What do apps do?

What is an app?

An app is a small application, or program, that gives your device extra functionality. Apps run on your smartphone, tablet, computer, and some smartwatches. This course focuses on mobile apps for smartphones. Different apps might:

• Let you exchange messages with a group
• Stream TV shows or movies
• Give information about traffic or weather
• Help you identify a plant.

Apps come from different places

Your smartphone comes with a basic set of apps, ready to use as soon as you finish setting up the device. You can learn more about these in the Apps that come with your Android phone and Apps that come with your iPhone courses.

Other apps need to be downloaded and installed. Many downloaded apps are free, but some require a one-off purchase or a monthly subscription.

Some apps use the internet

Apps that show updated information, such as traffic or the weather, get this information from the internet. The app will use your smartphone’s internet connection, either via your home Wi-Fi or your mobile data.

eSafety tip

When you’re out and about, apps will use your mobile data. It’s important to be aware of this, as some apps can use more data than others. For example, a weather app uses very little data, but a video streaming app such as YouTube could use a large amount of data.

Using home Wi-Fi with apps

Home internet plans usually include a lot more data than mobile plans. If you use an app while your smartphone is connected to home Wi-Fi, it will use your home internet data allowance, not mobile data. This can be a good way to save on data costs.

You can learn more about managing data in the All about data topic.

Where to find apps

The safest place to find and download new apps for your device, is your device’s dedicated app store. These include:

• The Apple App Store for iPhones
• The Google Play Store for Android phones
• An additional store for some Android phones, run by the maker of that phone, such as the Samsung Galaxy Store.

eSafety tip

It’s important to only download apps from an official app store. This is a safer way to avoid scams and unwanted software. You should also be aware of what information you give to apps, and messages you send using apps that may not be encrypted.

You can find out more about how to use apps safely in later activities in this course.

Official apps are usually safe

Using official apps is usually safer than using a web browser, especially for activities such as banking. It’s important to be certain you are using an official app, such as the app created by your bank. You should also be aware that scammers can still try to get your password and personal details in other ways, such as via email or text message.

Apps are more than just tools

The great thing about apps is that there are so many, it’s almost a guarantee that there will be one which meets your interests. From gardening to stargazing, local eatery reviews, apps that turn your device into a tape measure, or even work out how well you slept – the variety is endless.

Well done!

This is the end of the What do apps do? activity. You’ve learned what an app is and how it works on your device.

Up next, you can find out how to get new apps onto your device, in the Safely downloading apps activity.