How to Find Deleted Apps on an iPhone & Restore Them

Download Article

Recover apps that you accidentally or intentionally deleted

Co-authored by Gonzalo Martinez and Hannah Dillon

Last Updated: March 3, 2026 Fact Checked

Download Article

Finding Deleted Apps

|

FAQ

|

Video

|

Expert Q&A

If you've accidentally deleted an app from your iPhone, you may be wondering if there's an easy way to get it back—especially if you don't remember what the app was. Thankfully, there is! Your iPhone keeps a list of all the apps you've installed with your Apple Account, so you can easily reinstall them if you delete them. In this article, we'll teach you how to find deleted apps on an iPhone. We also answer a few frequently asked questions. Keep reading to learn how.

Quick Steps

Open the App Store.
Tap your profile picture in the upper-right corner.
Tap Apps.
Tap Not on this iPhone.
Scroll through the list of apps until you find the deleted app that you want to reinstall.
Use the search bar at the top of the screen to search for a deleted app by name.

Section 1 of 2:

Finding Deleted Apps

Download Article

It’s a blue app icon with a white "A" inside, usually found on your home screen. If you can't find it, look for the App Store in your App Library by scrolling all the way to the right on your home screen.
It's to the right of the "Today" header and will take you to your profile.

Advertisement
3
Tap Apps. You'll see this under your profile icon and above "Subscriptions."
- If you use Family Sharing, tap "My Apps" or the family member with the purchased app that you want to download.
It’s on the right-hand side of the screen, opposite of All. It will bring up a list of apps you've downloaded and/or purchased, but that aren't currently on your iPhone.
5
Tap the cloud icon next to the app you want to restore. This will download the deleted app back onto your iPhone.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- 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.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}

Section 2 of 2:

FAQ

Download Article

1
What order is the list of deleted apps in? In the "Not on this iPhone" list, the apps are sorted by original installation date. If you deleted an app that you installed many years ago, that app will be near the bottom of the "Not on this iPhone" list.
2
Can I see recently deleted apps? No, there's no "Recently Deleted Apps" list. The only list of deleted apps is the "Not on this iPhone" list, which is sorted by original installation date.
3
How do I get an offloaded app back on my iPhone? To reinstall an offloaded app, simply tap on the app in your App Library. The app will be slightly grayed out and have a cloud symbol over it. Tapping on the app will reinstall it and your save data (if any) will be restored from iCloud.^{[3]
X
Research source}
4
What if I have a different Apple account on my iPhone? If you've switched to a new Apple account, you won't be able to install apps deleted from an old Apple account. Sign back in to the old Apple account to reinstall the app, or simply search for the app on the App Store to install it manually.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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
Yes No

Not Helpful 14 Helpful 6
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 has been writing and editing tech content at wikiHow since 2019. She previously worked for AppleCare, served as a writing tutor, volunteered in IT at an animal rescue, and taught as an adjunct professor for EN101 and EN102. Darlene has completed Coursera courses on technology, writing, and language. She holds both a BA (2011) and an MA (2012) from Rowan University in Writing, with a focus on workplace communication. With her extensive experience, academic background, and ongoing learning, Darlene has become the go-to grammar expert for her friends and family, as well as a skilled wordsmith for anyone in need.

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 5
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 has been writing and editing tech content at wikiHow since 2019. She previously worked for AppleCare, served as a writing tutor, volunteered in IT at an animal rescue, and taught as an adjunct professor for EN101 and EN102. Darlene has completed Coursera courses on technology, writing, and language. She holds both a BA (2011) and an MA (2012) from Rowan University in Writing, with a focus on workplace communication. With her extensive experience, academic background, and ongoing learning, Darlene has become the go-to grammar expert for her friends and family, as well as a skilled wordsmith for anyone in need.

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."

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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
Yes No

Not Helpful 12 Helpful 17