If you’ve ever installed third party apps on your iPhone, you have used the App Store. Since Apple doesn’t allow side-loading apps on the iPhone for security reasons, and third party app stores are so far not available for iOS, the only real way to get access to apps on iPhone is through the App Store. That’s why it can be frustrating when you can’t find the App Store on your iPhone. If you’re facing the same issue with your device, don’t worry. Here are 7 ways to fix App Store missing from iPhone.
1. Use Spotlight to Find App Store
While customizing your iPhone home screen, you may have accidentally placed App Store into a different folder and forgotten about it. In such a situation, you can use the iPhone’s Spotlight search.
- Use Spotlight to Find App StoreUse App Library to Easily Find Missing App StoreMake Sure App Store is Not on a Hidden Home Screen PageEnsure That App Store is Not RestrictedReset Home Screen LayoutReset All SettingsUpdate Software on Your iPhone or iPad
Note: You can also drag the icon from the Spotlight search results on to your Home Screen to get to it easily in the future.
Introduced in iOS 14, App Library automatically categorises your apps into different categories, thereby making it more convenient to find an app. So, instead of moving from one home screen page to another to search the App Store, you should take advantage of the App Library to quickly access the App Store.
- Alternately, tap on the search bar at the top and enter App Store. The app will instantly show up.
3. Make Sure App Store is Not on a Hidden Home Screen Page
The modern versions of iOS including iOS 15 and iOS 14 allow you to hide home screen pages. Hence, you can keep some unwanted apps out of sight without having to delete them. So, ensure that the App Store is not on a home screen page that you have hidden.
Touch and hold the empty area of the screen and tap the horizontal dots at the bottom.
Now, take a close look at the thumbnails of the home screen pages to find the one where the App Store is placed. After that, tap the tiny circle at the bottom of the home page’s thumbnail. Make sure to tap Done to confirm your action.
4. Ensure That App Store is Not Restricted
Screen Time aka the built-in parental control feature lets you restrict the installation of apps on your iPhone or iPad. Therefore, make sure that you or someone else in your family has not restricted the App Store on your device.
Now, scroll down to the bottom and tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. After that, ensure that the toggle next to Content & Privacy Restrictions is turned on. Then, tap iTunes & App Store Store Purchases.
Next up, tap Installing Apps and choose Allow.
5. Reset Home Screen Layout
Another reliable trick that you should try to find the hidden App Store app on your iPhone is to reset the home screen layout. It will declutter your home screen, thereby putting the layout in the default state.
Now, scroll down to the bottom and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad, and then hit Reset.
Next, tap Reset Home Screen Layout and confirm by tapping Reset Home Screen in the menu that pops up from the bottom.
Note:
6. Reset All Settings
Still can’t find the App Store on your iPhone? Well, it might be time now to try resetting all settings on your iPhone.
Now, tap Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad at the bottom of the screen and hit Reset.
Next, tap Reset All Settings and confirm.
Note:
- In iOS 14 or earlier, go to the Settings app -> General -> Reset -> Reset All Settings -> Reset All Settings.
7. Update Software on Your iPhone or iPad
If you are yet to find the missing App Store on your iOS device, try updating the software. The problem might be due to a rare software glitch. Hence, updating the operating system could resolve it.
- Now, tap Software Update and then download and install the latest version of iOS/iPadOS on your device.
