How do I view the iOS app store on a mac? (OS X 10.11.6)
Solution 1:
You're not missing anything. Late in 2017 in iTunes 12.7, Apple removed iTunes ability to access the iOS App Store. Using iTunes 12.7, the only way to access the iOS App Store was via the iPhone itself.
Many users disliked this change, as it's harder to navigate and review apps on iOS than it had been using macOS. A month or so later, Apple retreated and offered a version of iTunes that restores iOS App Store availability. This version of iTunes is 12.6.3, and you can read more about it on this Apple page. iTunes 12.6.3 can be installed even if one has already installed 12.7. The Apple page cited above contains a link to download iTunes 12.6.3.
I am very happy to have iOS App Store access back on macOS.
Solution 2:
You can browse iOS apps in your favorite web browser at https://itunes.apple.com/us/genre/ios/id36?mt=8. Unfortunately, you can't make purchases (or see what you've purchased, or download IPAs, or...). But at least you can view screenshots, reviews, etc on a bigger screen.
Solution 3:
On MacOS - as suggested in other comment you can:
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Search it via webpage at https://www.apple.com/app-store/
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The key to easy installation depends on your browser
- Safari: use share button in top right corner and pick Airdrop and your iPhone Your iPhone must be setup to handle airdrop - use same iCloud account on both Mac and iPhone, connect to same wifi. You can also long press wi-fi button to enable sharing with contacts.
- Chrome - you need to have it on both macOS and iPhone. Click in the address field and on the right side a small button to open tab on other device will show up - use it to pass the tab to iPhone and then select in mobile chrome in popup "card was received": "Open"