If you can't find the app store icon on your home screen, don't panic. Check all the home screens and folders, and use the search function to see if it appears. Swipe to the left screen and search for “App Store” to see if it appears. If you're missing an app that was once a legitimate iOS application, you may be able to access it.
Ask a friend who has the app to copy it to the cloud or a storage medium, and then drag it to iTunes and sync it with your iOS device. To do this, you'll need an older version of iTunes. This way, you can use alternative app stores, install any application you want, and access the main iOS files. Jailbreaking your phone is another option for accessing apps that aren't available on the App Store.
This allows you to get paid apps for free, without using the App Store. It also lets you load applications as you used to before the disappearance of the App Store and without entering your Apple ID. Cydia is a great source for free and paid apps that aren't in the Apple App Store. It's important to note that while Apple has been criticized in the past for how it enforces its guidelines, they generally make apps available on the App Store better.
Sideloading is another way to install applications directly on your iPhone instead of using the App Store. This is useful if you want to access apps that aren't compatible with Apple. Sometimes apps disappear from the App Store because Apple removed them due to policy violations, malware, or malfunctions. If this happens, there are still ways to access these apps.
