Translation guide
An online marketplace for downloading mobile applications. In Japanese, the term is often borrowed directly from English, but there are also native expressions and contextual ways to refer to it.
app store
Referring to any platform where you download apps, such as Apple's App Store or Google Play.
The most common and direct translation, widely understood. It's a loanword from English.
I downloaded a new app from the app store.
Less common but still used, especially in contexts emphasizing the marketplace aspect.
This app market has a lot of games.
Referring to a particular app store by its official name.
Apple's official store name, often used as-is in Japanese. Note the capitalization and spacing.
There are apps only available on the App Store.
Google's official store name, also used directly in Japanese.
I updated the app on Google Play.
Sometimes used to clarify it's a store, though 'Google Play' alone is sufficient.
Please download it from the Google Play Store.
Describing the action of getting an app from a store.
The standard way to say 'download an app'. The store is often implied.
To download this app, open the app store.
Means 'install an app'. Often used interchangeably with ダウンロードする, though technically installation follows download.
Once you install the app, you can use it right away.
When the app store is obvious from context, it's often omitted.
In casual conversation, if the platform is clear, you can just say 'download the app' without specifying the store.
Did you download this app yet?