Introduction
Ever deleted an app and then hope for the undo option? Maybe you want to recover a removed application by mistake or look at what has been deleted most recently. Application removal clears up space but will not inform you if they’re removed permanently. The ability to look at or recover deleted apps most recently is useful especially if you’re in the mood to clean up space or recover precious applications.
But iPhone and Android phones are not deleted the same. Apps never get stored on iPhone to a trash bin; just re-download from App Store. Android does have some way to look at recently uninstalled apps, but not always simple. With new device restarting and cleaning cycles, it’s worth knowing how to see recently deleted apps easily.
Learning How Deleting Apps Works on iPhone and Android
How iOS Deletes Apps
When you uninstall an app on an iPhone, it gets uninstalled from your home screen immediately. Apps do not have a special “Recently Deleted” folder as images or documents do. The application is not stored on your device to restore later once uninstalled. Your past downloads are there instead in the App Store under “Purchased.” It provides what you’ve previously downloaded and simplifies re-installing.
If you accidentally uninstall an application, you’ll be forced to re-install it from the store. Your purchase history will remain in your Apple ID account, but the app itself will not be sitting in a trash can waiting to be restored.
How Android Handles Uninstalling an App
Android does delete apps differently. If you uninstall an app from Settings or Google Play, it deletes it from your phone. Third-party apps or certain Android versions will provide you with “Recently Uninstalled” apps, but that is not what you would have on all phones.
Google Play does provide a “Library” of apps that you’ve downloaded in the past which you can access to re-install apps that you once had. But it will not display the date of deletion. Android backup is also not the same, and recovery of deleted apps will be more difficult if you did not backup in advance.
How to See Recently Deleted Apps on iPhone
Seeing Purchased Apps in App Store
Curious about which apps you’ve deleted? Go to the App Store. Tap on your profile picture and select “Purchased.” There, you will be presented with a full list of programs for your account, including ones which you’ve deleted.
To re-download a never-installed app, you simply tap the cloud icon to the left of it. Unfortunately, this is not telling you when you last uninstalled an app, but whether you ever downloaded it in the first place. It’s more of a general past than an uninstall history.
Using Screen Time for App Limiting
Screen Time can also recommend app deletions by showing you your history of apps. While it will never inform you of what you’ve deleted, if app use is dropping to zero, chances are you’ve deleted or stopped using an app. It’s helpful but confusing.
Restoring from an iCloud or Backup
If you really need an application, recovery from iTunes backup or iCloud backup will restore deleted applications. Just remember that restoring erases your current information and replaces it with the backup. Therefore, use this only if your backup is relatively new and contains the apps you really need. It’s a good recovery option but not for entertainment viewing.
How to view Recently Deleted Apps on Android
By Google Play Store’s “Library
Google Play’s “Library” has a roll of all your apps that you ever downloaded through your Google Account. This is how you access it:
- Open Google Play and tap on the three lines.
- Tap on “My apps & games.”
- Tap on the “Library” tab.
You can see a list of apps you previously installed here. Installing is as easy as clicking “Install” to the right of an app. But it will not notify you exactly when you uninstalled apps and if they still remain in your device or not.
Verification of “Uninstall Apps” List through Settings
You might have Android phones or other apps with last removed apps history. You typically view it by:
- Opening Settings
- Choosing “Apps & Notifications”
- Hitting “See all apps” or “App info”
Uninstalled applications will typically not be seen on phones, but third-party applications can search your device and display items that are no longer installed. Use only reputable and well-known applications from known software firms to prevent putting your information in danger.
Reaching Third-Party Apps and Backup Tools
You can recover deleted apps or files using applications like “Dumpster” or “DiskDigger” in case you had already employed them before deletion. Recovery applications will likely recover program data or, in a few instances, the programs themselves. They are most valuable in case you often back up to Google Drive or some other cloud storage.
Be careful, however. Third-party data recovery software at times is a privacy issue. Use it only when you know and have faith in the programmer and are aware of what information they retrieve.
Pro Tips to Merging Deleted Apps and Data Recovery
- Back up your device regularly through iCloud or Google Drive. This prevents losing data while uninstalling apps.
- Allow app activity notifications if your phone supports this feature. You will then know when you are deleting apps.
- Keep an updated list of your essential apps so you will not lose them.
- Utilize built-in backup functionalities. They help you restore apps and data easily in case you delete important ones by mistake.
Conclusion
Recently deleted apps appearing on your iPhone or Android isn’t easy, but it can be done. For iPhone, your safest bet is to look in the purchase history or restore from backups. Android users can look in the Google Play “Library” or use recovery software to determine what was deleted.
Always stay prepared by backing up your device regularly. This way, recovering a deleted app or data becomes much easier. Keep informed about your device’s options, and you’ll always be able to manage your apps more effectively. Whether it’s for storage space or accidental deletes, knowing how to find recently removed apps is a smart habit that saves time and frustration.