How to Install an App on Your iPhone or iPod Touch

Note: These instructions are for installing apps from the App Store directly to your iPhone or iPod Touch. To install from iTunes on your computer just follow steps 1 and 2, then skip down to here.

  1. Install iTunes (if you haven't already) on the computer you will use to sync with your iPhone or iPod Touch.
  2. Create an iTunes account if you don't already have one. (Instructions on Apple's web site).
  3. Once you've got an iTunes account, turn on your iPhone or iPod Touch and click the 'App Store' icon.

    IMPORTANT: iPod Touch users must be on a wifi network to download directly to the iPod.
  4. Find the app that you want. You can browse Apple's various lists ('Featured', 'Categories', etc.) or use the 'Search' button to find a specific app.

    Beware that the App Store search function is finicky and may not find the app you're looking for. Try different keywords.

  5. Once you've found the app you're looking for, tap to select it and you should see an info page with the name of the app, an icon, and a blue button with the app's price.

    To buy, click the blue price button and it will change to a green Buy Now button.

    Click the Buy Now button and you will be prompted for your iTunes account password. Once you provide the password and click OK, your account will be charged and the app will begin automatically downloading to your iPhone or iPod.

  6. While the app is downloading, its icon will appear dim, with a progress bar beneath it. It will brighten to normal once the download and installation are complete.

To install an app from your computer:

  1. Once iTunes is installed and you have an account, open iTunes and click the 'App Store' link at the bottom of the box titled 'iTunes STORE' in the upper left corner.

  2. Search or browse the App Store for the app you want to install. You can also find links to apps on the web like those for our apps, which will open in iTunes. Click here to try it!
  3. Click the app's icon or the link, and the app's page should open. You may also see a 'Buy App' button next to an icon---click it to go straight to the next step.
  4. Click the 'Buy App' button and iTunes will ask for your password. Once you provide it, your account will be charged and the app will download to iTunes on your computer.
  5. Click the 'Applications' button on the upper right hand side of iTunes, under the Library heading. This shows you the apps you have downloaded.

  6. The next time you synch your iPhone or iPod Touch, the app will be installed automatically.
  7. If it doesn't install, check to make sure it's compatible (some apps only work with the iPhone, not the iPod Touch). Also make sure your iPhone/iPod system software is up-to-date. If it still doesn't install, click the 'Applications' tab on the synch screen when your iPhone/iPod is connected and make sure that the 'All applications' option is checked, OR that the individual option for the app you're installing is checked.
You're done---enjoy your app!