My Apps: Find & Access All Apps on Android & Work Portals

You tap an app icon, it opens — that much is simple, but finding the app you just installed or accessing work-approved software can feel like a scavenger hunt across devices and portals. This guide walks through the two most common app discovery scenarios, using official docs from Microsoft, Google, and others so you’re not guessing.

Platforms covered: Android, Microsoft Entra ID, ClassLink, MTU student portal ·
Primary sources: Microsoft Support, Google Help, ClassLink, MTU IT Services ·
Guide date: 2023-01-01 ·
Users affected: millions of Android users and enterprise app portal users

Five access methods, one pattern: every platform provides a central list but each hides it in a slightly different spot.

How do I find all my apps on Android?

Using the app drawer on the home screen

The quickest way to see everything installed is to swipe up from the bottom of your home screen. This opens the app drawer — a scrollable grid of every app on your device. On stock Android (Google Pixel, Motorola, Nokia) this is the default. Samsung devices use a similar gesture but also allow a vertical app drawer button on the home screen.

• Swipe up anywhere on the home screen (no need to tap an icon first) – Google Play Help (Android official support)
• If you don’t see the app drawer, check your launcher settings — some manufacturers hide it by default

Checking the Google Play Store library

Google Play keeps a full record of apps linked to your account. Open the Play Store app, tap your profile icon, then select Manage apps & device → Manage. This list shows every app you’ve ever installed with that Google account. You can switch between “Installed” and “Not installed” tabs to find apps you’ve removed or hidden.

• Tap Install or Enable to restore an app – Google Play Help (Android support)
• If an app is missing, switch to “This device” → “Not installed” to find it – Google Play Help (missing apps)

What this means: the Play Store library is the most complete archive, but the app drawer is faster for daily use.

Where do I access my apps on Android?

Opening the app drawer from the home screen

On most Android phones, the app drawer icon looks like a small grid of dots or circles, usually centred at the bottom of the home screen. Tapping it reveals all apps. Some manufacturers (Samsung One UI) also let you swipe up on the home screen itself.

• Grid icon or swipe gesture — both work, depending on launcher – Google Play Help (Android official support)
• If you have a third-party launcher (Nova, Action), check its gesture settings

Using the Settings app to view all installed apps

For a no-fuss, system-level list, go to Settings → Apps → See all apps. This shows every app installed on the device, including system apps. You can sort by size, name, or last used. It’s the only place where hidden or disabled apps always appear.

• Path: Settings → Apps → See all apps – University of Tennessee Knoxville OIT (mobile app permissions guide)
• Tap any app to see storage usage, permissions, and force stop options

The pattern: the Settings method is universal across all Android versions, while the app drawer is faster but varies by manufacturer.

How to see all installed apps?

Viewing apps in the system settings

The “See all apps” page in Settings is the most reliable method — it works the same way on every Android device, from Samsung to Xiaomi. No manufacturer skins strip it. It also shows system apps that are normally hidden from the app drawer.

• All apps, including system apps, are listed alphabetically – University of Tennessee Knoxville OIT (security advice)
• Use the search bar at the top to find an app by name

Using a third-party app manager

The Play Store offers many “My Apps” or “App Manager” tools that add sorting and batch actions. However, these apps often request extensive permissions (access to installed apps list, usage stats). Privacy policies vary — check before installing.

• Third-party managers may offer features like backup, APK extraction
• Most are free with ads; some require subscription for batch operations

The catch: system settings are safe and complete, third-party tools add convenience but less privacy certainty.

How do I access the My Apps portal for work or school?

Logging in through myapplications.microsoft.com

The Microsoft My Apps portal is a web-based dashboard for users in organisations that use Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory). Go to myapplications.microsoft.com and sign in with your work or school account. You’ll see a grid of apps your IT admin has authorised for you.

• From the portal you can search apps, launch them, and manage personal collections – Microsoft Support (My Apps portal overview)
• Admins control which apps appear; users cannot add apps themselves – Azure Docs (My Apps overview)

Accessing My Apps via ClassLink or MTU student portal

Educational institutions often use ClassLink. Visit myapps.classlink.com and log in with your school credentials. ClassLink provides a single sign-on dashboard for learning tools (Google Classroom, Office 365, Canvas).
For Munster Technological University (MTU), students access MyApps through the university’s IT services page at mymtu.ie/itservices/student-myapps.

• ClassLink: students get a personalised launchpad – ClassLink (education portal)
• MTU MyApps: includes Office 365, Moodle, and other campus applications – MTU IT Services (student guidance)

Why this matters: the portal you need depends entirely on your employer or school. Microsoft is the most common for corporate, ClassLink for K-12, and bespoke university portals for higher ed.

How to find an app you just installed?

Checking the home screen or app drawer

After installing from Google Play, the new app icon usually appears on one of your home screen pages — often the first empty spot on the main home screen. If it doesn’t, swipe up to open the app drawer. Newly installed apps may appear at the top of the drawer or inside a “New” folder (Samsung One UI does this by default).

• Look for a “New” label or folder on the home screen – Google Play Help (installing apps)
• Also check the Play Store’s “Recently installed” section under Manage apps

Using the search function in the app drawer

Most Android launchers include a search bar at the top of the app drawer. Type the name of the app you just installed — it will appear instantly. This is faster than scrolling through dozens of apps.

• Search bar is typically above the app grid; swipe down on some launchers
• If you can’t find it, the app may have been disabled by your administrator (for work profiles) – Google Play Help (disabled apps)

The implication: new apps appear in one of three spots — home screen, app drawer, or a dedicated “New” section. A quick search beats scrolling.

Step-by-step guide: finding and managing My Apps across platforms

Four common workflows, each documented by the platform provider.

The trade-off: Android gives you full control but requires sifting through system settings. Enterprise portals are locked down but guarantee you see only authorised apps.

For anyone juggling a personal Android phone with a work or school portal, the trick is knowing which list to trust. On your phone, Settings → Apps → See all apps is the only complete list. For work, myapplications.microsoft.com is the single source of truth — everything else requires an IT ticket. The choice is clear: use the system-level list for personal devices and the official portal for enterprise apps, or risk missing an authorised tool that could save you hours.

Related reading: My Apps Guide: How to Find, Access, and Manage All Your Apps

Frequently asked questions