How Do You Cite An App In APA?

Quick Fix Summary

What's Happening

You've got to cite a mobile app for a paper, and APA 7th edition (the standard since 2019) is what you need. Honestly, the tricky part is usually figuring out the "author"—that's often a company—and the right year, which might just be a "last updated" date. You're citing the whole software package, not just a webpage. And if you're using something like UpToDate, you might need to cite a specific article inside it, kind of like a book chapter.

Step-by-Step Solution

Here's how to put together a proper reference list entry for an app.

1. Identify the Author/Rights Holder. Look for the company or group that made the app, usually in the app store listing or an "About" section. If you can't find one, just move the app title to the author spot. Example: Wolters Kluwer.
2. Find the Publication Year. Use the year the app was last updated or released (it's often labeled that way in the store). Don't use the company's general copyright year. Example: (2025).
3. Format the App Title. Italicize the app's official name. Right after, in parentheses, pop in the version number if it matters for your citation. Example: Lexicomp (Version 5.12).
4. Add the Medium Description. In square brackets, write [Mobile application software] and add a period. Example: Lexicomp (Version 5.12) [Mobile application software].
5. Provide the Retrieval Source. Start with "Retrieved from" and then paste the direct URL where you can get the app, like its Google Play or Apple App Store page. Example: Retrieved from https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lexi.android

If This Didn't Work

Sometimes the standard format doesn't quite fit. In that case, try one of these other approaches.

1. Citing a Specific Entry Within a Reference App. For apps like UpToDate, you cite the specific article you looked at. Format it like a book chapter: Author of entry. (Year of article update). Entry title. In UpToDate. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL. You should always include a retrieval date for sources like this, as the APA Style guidelines recommend for things that get updated a lot.
2. When Version and Author Are Unclear. Can't find a version number? Just leave it out. If there's no clear rights holder, start the citation with the italicized app title and skip the author field. Your in-text citation would then use the app title in quotes.

Prevention Tips

To save yourself a headache later, it's a good idea to get into these habits.

• Record Details During Research. The moment you decide to cite an app, jot down the rights holder, the "last updated" date from the store, and the exact store URL. A screenshot doesn't hurt either.
• Use a Citation Manager. Tools like Zotero or EndNote usually have entry types for "software" or "app." They help keep things consistent, but you should still double-check the result against the official APA Style website.
• Remember the Core Rule. You're citing the software itself as your source. The format is basically designed to look like citing a whole book, not a single session inside the app—unless it's a reference work with its own distinct entries.