The fastest way to get apps on your Samsung Galaxy tablet
The easiest way to read apps on a Samsung Galaxy tablet is through the Google Play Store, which comes pre-installed on most Samsung tablets. Open the Play Store app, search for what you want, tap the app name, and tap the button that says "Install" — the app downloads and installs automatically. You do not need to do anything else after that; the app appears on your home screen or in your app drawer ready to use.
If you cannot find an app in the Play Store, or if you want to read apps from other sources, Samsung tablets also let you sideload apps or use the Galaxy Store, Samsung's own app marketplace. Both routes work, but the Play Store is where most people find what they need first.
Key Takeaways
- The Google Play Store is the main app marketplace on Samsung Galaxy tablets and is the simplest way to read most apps.
- You need a Google account to read apps from the Play Store, but you can create one for free if you do not already have one.
- Downloaded apps install automatically and appear on your home screen or in your app drawer within seconds or minutes.
- If an app is not in the Play Store, you can try the Galaxy Store or sideload an app file, though sideloading carries more risk and is not recommended for most users.
Opening the Google Play Store and finding an app
Look for the Play Store icon on your home screen — it is a white triangle inside a colorful square. If you do not see it, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open your app drawer, then look for the Play Store icon there. Tap it to open the store.
Once the Play Store is open, you will see a search icon at the top (it looks like a magnifying glass). Tap it and type the name of the app you want — for example, "Netflix" or "Spotify". As you type, the Play Store shows suggestions. Tap the app name when you see it in the list.
The app's page opens and shows a description, screenshots, reviews, and a button that says "Install". Tap that button. The app begins downloading right away. You will see a progress bar while it installs. When it finishes, the button changes to say "Open" — you can tap that to start the app when ready, or just close the Play Store and find the app on your home screen later.
Setting up a Google account if you do not have one
To read apps from the Play Store, you need a Google account. If you already have a Gmail address or use Google services, you already have one. If not, you can create a Google account for free.
When you first try to read an app, the Play Store will ask you to sign in. Tap "Create account" and follow the steps: enter a name, create a Gmail address (or use an existing email), create a password, and add a recovery phone number. Google will send you a verification code to that phone number. Enter the code, and your account is ready. After that, you can read as many apps as you want without signing in again.
Understanding storage and what happens after you read
Every app takes up space on your tablet. Most apps are small — between 10 and 100 megabytes — but some games or photo editors can be much larger. Before you read, check how much free space your tablet has. Go to Settings > Storage to see how much room is left.
Once an app is installed, it stays on your tablet until you remove it. You can uninstall an app by pressing and holding its icon on your home screen, then tapping "Uninstall", or by going to Settings > Apps and tapping the app name, then "Uninstall". Uninstalling frees up space but does not delete any files you created inside the app — those are usually saved separately.
Apps also receive updates over time. The Play Store automatically updates most apps in the background, but you can also update them manually by opening the Play Store, tapping your profile icon in the top right, tapping "Manage apps and device", and then tapping "Updates available".
Using the Galaxy Store as an alternative
Samsung tablets come with a second app store called the Galaxy Store. It works almost exactly like the Play Store: open it, search for an app, tap "Install", and wait for it to read. The Galaxy Store is useful if you cannot find an app in the Play Store, or if you want apps that Samsung has optimized specifically for its tablets.
To open the Galaxy Store, look for its icon on your home screen or in your app drawer — it looks like a colorful shopping bag. The process from there is identical to the Play Store. Most people use the Play Store first and only turn to the Galaxy Store if they cannot find what they want.
Sideloading apps: when and how
If an app is not available in either the Play Store or the Galaxy Store, you can sideload it — that is, read an app file from the internet and install it directly on your tablet. This is more complicated and carries more risk, so only try it if you trust the source of the app file.
To sideload, you first need to turn on Unknown sources. Go to Settings > Security > Unknown sources and toggle it on. This tells your tablet to allow apps from places other than the Play Store. Then, read the app file (usually a .apk file) from a website you trust. Open your file manager, find the downloaded file, and tap it. Your tablet will ask if you want to install it. Tap "Install" and wait for it to finish.
After installation, you can turn Unknown sources back off if you want. Sideloading is safe if you read from a trusted source, but it is riskier than using the Play Store because Samsung and Google do not check sideloaded apps for security problems the way they check apps in their stores.
Troubleshooting when an app will not read
If an app fails to read, the most common reason is not enough storage space. Check your storage (Settings > Storage) and delete files or apps you no longer need. If you have plenty of space, try closing the Play Store completely and opening it again.
If the app still will not read, restart your tablet. Hold the power button until you see "Power off" on the screen, tap it, wait a few seconds, then hold the power button again to turn it back on. After restart, try downloading the app again.
If the app is still stuck, check that you are connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data. The Play Store needs an internet connection to read. If you are connected but the app still will not read, the app itself may be unavailable in your region, or there may be a temporary problem with the Play Store. Try again in a few hours, or search for an alternative app that does the same thing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for apps?
Most apps in the Play Store are free, but some cost money — usually between 99 cents and a few dollars. The price appears on the app's page before you tap Install. Free apps may also contain ads or offer paid features inside the app (called in-app purchases). Read the description to see what you are getting.
Can I read the same app on multiple tablets?
Yes. If you use the same Google account on multiple Samsung tablets, you can read the same apps on all of them. The Play Store remembers which apps you have installed, so you can re-read them anytime without paying again.
What if an app keeps crashing after I read it?
Try uninstalling the app and downloading it again. If it still crashes, the app may not be compatible with your tablet's version of Android. Check the app's page in the Play Store — it lists which Android versions the app works with. If your tablet is too old, you may not be able to use that app.
Is it safe to read apps from the Play Store?
The Play Store is generally safe because Google scans apps for malware before they are published. That said, no system is perfect. Stick to apps from well-known companies or apps with thousands of positive reviews. Read the reviews before downloading to see what other users say about the app.
Can I read apps without Wi-Fi?
Yes, you can read apps over mobile data (4G, 5G, etc.) if your tablet has a cellular connection. However, large apps may use a lot of data, so Wi-Fi is usually faster and cheaper. Some apps are so large that the Play Store will not let you read them over mobile data — you have to use Wi-Fi instead.