How to Restore Deleted Power Apps
Losing a Power App can be frustrating, especially if it’s a crucial business application. Whether you accidentally deleted it or encountered a technical issue, recovering deleted Power Apps is possible if you act quickly. Microsoft provides built-in recovery options, but understanding how they work is essential to restoring your app effectively. This guide will walk you through the steps to recover deleted Power Apps, prevent future losses, and ensure data security.
Can You Restore Deleted Power Apps?
Yes, you can restore deleted Power Apps, but with conditions. Microsoft provides a limited timeframe to recover deleted applications, and the process depends on where the app was stored—whether in a specific environment, the Common Data Service (CDS), or an external backup.
Factors Affecting Power Apps Recovery
- Time Since Deletion: Microsoft retains deleted apps for a limited period.
- App Ownership: Only admins or owners can restore apps.
- Backup Availability: Having a backup simplifies restoration.
- Environment Type: Some environments have different recovery rules.
Methods to Restore Deleted Power Apps
1. Restore from Power Platform Admin Center
Microsoft provides a built-in recovery system in the Power Platform Admin Center, allowing admins to recover deleted apps within a given period.
Steps to Restore a Deleted Power App:
- Sign in to the Power Platform Admin Center.
- Navigate to “Environments” and select the environment where the app was deleted.
- Click “Deleted apps” to view recently deleted applications.
- Find the deleted app and select “Restore”.
- Confirm the restoration process and check if the app appears in your list.
Note: If the app does not appear in the deleted apps list, it may be permanently deleted.
2. Restore from Version History
If you edited your app before deletion, the version history might still have previous iterations that can be restored.
How to Restore a Previous Version of Power Apps:
- Open Power Apps.
- Click on “Apps” in the left menu.
- Find the affected app (if partially deleted).
- Select “Versions” and restore the most recent working version.
Tip: Regularly saving and labeling versions of your apps can prevent data loss.
3. Use Microsoft Dataverse (CDS) Backup
If your Power App was linked to Microsoft Dataverse (formerly Common Data Service), you may recover it using a Dataverse backup.
Steps to Restore Power Apps from Dataverse Backup:
- Go to the Power Platform Admin Center.
- Select “Environments” and click on the environment containing the deleted app.
- Navigate to “Backups” > “Restore”.
- Choose a backup date before the app deletion.
- Click “Restore” and confirm.
Caution: Restoring from a backup may overwrite other data in the same environment.
4. Restore from SharePoint or OneDrive Backup
If your Power App pulls data from SharePoint, OneDrive, or Excel Online, you may need to restore missing data before reactivating the app. Explore how to show notification number on app icon in your device.
How to Recover Deleted Data from SharePoint:
- Open SharePoint and go to the Recycle Bin.
- Locate and restore any missing files connected to your Power App.
- If data was stored in OneDrive, go to the OneDrive Recycle Bin and restore deleted items.
Tip: Always link Power Apps to structured backup solutions for better recovery.
5. Contact Microsoft Support
If none of the above methods work, contacting Microsoft Support is your last resort.
How to Contact Microsoft Support for Power Apps Recovery:
- Go to Microsoft Support.
- Select “Power Apps” and open a support ticket.
- Provide details like App Name, Environment, and Deletion Date.
- Wait for Microsoft’s response regarding recovery options.
Pro Tip: Microsoft retains some deleted app data even after the standard recovery period, so always check with support.
Best Practices to Prevent Power Apps Deletion
1. Enable Automated Backups
Microsoft offers automatic backups in Dataverse. Ensure backups are enabled for easy restoration.
Steps to Enable Backups:
- Go to Power Platform Admin Center > “Environments” > “Backups”
- Set up an automated backup policy
2. Assign Proper User Roles
Restricting app deletion permissions can prevent accidental deletions.
Recommended Roles:
- App Owners: Full control, including deletion rights.
- Users: Can only run and interact with the app.
- Developers: Limited edit permissions, no deletion rights.
3. Use GitHub or Azure DevOps for Source Control
Storing Power Apps code and configurations in GitHub or Azure DevOps ensures recoverability even if the app is deleted.
How to Connect Power Apps to GitHub:
- Use the Power Apps ALM Accelerator to sync apps with a GitHub repository.
- Store app configurations as JSON files for version control.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does Microsoft retain deleted Power Apps?
Microsoft retains deleted Power Apps for up to 30 days before permanent deletion.
Can I restore a deleted Power App without admin access?
No, only Power Platform Admins or app owners can restore deleted apps.
What if my app was permanently deleted?
If permanently deleted, recovery depends on backups or Microsoft Support assistance.
Does restoring a Power App restore its data?
No, you may need to restore related databases or files separately if they were also deleted.
How can I prevent accidental deletion of Power Apps?
Use role-based access control (RBAC), enable backups, and implement version control through GitHub or Azure DevOps.
Conclusion
Restoring deleted Power Apps is possible with the right tools and quick action. Microsoft’s Power Platform provides recovery features like deleted app restoration, version history, and backups. However, the best strategy is prevention—implementing backup solutions, role-based access control, and version control systems can save you from future data losses.
If you’ve lost a Power App, follow the methods outlined in this guide to recover it efficiently. Act quickly before it becomes permanently deleted.
