Few digital labels are as versatile as “My Apps.” It can mean the app drawer on your Android phone, the App Library on your iPhone, or a corporate portal where you launch work tools. Wherever you look, that phrase signals a gateway to your software. Let’s clear up the confusion with a practical guide that covers both device-level and enterprise-level apps.

Apps on Google Play (2024): over 2.5 million ·
Average apps per smartphone user: about 80 ·
Microsoft My Apps enterprise users: millions ·
Android devices worldwide: over 3 billion

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Users should monitor official Microsoft channels for portal updates and new mobile app releases (Microsoft Tech Community (announcement))
  • Check your organization’s app settings to see if personal apps are visible in the My Apps portal (Microsoft Learn (portal overview))

Here are the key facts about the My Apps portal and how it differs from your phone’s app list.

Fact Details Source
My Apps portal URL myapplications.microsoft.com Microsoft Support (how-to entry)
Portal login requirement Microsoft Entra ID (work or school account) Microsoft Learn (overview)
Self-service app addition Users with permission can add self-service apps; some require admin approval Microsoft Learn (Company Portal website)
Mobile access Works on Edge browser for iOS and Android; SSO app launcher available for iOS Microsoft Tech Community (launch)
Android work apps Three paths: Google Play install, automatic enrollment, or Company Portal Microsoft Learn (Android managed apps)
Company Portal website Includes an Apps menu for organization‑made‑available apps Microsoft Learn (Company Portal website)
Installed apps list (Outlook Web App) Shows origin, installation method, and enabled status Microsoft Support (installed apps)
Secure Sign-in Extension Available for Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome Microsoft Learn (extension info)

How do I find all my apps?

On Android: Using the app drawer

  • From your Android home screen, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app drawer (Microsoft Learn (enterprise app management)).
  • The drawer shows every installed app in alphabetical order, with a search bar at the top.
  • Some launchers (e.g., Samsung One UI) place the app drawer icon on the home screen dock; if swiping up doesn’t work, look for a grid icon.
The upshot

The app drawer is your catch-all for personal apps, but on heavily managed devices your organization may push additional work apps via the Company Portal.

On iPhone: Using the App Library

  • Swipe left past your last home screen page to reach the App Library.
  • Apple automatically categorizes apps (e.g., Social, Productivity) and lists all apps in alphabetical order.
  • Tap the search field at the top to quickly locate any app.

iOS’s App Library is Apple’s version of a universal app list. It complements the home screen and doesn’t require any portal login — every app you install is there.

On Windows: Using the Start menu

  • Click the Start button or press the Windows key, then select “All apps” from the Start menu.
  • You’ll see a scrollable list of every installed program, sorted alphabetically.
  • Alternatively, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps for a detailed list with modification dates and sizes.

The implication: each platform offers a built-in way to see everything you’ve installed — no third-party tool needed. The catch? Work-related apps often appear only after you sign in to a corporate portal.

Where can I see all installed apps?

Check installed apps in Android Settings

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap Apps (or Applications on some devices).
  3. You’ll see a list of all installed apps; tap any app for details (permissions, storage, notifications).

For a complete view including system apps, tap the three‑dot menu and select Show system apps.

View installed apps in iOS Settings

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to General > iPhone Storage.
  3. This shows every app and its storage usage. Scroll to see the full list; tap an app to offload or delete it.

List installed programs in Windows

  • Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
  • Use the search box to filter, or sort by name, size, or install date.
  • This list includes both personal programs and those installed by your IT department.

The pattern: system settings give you the most granular view — perfect for managing storage and permissions. For enterprise‑assigned apps, the My Apps portal is still your best bet.

How do I access the My Apps portal?

Sign in to Microsoft My Apps

  • Open a browser and go to myapplications.microsoft.com (Microsoft Support (portal address)).
  • Or navigate from the My Account portal by selecting My Apps from the left menu.

Use your work or school account

  • Sign in with your Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) credentials — the same ones you use for Office 365 or other corporate services.
  • If you don’t have access, contact your IT admin to confirm your account is set up for the portal.

Navigate the portal dashboard

  • The portal displays tiles for apps assigned to you by your organization.
  • Click any tile to launch the app in a new tab.
  • If you have permission, you can add self‑service apps from the Add apps section. Note that some additions require admin approval (Microsoft Learn (app addition flow)).
What to watch

The portal shows only work‑authorized apps. If you’re expecting a personal app (like Instagram or Gmail), you won’t find it here — head to your phone’s app drawer instead.

