How to Get the App Store Back on Your iPhone & iPad (2024)

What to Know

  • App Store hidden? Tap Search at the bottom of a Home Screen and enter App Store in the Search field.
  • App Store icon missing? Tap Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, and reset the Home Screen layout.
  • App Store disappeared? Check Screen Time settings to make sure Store Purchases & Redownloads say Allow.
How to Get the App Store Back on Your iPhone & iPad (1)

If the App Store icon disappeared on your iPhone, it doesn't mean you deleted the app; it's just missing or uninstalled. If your App Store icon is missing and you're wondering how to restore it, here's how to get the App Store back on aniPhone or iPad.

Jump To:

  • Get the App Store My iPhone by RestoringYour Home Screen
  • App Store App Disappeared from Your Home Screen? Restrictions May Be the Cause
  • FAQ

App Store Missing on iPhone oriPad? Here's How to Get the App Store Back

Why is the App Store missing from your iPhone, and how do you get it back? Here's how to get the App Store back on your iPhone; you can find the App Store app hiding in a folder or the App Library, or remove restrictions that prevent you from using the App Store. These steps can be used for othermissing or deleted apps as well; here'show to add an app back to the Home Screen.

How to Get the App Store Back on iPhone & iPad with Search

If you think you accidentally deleted the App Store,don't worry.The App Store cannot be deleted.So, it's just a matter of finding out why the App Store icon is missing. Sometimes, a missing App Store icon isinside a folder on your phone or hidden in the App Library. Rather than looking through each of your folders, usethe Search toolto find or "reinstall" the App Storeicon. When the App Store is missing on iPhone

How to Get the App Store Back on Your iPhone & iPad (2)

Discover your iPhone's hidden features

Get a daily tip (with screenshots and clear instructions) so you can master your iPhone in just one minute a day.

  1. If the App Store is missing from your iPhone, at the bottom of any Home Screen page, tap Search.How to Get the App Store Back on Your iPhone & iPad (3)
  2. Type App Store in the Search field. This should reveal the App Store in your search results.How to Get the App Store Back on Your iPhone & iPad (4)
  3. If the App Store app is in a folder, you'll see the name of the folder where it's located next to the App Store search result. Mine, for example, is located in my "Shopping/Payment" folder.How to Get the App Store Back on Your iPhone & iPad (5)
  4. You can tap the App Store icon to open the App Store right from Search, or you can navigate to the folder it's in and open it there.How to Get the App Store Back on Your iPhone & iPad (6)

You can also check for hidden Home Screen pages to see if the App Store is there.

MissingApp Store on iPhone or iPad? Restore Your Home Screen

What happens if you delete the App Store from your Home Screen? You can't fully delete the App Store app itself, but if you delete it from your Home Screen, it can make it look like the App Store is missing. To get the App Store back,add the appagain from your App Library.If the App Store hasbeen hidden away in a folder, restore your iPhone or iPad Home Screen tobring back the App Storeto its original spot.

Note

When you reset the Home Screen layout,your apps return to their default location, andall your apps areremoved from their folders.

  1. Open theSettings app.How to Get the App Store Back on Your iPhone & iPad (7)
  2. Scroll down and tapGeneral.How to Get the App Store Back on Your iPhone & iPad (8)
  3. Scroll all the way down and tap on Transfer orReset iPhone.How to Get the App Store Back on Your iPhone & iPad (9)
  4. Select Reset.How to Get the App Store Back on Your iPhone & iPad (10)
  5. Tap Reset Home Screen Layout.How to Get the App Store Back on Your iPhone & iPad (11)
  6. Confirm that you want to reset your Home Screen to its factory default.How to Get the App Store Back on Your iPhone & iPad (12)
  7. The Home Screen will be reverted to its default layout, and you should see the App Store icon restored to the first page of apps.How to Get the App Store Back on Your iPhone & iPad (13)

How to Get App Store Back: Check Restrictions

If you're still asking, "Why is myApp Store gone?" or if the Apple App Store won't open or you can't download apps,it’s likely due to Screen Time restrictions on your iPhone. Whether you placed these controls by choice or accidentally, here's how to get the App Store back on your iPhone or iPad.

  1. Open the Settings app.How to Get the App Store Back on Your iPhone & iPad (14)
  2. Scroll down and tapScreen Time.How to Get the App Store Back on Your iPhone & iPad (15)
  3. In the Screen Time menu, select Content & Privacy Restrictions.How to Get the App Store Back on Your iPhone & iPad (16)
  4. TapiTunes & App Store Purchases.How to Get the App Store Back on Your iPhone & iPad (17)
  5. If Installing Apps, Deleting Apps, or In-app Purchasesareset to Don't Allow, tap on them one at a time.How to Get the App Store Back on Your iPhone & iPad (18)
  6. TapAllowfor each setting currently set to Don't Allow.How to Get the App Store Back on Your iPhone & iPad (19)
  7. That's how to restore the App Store on an iPhone or iPad! When you go back to your Home Screen, you should see your App Store iconagain.

Having access to your App Store icon is important. It allows you to download new apps and lets you keep your current apps updated. Once youput the App Store back on your Home Screen, make a note of its location and your iPhone’s restrictions to ensure easy access to your App Store in the future.

Be sure to check out our free Tip of the Day for more great app tutorials. You can also find out how to use the App Store on other Apple devices, like your Apple TV.Accidentally purchased an app? Learn how to get a refund from the App Store.

FAQ

  • How do I download the App Store? The App Store comes automatically downloaded on your iPhone, so there's no need to download it.
  • How do I get my email back on my iPhone? The steps in the article above detail how to restore any app to the Home Screen on an iPhone or iPad, but we also have a specific tutorial on what to do if your email disappearsfrom your iPhone.
  • Why do apps keep disappearing from my iPhone? You can stop apps from disappearing from your iPhone or iPad by turning off the Offload Unused Apps setting.

Master your iPhone in one minute a day: Sign up here to get our FREE Tip of the Day delivered right to your inbox.

How to Get the App Store Back on Your iPhone & iPad (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tish Haag

Last Updated:

Views: 6138

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (47 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tish Haag

Birthday: 1999-11-18

Address: 30256 Tara Expressway, Kutchburgh, VT 92892-0078

Phone: +4215847628708

Job: Internal Consulting Engineer

Hobby: Roller skating, Roller skating, Kayaking, Flying, Graffiti, Ghost hunting, scrapbook

Introduction: My name is Tish Haag, I am a excited, delightful, curious, beautiful, agreeable, enchanting, fancy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.