Summarize this article with:
That app you downloaded two years ago and forgot about? It is still linked to your account.
Knowing how to see all the apps you’ve ever downloaded on iPhone gives you access to every application tied to your Apple ID, whether currently installed or long deleted.
This matters when you switch devices, recover a removed app, or just want to check your purchase history.
Your App Store keeps a permanent record of every download, free or paid, across all your Apple devices.
This guide shows you exactly where to find that list, how to filter it, and how to re-download anything you need in under two minutes.
How to See All the Apps You’ve Ever Downloaded on iPhone
Every app you’ve grabbed, free or paid, stays tied to your Apple ID. Even stuff you deleted three years ago. Here’s how to pull up that full list.
- Open the App Store on your iPhone (the blue icon with the white “A”). Can’t find it? Swipe down and search for it.
- Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner. It’s either your photo or your initials in a circle.
- Tap “Purchased” to see every app linked to your Apple ID, sorted newest to oldest.
- Tap “Not on this iPhone” at the top to filter and only see apps you’ve deleted or never installed on this particular device.
- Tap the cloud icon next to any app to re-download it. No need to pay again, even for paid apps.
That’s it. Takes about a minute once you know where to look.
Alternative Route (Through Settings)
- Go to Settings > tap your name > Media & Purchases > View Account > Purchase History
- This shows transaction details with dates and prices, which is better for tracking what you actually spent
Can’t Find a Specific App?
- Use the search bar at the top of the Purchased screen
- Check Hidden Purchases under Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > View Account
- If the developer pulled the app from the App Store entirely, it won’t show up at all
What You Need Before Starting
Gather these before you begin:
- iPhone with iOS 14 or later installed
- Active Apple ID signed into your device
- Internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular)
- Approximately 2 minutes
Your Apple ID stores every app transaction across all your Apple devices.
The same account works whether you downloaded apps on an iPad, iPod touch, or another iPhone.
Step One: How Do You Open the App Store on iPhone?
Locate the App Store icon on your Home Screen and tap it to launch the application where all your purchased apps and download history are stored.
Action
Find the blue App Store icon with the white “A” symbol on your Home Screen.
Tap once to open.
If you cannot locate it, swipe down on your Home Screen and type “App Store” in the search field.
You can also find it in your complete list of iPhone apps through the App Library.
Purpose
The App Store contains your account profile and complete purchase history tied to your Apple ID.
Step Two: Where Do You Find Your Account Profile in the App Store?
Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner of the App Store screen to access your account settings, purchase history, and list of all downloaded apps.
Action
Look at the top-right corner of the App Store.
You will see either your profile picture or your initials inside a circle.
Tap this icon once.
If prompted, sign in with your Apple ID and password.
You might need to complete Face ID verification if enabled.
Purpose
Your account profile stores all apps associated with your Apple ID across every device.
This includes apps from years ago, even ones no longer on your current iPhone.
Step Three: How Do You Access the Purchased Apps Section?
Tap “Purchased” from your account menu to see a complete list of every app you have ever downloaded using your Apple ID, including free downloads and paid applications.
Action
From your account screen, tap “Purchased” (or “Apps” then “My Apps” on some iOS versions).
If you use Family Sharing, tap “My Purchases” to see only your personal downloads.
The list displays apps from newest to oldest by default.
Use the search bar at the top to find specific applications quickly.
You can also view previously downloaded apps that are no longer installed.
Purpose
The Purchased section serves as your permanent app archive.
Every download stays here even after you delete apps from your iPhone.
Step Four: How Do You View Apps Not Currently Installed?
Tap the “Not on this iPhone” tab to filter your list and see only apps that were downloaded in the past but are not currently installed on your device.
Action
At the top of the Purchased screen, tap “Not on this iPhone” instead of “All.”
This displays every app tied to your Apple ID that you have removed or never installed on this specific device.
A cloud icon appears next to each app, indicating it can be re-downloaded.
Purpose
This filter helps you quickly find deleted apps without scrolling through hundreds of currently installed applications.
Perfect for recovering apps you removed months ago.
Alternative Method: How Do You Check Download History Through iPhone Settings?
Access your complete purchase history through Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > View Account > Purchase History to see all app transactions with dates and prices.
Action
Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap your name at the top, then tap “Media & Purchases.”
Select “View Account” and sign in if prompted.
Scroll down and tap “Purchase History.”
Filter by tapping “Last 90 Days” to select a different time range.
Purpose
This method shows detailed transaction information including exact purchase dates and amounts paid.
Useful for tracking spending or verifying charges on your account.
Quick Method: How Do You Use the App Store Shortcut?
Long-press the App Store icon on your Home Screen and tap “Purchased” from the quick actions menu to jump directly to your app download history.
Action
Press and hold the App Store icon until a menu appears.
Tap “Purchased” from the options.
Then tap “My Apps” to view your complete list.
Purpose
Saves time by skipping the profile navigation steps; gets you to your purchased apps in two taps.
How Do You Re-Download a Previously Deleted App?
Tap the cloud download icon next to any app in your Purchased list to reinstall it on your iPhone without paying again, even for paid applications.
Action
Find the app you want in your Purchased list or use the search bar.
Tap the cloud icon (cloud with downward arrow) next to the app name.
Wait for the download to complete.
The app appears on your Home Screen or in the App Library.
