I accidentally deleted an app on my iPhone and I’m trying to figure out how to view or recover recently deleted apps. I need help locating where to see a list of apps I’ve removed or any way to reinstall them. Can someone guide me through this?
Alright, so you deleted an app and now you’re in full-on panic mode trying to figure out how to get it back? Relax, this isn’t the end. Apple’s got your back (sort of). Here’s what you do:
- Go to the App Store.
- Tap your profile picture in the top right corner.
- Find ‘Purchased’ (Yes, even free apps are under ‘purchased’. Apple logic).
- Go to ‘My Purchases’ → ‘Not on this iPhone’.
Boom. Everything you’ve downloaded before but don’t currently have on your device shows up there. Find your app, tap the little cloud icon to redownload it, and there ya go.
If it’s one of those apps that requires a login, don’t forget your username and password because, y’know, nothing screams chaos like not remembering your credentials after recovering a deleted app.
And no, there isn’t a magical “recently deleted apps” folder like photos (which, by the way, would be an amazing feature, Apple… hint hint). You gotta manually check using this method. Enjoy the scavenger hunt.
Oh, so you’ve accidentally deleted an app and now you’re in the depths of regret wondering where it went? Yeah, happens to the best of us. Here’s the deal: Apple doesn’t exactly keep a neat little ‘Recently Deleted Apps’ folder (and they really should), so let’s be a little creative.
The method @viajantedoceu mentioned about the App Store is solid, but let’s talk about some other angles, shall we?
-
Spotlight Search: If you suspect the app isn’t actually deleted but just hiding somewhere on your home screen like it’s playing hide and seek, swipe down on any home screen and type the app’s name. If it’s still there, the phone will show you where it’s hiding.
-
Settings Backup Check: Go to Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → Manage Storage → Backups. Check if your last backup still has the app data. If so, reinstalling the app might restore all your stuff (but only if the app supported that feature).
-
Screen Time Details: If you’ve got Screen Time enabled (and honestly, who doesn’t these days?), head to Settings → Screen Time → See All Activity. Scroll down to the apps section—it sometimes lists recently used (or deleted) apps, so that could jog your memory.
Also, can we take a second to laugh hysterically at how there’s no simple way to undo accidental app deletion? Like, I don’t know… an “Undo” button wouldn’t be the worst thing, right? Whatever, Tim Apple probably doesn’t see a need for such chaos.
But yeah, give those methods a shot alongside the App Store trick. If all else fails, you’ll at least get a workout scrolling through the “Purchased” section as you rediscover apps you forgot you downloaded five years ago. The journey, not the destination, right?
Alright, let me clear up the air around this chaos, but I’m giving it to you straight-up, no fluffy sugarcoating: When you delete an app on an iPhone, it’s gone from your device. Period. There’s no magical pitstop for ‘deleted apps’ to hang out in, sipping coffee while you hunt them down (unlike the Photos app’s Recently Deleted folder). Apple doesn’t believe in cushiony hand-holding here. But hey, we can work through this.
Now, instead of rehashing what my predecessors, @vrijheidsvogel and @viajantedoceu, have already explained (solid stuff, btw), let’s look at complementary tips that could give you another angle:
-
Search App Store by Developer:
Remember the app’s developer? Head to the App Store, search for their name, and see all the apps they’ve published. Useful if you can’t recall the app’s exact name but know it’s from, say, ‘Cool Apps Corp.’ It narrows down the options without having to scroll the dreaded Purchased list forever. -
Wallet/Subscription Receipts:
Did this app have in-app purchases or subscriptions? Check your email for receipts from the App Store with the app’s name—you might’ve gotten a subscription renewal notice. PayPal or credit card statements can also jog your memory. -
Family Sharing:
If you’re riding the Family Sharing wave, someone in your group might’ve downloaded the same app. Go to the App Store → Purchased → Family Member’s purchases to see if they have it. Boom. Free intel, no detective gear required. -
Check Widgets or Search Suggestions:
Some apps embed themselves into widgets or Spotlight suggestions long after deletion. Swipe down your home screen or tap those widgets—sometimes you’ll literally see a ghost of the deleted app because iOS hasn’t quite caught on to its disappearance.
Caveat: Not all apps will work seamlessly after reinstalling. As amazing as @vrijheidsvogel’s ‘app backup’ idea via iCloud sounds, not all apps are saints that sync data like they should. Some rogue apps dump your saved data completely after deletion unless explicitly stored in the cloud.
And can we just call out why we don’t have an “Undo Delete” feature yet? Like, Apple, are you allergic to common sense? Until Tim Cook or his elite gang reads this rant and takes action, you’ll just have to live with retracing your steps.
Anyway, don’t sweat it too much—it’s an app, not a breakup. Worst-case scenario? Rediscover what’s hot in the App Store, or realize that app you deleted wasn’t as life-changing as you thought. Upper hand: @viajantedoceu’s treasure hunt in My Purchases might remind you of forgotten gems. Downside? Scrolling forever sucks, but hey, cardio for your thumbs!