Finding Apps on Google Play

As more developers submit their apps to Google Play, it can be challenging to sort through the options. The Android store has come a long way in making its app browser-friendly, especially once you learn a few simple shortcuts.

If you are new to Google Play or have trouble finding what you're looking for, these tips should get you in and out of the Android store quickly, unless you enjoy window shopping.

Use the Search Tool

If you heard about a great app that you want to check out, use the Search tool at the top of the Play Store screen to enter the name of the app. If you can't remember the exact name, enter as much as you can remember or some terms that describe what the app does.

Suppose you heard that Cardio Trainer is a great running app, and you decide to install it. However, by the time you get around to it, you can't remember the name. In this case, type cardio, fitness, or running to display a list of the apps that match your search criteria. The more of the app name you enter, the higher the likelihood that you'll find the exact app. The search tool is smart and powerful enough to deliver results that closely match your criteria.

If you're looking for a popular app, like Spotify, the Play Store suggests it first, even displaying its logo, as soon as you start typing something similar. This way, finding popular apps is much quicker.

You can also search for a certain task or function that you're looking for an app to perform, even if you don't have a specific app in mind. In the pictured example above, a search for buy tickets returned a series of apps that allow you to purchase tickets to various events online.

Category Searches

Every app in Google Play is assigned a specific category. If you are looking for a new game to play, choose the Games category, then scroll through all the apps that fit the category.

Each app is listed according to its name, the app developer, and the total customer-rating. The apps are listed in categorized rows. The common ones you'll find are Recommended, Top Rated, Top Paid, and Top Free. Depending on the category, you'll see more ways to sort and categorize listings.

If you want a more precise breakdown, choose the Categories section within the category. Under Games, you'll find all sorts of genres of games that can narrow your search and find something you might not have expected to find.

When you find an app that looks interesting, select it to read a brief description of the app, look at screenshots, and read customer reviews. If you rely on customer ratings as your main resource, make sure you read plenty of reviews. Many people write wonderful reviews but give the app only one star. Others give low ratings because they expected the app to do something that the developer never stated the app would do.

Apps on the Home Screen​

When your first launch Google Play, you'll arrive on the home screen. This screen is broken down into rows that show relevant content, such as apps you recently installed on other devices and new apps in a category that you like. You can keep scrolling through the featured listings, as you may find something worth downloading.

The home screen also offers a few other ways to find apps. Use the menu at the top to take a look at the Top Charts. These are the biggest or newest free and paid apps. These apps and games are getting the most attention.

You can also defer to the Play Store's editors with the Editor's Choice section. These are people that review apps professionally, and they usually know what to look for. The page is broken into common app categories to help you find what you're looking for.

Don't Forget the Offers Tab

Another good place to check for new apps is the Offers tab at the bottom of the Google Play Store. In this section, you'll see available, limited-time deals for add-ons, in-game items, and special promotions.

If you're looking for a good food-ordering app, for example, you can check the Offers tab to see if any have promotions for free delivery. The Offers tab also features discounts on books, movies, and other media.