What Happens If You Delete the App Store Icon on Your iPhone? Here’s How to Get it Back!

In today’s era of smartphones and digital convenience, the App Store is an essential hub for downloading and managing apps on your iPhone. But what happens if you delete the app store accidentally from your device?

Deleting the App Store may seem like a big problem, but don’t worry – the app itself can’t actually be removed from your iOS device. If you try to delete it, you will only be able to remove it from your home screen. To get the App Store back on your home screen, you can simply swipe left to the App Library and tap on the App Store icon.

Read on to ensure you never find yourself stranded without access to your favorite apps.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways:

The App Store is a core iOS system app that can’t be permanently deleted without factory resetting your device.
If the icon goes missing from your home screen, search your app library, reboot your phone, or look in your purchased history to find it.
Troubleshoot App Store issues by updating iOS, checking restrictions, offloading apps, resetting your device or contacting Apple Support.
Even if the App Store app disappears, the App Store is still installed in your iOS system files so you can recover it.
With the right troubleshooting, you can easily get the App Store back and running again on your iPhone or iPad.

Understanding the App Store’s Importance on iPhone

The App Store is an essential part of the iPhone experience. It’s the gateway to millions of apps, from games and productivity tools to social networking and entertainment apps.

Without the App Store, users cannot install new apps or update existing ones. It’s not just about downloading apps; it’s also where you can review your app store purchases, manage subscriptions, and explore app recommendations tailored for you.

Why You Can’t Permanently Delete the App Store on iPhone

When you delete apps from your iOS device, it doesn’t completely remove the app – it just takes away the home screen icon. All of your app data, settings and documents are still kept on your device, in case you want to install apps later on.

The App Store works the same way. If you delete the app icon from your home screen, the App Store app itself is still installed in your iOS system files. This prevents it from being completely erased.

Some key reasons why you cannot delete the App Store app permanently:

The App Store is required for managing, installing and updating apps. Without it, you wouldn’t be able to get any new apps.
It’s integrated with your Apple ID, which is needed to redownload previously purchased apps or subscriptions.
Important iOS system data and configurations are tied to the App Store. Removing it entirely would break core functionality.
Apps like Software Update rely on the App Store being present to check for iOS updates.

So in summary, the App Store is a baked-in part of iOS that can’t be removed without factory resetting your device. But even if the icon goes missing, it’s still there in the background ready to be used.

“I Can’t Find the App Store on My iPhone Home Screen!” – Solutions

If you don’t see the App Store icon on your iPhone or iPad home screen, don’t panic!

Here are a few places you can look for it:

Check your app library – Swipe left from your final home screen to access the app library, then search for “App Store”. If it’s still installed, it will show up here.

Look on your last home screen – The App Store icon is usually on the first home screen, but may have got moved to another screen. Swipe through all your home screens and check for it.

Search for it – Pull down from the middle of any home screen to access search, then type “App Store” to find the icon.

Reboot your device – Sometimes restarting your iPhone or iPad can make missing icons reappear. Press and hold the power button, then drag the slider to power off.

Check app updates – Open the Settings app and go to General > Software Update. If any app updates are available, the App Store is still working.

Check your purchased apps – The App Store manages redownloading purchased apps. Go to your Purchased list – if you can access it, then the App Store is still installed.

If you can find the App Store icon through any of these methods, just tap to open it and start downloading apps again. But if the icon is still missing, try the next steps for troubleshooting issues.

What Happens If You Delete the App Store? Troubleshooting Problems with the App Store

In rare cases, the App Store may disappear from your home screen and you can’t find it through search or your purchased history. Or sometimes the App Store icon is there but it won’t open.

