How to restore deleted power apps​?

Power Apps is a platform by Microsoft that allows users to create and customize business applications without extensive coding. If you have deleted a Power App, there are several methods to restore it, depending on various factors such as the type of deletion and the settings of your environment. Here are the common ways to restore deleted Power Apps:

Restore from the Recycle Bin

For Canvas Apps:

Access the Recycle Bin: Log in to the Power Apps portal at https://make.powerapps.com/. On the left navigation pane, click on “Recycle bin”. Here, you’ll find a list of all the apps that have been deleted recently.

Restore the App: Locate the specific Canvas App you want to restore in the Recycle Bin. Click on the three dots (…) next to the app’s name and select “Restore”. Confirm the restoration action, and the app will be returned to its original location in the Power Apps portal.

For Model-Driven Apps: The process is similar to that of Canvas Apps. Go to the Power Apps portal, access the Recycle Bin, find the deleted Model-Driven App, and click “Restore” using the three-dot menu next to the app’s name.

Restore Using PowerShell

Install the PowerApps Cmdlets: If you haven’t already, you need to install the PowerApps Cmdlets. Open Windows PowerShell as an administrator and run the following command to install the required module: Install-Module -Name Microsoft.PowerApps.Administration.PowerShell -AllowClobber -Force.

Connect to Power Apps: Use the following command to connect to your Power Apps environment: Connect-PowerAppsAdmin -EnvironmentName “your-environment-name”. Replace “your-environment-name” with the actual name of your Power Apps environment.

Restore the Deleted App: You can use the Restore-AdminPowerApp cmdlet to restore the deleted app. For example, Restore-AdminPowerApp -EnvironmentName “your-environment-name” -PowerAppName “your-app-name” -VersionNumber “version-number”. You need to replace “your-app-name” with the name of the deleted app and “version-number” with the specific version you want to restore if you have multiple versions in the recycle bin.

Restore from a Backup

Azure Blob Storage Backup: If your organization has configured Azure Blob Storage for Power Apps backup, you can restore the app from the backup files stored in the blob storage. The process involves accessing the Azure portal, navigating to the relevant storage account, and downloading the backup files. Then, in the Power Apps portal, you can use the import functionality to import the app from the backup files.

Third-Party Backup Solutions: Some organizations use third-party backup and restore tools for Power Apps. These tools typically have their own interfaces and procedures for restoring deleted apps. For example, a tool like Cloud Backup for Power Apps by a specific vendor might have a dedicated console where you can select the app to restore, specify the restore point, and initiate the restoration process.

Restore via Microsoft Support

Open a Support Ticket: If the above methods don’t work or if you are unable to restore the app for some other reason, you can contact Microsoft Support. Go to the Microsoft Power Apps support page https://powerapps.microsoft.com/support/ and open a support ticket. Provide detailed information about the deleted app, such as the app name, when it was deleted, and any error messages you received.

Follow the Support Process: Microsoft Support will investigate the issue and guide you through the restoration process. They may ask for additional information or access to your environment to assist with the restoration.

Considerations and Best Practices

Time Limits: The Recycle Bin in Power Apps usually retains deleted apps for a certain period, typically 30 days. After this time, the apps are permanently deleted and cannot be restored from the Recycle Bin. So, it’s important to act quickly if you need to restore a deleted app.

Versioning: Power Apps has a versioning system. When you restore an app from the Recycle Bin or using other methods, make sure to check the version you are restoring. If the app has been updated multiple times before deletion, you might want to restore a specific version that contains the desired functionality and data.

Permissions: Ensure that you have the appropriate permissions to access the Recycle Bin, use PowerShell cmdlets, or restore apps from backups. Different roles in Power Apps have different levels of access and permissions. For example, an environment administrator will have more permissions than a regular user.

Testing: After restoring a Power App, it’s crucial to thoroughly test the app to ensure that all its functionality works as expected. Check for any broken links, data integrity issues, or other problems that may have arisen during the restoration process.