If the App Store icon seems to be missing from your Apple iPhone or iPad, give these steps a try to find it.
Fix 1 – Double Check Everywhere
Be sure the icon is not in a folder. Check every Home screen and every folder. Also use search to see if you can find it. From the Home screen, swipe all the way to the left screen, then search for “App Store” to see if it appears.
Fix 2 – Check Restrictions
- Open “Settings” from the Home screen.
- Tap “General“.
- Select “Restrictions“.
- Make sure “Apps” is set to “Allow all apps“. Older versions of iOS will show as “App Store” and you will want to set it to “On“.
Fix 3 – Reset Home Screen
It is possible that the icon is on a different home screen or in a folder. Look on other screens and within folders. If you still can’t find it, try resetting the home screen by selecting “Settings” > “General “> “Reset” > “Reset Home Screen Layout“. This should return your icons to default settings and restore the App Store icon.
Note: If your iPad was provided to you by the organization you work for or a school, it is possible there is software on the device that locks access to the App Store. Ask your IT department for access if you feel this might be the case.
Lauri Chambers says
If I use the reset home screen option will I lose all of my added apps? By which I mean ones which were not part of the factory setting.
Lala says
Thank you! The second suggestion helped. I appreciate it.
Christian says
My installing apps is greyed out how do I fix it
LISA says
I followed step in Fix 1. When I did search I found the App Store, but now how do I add the widget back on my home screen?
Mehak says
Will this delete my applications (3rd case)
Claire Katzur says
Both icons missing from home screen iTunes and apps
Stafford says
Thank you soooo much for this