How to Retrieve Deleted iPhone Apps

By Steve Gregory Updated February 9, 2017

As long as an app you deleted from your iPhone is still available on the App Store, it is possible to reinstall it on your device. The list of your deleted apps is accessible through the App Store on your iPhone running iOS 8.3 or version 12 of the iTunes program on your computer. Each deleted app on the list has a download option that facilitates the reinstallation process.

Warning

To view your list of deleted apps, you must sign in to your Apple account on iTunes or the App Store with the same Apple ID you used to download the apps.

You don't have to repurchase a paid app.
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple

Use Your iPhone

Step 1

Select the App Store icon on your iPhone's Home screen to launch the App Store.

Apple iOS 8.3
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple

Step 2

Tap the Updates icon on the bottom menu bar to open the Updates screen and then tap Purchased.

The Updates screen displays the list of your recently updated apps.
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple

Step 3

Tap Not On This iPhone to display your list of deleted apps. Scroll down the list until you find the app that you want to reinstall and then tap the app's Download icon resembling an arrow exiting a cloud.

Tap All to view your deleted apps and the apps currently on your iPhone.
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple

Step 4

Wait for the app to install and then launch the app by tapping its Open button.

Tip

Alternatively, launch the downloaded app from your iPhone's Home screen by tapping the app after the installation process completes.

After the app downloads, it is automatically removed from the Not On This iPhone list.
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple

Tip

Another way to reinstall a deleted app on your iPhone is to find the deleted app in the App Store. Open the App Store, perform a search for the app using the Store's Search function and then tap the app's Download icon.

Use the iTunes Program

Step 1

Connect your iPhone to your computer and open the iTunes program. Click your name on the menu bar and then select Purchased from the drop-down menu.

Tip

If you are not already signed in to your Apple ID account on iTunes, click Sign In on the menu bar and then enter your Apple ID credentials.

Click Account Info from the drop-down menu to view your Apple ID account details.
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple

Step 2

Click the Apps tab, select the Not In My Library button and then click the iPhone button to view your list of deleted iPhone apps. Click the Download icon at the upper right corner of the app that you want to reinstall.

You can filter your list of deleted apps alphabetically or by their download date.
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple

Step 3

Enter your Apple ID password in the pop-up box's Password field and then click the Get button to download the app to iTunes.

If you forgot your Apple ID password, click Forgot to recover the password.
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple

Step 4

Click the iPhone icon on the menu bar at the upper left corner of the window to display the iPhone window. Click Apps under Settings in the window's left pane and then click the Install button next to the app in the Apps box.

The Apps section of the iPhone window displays your iPhone's currently installed apps.
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple

Step 5

Click the Apply button at the lower right corner of the window to sync your iPhone with iTunes and transfer the deleted app to your iPhone.

The bar at the bottom of the window displays the amount of free space remaining on your iPhone.
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple

Tip

Update iTunes to the latest version before downloading and syncing the deleted app to your iPhone. Launch iTunes, press the Alt key, open the Help menu and then select Check For Updates.

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