There could be a few possible issues if this happens:

Connect to WiFi/cellular data – The App Store requires an internet connection. Make sure your device is connected to the internet via WiFi or cellular data.
Check any restrictions – Parental controls or other restrictions may be blocking usage of the App Store. Go to Settings > General > Restrictions to see if any are enabled.
Restart your device – An basic but often effective fix is to restart your iPhone or iPad. Press and hold the power button, drag to power off, then power back on.
Update your device – Make sure your iPhone or iPad is updated to the latest iOS version. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check.
Offload unused apps – Sometimes offloading unused apps can clear up system issues. Go to Settings > General > iPhone/iPad Storage > Offload Unused Apps.
Reset your device – For serious App Store issues, you may need to factory reset your iOS device to get it working properly again. Back up your data first!
Contact Apple Support – If you still can’t access the App Store after trying these steps, reach out to Apple Support for personalized assistance troubleshooting.

Rest assured that even if you removed the App Store app from your home screen, it’s still on your device and you can get it back! Just look in your app library, search, or try rebooting your phone.

For any deeper issues, use the troubleshooting tips above or contact Apple’s support team. With the right steps, you’ll have your App Store app working again in no time.

Issue	Effect	Solution
App Store icon missing from home screen	Unable to access App Store app	Check app library, search, reboot device
Can’t find App Store icon	Can’t install, update or redownload apps	Restore from app purchase history
App Store won’t open	Can’t access apps or games	Check internet connection, restart device
Can’t download apps	No new apps installed	Toggle airplane mode, check restrictions
App updates not working	Apps can’t update	Update iOS, offload unused apps
Can’t restore in-app purchases	Loss of paid content	Sign out and into the App Store
Need to restore device	Loss of data	Restore from iCloud or iTunes backup

What happens if you delete the App Store on iOS devices

How to Prevent Accidental Deletion of Essential Apps in the Future

While essential apps like the App Store cannot be deleted, it’s good practice to organize your apps into folders or use screen time settings to prevent unintended changes. This way, you can avoid accidental removals or misplacements of important app icons.

Here are some tips for preventing accidental deletion or misplacement of essential apps like the App Store in the future:

Use Folders to Organize Essential Apps

Create a folder on your home screen specifically for important system apps like App Store, Phone, Messages, Settings etc.
Name the folder something obvious like “Essentials” or “Important Apps”.
When adding/removing apps from your home screen, be extra careful not to delete anything inside this folder.
Visually separating key apps into one place makes it easy to identify them and avoid mistakes.

Enable Restrictions or Guided Access

In Settings, go to Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and turn on Content & Privacy.
Tap Apps and select which apps you want to restrict deletion of. Disable ability to delete the App Store.
You can also use Guided Access to temporarily restrict access to parts of the screen or buttons. Enable this for times you may hand your phone to others.

Use App Library Categories

The App Library has a Suggestions category for apps you use often and a Recently Added category for new app downloads.
Put essential system apps like App Store in the Suggestions section so they stand out.
Checking these categories first when looking for apps reduces the chance of thinking they were deleted.

Double Check Before Deleting

Always review which app icons you selected before tapping to delete them.
Take a few extra seconds to visually confirm it’s not an important system app.
Accidental selections happen, so this quick verification can prevent critical mistakes.

Back Up Your Device

Regularly back up your iPhone or iPad to iCloud or iTunes.
If you do accidentally remove an essential app, you can restore from a backup rather than needing to factory reset your device.

Add App Library to Dock

Put the App Library icon in your dock at the bottom of your home screens.
This makes it fast to access the library and search for apps in case you think they were deleted.

By organizing your home screen thoughtfully, enabling restrictions, and taking precautions before deleting, you can avoid accidental removal of critical system apps like the App Store down the road.

Does the Same Apply to iPads and Other iOS Devices?

What happens if you delete the app store on iOS devices? Yes, the same principles apply to iPads and iOS like other devices. You cannot delete the App Store, but its icon can be moved or hidden. The steps to recover it are also similar.

Here’s how the App Store works on other iOS devices:

The App Store on iPads

Just like on iPhones, you cannot fully delete the App Store from an iPad.
If you delete the icon from your iPad home screen, you can recover it the same ways – check the app library, search, restart your device, etc.
The App Store is required on iPads for installing, updating and redownloading apps.
Troubleshooting tips are also the same for any App Store issues – update iOS, check restrictions, reset the iPad if needed.

