App Store missing … but I have followed every suggestion given to restore the app!

just like the title says. I have followed every suggestion given on previous posts regarding the same topic and the App Store still cannot be found. (Search library, reset Home Screen, reset settings, remove all restrictions…). I am the parent who set up App Store restrictions. When I remove those restrictions on my phone and my child’s phone, the App Store still is nowhere to be found. I have done everything short of a factory reset to the phone. It’s been going on a week and we need to update specific apps.


Is there another way to find this missing app without factory resetting the iPhone?


Also, both the phones have been updated to the most current iOS.

iPhone 16, iOS 18

Posted on Sep 24, 2025 3:20 AM

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6 replies

Sep 27, 2025 2:14 PM in response to Wallflower82

Wallflower82 wrote:

I have done that at least 50 times on both phones. I even reset my phone to see if that was the problem. Nothing has resolved this issue. I really don’t want to factory reset her phone. It’s a pain, as you know.

For sure. You could try resetting just the Home Screen layout- open Settings, then go to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Home Screen Layout.


Another thing you could try- what happens if you open an App Store link in Safari, like this one for the Apple Support app? Normally it'll redirect you to the App Store app.

Sep 26, 2025 5:35 PM in response to Wallflower82

Wallflower82 wrote:

just like the title says. I have followed every suggestion given on previous posts regarding the same topic and the App Store still cannot be found. (Search library, reset Home Screen, reset settings, remove all restrictions…). I am the parent who set up App Store restrictions. When I remove those restrictions on my phone and my child’s phone, the App Store still is nowhere to be found. I have done everything short of a factory reset to the phone. It’s been going on a week and we need to update specific apps.

Interesting. If you search for it normally (swiping down from the center of the Home Screen) does it appear?

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App Store missing … but I have followed every suggestion given to restore the app!

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