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app store missing from ipad

So, both the Itunes Store and App Store apps went missing on my son's ipad. I've been fiddling around with the screen time options and managed to restore the Itunes store app, so I'm guessing the app store app disappeared for similar reasons, but no amount of fiddling, up to and including turning off screen time and restarting the Ipad has caused the app store to reappear. A search of the ipad has also been fruitless. This isn't the biggest deal in the world--the value of the app to me is that it is the key to updating existing apps, but eventually, it needs to be restored. Suggestions?

iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi

Posted on Dec 17, 2018 4:12 PM

Reply
Question marked as Apple recommended

It has to be a setting in Screen Time.

Use parental controls on your child's iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support


This is copied from the support article above.


Prevent iTunes & App Store purchases 


You can also prevent your child from being able to install or delete apps, make in-app purchases, and more. To prevent iTunes & App Store purchases or downloads:


  1. Go to Settings and tap Screen Time. 
  2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. If asked, enter your passcode.
  3. Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases.
  4. Choose a setting and set to Don't Allow.


You can also change your password settings for additional purchases from the iTunes & App Store or Book Store. Follow steps 1-3, then choose Always Require or Don't Require.


Posted on Dec 17, 2018 4:16 PM

3 replies
Question marked as Apple recommended

Dec 17, 2018 4:16 PM in response to bear199

It has to be a setting in Screen Time.

Use parental controls on your child's iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support


This is copied from the support article above.


Prevent iTunes & App Store purchases 


You can also prevent your child from being able to install or delete apps, make in-app purchases, and more. To prevent iTunes & App Store purchases or downloads:


  1. Go to Settings and tap Screen Time. 
  2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. If asked, enter your passcode.
  3. Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases.
  4. Choose a setting and set to Don't Allow.


You can also change your password settings for additional purchases from the iTunes & App Store or Book Store. Follow steps 1-3, then choose Always Require or Don't Require.


Dec 17, 2018 5:03 PM in response to Demo

I agree that it has to be a screen time setting. So why doesn't simply turning off screen time work? I'm not able to identify a specific setting that might prevent, somehow, the app store app from appearing. As I understand it, that app is "baked in" the software so it can't really be deleted. I've tried turning everything on/off to no effect.

Dec 18, 2018 9:40 AM in response to bear199

Baked in... I like that.


You are correct. It cannot be deleted. If it could, there would be no way of downloading apps which would cripple the functionality of the device. I don’t use Screen Time and never used restrictions, however, I was familiar with where the function could be found in iOS 11.


If you turned off screen time, the App Store should be accessible, but it may be hidden in a folder. What I would do next is try a Spotlight Search. Swipe down from the middle of any home screen to get to the search feature. Type App Store into the search field and see if it appears. If it is in a folder, it will show the name of the folder in which it resides.


You can also Reset the home screen layout in Settings>General>Reset>Reset home screen layout. When you do that, you will destroy any folder structure that you have on the home screen and you will restore the home screen to out of the box condition.

app store missing from ipad

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