Expert step-by-step guide to find deleted iPhone apps

This wikiHow teaches you how to find and restore apps that you've deleted from your iPhone using the App Store.

Steps

  1. 1
  2. 2
    Tap the sign-in button or your photo at the top of the screen. It's to the left of the "Today" header and will take you to your profile.
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  3. 3
    Tap Purchased. You'll see this under your profile icon and above "Subscriptions."
    • If you use Family Sharing, tap "My Purchases" or the family member with the purchased app that you want to download.[2]
  4. 4
    Tap the Not on this iPhone tab. It’s on the right-hand side of the screen, opposite of All. It will bring up a list of apps you've purchased, but that aren't currently on your iPhone.
  5. 5
    Tap the cloud icon next to the app you want to restore. This will download the deleted app back onto your iPhone.[3]
    • If you don’t see the deleted app you’re looking for in the list, you can also search for it in the Search field at the top of the page, just above the list of apps.[4]
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Expert Q&A

  • Question
    I removed an app from iphone Xs Home Screen. I want to place it back. When I go to App store, there is an option to open the App; but no option to Download. How do I get it back to home screen?
    Darlene Antonelli, MA
    Darlene Antonelli, MA
    wikiHow Technology Writer
    Darlene Antonelli is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Darlene has experience teaching college courses, writing technology-related articles, and working hands-on in the technology field. She earned an MA in Writing from Rowan University in 2012 and wrote her thesis on online communities and the personalities curated in such communities.
    Darlene Antonelli, MA
    wikiHow Technology Writer
    Expert Answer
    It's in the App Library, don't worry! Swipe to the last page of your iPhone to open the App Library, then you can either browse through the list of apps you have installed on your phone or you can search for the app name. Tap and hold that app icon until a menu appears, then tap "Add to Home Screen."
  • Question
    What do I do if I don't have the options for the updates on my iPhone 6s?
    Darlene Antonelli, MA
    Darlene Antonelli, MA
    wikiHow Technology Writer
    Darlene Antonelli is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Darlene has experience teaching college courses, writing technology-related articles, and working hands-on in the technology field. She earned an MA in Writing from Rowan University in 2012 and wrote her thesis on online communities and the personalities curated in such communities.
    Darlene Antonelli, MA
    wikiHow Technology Writer
    Expert Answer
    You most likely are running a newer OS than originally described. Open the App Store, tap the "Today" tab (if necessary), then tap your iCloud/Apple ID profile pic in the top corner. Tap "Purchased" and then tap the cloud icon next to the app to re-download it.
  • Question
    How do I restore a deleted app on my phone?
    Gonzalo Martinez
    Gonzalo Martinez
    Computer & Phone Repair Specialist
    Gonzalo Martinez is the President of CleverTech, a tech repair business in San Jose, California founded in 2014. CleverTech LLC specializes in repairing Apple products. CleverTech pursues environmental responsibility by recycling aluminum, display assemblies, and the micro components on motherboards to reuse for future repairs. On average, they save 2 lbs - 3 lbs more electronic waste daily than the average computer repair store.
    Gonzalo Martinez
    Computer & Phone Repair Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Click on the cloud icon next to the app in the App Store to reinstall it on your device.
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Warnings

  • Make sure you're signed in with the same Apple ID you used to purchase the app initially.
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References

  1. Gonzalo Martinez. Computer & Phone Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 4 May 2021.
  2. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211841
  3. Gonzalo Martinez. Computer & Phone Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 4 May 2021.
  4. https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8281068

About This Article

Gonzalo Martinez
Co-authored by:
Computer & Phone Repair Specialist
This article was co-authored by Gonzalo Martinez and by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA. Gonzalo Martinez is the President of CleverTech, a tech repair business in San Jose, California founded in 2014. CleverTech LLC specializes in repairing Apple products. CleverTech pursues environmental responsibility by recycling aluminum, display assemblies, and the micro components on motherboards to reuse for future repairs. On average, they save 2 lbs - 3 lbs more electronic waste daily than the average computer repair store. This article has been viewed 122,663 times.
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Co-authors: 3
Updated: August 25, 2022
Views: 122,663
Categories: Featured Articles | IPhone
Article SummaryX

1. Open the App Store.
2. Tap the sign-in button or your photo at the top of the screen.
3. Tap Purchased.
4. Tap Not on this iPhone.
5. Tap the cloud icon next to the deleted app to download it.

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