To download apps on a Motorola phone, open the Google Play Store from your app drawer, search for the app you want, and tap Install. This is the standard, safe method that ensures your device stays secure and your apps work as intended.
How to download apps on a Motorola phone from the Play Store
Downloading apps from the Google Play Store is the primary and recommended method for your Motorola phone. Before you start, make sure your device has an active internet connection, either Wi-Fi or mobile data, and that a Google account is activated on the phone.
- Slide your finger upwards from the bottom of the screen to open the app drawer, then tap the Play Store icon.
- In the Google Play Store, tap the Search field at the top of the screen.
- Type the name of the desired app or a relevant subject into the search field and tap the search icon.
- From the search results, tap on the app you wish to install to open its details page.
- Review the app's description, screenshots, ratings, and user reviews to make sure it meets your needs.
- For free apps, tap Install and follow any on-screen instructions. For paid apps, tap the price displayed to initiate the installation process.
- Wait for the app to download and install, you'll see a progress bar, and once complete, the app will appear in your app drawer or on your home screen.
How to restore apps you deleted
If you removed an app and want it back, you can quickly restore it without searching from scratch. This is useful when you want to get your favorite apps back on your phone without remembering their exact names.
- Open the Play Store and tap your profile icon.
- Select Manage apps & device, then tap Manage.
- Change the filter from This device to Not installed.
- Check the box for each app you want to reinstall, then tap the download icon.
Change your app download preferences
You can control how your Motorola phone downloads apps to avoid using up your mobile data allowance. This is helpful when you want to save your data plan for other things and only download over Wi-Fi.
- Go to Settings > Network preferences > App download preference.
- Choose to download over any network or only over Wi-Fi.
A warning about installing apps from unknown sources
Installing apps from sources other than the Google Play Store, known as sideloading, carries security risks, including potential exposure to harmful apps, ransomware, and data vulnerability. You should only do this if you fully trust the source and understand the dangers. If you choose to proceed, you must first enable the Allow from this source setting for the specific app (such as Chrome or Files) that you will use to install the third-party application. The steps typically involve navigating to Settings > Apps & notifications (or Apps) > Advanced > Special app access > Install unknown apps, then selecting the app and toggling Allow from this source on. Before downloading apps from other sources, it is recommended to research the app's rating and read comments to assess its reliability.
A quick tip for troubleshooting
If an app isn't working correctly after installation, Battery Saver mode on your device should be turned off, as it could interfere with the operation of some applications. Checking this setting first can save you time and frustration when a newly installed app behaves unexpectedly.