How do I open my apps?

Open apps from the home screen

  • Tap the app icon directly on your home screen.
  • If you can’t find it, check your home screen pages by swiping left or right.

Open apps from the app drawer

  • Swipe up (or tap the drawer icon) to access all apps, then tap the one you want.
  • Use the search bar if you have many apps installed.

Open apps from the My Apps portal

  • Click the app tile on the portal dashboard. The app will open in your default browser.
  • For a seamless experience, install the My Apps Secure Sign-in Extension for Edge or Chrome (Microsoft Learn (extension availability)).

The trade‑off: launching from the portal skips the typical login page because the portal already authenticated you. It saves time but only works for enterprise‑whitelisted apps.

How to find an app you just installed?

Check the home screen for new apps

  • Most Android and iPhone devices automatically add new app icons to the home screen. Swipe through your pages to spot it.
  • On some Android launchers, a pop‑up asks if you want to add a shortcut; tap “Add.”

Look in the app drawer or App Library

  • Open your app drawer (Android) or App Library (iPhone) — the new app will be there, usually alphabetically sorted.
  • On Android, some launchers (e.g., Pixel Launcher) show a “Recently installed” section at the top of the drawer.

Search by name

  • Use the search field in the app drawer (Android) or App Library (iPhone) to type part of the app name.
  • For Windows, click Start and begin typing — Windows will filter results instantly.
Bottom line: Just‑installed apps almost always land on your home screen or appear near the top of your app list. If you can’t spot it, a quick search is the fastest fix.

What is clear and what isn’t

Confirmed facts

  • Android and iOS provide built‑in app management interfaces (app drawer / App Library).
  • Microsoft My Apps portal requires a work or school account from Microsoft Entra ID.
  • Newly installed apps appear on the home screen on most Android devices.
  • The My Apps portal URL is myapplications.microsoft.com.
  • Self‑service apps can be added by users with permission, with some requiring admin approval.

What remains unclear

  • Exact placement of the app drawer icon varies by Android launcher (Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus, etc.).
  • Whether the My Apps portal includes personal apps depends on your organization’s settings.

Quotes from official sources

“The Microsoft Entra My Apps portal is a web-based portal used for managing and launching applications in Microsoft Entra ID.”

Microsoft Learn (portal overview)

“Users can access the My Apps portal from a computer or from the mobile version of the Edge browser on an iOS or Android device.”

Microsoft Support (multi-device access)

For anyone managing both personal and work apps, the choice is clear: learn the native app drawer or library for your device, and use the My Apps portal for enterprise access — or risk losing track of critical tools when you need them most.

Related reading: Finding work or school apps from the My Apps portal · My Apps portal overview

Additional sources

support.microsoft.com, learn.microsoft.com, docs.cloud.google.com, learn.microsoft.com, techcommunity.microsoft.com, youtube.com, youtube.com, danielchronlund.com, gulfjournal.ae

For a complete walkthrough on finding and managing all your applications, the My Apps guide offers step-by-step instructions.

Frequently asked questions

What is the My Apps portal?

The My Apps portal (myapplications.microsoft.com) is a web‑based gateway where you can launch and manage work or school applications assigned by your organization through Microsoft Entra ID.

How do I add apps to My Apps portal?

If your admin allows self‑service, you can click the Add apps button on the portal. Some app additions require administrator approval before they appear on your dashboard (Microsoft Learn (self-service apps)).

Can I remove apps from My Apps portal?

You can remove self‑service apps you added yourself. Apps assigned by your IT admin can only be removed by the admin. Visit the portal’s Apps page and look for removal options on the tile.

Why can’t I see my apps in the app drawer?

Possible reasons: the app drawer icon might be missing on your launcher (try swiping up or check your home screen settings); the app may be hidden (check launcher settings); or it could be a work app that only appears in the Company Portal. On Android, go to Settings > Apps to verify the app is installed.

How do I organize apps on Android?

Long‑press an app icon and drag it to another app to create a folder. You can also rearrange home screen pages. Some launchers allow sorting the app drawer alphabetically, by install date, or by usage frequency.

What is the difference between My Apps and the app drawer?

The app drawer is a system‑wide list of all apps installed on your device (personal). My Apps is a corporate portal that shows only work‑authorized applications. They serve different purposes: personal vs. enterprise.

Do I need a Microsoft account to use My Apps?

Yes, you need a work or school account (Microsoft Entra ID) provided by your organization. A personal Microsoft account (like @outlook.com) will not work for the portal.