Here’s why some iOS apps may be missing from your ‘purchased’ history

If you’ve noticed older apps aren’t available in your purchase history for iOS, you’re not alone. Apple has confirmed titles that a developer has pulled from circulation will no longer be available for download.

Speaking to Pocket Gamer, and Apple spokesperson said “if an app that you own is removed from the App Store, you will no longer be able to download it from your purchase history.”

It’s something that first came to our attention as TweetBot 4 came available. In releasing the new version, Tapbots pulled TweetBot 3 from the App Store. The company’s workaround was to make it available in one region, which kept it in circulation — technically.

Its choice? Burkina Faso.

While it’s not clear what prompted the change, I’d wager app thinning is the main culprit. If an app isn’t on your device, app thinning ensures it doesn’t take up more room than is necessary.

If you’ve got an old favorite you’re thinking about removing from your device, backing purchases up to a computer via iTunes seems to be your best bet.

➤ Confirmed: Apple will no longer let customers re-download games and apps that have been removed from the App Store [Pocket Gamer]