The App Store on Older iOS Devices

Even on older iPhones and iPads running outdated iOS versions, the App Store cannot be removed.
The App Store icon might look a bit different on much older operating system versions.
But it’s still present in the background and can be found through search or your purchase history.

The App Store on iPod Touches

For iPod Touch devices, the same principle remains – the App Store is irremovable.
If you don’t see the icon on your iPod’s home screen, use search or reboot it to make it reappear.
Updating to the latest iOS version may help restore missing App Store access on an iPod Touch.

Checking for Restrictions on Other iOS Devices

On all devices, check for enabled restrictions under Settings > General > Restrictions that may be blocking the App Store.
Disabling these restrictions can quickly resolve issues launching the App Store app.

So no matter your iPhone, iPad, or iPod model and OS version, the App Store cannot be deleted. Troubleshooting tips apply across the board for iOS devices.

Just stay calm, search thoroughly, and use Apple’s support resources if you need help getting the App Store back.

Here’s the Catch! Play Store Can Be Uninstalled on Android

Unlike iPhones, most Android devices allow users to uninstall the Play Store. However, this action can severely limit the device’s functionality. It’s advised not to remove core apps unless you’re certain about the implications.

On Android devices, the Google Play Store functions differently than the App Store on iPhones and iPads. Here’s an overview of deleting the Play Store on Android:

Comparing with Android Devices

The Play Store app on Android is not an essential system app – you can uninstall updates or remove it.
This will immediately remove access to install/update any apps from the Play Store.
Some core Google apps may also lose functionality without the Play Store present.

Impacts of Removing the Play Store

You won’t be able to download apps, games or media content from the Play Store.
Many apps like Gmail, YouTube, Google Maps etc rely on Play Services and the Play Store framework. They may start crashing or exhibiting errors.
Features like push notifications, location services and more may stop working properly without the Play Store.

Options If Play Store Is Removed

To restore the Play Store, you can reboot your device or reinstall it from the web.
Alternatively, you can sideload apps using APK files downloaded from other sources.
If issues persist, you may need to factory reset your Android device to fully restore the Play Store.

Recommendation for Most Users

For the average user, it’s strongly advised to keep the Play Store installed.
The convenience of a centralized app store outweighs any minor storage space or battery optimizations.
Only advanced users should consider uninstalling the Play Store, knowing full impacts.

In short, the Play Store can be removed from Android but it’s not recommended due to crippling effects on app installs/updates and overall system stability.

So, what happens if you delete the app store on Android? Unlike iOS, Android is designed to allow more low-level customization like app uninstallation.

FAQs

Can you delete the App Store on iPhone?

No, you cannot delete the App Store on iPhone. It is a pre-installed app that is essential for the operation of your device.

What happens if you try to delete the App Store?

If you try to delete the App Store, you will only be able to remove it from your home screen. The App Store will still be installed on your device, but it will be hidden.

How to get the App Store back on your home screen?

To get the App Store back on your home screen, simply swipe left to the App Library and tap on the App Store icon. You can also drag and drop the App Store icon from the App Library to your home screen.

What if I can’t find the App Store in the App Library?

If you can’t find the App Store in the App Library, it is possible that it has been hidden. To unhide the App Store, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps and make sure that the App Store is enabled.

How do I fix issues with the App Store not working?

Troubleshoot by checking for restrictions, updating your iOS, turning airplane mode on/off, or resetting your device if needed.

Conclusion

The App Store is an integral part of every iPhone, iPad and iOS device. While it can seem concerning when the app goes missing, this guide has outlined what happens if you delete the app store, the main reasons you can’t permanently delete the App Store, where to find it if the icon, troubleshooting tips, and preventative measures.

With the right steps, you can easily restore access on any iPhone or iPad. Just stay calm, search thoroughly on your device, double check for restrictions, and use Apple’s support if needed. Before you know it, you’ll be installing apps and enjoying your iOS device again.