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How to Install Apps That Are Missing from the App Store
Even if the app is gone, you may still be able to install it
By Sam Costello Sam Costello Writer Ithaca College Sam Costello has been writing about tech since 2000. His writing has appeared in publications such as CNN.com, PC World, InfoWord, and many others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on December 21, 2020 Reviewed by Jon Fisher Reviewed by Jon Fisher Wichita Technical Institute Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Apps Best Apps Payment Services What to Know
Two ways to download an app that's not on the App Store: From a friend who has it, or a backup. Both require an older version of iTunes.Friend's device: Go to the folder with the app. Copy it to the cloud or removable storage media. Drag to iTunes and sync with iOS device.iTunes: Sync your iOS device with iTunes by going to File > Devices > Transfer Purchases. Sometimes an app that shouldn't be allowed into the App Store slips through and is available for a few hours or days before it's removed. If you got one of those apps before it was removed from the store, you can still use it, and in this guide we show you how to do so on any iOS device. How to Install an App Removed from the App Store
If you downloaded the app on your iOS device, you may still be able to install it. Since the app has been removed from the store, you won't be able to re-download it, though. If you delete the app, it's gone forever—unless you have a friend with the app or you backed it up with an older version of iTunes. Apple removed the ability to sync apps to iOS from recent versions of iTunes. If your version of iTunes doesn't support app syncing anymore, this may be more trouble than its worth. You can downgrade to older versions of iTunes, but that's a slightly complex process and has wider implications. You may prefer just to live without the app you're trying to install. Get the App From Someone You Know
If a friend or a family member has the app on their computer, you might be able to get it from them. They need to navigate through their hard drive to the folder where that their apps are stored. On a Mac, this folder is at Music > iTunes > iTunes Media > Mobile Applications. On Windows, it's located at My Music > iTunes > iTunes Media > Mobile Applications. Apps removed from the App Store can't be accessed via Family Sharing. Find the app you want. It can be emailed, or copied onto a USB drive or other removable storage media, or downloaded. Wherever you get the app from, drag and drop it into iTunes or into the Mobile Applications folder on your hard drive. If the app doesn't show up right away, quit and restart iTunes. Connect your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad and sync it. Sync Apps Through iTunes
You can back up a copy to your computer by syncing. When you sync your device, you'll be prompted to transfer purchases from the device to your computer. You can also do this manually by going to iTunes and clicking: File > Devices > Transfer Purchases. This should move the app to your computer. If you have an older version of iTunes that has the Apps tab, click the iPhone icon under the playback controls in the top left of iTunes. Go to the Apps tab and look for the app. Click the Install button next to it. Then click Apply in the bottom right to install it on your iOS device. The Biggest Obstacle to Installing Apps Removed from the App Store
Installing apps missing from the App Store has gotten much harder in the last few years and, for the average person, is now very difficult. It got harder because Apple removed downloading and managing apps from iTunes. Because that feature is no longer present, the only way to officially install apps is through the App Store app. And, since the app you want isn't there anymore, you're kind of stuck. Jailbreaking and sideloading may help get around this problem, but they may be more trouble than it's worth. There's another major obstacle to installing apps removed from the App Store: you need access to the app. If you want to install a removed app you don't already have, you'll have to find it elsewhere. Reasons Why Apps Are Removed from the App Store
Apple doesn't (usually) pull apps from the App Store without good reason. Some of the most common reasons that apps get pulled include: Violating Apple's rules for how you can develop apps or how apps can function.Infringing copyright.Being very low quality.Promoting illegal, potentially illegal, or dangerous behavior.Containing malware.Being offensive.Allowing the user to do something that Apple doesn't want (such as apps that allow free tethering, which let the user bypass purchasing tethering service from their phone carrier). Does Apple Refund The Price of Removed Apps
If an app you purchased has been pulled and you don't want to go through the hassle of installing it detailed above, you may want a refund. Apple generally doesn't like to give app refunds, but it will under certain circumstances. How to Get a Refund from iTunes Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Delete Apps From Your iPhone Can You Delete the Apps That Come With the iPhone? IPA File (What It Is and How to Open One) What Happened to the Old iPhone YouTube App on iOS 6? How to Get Apps That Are Not in the App Store How to Delete Apps on an Amazon Fire Tablet How to Move Your iTunes Library to a New Location Can You Get Google Maps for iOS 6? How to Transfer Music from Computer to iPhone How to Hide iTunes and App Store Purchases in Family Sharing How to Delete Apps From iPod Touch How to Download iPhone Apps From the App Store Using iTunes Complete Guide to Using iTunes and the iTunes Store How to Share an App on Android How to Turn Off Family Sharing for iTunes How to Download and Sync Apps to an iPod Touch Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies