How-to

Apps + games

Get apps from Windows Phone Store

You'll find apps and games by the thousands in the Windows Phone Store, Microsoft's virtual entertainment shop for your phone. Many apps are totally free, and others let you try before you buy.

You can shop the Store from your phone or via the web—even from your Mac or tablet. You can buy music and podcasts there, too.

To shop from your phone

This is the most convenient way to buy apps—right on your phone. But if you get tired of flicking and want to see more apps at a glance, try browsing the Store on the web instead.

  1. In the App list, tap Store Store Tile. If prompted, sign in with your Microsoft account.

  2. Tap Apps or Games.

  3. Flick left or right to browse for apps in a variety of ways, or tap Search Search icon. When you find an app or game you want, tap it.

    Tip

    After tapping on a specific app, flick left or right to see customer reviews, screenshots, and related apps. Tap Share (or More More icon > Share, if you don't see the option) to send someone a link to the app.

  4. If an app or game is free, tap Install to download it.

  5. Otherwise:

    • Tap Buy to pay for the app (you'll be prompted twice).
    • Tap Try to download a free trial version (if available).

    Note

    By default, apps are added to your phone bill. To pay with a credit card instead, tap Add or switch payment methods on the purchase confirmation screen. From here, you can add new payment methods, which will be saved to your phone's Wallet.

  6. Look in the App list for new apps you've bought. (It might take several minutes for an app to finish downloading.) New games show up in the Games Hub (on Start Start icon, tap Games Games Tile).

Tips

  • If you see a number on the Store Tile on Start, it means there are updates available for some of your apps. Tap Store Store Tile, and then tap Updates at the bottom of the screen.
  • Don't be surprised if your apps you've downloaded show up in more places than just the App list and Games Hub. Apps can also appear in places like the Photos Hub, your Wallet, and more.

To shop using your web browser

Don't have your phone handy? You can shop for apps from just about any web browser—including Safari on your Mac or iPad. One plus of this option is that a browser can show you more apps at a glance than your phone's smaller screen. Any apps or games you buy from the Store on the web can be installed right away, without connecting your phone to your computer.

  1. Open a web browser and go to www.windowsphone.com.

  2. Navigate to the My Phone drop-down menu, located in the upper-right corner of the screen, and then sign in with the same Microsoft account you've used on your phone.

  3. Click Apps+Games.

  4. Browse spotlighted, top free, new+rising, or top paid apps and games, or click Apps or Games and browse a category, or browse by featured, top free, new+rising, or top paid. You can also search for an app or game by name or keyword. When you find an app or game you want, click it.

  5. If an app or game is free, click Install.

  6. Otherwise:

    • Click Buy to purchase the app.
    • Click Try to download a free trial version (if available).

  7. If prompted, choose an app delivery method, and then follow the steps to complete your purchase. You'll find new apps in the App list and new games in the Games Hub (on Start Start icon, tap Games Games Tile).

    Tip

    To have apps or games you buy in the web Store automatically installed on your phone, in the App list, tap Settings Settings Tile, tap Find My Phone, and select the Send apps to my phone using push notifications (not SMS) check box. See Download apps and games FAQ to learn more.

Notes

  • Some apps and features won't work on phones with less than 1 GB of RAM. To see how much memory your phone has, check the manufacturer's website or your phone's documentation.
  • Windows Phone Store may not be available in your country or region.

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