So you own an older iOS device. And you are very happy with your device because it still works like new. However, your device may be too old for a lot of apps as they may require the latest version of iOS to run properly. It could be such a pain to download apps.
This means that you may not be able to download and install some apps on your device because they may require the latest version of iOS. When you do that you may get an error popup saying this:
This application requires iOS X.X or later. You must update to iOS X.X in order to download and use this application. (see the image below)
This message is useless if your device does not support the iOS X.X version. So how are you going to download this app? Do not worry, there is a way to do this.
Likewise, you may get a similar message saying “this app is not compatible with your device” when you want to download certain apps on your iPad or iPhone, such as Netflix.
See also: Cannot Connect to the App Store, Fix
Older devices may not support the highest supported versions of iOS available. Thus, for instance, you can not install iOS 12 on the original iPad (iPad 1). The last version of iOS that you can install on the original iPad is iOS 5.1.1. Below is the highest versions of iOS available for some of older iOS devices:
- iPhone 4: iOS 7.1.2
- iPhone 4S, iPod Touch 5, iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad Mini 1: iOS 9.3.5
- iPhone 5, iPhone 5C, iPad 4: iOS 10.3.3
- iPad 1, iPod Touch 3: iOS 5.1.1
However you may be still able to download the last compatible version. This means that, for instance, you may be able to download the Netflix app on your iOS device running 9.3.5 or 10.3.3. This article explains how you can do that:
You may be able to download and install previously purchased apps (perhaps you deleted later). This means two things:
1. If you previously purchased this app, you can redownload and reinstall again. Here is how:
- First make sure that you are signed in with the Apple ID that you used to bought the app originally.
- Open the App Store app on your device.
- Find the Purchased tab and My Purchases. Here you can see all the apps you have installed previously.
- Find the app you want to install
- Tap the iCloud icon
- A popup will appear and you will be asked: “Download an older version of this app? The current version requires iOS X.X or later but you can download the last compatible version” Simple tap “Download”
- And download will commence.
2. Ok you may think that number #1 does not work because you have never downloaded the particular app that you want to install. How can you do that? If this is the case, you can buy the app on a newer device and then find and download on your older device. Here is how you can do this:
- You need to have a newer iOS device (if you do not have one, you can borrow one from a friend).
- Make sure that you’re signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID on both devices (if you are borrowing a device from a friend, your friend needs to log out first, your friend may want to make copies of the information that he stored in iCloud).
- On your new device, launch the App Store and find the app and download and install.
- Now get your old device that you want to install the app. On your old device, go to App Store and then Purchased. You will see the app there because you just purchased it. İf you do not see it yet, just wait.
- And then tap the iCloud icon to download the app.
- And the download will start.
Note that these methods may not work for all apps. This only works if the developer of the app had not deleted it from the Apple’s App servers. Furthermore, since you are downloading an older version of the app, it is highly likely that not all features of the app may be available.
See also: Your Account Has Been Disabled in the Apple Store and iTunes, Fix
I just followed #1 and got Kindle app to work on an old ipad mini running version 9.3.5…..happy wife….happy life. Thanks for these instructions!
Thank you! This worked perfectly!
This method I can guarantee that will work like a charm. Thanks for sharing it with the world.
Hi I have ipad 4 with IOS 10.3 and cant download FB or All4 ITV etc as they all needed IOS 12 or higher.
I reset my ipad with a brand new apple ID as my previous apple ID storage is full. Also I only use the ipad to authorise family sharing requests for my young daughter and to generally browse etc.
The ipad works perfectly well.albeit a bit slow but it is frustrating that previous apps that used to be stored on like FB and all4 etc now cant be downloaded. Is there a way?
Any help would be really appreciated
Thanks
It worked! Thank you! I have iOS 10.3.3 and my iPad lost support in July 19, 2017 since it’s a iPad 4.
iPhone is really hard to use due to many many requirements unlike androids… We should divert to android. It is very simple and easy to use…you can download anytime you want but here NO due to many higher version needed..disgusting!!!!
It doesn’t work for us anymore using iPhone with ios 7.1.2. Lost hope…. Better throw away the unit even it still okay to use. That is why we want to update it using cydia but we can’t die to have paypal.
This worked very very well!! Now I’m wondering how to change the Apple ID back to the owner without deleting the new downloads. Is this a possibility?
Hi thank you bro, it worked for me but only for a couple of apps Duolingo it’s ok (they still have the older versions of the app, but Instagram doesn’t) :/
FYI: I have multiple Apple accounts, one for each of my Apple devices. My main device is an Apple iPhone 12 (main_acct@icloud.com) running iOS 14.X and an iPad Air running iOS 12.X (sub_acct@icloud.com).
In order to use your method to install Microsoft OneNote I had to change my login on my iPad Air (Settings -> iTunes & App Store -> Apple ID) from sub_acct@icloud.com to main_acct@icloud.com, login, and then try to install OneNote and it worked just as you said. There was no need to change the Apple ID for the entire iPad Air, only for the iTunes & App Store app.