How to Stop Apps Disappearing from Your iPhone

Jealously guard your hoard of infrequently used apps by disabling Offload Unused Apps

By Elisabeth Garry Updated 03/09/2021

Have you ever gone to use an app you haven’t touched in a long time, only to find that the app has disappeared? The good news is you’re not losing your mind: Apple occasionally offloads apps it doesn’t think you’re using anymore. The better news is that you haven’t lost any data stored in the app (you only need to reinstall to get it back), and the best news is that it's easy to prevent your iPhone from unloading unused apps in the future. Let’s go over how.

* This post is part of iPhone Life's Tip of the Day newsletter. Sign Up. *

How to Turn Off Offload Unused Apps

Go to Settings.
Tap App Store.
Toggle Offload Unused Apps to the off (gray) position.

Now, no matter how long you neglect your apps, they’ll always be there waiting when you need them. To learn about more apps and features you might actually use every now and then, consider signing up for our Tip of the Day!

Master your iPhone in one minute a day:

Sign up to iPhone Life's Tip of the Day Newsletter and we'll send you a tip each day to save time and get the most out of your iPhone or iPad.

If you change your mind and decide you’d like your iPhone to Marie Kondo itself every now and then, simply toggle Offload Unused Apps back on. Otherwise, you can relax in the knowledge that all the apps that bring you joy will remain safe on your home screen from now on.

Master your iPhone in one minute a day: Sign up here to get our FREE Tip of the Day delivered right to your inbox.

Topics:

How-To

Tip of the Day

App Store

Author Details

Elisabeth Garry

Elisabeth Garry is a Feature Web Writer for iPhone Life. Formerly of Gartner and Software Advice, she has four years’ experience writing about technology for everyday users. As a former college writing instructor, she is passionate about effective, accessible communication, which is perhaps why she loves helping people make the best use of the strongest communication tools they have available: their iPhones. She has a degree in Russian Literature and Language from Reed College.

When she’s not writing for iPhone Life, she’s probably either reading (19th-century Russian literature or fantasy novels), writing fiction, or spending time with her adorable dog, Moosh.

Featured Products

The Key to Maximizing Productivity

With iPhone Life's Insider program, subscribers get exclusive access to our Reminders App Guide. The Reminders app comes preinstalled on all your Apple devices and is deceptively robust. It has nifty features such as collaborating on lists with friends and family. Plus, you can use voice commands to have Siri do the work for you! Keep all your lists, goals, and reminders synced on all your devices. Subscribe to our Insider program and take advantage of a limited-time 30-percent discount, plus an extra 10 percent if you're a senior, veteran, or service personnel!

Manage Your Office Devices with Jamf Now

Seamlessly set up and manage all of your Apple devices with Jamf Now. This cloud-based mobile device management software allows you to remotely configure all of the iPads, iPhone, and Mac computers at work. You can also use Jamf Now to maintain your team’s productivity, whether it be adding apps for a smoother workflow or protecting the security of important devices your team needs and uses every day. With Jamf Now, one person can do in a day what would take a small team of people a week. Set up, manage, and protect all of your Apple devices with Jamf Now. Start with three devices for free and add more for just $2 per device, paid monthly.