By Michael | Last Updated
The App Store is one of the most important apps on iOS and iPad devices, and the main way for users to get and update various apps. However, you suddenly realize that the App Store has disappeared from your home screen or you have accidentally removed it. Don't panic, This article will walk you through step-by-step instructions to get the App Store back on your device..
We'll be using the iPhone as an example, but these instructions are also applicable to the iPad, and the steps are similar.
Before diving into solutions, it’s important to understand why the App Store might go missing. The most common reasons include:
Now that we’ve covered the causes, let’s look at how to restore the App Store on your iPhone or iPad.
Apple doesn't usually allow users to uninstall App Store apps, and this error could be because you've changed your settings or accidentally moved it elsewhere. Before you try anything else, you should first make sure that the App Store is really gone or just hidden.
Step 1: Type "App Store" in the search bar on your iPhone's home screen to check if you can locate its icon.
Step 2: If the App Store icon is displayed, you can long press on it and drag it to the home screen, and you have reinstalled the App Store apps on your iPhone or iPad.
Step 3: If the icon is not shown in the search results, it may really disappear and you need to try other methods to restore the App Store.
Another common issue is that the App Store icon gets accidentally moved to a folder.
How to Check Folders:
Step 1: Browse through all the home screen folders on your iPhone or iPad.
Step 2: Look carefully, as it might be tucked away in one of them.
Step 3: If you find it, tap and hold the icon to drag it back to your main home screen.
There is a restriction feature(Screen Time) on the iPhone that allows the user to control the apps and content on the device to use. If the restriction feature is turned on on your iPhone, then you may not be able to use the App Store because it is restricted. To resolve this issue, follow the steps below to turn off restrictions.
For devices running iOS 11 and earlier:
Step 1: Open the "Settings" app and click the "General" option.
Step 2: Select the "Restrictions" option, enter your access code, and check if the "App Store" is deactivated (gray button), if yes, set it to "Allow". If it’s disabled, you won’t see the App Store icon on your device.
For devices running iOS 12 and later:
Step 1: Click "Screen Time" and then click "App Limits" to view restricted apps.
Step 2: If there is "App Store" in the restriction list, select it and click "Delete Limit" to remove the time restriction for that program, you will need to enter the Screen Time passcode to verify first.
After turning off restrictions, you can check if the App Store is back to normal.
If the App Store icon is still missing, resetting your home screen layout is another effective method. This will restore all icons to their original positions, including the App Store.
Step 1: In the "Settings" app, select the "General" option.
Step 2: Then click "Transfer or Reset iPhone" > "Reset" > "Reset Home Screen Layout", if this method works, the App Store on iPhone will be restored.
If you can't get the App Store back on your iPhone after trying the above methods, then there may be an unknown problem with your iOS system that causes the App Store program to be hidden.
You can use a professional iOS repair tool to repair and update iOS on iPhone with one click to solve the possible errors or bugs, such as iSunshare iOS Repair Genius, which can easily fix more than fifty common bugs on your iPhone while preserving your data, including iPhone won't turn on, stuck in recovery mode, freezing, and so on. In addition, the program also provides options to "upgrade" and "downgrade" iOS.
Step 1: Download and install iOS Repair Genius on your Windows PC or Mac from the official website of iSunshare.
Step 2: Run the software and select "System Repair", it has two options: "Standard Mode" and "Advanced Mode", you can choose according to your actual situation.
Step 3: Connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable and click "Next", the software will detect your device information and provide it with the matching iOS firmware.
Click "Download" to get the firmware, the whole download process will take some time, so please be patient.
Step 4: After the download is complete, click the "Repair" button to let iOS Repair Genius start repairing your iOS system, please keep your device connected to the computer in the meantime.
When the repair is complete, the system will pop up the "Repair Successfully" message, your iPhone will restart, and you should be able to see that the App Store is reinstall.
1. Can I delete the App Store from my iPhone?
No, the App Store cannot be deleted from an iPhone or iPad. If it’s missing, it’s likely hidden, restricted, or misplaced.
2. Why can't I find the App Store on my iPhone?
It’s possible that Screen Time Restrictions are enabled, which hides the App Store from your device. You can check and adjust this in Settings > Screen Time.
3. Will resetting the home screen delete any data?
No, resetting your home screen layout will not delete any apps or data. It only rearranges app icons to their default positions.
Losing the App Store on your iPhone or iPad can be inconvenient, but with these steps, you can easily get it back. Whether it’s hidden in a folder, restricted through Screen Time, or missing due to a software glitch, the methods above will help you restore the App Store and return to downloading apps without any hassle.
