Published on February 21st, 2025
Maintaining a log of your installed apps on your iOS or Android devices is beneficial in numerous ways. It helps you track any unauthorized downloads, analyze your digital habits, and make sure a particular app wasn’t inadvertently reinstalled. For example, it can be very important to have a way to verify whether your employee or child has downloaded and then removed a restricted application.
In this guide, we will cover the various ways to find out when an app was last downloaded on iOS and Android devices. We will also look into any further details or restrictions related to each approach.
How to See When an App was Last Downloaded on Android?
There are many options to see when the app was last downloaded on your Android device. Here’s what you need to do:
Method 1: Using Google Play Store
Google Play Store is an in-built application store on all Android devices used to download apps built with Android SDK. It also keeps track of all installed apps on your linked Google account.
Also Read: Publish Android App on Google Play Store
Step 1 – Click on Google Play Store.
Step 2 – Click on the Profile icon in the top right corner.
Step 3 – Click on Manage apps & device. On some devices, it may say My Apps & Games.
Step 4 – Here, tap on Manage to view all apps installed on your device. Choose This Device or Not Installed.
Step 5 – Click on Sort and select Recently Added. Here, all your apps are arranged by their latest installation date. The most recently downloaded apps are at the top.
*Keynote: If an app is installed using a third-party app such as Aptoid or TapTap, you won’t be able to see it on Google Play Store.
Method 2: Checking App Info in Settings
Android devices also show installation information such as date, time, and app size within the device Settings. Let’s see how:
Step 1 – Open Settings on your device and open it.
Step 2 – Scroll down to Applications or Apps.
Step 3 – Locate and click on the app you want to check the last downloaded date of.
Step 4 – Scroll down to see the Install Date.
*Keynote: Some Android devices do not show the date of installation. Also, you cannot see the reinstallation dates of any apps.
Method 3: Using Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls
Digital Wellbeing can be enabled to track app usage on any Android phone. You can use this feature to see when the app was last used or installed on certain Android devices.
Step 1 – Launch Settings.
Step 2 – In the search bar, type Digital Wellbeing, or you can scroll down to Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls and click on it.
Step 3 – Click on the Dashboard and find the app to check its usage history.
*Keynote: this method does not show the exact download date. However, you can check the app’s usage data from the start to learn when it was last downloaded.
How to See When an App was Last Downloaded on iOS?
If you use an iOS device and are eager to know how to see when an app was last downloaded, here’s what you need to do:
Method 1: Using the App Store
Created and maintained by Apple, the App Store is a marketplace for iOS apps. It maintains a record of every app installed by users.
Also Read: Submit an iOS App to the App Store
Step 1 – Locate and launch App Store on your iOS device
Step 2 – Click on your Profile Picture or Account Icon in the top-right corner of your screen.
Step 3 – In the Account section, click on Apps.
Step 4 – Here, you can see the applications you have ever downloaded (even the deleted ones), along with their download date.
Step 5 – Scroll down to find the app you want to see the last downloaded date of.
*Please note that you won’t be able to see the exact download date if the app is reinstalled. Instead, you will see the last reinstalled date. Moreover, this method does not specify the time of installation.
Method 2: Checking App Store Purchase History
iTunes & App Store purchase history can provide insights into past downloads. Follow these steps to see:
Step 1 – Locate and launch Settings on your iOS device.
Step 2 – Click on your Name at the top, then tap on Media & Purchases.
Step 3 – Click on View Account, followed by Purchase History.
Step 4 – This screen will display all the apps you have installed on your iOS device, along with the most recent ones.
Step 5 – Use the filter to set the date range and order to see the time you downloaded a certain application.
Method 3: Using Screen Time
Screen Time feature on iOS devices can help you get details on specific app usage. This indirectly determines when the app was last downloaded.
Step 1 – Go to Settings.
Step 2 – Scroll down, find Screen Time, and click.
Step 3 – Click on See All Activity.
Step 4 – Here, you can see all the apps categorized systematically. Scroll down to find the app and check its usage history.
*Please note that if any application recently appears in Screen Time but was not there earlier, it might signal the latest download.
Can You See If an App Was Downloaded and Then Deleted?
Both Apple and Android devices have limited options for recording deleted or uninstalled apps. Perhaps these tactics will work for you.
For Android Devices
- Use the Google Play Store’s Library to see previously installed apps.
- Third-party apps like Package Tracker may help track uninstalled apps (needs prior setup).
For iOS Devices
- Check the App Store Purchase History (as described earlier). Apps that were downloaded but deleted will still appear in this list.
- Check iCloud Backups if you suspect an app was removed.
Final Thoughts
Although there isn’t a simple way to see an app’s precise last download date on either iOS or Android, there are a few ways to get an idea. Android users can check the Google Play Store, App Info, and Digital Wellbeing to find out when an app was last downloaded, while iOS users can rely on the Screen Time and iTunes and App Store’s Purchase History. But you can also keep an eye on app activity by turning on backups, configuring parental controls, and keeping an eye on usage statistics.
Following the above steps will help you collect the data you need to properly manage your apps.
