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

If the App Store icon disappeared on your iPhone, it doesn't mean you deleted the app; it's likely hidden in a folder or in your App Libary. To recover your missing App Store icon, you'll need to search for it and check your Screen Time Restrictions. In rare cases, you'll need to reset your Home Screen layout to fix a software glitch. Here's how to get the App Store back on an iPhone or iPad.

Jump To:

• How to Search for the Missing App Store Icon
• Check Screen Time Restrictions
• Restore Your Home Screen to Get the App Store Icon Back
• FAQ

App Store Missing? Get the App Store Back 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 is inside a folder on your phone or hidden in the App Library. Rather than looking through each of your folders, use the Search tool to find or place the App Store icon back on your Home Screen.

1. Tap Search at the bottom of any Home Screen page, and type "App Store" in the Search field.
   
   
2.  The App Store should appear in your search results; tap the app to open it. If the app has been placed in a folder, you'll see the folder name next to the App Store search result. 
   
   
3. If you don't see the name of a folder beside the App Store, you can long-press the app and tap Add to Home Screen. (If you don't see this option, the app is already on your Home Screen.)
   
   

If an app is showing to already be on your Home Screen, but you don't see it, you might have accidentally hidden an entire page of apps on your Home Screen. Check how to fix an app not showing on your Home Screen.

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How to Get the App Store Back: Check Restrictions

If you're still asking, "Why is my App 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, then scroll down and tap Screen Time.
   
   
2. In the Screen Time menu, select Content & Privacy Restrictions.
   
   
3. Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases.
   
   
4. Make sure Installing Apps, Deleting Apps, or In-app Purchases are enabled. If an option is disabled, tap the option and set it to Allow.
   
   

Once you adjust these settings, you'll be able to see your App Store icon, open it, and install apps. Having access to your App Store is important, since it allows you to download new apps and lets you keep your current apps updated.

Missing App 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 app again from your App Library. In rare cases, there's a software bug that prevents you from finding or being able to add the App Store back to your Home Screen. If this has happened, restore your iPhone or iPad Home Screen to bring back the App Store to its original spot.

1. Open the Settings app and tap General.
   
   
2. Scroll down and tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone.
   
   
3. Select Reset.
   
   
4. Tap Reset Home Screen Layout.
   
   
5. Confirm that you want to reset your Home Screen to its factory default.
   
   

Once you do this, the Home Screen will revert to its default layout, and you should see the App Store icon on your first page of apps. If you found this article to be helpful, 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. 

Top image credit: wk1003mike / Shutterstock.com