The app may still depend on the drive
Google warns that apps stored on a USB drive become unavailable after that drive is ejected. If missing apps appeared immediately after USB removal, inspect that dependency before treating it as a lost account or store purchase.
Internal app storage and removable media have different roles. A drive adopted for the television is part of its working setup, even if it looks like an ordinary portable stick.
Restore the known arrangement first
Reconnect the original drive through the documented storage route and allow the device to recognize it. Check the affected app before attempting an uninstall or a new format. A format prompt deserves particular care because formatting erases content.
Keep track of which physical drive belongs to the television. A second drive with the same capacity is not a replacement for the data and app state stored on the first.
Choose the long-term role
If you frequently need to remove the drive for other uses, reconsider whether internal app storage suits that arrangement. Use the manufacturer’s model-specific guidance when moving content or changing roles; generic Android TV screenshots may not match the television.
For support, report that the app became unavailable after ejection, the drive’s role and whether reconnecting it changed the result. This describes a recoverable storage-state question without inventing a programme or account failure.
Questions answered
Does ejecting app storage delete the store purchase?
The documented immediate issue is unavailable local storage, not proof that the purchase disappeared.
Should I format the drive to make the app return?
Do not format as a first step. It erases contents and can remove the state you are trying to recover.
Sources & further reading
Official references for the subjects discussed. Service terms and device software can change.