Basic question about installing apps

[jamdroid2]

Still a noob, so I'll probably kick myself when I see the answers, but here goes...
When I'm at work, away from Wifi, I try not to use up 3G/4G data. If my device is connected to my PC via USB & I download/install some app, say from Google Play, will the it automatically use data or will my PC do the dirty work?

 

[PsYcHoNeWb]

Still a noob, so I'll probably kick myself when I see the answers, but here goes...
When I'm at work, away from Wifi, I try not to use up 3G/4G data. If my device is connected to my PC via USB & I download/install some app, say from Google Play, will the it automatically use data or will my PC do the dirty work?

Use data. Unless you have an application file you downloaded on your computer (which you can't from play store, only some apps are hosted on forums like XDA that are given to forum readers) your phone will use data or Wi-Fi.

 

[jamdroid2]

@creccaj1, thanks. So, I guess if I click INSTALL in Google Play and my device is not connected, it's just going to use whatever method it can to install the app. And, conversely, the only way I can control when or how an app gets installed is by being able to download a .APK file, correct?