iOS 15: App Store Hides Screenshots of Installed Apps in Search Results to Improve Discoverability - MacRumors
Skip to Content

iOS 15: App Store Hides Screenshots of Installed Apps in Search Results to Improve Discoverability

Apple on Monday previewed iOS 15 as the next major update to iOS, and already, despite the new software being in the hands of developers for just a few days, a plethora of hidden features continue to be discovered. One new hidden tweak is a change in behavior in the App Store, where now screenshots for already installed apps are hidden in ‌App Store‌ search results.

ios 15 app store search results
The new change, spotted on Twitter, will make it easier for users to discover new or currently uninstalled apps on their device. Previously, all apps would display their screenshots inline within the ‌App Store‌ search page. On iOS 15, that's been changed only to show the app name, icon, and "Open" button for installed apps. As a result, apps that were previously only seen by scrolling are now visible right away due to the new compact format.

iOS 15 includes several noteworthy features, including completely redesigned notifications, a new Focus mode, improvements to Maps, significant new FaceTime features, and more. Learn more about everything new in iOS 15 using our guide.

Related Forum: iOS 15

Popular Stories

Liquid Glass App Store Feature

Apple Made Nearly $900 Million From Generative AI Apps Last Year

Friday March 20, 2026 6:23 am PDT by
Apple collected nearly $900 million in App Store fees from generative AI apps in 2025, according to data from analysis firm AppMagic, covered by The Wall Street Journal ($). The overwhelming majority of Apple's AI app commission revenue came courtesy of ChatGPT downloads leading to subsequent subscriptions, which alone accounted for around 75 percent of the above total. Elon Musk's Grok app...
Apple App Store Awards 2025

Apple Updates App Store Connect With More Than 100 New Metrics

Wednesday March 25, 2026 6:38 am PDT by
App Store Connect is a tool that allows app developers to view App Store metrics such as total downloads, and today it is receiving a major update. "Analytics in App Store Connect receives its biggest update since its launch," said Apple, in a post on its developer news portal. Apple says App Store Connect has a refreshed user experience that makes it easier to measure the performance of...
iOS App Store General Feature Black

Apple Pulls Vibe Coding App 'Anything' From App Store, Escalating Enforcement [Updated]

Monday March 30, 2026 2:33 pm PDT by
Apple has removed a "vibe coding" app from its App Store, reports The Information. AI app building app "Anything" was pulled from the App Store, and Anything co-founder Dhruv Amin was told that his app violated Guideline 2.5.2. "Vibe coding" is a term used for code generated using AI based on natural language with no coding experience necessary. Anything and other apps like it let users...

Top Rated Comments

HeinoM Avatar
63 months ago

Why are already installed apps even included in the first place? Or at least buried below some number of not installed apps.

Why are already installed apps even included in the first place? Or at least buried below some number of not installed apps.
I know that I sometimes forget I that have certain apps installed. So when I search the App Store for an app that can do xyz, it’s helpful to be reminded that , “oh yeah! I already have that!”
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
64 months ago
This is neat, one of those didn't-know-I-wanted-until-it-existed features!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iDento Avatar
64 months ago
Subtle, but useful changes all over the place with iOS 15. The OS is very polished now.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
64 months ago
Interesting for sure!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
63 months ago
What if you want to find the developer of an app you love and see what other apps they have built lately? Kinda sucks! Can’t be done if you can’t see your installed apps in the App Store. Plus you can’t view the privacy nutrition label… 🤷🏻‍♂️
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)