How to download an app no longer available in the App Store?

How may I download an app, which I had some time on my phone and which is not available in the appstore anymore?



[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Download an app no

Earlier iPhone models

Posted on Nov 13, 2025 4:53 AM

Reply
5 replies

Nov 13, 2025 5:45 AM in response to b-bob

Check the App Store under your account’s Purchased list first; sometimes removed apps still let you redownload if you’d bought/installed them with the same Apple ID. If you still have the old phone with Wordilly on it, don’t reset it — either keep using it or make an encrypted backup and restore that to your new phone, which can bring the app over.


If those fail, try to find the developer (twitter, website, whatever) — sometimes they’ve rebranded or will reupload. No magic way if the dev pulled it, but those moves are the usual wins.

Nov 13, 2025 5:13 AM in response to b-bob

Since Apple transitioned to a different download method about 10 years ago you cannot any longer. If I have any favorite apps I never delete them from my iPhone and hope that I never have to reset the device.


If you can find contact information for the developer you could ask them to put the app back on the store.

Nov 13, 2025 6:47 AM in response to Blaskowitz

Blaskowitz wrote:
make an encrypted backup and restore that to your new phone, which can bring the app over.


I have never, ever in decades of being on this forum seen that mentioned as a demonstrated method for redownloading an app.


A long time ago you could save apps to a computer. Apple then discontinued that and the only way to then get them back onto a device was to re-download them from the App Store. I don't see why a backup being encrypted should make an exception to this.

Nov 13, 2025 7:50 AM in response to Limnos

I appreciate you’re assistance.

The iPhone X hasn’t survived.

There had been only the usual unencrypted backup, as data transfer to the next mobile.

Thus the possibility to reach out for the older phone is no option.

And in my downloaded apps list I didn’t see the app to reload it.

I believe to remember, there is hidden Apple list of former activities, but didn’t have a clue, how to get hands on it.

How to download an app no longer available in the App Store?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.