You can redownload apps without paying as long as you use the same Apple ID.
Purpose
All apps linked to your Apple ID remain available for re-download indefinitely, unless the developer removes them from the App Store.
Verification
Confirm the process worked correctly:
- Your Purchased list displays apps sorted by download date
- Both “All” and “Not on this iPhone” tabs are visible at the top
- The search function returns results when you type an app name
- Cloud icons appear next to apps not currently installed
- Re-downloaded apps show “Open” instead of the cloud icon
If your list appears incomplete, verify you are signed into the correct Apple ID under Settings > [Your Name].
Troubleshooting
Issue: Purchased Apps Section Is Empty
Solution: Go to Settings > [Your Name] and confirm your Apple ID is signed in.
If signed in, tap “Media & Purchases” and select “Sign Out,” then sign back in.
Wait a few moments for your purchase history to sync from iCloud.
Issue: App Shows But Cannot Download
Solution: The app may require a newer iOS version or was built for 32-bit devices only.
Check if your iPhone meets the app’s requirements by searching for it in the App Store.
Apps that display “This app needs to be updated” are incompatible with iOS 11 or later.
Issue: Cannot Find a Specific App
Solution: Use the search bar at the top of the Purchased screen to search by name.
If the app does not appear, it may have been hidden from your purchases.
Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > View Account > Hidden Purchases to check.
Apps removed from the App Store by Apple or the developer will not appear in your history.
Issue: Shows Apps You Did Not Download
Solution: Family Sharing members’ purchases may appear if you tapped “All Purchases” instead of “My Purchases.”
Tap “My Purchases” to see only apps downloaded with your personal Apple ID.
Related Processes
After viewing your download history, you might want to:
- Find hidden apps on your iPhone that do not appear on your Home Screen
- See recently downloaded apps to track what you installed lately
- Organize apps on your iPhone after re-downloading old favorites
- Transfer apps between iPhones when setting up a new device
- Clear app cache to free up storage space
- Check app usage statistics through Screen Time settings
You can also transfer apps to your iPad using the same Apple ID.
FAQ on How To See All The Apps You’ve Ever Downloaded On iPhone
Can I See Every App I Have Ever Downloaded on My iPhone?
Yes. Your Apple ID stores a complete record of every app you have downloaded from the App Store.
This includes free apps, paid apps, and apps you deleted years ago, accessible through the Purchased section anytime.
Where Is the Purchased Section in the App Store?
Open the App Store, tap your profile icon in the top-right corner, then tap “Purchased.”
On devices with Family Sharing enabled, tap “My Purchases” to view only apps linked to your personal account.
How Do I Find Apps I Deleted a Long Time Ago?
Go to App Store > Profile > Purchased > “Not on this iPhone” tab.
This filter shows only previously downloaded apps that are not currently installed on your device, making old apps easy to locate.
Does My Download History Include Free Apps?
Yes. Your purchase history includes every app downloaded with your Apple ID, whether free or paid.
Free apps appear alongside paid purchases in the same list with no distinction between them.
Can I See Apps Downloaded on Other Apple Devices?
Yes. Apps downloaded on your iPad, iPod touch, or another iPhone appear in the same Purchased list.
Your Apple ID syncs download history across all devices through iCloud, so nothing gets lost.
How Do I Hide Apps From My Purchase History?
Swipe left on any app in your Purchased list and tap “Hide.”
Hidden apps move to a separate section under Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > View Account > Hidden Purchases.
Why Are Some Apps Missing From My Download History?
Apps removed from the App Store by developers or Apple will not appear in your history.
Also check if you downloaded the app using a different Apple ID or if you have hidden content on your iPhone.
Can I Download a List of All My App Purchases?
Apple does not provide a downloadable file of your app download history.
You can view your complete purchase history through Settings or the App Store, but exporting requires manual documentation or screenshots.
How Do I See Apps Not Currently Installed on This iPhone?
In the Purchased section, tap the “Not on this iPhone” tab at the top.
This displays every app tied to your Apple ID that you have removed or never installed on your current device.
Does Family Sharing Affect My App Download History?
Family Sharing shows purchases from all family members when you tap “All Purchases.”
Tap “My Purchases” to see only apps you personally downloaded, keeping your app list separate from shared family content.
Conclusion
Finding how to see all the apps you’ve ever downloaded on iPhone takes less than a minute once you know where to look.
Your Purchased section holds every application tied to your account, from your very first download to yesterday’s install.
The “Not on this iPhone” filter makes locating previously installed apps straightforward.
Tap the cloud icon to reinstall anything you need.
Whether you are recovering a deleted app, checking your media purchases, or setting up a new device, your complete download history stays accessible through iCloud sync.
Hidden purchases can be revealed through your account settings if something seems missing.
Now you have full control over your app management and can track every application linked to your account across all Apple devices.
Many of his resources are available on various design marketplaces and for free on Codepen.
Over the years, he's worked with a range of clients and contributed to design publications like Design Your Way, Designmodo, WebDesignerDepot, WPDean, and Speckyboy, and Slider Revolution among others.
- What Is Agentic Coding? The Next AI Dev Workflow - April 10, 2026
- From Setup To Monitoring: Why A DMARC Service Matters - April 10, 2026
- 4 Scalable Hosting Providers for Growing Small Business Websites - April 9, 2026
