How to See What Apps I Had Downloaded on Google Play or the App Store
If you are trying to remember an old game, banking app, study tool, or utility, your app-store account usually keeps a record. The quickest way to see what apps you had downloaded is to open Google Play’s Not installed list on Android or the App Store’s Your Apps list on iPhone and iPad.
These lists are linked to your Google Account or Apple Account, not only to your current phone. This means you can often find apps removed from your device or installed on an older phone. However, apps installed from APK files, alternative stores, or another account may not appear.
Key Takeaways
- Android: Google Play Store → profile picture → Manage apps and device → Manage → Not installed.
- iPhone or iPad: App Store → account picture → Apps & Purchase History → Your Apps → Not on this [device].
- Use the same Google Account or Apple Account used when the app was downloaded.
- Paid apps normally do not need to be purchased again when redownloaded from the same account.
- For exact dates, prices, subscriptions, and paid transactions, check Google Play order history or Apple purchase history.
- An app may be missing because it was removed, is incompatible, is hidden, or belongs to a different account.
How to See Previously Downloaded Apps on Android
Google Play records apps associated with your Google Account, including many free apps that are no longer installed. Google’s current instructions use the Manage apps and device section. Google’s official help page confirms that you can switch from “This device” to “Not installed” and then install or enable an app.
Find deleted or previously installed apps
- Open the Google Play Store on your Android phone or tablet.
- Tap your profile picture in the top-right corner.
- Select Manage apps and device.
- Tap Manage.
- At the top, open the filter that says Installed or This device.
- Choose Not installed.
- Browse the list or select an app.
- Tap Install to download it again.
The exact wording can differ slightly by Android version, phone brand, or Play Store update. On some devices, the filter appears as This device, while on others it may show Installed.
This list generally includes apps downloaded through Google Play that are not currently installed on the selected device. It can include apps installed on an older Android phone if the same Google Account was used.
Check another Google Account
If the app does not appear, check whether you are signed in to the correct account:
- Open Google Play Store.
- Tap your profile picture.
- Tap the account switcher beside your email address.
- Select another Google Account you may have used.
- Repeat the Manage apps and device → Manage → Not installed steps.
A common reason for an empty or incomplete list is that the app was originally downloaded using a different Gmail address. Google states that you must use the same account associated with the original purchase or download to reinstall an app without paying again.
See the exact Google Play purchase history
The Not installed list is best for finding app names. It is not designed as a complete timeline showing every free download and installation date. For paid apps, subscriptions, and other Google Play transactions, check your order history.
On Android:
- Open Google Play Store.
- Tap your profile picture.
- Tap Payments & subscriptions.
- Select Budget & history.
Google says this page shows Google Play app and digital-content orders. You can also review transactions at play.google.com or payments.google.com. Google Play order history may not include payments made through a developer’s separate billing system.
What if the Android app is no longer available?
An app may remain in your history but no longer be installable. Possible reasons include:
- The developer removed it from Google Play.
- Google Play no longer supports your Android version or device.
- The app is unavailable in your country, including India.
- The developer published a new app listing.
- The app was installed from an APK or another app store.
- You are viewing the wrong Google Account.
Avoid downloading a random “old APK” simply because the original app is missing. Modified or repackaged APK files can contain malware, intrusive advertising, or stolen login screens. If you must use an app that is no longer listed, look first for the developer’s official website or support page.
How to See Previously Downloaded Apps on iPhone or iPad
Apple calls the account-based list Your Apps. It includes apps associated with your Apple Account that are not currently on the device. Apple’s current steps are documented in Apple Support’s redownload guide.
Find apps removed from an iPhone or iPad
- Open the App Store.
- Tap your account picture or the My Account button at the top.
- Tap Apps & Purchase History.
- Tap Your Apps.
- Select Not on this iPhone or Not on this iPad.
- Find the app you want.
- Tap the Redownload button.
Depending on your iOS or iPadOS version, the wording may appear as Purchased instead of Your Apps. The principle is the same: open your account’s app list and filter out apps already installed on the device.
See apps downloaded on another Apple device
Your Apple Account can connect purchases across iPhone, iPad, and other Apple devices. In the App Store, open your account page and review Your Apps. If you use Family Sharing, tap My Apps or choose a family member’s name to view apps they have purchased and shared.
An iPhone app is not automatically available for Mac, and some apps have separate versions for different Apple platforms. Apple also notes that Apple Arcade games do not appear in normal purchases; search for those games in the Apple Arcade catalogue instead.
Check Apple purchase history and download details
To see dates, prices, refunds, subscriptions, and free or paid transactions:
- Open the App Store.
- Tap your account picture.
- Tap Apps & Purchase History.
