Quick Answer
If the App Store icon is missing from your iOS home screen, here are some things you can try to get it back:
- Check if the App Store app is still installed – open Settings > General > iPhone Storage and check if App Store is listed. If not, reinstall it.
- Reboot your device – turning your device off completely and back on can often resolve icon issues.
- Reset your home screen layout – go to Settings > General > Reset and choose Reset Home Screen Layout to revert your home screen icons back to their original default layout.
- Check if it’s hidden in an App Library – swipe left from your first home screen to access the App Library and search for App Store. If it’s there, long press to add it back to your home screen.
- Manually add the icon back – from your home screen, tap and hold an empty space until icons start jiggling. Tap the + icon in the top left corner, search for App Store, and add it back.
If none of those steps works, you may need to backup and restore your device or contact Apple support for further troubleshooting. Keep reading for more detailed instructions on how to resolve a missing App Store icon on iPhone or iPad.
Check If App Store Is Still Installed
The first thing to check if the App Store icon has vanished from your iOS home screen is whether the App Store app is still installed on your device. Here’s how:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap on General.
- Tap on iPhone/iPad Storage.
- On the storage screen, check the list of apps. If App Store is still installed, you’ll see it listed here along with its size.
If App Store has somehow become uninstalled from your device, you will need to reinstall it to get the icon back. You can do this easily from the App Store listing on the web – simply open appstore.com on your device and tap Get to reinstall the App Store app.
Once it’s installed, check your home screen again – the App Store icon should reappear. If not, a reboot or resetting your home screen layout may help.
Reboot Your iPhone or iPad
If your App Store app is definitely still installed but the icon is just missing from your home screen, try rebooting your iPhone or iPad:
- Press and hold the Power button on the right side of your device until the “Slide to power off” prompt appears.
- Drag the slider to turn your device completely off.
- After 30 seconds or so, press and hold the Power button again to turn your device back on.
Rebooting your iOS device can help clear out any glitches and refresh the home screen icons. Once your phone or tablet has restarted, check for the App Store icon again.
Reset Your Home Screen Layout
If a simple reboot doesn’t bring the App Store icon back, the next step is resetting your iOS home screen layout:
- Open Settings
- Tap General
- Scroll down and tap Reset
- Tap Reset Home Screen Layout
This will revert the home screen back to the original default layout and icon arrangement. So if the App Store icon got moved somewhere unusual or hidden behind other apps, this should make it visible again in its regular spot.
Check the App Library
On iOS 14 and newer, there’s one more place to check for “missing” app icons – the App Library. This feature provides quick access to all your installed apps in one place.
To check if App Store is in your App Library:
- From your home screen, swipe left until you reach the end.
- You’ll see the App Library view grouped into categories.
- Scroll down and check the Suggestions and Utilities categories for the App Store.
- If you see it, long press the icon and select Add to Home Screen.
This will move App Store out of the App Library and back onto your home screen where it belongs.
Manually Add the App Store Icon
If you still can’t find the App Store on your home screen or App Library, you can manually add it back:
- From your home screen, tap and hold an empty space until the icons start to jiggle.
- Tap the + icon in the top left corner to open the search panel.
- Type in “App Store” and select it when it appears.
- This will add the App Store icon back to your home screen.
- You can then tap and hold it to move it wherever you want.
Manually adding the icon is often the quickest way to restore easy access to the App Store when the icon has disappeared for whatever reason.
Restore Your iPhone
If none of the previous troubleshooting tips have worked, restoring your iPhone or iPad may be necessary to get the App Store icon back. This should be done as a last resort, as it will erase your device.
To restore an iPhone or iPad:
- Connect your device to a computer with a USB cable.
- Open iTunes on the computer.
- Select your connected device.
- Click Restore in the Summary panel.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the restore process.
Restoring will wipe your device and reinstall the latest iOS version. In most cases, this will resolve any issues with missing icons and other system glitches.
Once the restore is complete, set up your device from scratch and check that the App Store icon is back in its rightful place on your home screen. You’ll have to re-download any extra apps and set up your preferences again.
Contact Apple Support
If all else fails, get in touch with Apple Support for assistance recovering your missing App Store icon:
- From your iOS device, open the Apple Support app and select the option to chat or call.
- On your computer, go to apple.com/support and click Contact Us.
- Describe your missing icon issue and steps taken.
- Apple can run diagnostics, suggest any other fixes, or set up a repair if needed.
Apple’s support team have more advanced tools to troubleshoot and restore your device. In rare cases, they may need to replace your device if there’s an underlying hardware issue causing the icon disappearance.
Prevent the App Store Icon Disappearing
While occasional App Store icon issues can come up, there are some preventative steps you can take:
- Avoid unstable apps – Poorly programmed third-party apps can sometimes corrupt your home screen icons.
- Beware fake apps – Installing unofficial apps outside the App Store increases your risk.
- Update your iOS – Ensuring you have the latest iOS version helps fix bugs.
- Back up your device – Regular backups give you the option to easily restore if problems occur.
- Manage storage – Having ample free storage space minimizes potential issues.
Sticking to reliable, well-reviewed apps from the App Store is the best way to maintain stability. But even when doing everything right, weird home screen issues can occasionally come up.
The good news is that the App Store icon can always be recovered using the troubleshooting tips provided in this article. Just stay calm, take your time working through each solution, and your App Store access will be restored in no time.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about restoring the missing App Store icon on iPhone and iPad:
Why did the App Store icon disappear from my home screen?
Some common reasons include:
- A bug or glitch in iOS causing icon layout issues
- Accidentally moving the icon while rearranging apps
- An unstable third-party app corrupting the home screen
- Updating your iOS version and the icon got moved
- Restoring your device from a backup where the icon was missing or moved
Will my App Store purchases and downloads be affected?
No, your App Store download history and purchases are tied to your Apple ID account, not the app icon. So you won’t lose access to any content you’ve already downloaded once you get the icon back.
Can this affect other apps too?
Yes, it’s possible for the icons of other apps to disappear too. The same troubleshooting tips apply – check they are still installed, reboot your device, reset the home screen layout, and re-add them manually if needed.
Is this a common iPhone/iPad issue?
While not extremely widespread, App Store and other app icons occasionally going missing is a fairly common minor technical issue that iOS users encounter. So you’re not alone!
Will I lose all my data if I reset my device?
You will lose all unsaved data if you reset your device via Settings. However, if you restore through iTunes on a computer, you can restore a backup after wiping your device, allowing you to recover your data like photos, messages, etc.
Conclusion
Having the App Store icon vanish might be frustrating, but thankfully there are a number of ways to get it back. Double check it’s still installed, reboot your device, reset your home layout, look in the App Library, and re-add it manually as needed. Restoring your device should always be a last resort.
With some guided troubleshooting, you should be able to restore easy access to the App Store and resume downloading apps and games to your heart’s content. Just be patient and methodical in applying potential solutions.
