The App Store is a core feature of every iPhone, providing access to millions of apps for productivity, entertainment, and more. If the App Store icon suddenly disappears from your iPhone’s home screen, it can be alarming and prevent you from downloading new apps. There are a few potential reasons the App Store may be missing and several ways to get it back.
Quick Answers
Here are quick answers to common questions about the App Store disappearing from iPhones:
Why did the App Store app disappear from my iPhone?
Common reasons include a software glitch, the App Store app being accidentally deleted, restrictions set by a mobile device manager (MDM) profile, or the app being hidden from the home screen.
How do I get the App Store back on my iPhone?
Try restarting your iPhone, checking for any MDM profiles, re-downloading the App Store app from the Purchased section of your Apple ID account, moving it back to the home screen if hidden, or performing a factory reset as a last resort.
What should I do if re-downloading the App Store doesn’t work?
If you can’t re-download the App Store, try signing out of your Apple ID and signing back in, making sure your software is up to date, or contacting Apple support for further troubleshooting.
Is it safe to delete and re-install the App Store?
Yes, it is generally safe to delete and reinstall the App Store app as it will not delete or affect any of the actual apps you’ve downloaded from the store previously.
What Causes the App Store to Disappear on iPhone?
There are several potential culprits behind the sudden disappearance of the App Store from your iPhone’s home screen:
Software Glitch
Like any software, the App Store app can occasionally glitch and crash, causing the icon to vanish. Rebooting your iPhone usually resolves any software glitches.
Accidental Deletion
It’s possible you or someone else accidentally deleted the App Store app from your home screen. Thankfully, it can easily be re-downloaded if this is the case.
Restrictions from MDM Profile
If your iPhone is managed through your work or school’s mobile device management (MDM) system, the administrator may have imposed restrictions that removed the App Store.
App Hidden from Home Screen
Sometimes the App Store is simply hidden from view on your home screen but still installed on your iPhone. You can make it visible again through the app library or search.
Update Failed
In rare cases, an App Store update may fail or get stuck, causing the app to disappear. Updating your iOS software usually resolves this.
Jailbroken iPhone
Jailbreaking your iPhone can sometimes cause issues with pre-installed apps like the App Store. You may need to restore your device to factory settings to get it back.
How to Get the App Store Back on iPhone
If you find yourself missing the App Store on your iPhone’s home screen, try these troubleshooting tips to get it back:
Restart Your iPhone
The simplest fix is to power down your iPhone and turn it back on. Restarting will clear out any minor software glitches that may be preventing the App Store from showing up.
- Hold down the Power button until the “Slide to Power Off” prompt appears.
- Drag the slider to turn your iPhone completely off.
- After 30 seconds, press and hold the Power button again to restart your iPhone.
Check for MDM Restrictions
If your iPhone is managed by an MDM system for work or school, the administrator may have restricted the App Store. You can check for any such restrictions by going to Settings > General > Profile or Device Management and looking for any listed MDM profiles. Tap the profile for details on any enforced restrictions. If access to the App Store is restricted, you will need to contact your IT administrator to have them remove this limitation.
Redownload the App Store
If you believe the App Store is missing due to accidental deletion, a failed update, or other software issues, you can attempt to get it back by re-downloading it:
- Open the App Store on another iOS device, or visit appstore.com on a computer.
- Sign in with your Apple ID that is associated with the iPhone missing the app.
- Tap your profile icon in the top right and select “Purchased.”
- Find the App Store app in your list of purchased apps and tap “Download” or the cloud icon.
- The App Store will download on your iPhone again.
Move it Back to Home Screen
In some cases, the App Store may still be installed but just hidden from your home screen. You can check if this is the case and return it to your home screen:
- Swipe down from the middle of your home screen to access Search and type in “App Store.”
- If the App Store appears in the results, tap it to open.
- Once open, tap and hold the App Store icon at the top left of the screen.
- When it starts jiggling, tap “Add to Home Screen” to pin it back to your home screen.
Update iOS Software
If you believe the App Store disappeared due to an iOS software update failure, make sure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- Install any available updates. This will help resolve any update bugs.
- Once updated, restart your iPhone and check if App Store has reappeared.
Factory Reset iPhone
If all else fails, doing a factory reset of your iPhone will wipe it back to default settings and certainly restore the App Store. Before resetting, be sure to backup your device first.
- Backup your iPhone data via iCloud or iTunes.
- Go to Settings > General > Reset.
- Tap “Erase All Content and Settings” to do a factory reset.
- Set up your iPhone again until you reach the home screen.
- The App Store should now be present.
What to Do If You Still Can’t Get the App Store Back
In rare instances, you may perform all the above steps and still find yourself unable to re-download or restore the App Store on your iPhone. Here are some additional things to try:
Sign Out and In of Apple ID
Signing out of your Apple ID and then signing back in can help resolve any account or authentication issues that may be preventing App Store download.
- Go to Settings > [Your Name].
- Tap “Sign Out” and confirm.
- Enter your Apple ID password to sign back in after a minute.
- Try downloading the App Store again.
Contact Apple Support
At this point, your best bet is to contact Apple directly for troubleshooting help. Apple support can run diagnostics, check server status, and take other steps to get your App Store operational again.
Bring to Apple Store
You can also take your iPhone into an Apple retail store for in-person support. Make an appointment at your local Genius Bar where an expert can examine your device and work to fix your missing App Store problem.
Is it Safe to Delete and Reinstall the App Store?
If you find yourself needing to delete and re-download the App Store to restore its functionality on your iPhone, rest assured this is perfectly safe in most cases. Here’s why:
Your App Data is Protected
Deleting the App Store does not delete or affect any of the actual applications you’ve installed from the store. Your apps, games, and their data will remain untouched.
App Purchase History is in the Cloud
Your full App Store purchase history and info is saved via your Apple ID, not locally on your device. So you can download previously purchased apps again.
You May Have to Re-Sign-In
The only potential issue is that you may need to re-enter your Apple ID and password to sign in again after reinstalling the App Store app.
Prevent the App Store from Disappearing
While an occasional App Store glitch or disappearance is usually fixable, you may want to take measures to prevent it from vanishing in the first place. Here are some tips:
Don’t Delete the App
Unless absolutely necessary, avoid deleting the App Store app from your home screen. This simple step prevents any issues from accidental removal.
Install Updates Promptly
App Store updates often contain bug fixes and performance improvements. Install iOS and individual app updates as soon as they become available.
Backup Your iPhone
Regularly back up your iPhone via iCloud or iTunes. This makes it much easier to restore and troubleshoot issues if they arise.
Monitor Restrictions
If your work or school manages your device through MDM, keep an eye out for any changes to restrictions that may impact your access to the App Store and other features.
Conclusion
The App Store disappearing from an iPhone can certainly be alarming and inconvenient. Thankfully, there are usually some straightforward troubleshooting techniques to get it back. By restarting your device, re-downloading the app, updating your software, or performing a factory reset, you can typically restore missing App Store access quickly. Prevent future issues by avoiding unnecessary App Store app deletion, installing updates right away, backing up your device, and monitoring any MDM restrictions.