You can check for your installed apps under this menu by tapping Purchased, as seen in the image.
To update your apps, tap on the Update icon in this menu. A list of apps ready to update will show up with the word update beside it. You’ll also see an Update All button at the top. You can update individually by tapping each app’s update button, or Update All will update all the apps at once.
You won’t be able to open or use the app until the update is complete. The app icon on your home page will be blackened out and will say updating and installing instead of the name of the app.
You can also set up the apps to automatically update. This is done from the Settings menu on your home screen, under iTunes and App Store.