- Tap Purchase History.
- Use the search field or filters for date range, cost, type, or family member.
Apple’s purchase history includes free and paid apps, in-app purchases, subscriptions, music, books, and other digital content. Apple’s official purchase-history instructions explain how to narrow the results.
If an iPhone app is missing
Try these checks:
- Confirm that you are signed in with the original Apple Account.
- Check Hidden Purchases in your App Store account settings.
- Search the App Store directly; the developer may have changed the app’s name.
- Check whether the app supports your current iOS or iPadOS version.
- Verify that the app is available in your current country or region.
- If Family Sharing was involved, select the correct family member.
- Look for an Apple receipt in your email to identify the account used.
An app removed from the App Store may not be redownloadable, even if it appears in purchase history. Availability can also change after a developer stops distributing an app or Apple determines that it no longer meets store requirements.
App List Versus Purchase History: Which Should You Use?
| What you want to find | Android | iPhone or iPad |
|---|---|---|
| Deleted apps available to reinstall | Play Store → Manage apps and device → Not installed | App Store → Your Apps → Not on this device |
| Paid app orders | Payments & subscriptions → Budget & history | Apps & Purchase History → Purchase History |
| Exact order date or price | Google Play order history or Google Payments | Apple purchase history |
| Apps on a family member’s account | Use the account that downloaded the app | Family Sharing → choose the family member |
| Apps installed from outside the store | Not normally listed | Not normally listed |
Use the app list when you remember the app but want to reinstall it. Use purchase history when you need billing information, an invoice, a refund record, or an approximate download date.
Can You See the Exact Date an App Was Downloaded?
Usually, the standard “previously installed” list does not show a precise installation date for every free app. It is primarily a catalogue for finding and reinstalling apps.
For paid apps and subscriptions, store purchase history may show the transaction date. Your email inbox can also help: search for terms such as “Google Play order,” “Your Apple receipt,” or the app’s name. Remember that a purchase date is not always the same as the date the app was installed.
If you installed an app through an APK, a phone manufacturer’s store, a work profile, or a third-party marketplace, Google Play or the App Store may have no record of it.
Troubleshooting: Previously Downloaded Apps Are Not Showing
The account is wrong
This is the most frequent cause. Check every Google Account or Apple Account you may have used, including an old school, work, or personal email address.
The app is hidden or filtered
On Android, make sure the filter is set to Not installed, not Installed. On Apple devices, choose Not on this device and check for hidden purchases.
The app is incompatible
Store listings may be hidden or blocked when an app does not support your phone, operating-system version, processor, or country. Update your device only through its normal system settings, and do not install unofficial “compatibility” files.
The app was removed
A listing can disappear after the developer removes it, changes its package or product listing, or stops offering it in India. Your history may remain, but the install button may be unavailable.
Store errors or poor connectivity
Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, restart the store app, and check that automatic date and time are enabled. On Android, Google recommends clearing Play Store cache for some download problems; clearing storage can reset Play Store settings, so use it only when necessary.
Is It Safe to Reinstall an Old App?
The safest method is always the original Google Play Store or Apple App Store listing. Before reinstalling, check the developer name, ratings, requested permissions, privacy information, and recent update activity.
Be especially careful with apps involving banking, payments, Aadhaar services, trading, or passwords. Download only from the official store or the organisation’s verified website. Never share your Google or Apple password with a website claiming it can reveal your download history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see every app I have ever downloaded?
You can usually see apps associated with your Google Account or Apple Account, including many deleted apps. Apps installed from APK files, third-party stores, another account, or an organisation’s management system may not appear.
How do I find an app I deleted years ago?
On Android, open Manage apps and device, select Manage, and switch to Not installed. On iPhone or iPad, open Your Apps and choose Not on this device. Search the list and redownload the app if it remains available.
Do I have to pay again for a previously purchased app?
Normally, no, provided you use the same Google Account or Apple Account and the app is still offered by the developer. In-app consumables, such as game coins, may work differently and may require the app’s own restore process.
Why can’t I find an old game in my history?
You may be using a different account, the game may have been removed or renamed, or it may have been downloaded through another store. Check old purchase emails and search the developer’s official website.
Can I see when a free app was installed?
The store’s previous-app list usually does not provide an exact installation timestamp for every free app. Purchase history, email receipts, device activity logs, or a phone backup may provide partial clues.
Can I view another person’s downloaded apps?
Only if they sign in to their account or, on Apple devices, share purchases through Family Sharing. Do not use websites or apps that ask for someone else’s password to reveal private download history.
Will reinstalling an app restore my old data?
Only if the app stored data in an account, cloud backup, or a supported device backup. Reinstalling an app does not automatically restore every local file or offline game save.
