How to Check Your App Store: iOS & Android

Checking your app store is about more than just seeing what apps are installed. It covers reviewing pending updates, managing subscriptions, checking your purchase history, and verifying that your payment and account details are correct. This guide walks you through the essential checks on both iOS (App Store) and Android (Google Play Store), so you can keep your apps current, spot any unusual activity, and manage your digital purchases effectively.

What You’ll Need

Your iPhone or iPad (for the App Store) or Android phone/tablet (for Google Play Store).
Your Apple ID or Google account password (or biometric authentication like Face ID, Touch ID, or fingerprint) to make changes or view certain account details.
A stable internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular) to load the store and check for updates.

Step-by-Step

The steps differ slightly between iOS and Android, so pick the section that applies to your device.

On iPhone or iPad (App Store)

Open the App Store app. Tap the blue App Store icon on your home screen.
Check for updates. Tap your profile icon (top right corner). You’ll see a list of apps with pending updates. To update all, tap “Update All.” To update a single app, tap “Update” next to it.
Review your purchases. While still on your profile page, scroll down to find “Purchase History.” Tap it to see a list of all apps you’ve downloaded or bought, including free downloads. You can filter by date range and see the price you paid (if any).
Manage subscriptions. On your profile page, tap “Subscriptions.” This shows all active and expired subscriptions tied to your Apple ID. Tap any subscription to change its plan, cancel it, or see the next billing date.
Verify your account and payment info. Tap your name at the top of the profile page. You’ll see your Apple ID, email, and payment methods. Tap “Payment & Shipping” to review or update your credit card or other payment method. Also check your “Country/Region” to ensure it’s correct.
Check for hidden or offloaded apps. Go to your iPhone’s Settings app, tap your name at the top, then tap “Media & Purchases” > “Manage” > “Hidden Purchases.” Here you can unhide any apps you’ve intentionally hidden. To see offloaded apps (apps removed from your device but kept in your purchase history), go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and look for apps with a cloud icon.

On Android (Google Play Store)

Open the Google Play Store app. Tap the Play Store icon (a multicolored triangle) on your home screen or app drawer.
Check for updates. Tap your profile icon (top right corner), then tap “Manage apps & device.” You’ll see a section for “Updates available.” Tap “Update all” or update individual apps by tapping “Update” next to them.
Review your purchase history. From the same “Manage apps & device” screen, tap the “Overview” tab, then scroll down to see “Recently updated.” For a full history, tap your profile icon > “Payments & subscriptions” > “Budget history.” This shows all Google Play purchases, not just apps.
Manage subscriptions. Tap your profile icon > “Payments & subscriptions” > “Subscriptions.” Here you’ll see all active subscriptions. Tap one to cancel, change payment method, or see renewal dates.
Verify your payment methods. Tap your profile icon > “Payments & subscriptions” > “Payment methods.” Review the cards or other payment options on file. You can add, remove, or update them here.
Check your account info. Tap your profile icon > “Settings” > “General” > “Account preferences.” Here you can verify your country, and see your email and other account details.

Common Mistakes

Mixing up “Updates” and “Purchases.” The updates list shows apps that have newer versions available, not your full purchase history. Your purchase history is a separate list that includes every app you’ve ever downloaded, even if it’s no longer on your device.
Forgetting to check subscriptions. Many people check their apps but never look at subscriptions. Subscriptions renew automatically, so you might be paying for apps you no longer use. Always check the subscriptions section at least once a month.
Assuming all apps are on the same store. If you have an iPhone, you only use the App Store. If you have an Android, you use Google Play. But some apps are also available from third-party sites (like Samsung Galaxy Store). If you don’t see an app in your official store, check if you installed it from elsewhere.
Ignoring the “Not on This iPhone” filter. In the App Store’s purchase history, you can filter to see only apps not currently installed. This is useful for redownloading apps you deleted, but it’s easy to confuse with your full history.

Tips

Enable automatic updates. On iPhone: Settings > App Store > turn on “App Updates.” On Android: Play Store > Settings > Network preferences > Auto-update apps. This saves you from manually checking for updates, but it’s still wise to review updates occasionally to see what changed.
Use Family Sharing to check family purchases. On iPhone, you can go to Settings > your name > Family Sharing > Purchase Sharing to see purchases made by family members. On Android, you can use the Family Library feature.
Check for large, unexpected charges. If you see a charge you don’t recognize in your purchase history, it might be a subscription you forgot about, or a family member’s in-app purchase. Always investigate unfamiliar charges.
Keep your payment method up to date. If your credit card expires, your subscriptions will fail to renew, and you might lose access to apps or services. Update your payment info as soon as you get a new card.

Troubleshooting

If something doesn’t look right, here’s what to do:

You can’t see your purchase history. Make sure you’re signed in with the correct Apple ID or Google account. On iPhone, go to Settings > App Store and check the Apple ID shown. On Android, go to Play Store > profile icon > Settings > General > Account preferences to see the account.
An update is stuck on “Waiting” or “Downloading.” This is usually a network issue. Try switching from Wi-Fi to cellular (or vice versa), or restart your device. If it persists, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage (iOS) or Settings > Apps (Android) and delete the app’s update data, then try again.
You see an app you don’t recognize in your purchase history. This could be a free app you downloaded accidentally, or an app from a family member if you have Family Sharing. Check the date and price. If you suspect unauthorized use, change your Apple ID or Google password immediately.
Your subscription isn’t showing up. Sometimes subscriptions take a few hours to appear. If it’s been longer, try signing out of your account and signing back in. If it’s a subscription bought within an app (not through the store), check the app’s own settings.
You can’t update an app because it’s no longer compatible. This happens when an app requires a newer iOS or Android version. You’ll need to update your device’s operating system, or the app will remain at its last compatible version.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I see all the apps I’ve ever downloaded?

On iPhone, go to App Store > profile icon > Purchase History. On Android, go to Play Store > profile icon > Payments & subscriptions > Budget history. Both show your complete download history, including free apps.

Can I check my app store without an internet connection?

No. The app store requires an internet connection to load your account information, purchase history, and available updates. You can view installed apps offline, but not the store’s data.

Why is an app missing from my purchase history?

If you used a different Apple ID or Google account at the time of download, it won’t appear under your current account. Also, apps removed from the store (by the developer) may still show in your history, but you may not be able to redownload them.

How do I cancel a subscription I found?

On iPhone: App Store > profile icon > Subscriptions > tap the subscription > Cancel Subscription. On Android: Play Store > profile icon > Payments & subscriptions > Subscriptions > tap the subscription > Cancel subscription. Follow the prompts.

What does “Offloaded App” mean on iPhone?

It means the app’s data is kept, but the app itself is removed to save space. You can reinstall it by tapping the cloud icon. It still appears in your purchase history and can be restored anytime.

Is it safe to share my app store account with a family member?

It’s safer to use Family Sharing (iOS) or Family Library (Android) instead of sharing the same account. Sharing an account means you both see each other’s purchases and can accidentally buy things for each other. Family features are designed for this.

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 →