How To Cite An App In Mla

Download Article

Nowadays, you might end up needing to cite an app when you type up your "Works Cited," "Bibliography," or "References" page. The specific citation guidelines vary depending on the style you need to follow, though. Keep reading to learn about how to cite an app in MLA, APA, and Chicago style.

1
State the rights-holder or author's name. Begin the citation with the name of the individual who holds the rights to the app. Usually, this is the app's creator, but it may also be someone to whom the creator sold the rights. Alternatively, use the author of the app's name. Write the name in "LastName, FirstName" format and spell out the full first and last names. Follow with a period.^[1]
- Example: LastName, FirstName.
- Example: Doe, John.
2
Write the title of the app. Type out the title of the app in italics. Capitalize the first letter of all major words, and follow with a period.^[2]
- Example: LastName, FirstName. Title of App.
- Example: Doe, John. Super Cool App.
3
Note the version of the app. As applications are frequently updated, it's important to include the version you are referencing. Write "Version" followed by the number, then include a comma.^[3]
- Example: LastName, FirstName. Title of App. Version X.X,
- Example: Doe, John. Super Cool App. Version 8.1,
4
List the publisher information. This includes the publisher name and the year the app was made available. Follow the version number with a period and separate the publisher's name and publication date with a comma.^[4]
- Example: LastName, FirstName. Title of App. Version X.X, Publisher, Publication date.
- Example: Doe, John. Super Cool App. Version 8.1, Amazing Publisher, 2013.
5
Provide the title of the website. You must name the title of the website from which the app was downloaded. Capitalize the first letter of all major words, italicize the title, and follow with a comma.^[5]
- Example: LastName, FirstName. Version X.X, Publisher, Publication date. Title of Website with App,
- Example: Doe, John. Super Cool App. Version 8.1, Amazing Publisher, 2013. Apple App Store,
6
Provide the URL. When possible, put the URL of the website from which you downloaded the app after the title of the website.^[6]
- Example: LastName, FirstName. Version X.X, Publisher, Publication date. Title of Website with App, URL
- Example: Doe, John. Super Cool App. Version 8.1, Amazing Publisher, 2013. Apple App Store, http://www.SAMPLE-URL.com.

1
State the name of the rightsholder. ^[7] This can be an individual or a company. If the rights-holder is an individual, write the name in "LastName, First Initial. Middle Initial" format.
- Example: LastName, FirstInitial. MiddleInitial.
- Example: Doe, J. A.
2
Include the publication year. The year the version of the app you are referencing was published or released should follow the name of the rights holder in parentheses. Follow the closing parentheses with a period.
- Example: LastName, FirstInitial. MiddleInitial. (Year).
- Example: Doe, J. A. (2013).
3
Type the name of the app. The name of the app you used should come next. Capitalize the first letter of the first word, but no others. Do not italicize.
- Example: LastName, FirstInitial. MiddleInitial. (Year). Title of app
- Example: Doe, J. A. (2013). Super cool app
4
Mention the version number. Place the version number of the app in parentheses.
- Example: LastName, FirstInitial. MiddleInitial. (Year). Title of app (version number)
- Example: Doe, J. A. (2013). Super cool app (1.2.0.2.)
5
State the type of source you are using. In this instance, you should identify the app as "Mobile application software. Place this piece of information in brackets and follow the closing bracket with a period.
- Example: LastName, FirstInitial. MiddleInitial. (Year). Title of app (version number) [Mobile application software].
- Example: Doe, J. A. (2013). Super cool app (1.2.0.2.) [Mobile application software].
6
Mention the URL. End the citation by typing "Retrieved from," followed by the URL of the website from which you downloaded the app.
- Example: LastName, FirstInitial. MiddleInitial. (Year). Title of app (version number) [Mobile application software]. Retrieved from http://URL
- Example: Doe, J. A. (2013). Super cool app (1.2.0.2.) [Mobile application software]. Retrieved from <http://www.SAMPLE-URL.com>

1
Include the title of the app. Write the title in quotation marks and capitalize the first letter of each major word. Follow with a comma.
- Example: "App Title,"
- Example: "Super Cool App,"
2
Note the version of the app. The next thing to include is which version of the app you are referencing. Write a lowercase "v" followed by a period, then include the version number.
- Example: "App Title," v.X.X.X
- Example: "Super Cool App," v.8.1
3
List off the publication information. Note the company who created the app, add a comma, then include the year that the version you are referencing was released. Place this information in parentheses, and follow the closing parentheses with a comma.
- Example: "App Title," v.X.X.X (Publisher, date),
- Example: "Super Cool App," v.8.1 (Enjoy Entertainment, 2013),
4
Include the operating system information. Next, note which software or operating system the app is intended for and follow the information with a comma.
- Example: "App Title," v.X.X.X (Publisher, date), OS information,
- Example: "Super Cool App," v.8.1 (Enjoy Entertainment, 2013), Android 4.0 or later,
5
Mention any contributors or authors. If you can find information for who created the app or the soundtrack, note that information in First Name Last Name format next and end with a period.
- Example: "App Title," v.X.X.X (Publisher, date), OS information, app or soundtrack by First Name Last Name.
- Example: "Super Cool App," v.8.1 (Enjoy Entertainment, 2013), Android 4.0 or later, soundtrack by Keith Manning and Jane DiMaggio.

1
Identify the name of the rightsholder. This can be an individual or a company. If the name belongs to an individual, list it in "LastName, FirstName" format and follow it with a period.
- Example: LastName, FirstName.
- Example: Doe, John.
2
State the title of the app. Capitalize the first letter of each major word in the title and follow with a period.
- Example: LastName, FirstName. App Title.
- Example: Doe, John. Super Cool App.
3
Include the version number. Next, write a capital "V" followed by a period, then list the version number of the app you are referencing. End with a period
- Example: LastName, FirstName. App Title. V.X.X.X.
- Example: Doe, John. Super Cool App. V.8.1.
4
List off the publication information. List the publisher, then state the year the version of the app was published or made available. Place a period at the end.
- Example: LastName, FirstName. App Title. V.X.X.X. Publisher, Date.
- Example: Doe, John. Super Cool App. V.8.1. Enjoy Entertainment, 2013.
5
Include the operating system information. List the software or operating system information that is compatible with the app next and place a period at the end.
- Example: LastName, FirstName. App Title. V.X.X.X. Publisher, Date. OS information.
- Example: Doe, John. Super Cool App. V.8.1. Enjoy Entertainment, 2013. Android 4.0 or later.
6
Finish by listing authors or contributors. The last part of the citation should detail any authors or contributors for the app or soundtrack. Put them in First Name Last Name format and note how they contributed to the app.
- Example: LastName, FirstName. App Title. V.X.X.X. Publisher, Date. Operating system information. Soundtrack or app by First Name Last Name.
- Example: Doe, John. Super Cool App. V.8.1. Enjoy Entertainment, 2013. Android 4.0 or later. Soundtrack by Keith Manning and Jane DiMaggio.

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

You can find the software title and version number of the app on the App Store used to download it.
If you cannot find the name of the rightsholder, leave that part of the citation blank and start the listing with the title of the app.
If you accessed the app via an "app store" app on your mobile device, you may need to go to that same app store in an Internet browser to find the actual download URL.