App Store

Original stories by our editorial team bring you everything from exclusive world premieres to behind-the-scenes interviews. Tap the Today tab and read about influential developers and game creators, learn a few tips and tricks, or see how apps are changing how people work, play and live.

With thousands of apps added to the App Store every week, there’s always something new to check out. To help you discover the apps, stories and games you’re sure to love, our team of full-time editors offer personalised suggestions based on your preferences and previous purchases.

Our rich search feature offers suggestions and helpful hints, and provides results with inline video previews, editorial stories, tips and tricks, and lists.

App product pages give you the details you need when deciding what to download. From more videos to rankings and reviews, there are loads of ways to help you pick the app that’s right for you.

We ensure that apps come from known sources, are free of known malware, and haven’t been tampered with at the time of installation or launch.

Each app is required to ask for your permission so you can choose what data to share. The first time a third‑party app wants to access your information — like your location, contacts, calendars or photos — you receive an alert. Even if you grant access once, you can revoke it later. We also ensure that apps are denied access to certain sensitive data on your device, are unable to modify your device or OS, and are prohibited from obtaining complete access to your data.

System-level protections prevent an app from accessing data from other apps without your explicit permission.

When you download an app, it should work as promised. Which is why human App Reviewers ensure that the apps on the App Store adhere to our strict app review standards. Our App Store Review Guidelines require apps to be safe, provide a good user experience, comply with our privacy rules, secure devices from malware and threats, and use approved business models.

We strongly support all points of view being represented on the App Store. But we also take steps to make sure apps are respectful to users with differing opinions, and we reject apps with any content or behaviour that we believe is over the line — especially when it puts children at risk. Every app has an assigned age rating, so parents can determine what is appropriate for their children.

Apps must follow an approved business model and clearly show you the price, tell you what you get with your purchase and explain subscription-renewal terms up front. Apple sends a receipt each time you use our in‑app purchase feature, and you can also view those purchases and subscriptions in your account. So you won’t get bills out of the blue.

Apple products use industry-leading technology to bring apps to life — so you can experience more of the amazing things your devices are capable of. Thanks to hardware and software designed to work together, you get more out of your apps — from things you take for granted, like super‑smooth scrolling, to seeing how a new sofa might look in your living room before you buy it.

We give developers the tools and support to build cutting‑edge technologies into their apps straightaway — which means they’re yours to enjoy straightaway. Like when an app uses Face ID or Touch ID for secure access — while keeping the underlying authentication data from your face or fingerprint private. Or when a game controller syncs up easily with a new game on your iPhone. And with our innovations in augmented reality and machine learning, you’ll be seeing even more amazing features in the years to come.

Our world‑class distribution platforms reach over 1.5 billion devices worldwide, allowing users to buy and download apps without lags. When you download a universal app on one device, it automatically appears on your other devices. And if you upgrade to a new device, your apps go with you — no need to re-download as long as your apps stay up to date.

App Store purchases are safe and simple, so you can start playing, gaming, reading — or just doing — straightaway. Create a secure account with your preferred payment method on file and it’s easily accessible across your devices and the web. Your account is protected by two‑factor authentication, ensuring that the only person who can access your account is you — even if someone else knows your password. And more than 250,000 apps tap into the advanced technologies of Touch ID and Face ID built into your devices, giving you an additional layer of security.

In the unlikely event that you have a problem, the world‑class support of AppleCare is there for you. Just contact AppleCare online, by phone or by email. One of over 5,000 AppleCare team members will assist you with issues and refunds.