Your iPhone keeps a record of every app you've ever downloaded, even after you delete it
When you delete an app from your iPhone, it does not disappear from Apple's record of your downloads. You can see every app you have ever installed on any of your Apple devices by going to the App Store and checking your purchase history. This is useful when you remember using an app months ago but cannot find it on your home screen, or when you want to reinstall something without paying again.
The process takes about one minute and works the same way whether you deleted the app last week or last year. You do not need to remember the app's exact name — you can browse your full download history and sort by date.
Key Takeaways
- Open the App Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, and select "Purchased" to see every app you have ever downloaded.
- Tap "My Purchases" to view apps in the order you downloaded them, with the most recent first.
- Search for a specific app by name if you remember part of it, or scroll through the list to browse what you have installed before.
- Tap the cloud icon next to any app to download it again at no cost, even if you paid for it originally.
- Apps you have hidden from your library will still appear in your purchase history, but you will need to unhide them to use them.
Finding your purchase history in the App Store
Start by opening the App Store app on your iPhone. Look for the profile icon in the bottom right corner of the screen — it looks like a circle with a person inside it. Tap it once.
You will see a menu with several options. Tap "Purchased" near the top of this menu. This takes you to a page showing every app you have ever downloaded on any Apple device linked to your account.
The page defaults to showing "My Purchases," which is what you want. If you see a tab that says "My Purchases" and another that says "Family Purchases," make sure "My Purchases" is selected. Family Purchases shows apps downloaded by other people on a family sharing plan.
Browsing your download history by date
Your purchase history appears with the most recently downloaded apps at the top. Scroll down to see older apps. Each entry shows the app icon, the app name, and the date you first downloaded it.
If you are looking for something you downloaded a long time ago, scrolling can take a while. Instead, use the search box at the top of the screen. Type in the app name or part of it — for example, typing "photo" will show you every photo app you have ever downloaded, including Photo Editor, PhotoGrid, and Photos.
You can also tap the filter icon (three horizontal lines) if it appears on your screen. Some iPhone models let you sort by "Most Recent" or "Oldest First," which makes it easier to find apps from a specific time period.
Downloading an app you deleted
Once you find the app you want, look for the icon next to its name. If the app is not currently on your iPhone, you will see a cloud icon with a downward arrow. Tap this icon to download the app again.
The download starts immediately. You will see a progress circle as the app installs. Once it finishes, the cloud icon changes to an open circle, which means the app is now on your home screen. You do not need to do anything else — the app is ready to use.
If you see an open circle instead of a cloud icon, the app is already on your iPhone. Tap the open circle to open the app directly from the App Store, or find it on your home screen.
What to do if you cannot find an app in your history
If you search for an app and it does not appear in your purchase history, it may have been deleted from the App Store entirely. Apple removes apps that no longer work with current iPhone software, apps that violate its policies, or apps whose developers stopped maintaining them. In these cases, you cannot download the app again.
If you remember the app's purpose but not its name, try searching the App Store for similar apps. For example, if you used a specific note-taking app that is no longer available, search "note app" to find alternatives that work with your current iPhone.
Another possibility is that the app was downloaded on a different Apple account. If you have used multiple Apple IDs over the years, sign out of your current account and sign in with the other one. Your purchase history will change to show downloads from that account instead.
Hidden apps and your purchase history
If you hid an app from your iPhone's home screen instead of deleting it, it will not appear in your purchase history — it is still on your device, just not visible. To find hidden apps, go to your home screen, swipe down to open the search box, and type the app name. If it appears in the search results, tap it to open it.
You can also check your App Library, which is the last page when you swipe all the way to the right on your home screen. Apps are organized by category here, and you can search for the app by name. If you want to unhide it and put it back on your home screen, press and hold the app icon and select "Add to Home Screen."
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay again to download an app I bought before?
No. Once you have purchased an app, you can download it again at no cost on any iPhone linked to the same Apple account. The App Store remembers your purchase forever, even if you delete the app.
Can I see apps downloaded on someone else's iPhone?
Only if you are part of a family sharing plan and have permission to view family purchases. Tap "Family Purchases" instead of "My Purchases" in the App Store. You will see apps downloaded by other family members, but you cannot download their apps unless they shared them with you.
What if I forgot which Apple ID I used to download an app?
Sign out of the App Store and sign in with a different Apple ID. Your purchase history will update to show downloads from that account. If you have more than two accounts, you may need to try each one. Check your email for App Store receipts if you are not sure which account you used.
Why does an app show a price instead of a cloud icon?
This means the app is no longer linked to your account, usually because it was purchased on a different Apple ID. You would need to buy it again or sign in with the original account. If you are certain you bought it, try signing in with another Apple ID you have used.
Can I download apps from my purchase history on a computer?
Yes. Open the App Store on a Mac, click your account icon, and select "Account Settings." Click "Purchased" to see your history. You can download apps to your Mac from here, but to install them on your iPhone, you need to use the iPhone App Store app instead.