Fix the “App No Longer Shared With You” iPhone Error

The “This app is no longer shared with you” message usually means your iPhone or iPad cannot confirm that the app is available through the Apple Account or Family Sharing arrangement that installed it. First, check which account downloaded the app; then update or reinstall it from the App Store using an account that is authorized to get it.

Why the message appears

This alert is associated with app sharing and purchase authorization, not necessarily a fault in the app itself. It can appear after a Family Sharing setup changes, an app is removed from a shared purchase arrangement, or the device is signed in to a different Apple Account from the one that obtained the app. A temporary App Store or account-sync issue can also prevent the device from checking access correctly.

Apple’s app sharing is not the same as copying an app from one device to another. A device needs a valid way to obtain the app, such as an eligible purchase associated with its Apple Account or an app shared through Family Sharing. Sharing an Apple Account password is not a good workaround: it can expose personal data and create confusion about purchases and account ownership.

Try these fixes in order

Connect to the internet and restart the device. Use a working Wi-Fi or cellular connection, close the affected app, and restart the iPhone or iPad. Open the app again. This can clear a temporary connection or authorization problem without removing anything.
Check for an app update. Open the App Store, tap your account picture, and look for the app in the available updates list. Install an update if one is offered, then try the app again. Also check that iOS or iPadOS is up to date in Settings > General > Software Update.
Confirm the Apple Account used for Media & Purchases. In Settings, tap your name and check the account shown for Media & Purchases. The account used for App Store purchases can differ from the account used for iCloud. If the app belongs to another account or a family member’s purchase, that difference may explain the message. Do not sign out of iCloud just to test this; signing out can affect synced services.
Check Family Sharing. In Settings, tap your name and open Family to confirm that you are still in the expected family group. The family organizer can check whether Purchase Sharing is enabled and whether the app is eligible to be shared. Some apps, subscriptions, and in-app purchases are not shareable, and availability can depend on the app’s terms and the family’s settings.
Delete and reinstall the app only after checking its data. If the earlier steps fail, deleting the app and downloading it again from the App Store can restore a valid installation. Before deleting it, check whether its documents, saved progress, or other data are synced or backed up. App data may be stored only on the device, and removing an app can remove associated local data. Reinstall through the account or sharing arrangement that is entitled to the app.

Reinstalling without losing important data

There is an important difference between removing an app from the Home Screen and deleting it. Removing it from the Home Screen leaves it in the App Library; deleting it removes the app and may remove data stored locally with it. If you see an option to offload an app, offloading removes the app itself while generally keeping its documents and data, but it is not a guarantee that every app’s information is safe or recoverable.

Before deleting, open the app if possible and look for an in-app backup, sync, or export option. Check the app’s own support information to learn where it stores data. If the app will not open, check whether its data is included in an existing device backup or synced service before taking a step that could erase it. Reinstalling an app does not necessarily restore data that was never backed up or synchronized.

When Family Sharing is involved

Family Sharing lets eligible family members access certain purchases made by other members when Purchase Sharing is set up. It does not mean every app is automatically shared, and it does not transfer ownership of a purchase to every family member. The original purchaser’s account and the app’s sharing eligibility still matter.

If the app was obtained by a parent, organizer, or another family member, ask that person to check their purchase history and the family’s Purchase Sharing settings. If they no longer share the purchase, have left the family group, or the app is no longer eligible, the device may need to download it using an account that owns it. Avoid removing yourself from a family group or changing the organizer’s settings as a first troubleshooting step, since that can affect access to other shared purchases and services.

If the error keeps coming back

Try to narrow down whether the issue affects one app or several. If only one app is affected, its purchase eligibility, developer support, or app data is more likely to be relevant. If multiple apps show the alert, check the Apple Account used for Media & Purchases, the internet connection, and whether Apple’s services are experiencing an outage.

Search the App Store for the app and confirm it is still available for your device and region.
Check that you are not using a managed work or school device with restrictions that affect app installation.
If the App Store requests account verification, complete the normal sign-in or billing prompts rather than using another person’s credentials.
Contact Apple Support if account access or purchase history appears incorrect; contact the app developer if the app itself rejects a valid installation.

Do not install unofficial copies or profiles advertised as a way around the warning. They may not be trustworthy, and they do not fix the underlying purchase or sharing authorization. Likewise, repeatedly deleting the app is unlikely to help if the account currently signed in has no valid access to it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does “This app is no longer shared with you” mean the app was removed?
Not necessarily. It means the device cannot confirm access through the current sharing or purchase arrangement. The app may still be available in the App Store, but you may need to download it with an authorized account.

Will reinstalling the app fix the error?
It often resolves a damaged or outdated installation, but it will not grant access if the Apple Account is not entitled to the app. Check that access first, and protect any app data that is stored only on the device.

Can I fix it without deleting the app?
Yes. Restart the device, check the connection, install available app and system updates, and verify Media & Purchases and Family Sharing first. Delete and reinstall only if those steps do not work.

Why does the warning appear on only one of my devices?
Devices can use different Apple Account settings, app versions, or local installations. Compare the Media & Purchases account and app update status on the affected device with a device where the app works.

Will deleting the app erase my data?
It can erase data stored locally with the app. Check its sync or backup options before deleting; app data is not automatically recoverable just because you download the app again.

What if the app is no longer in the App Store?
You may not be able to reinstall it through the usual App Store process. Check your purchase history and contact the developer or Apple Support for guidance; do not rely on unofficial downloads.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →