How to Find Deleted Apps on an iPhone

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

Co-authored by Gonzalo Martinez and Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: August 25, 2022

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

Steps

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Open the App Store

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. It’s a blue app icon with a white "A" inside, usually found on your home screen. ^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Gonzalo Martinez
Computer & Phone Repair Specialist

Expert Interview. 4 May 2021.}
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It's to the left of the "Today" header and will take you to your profile.

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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]
  X
  Research source}
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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.
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5
Tap the cloud icon next to the app you want to restore. This will download the deleted app back onto your iPhone. ^{[3]
X
Expert Source

Gonzalo Martinez
Computer & Phone Repair Specialist

Expert Interview. 4 May 2021.}
- 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]
  X
  Research source}

Expert Q&A

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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
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."

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Question

What do I do if I don't have the options for the updates on my iPhone 6s?

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.

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If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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Question

How do I restore a deleted app on my phone?

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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Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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Tips

If you store your data in iCloud , the deleted app’s accompanying data will also be restored.

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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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[1]

Expert Source

Gonzalo Martinez
Computer & Phone Repair Specialist

[2]

[3]

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How to Find Deleted Apps on an iPhone

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