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
How do I download app in iPad 5.1.1
How to update ios7.1.2
These IPADS are useless once the IOS is unable to upgrade to a higher version. You end up having to purchase a new one, only to experience the same thing in 3 or 4 years. I wish Apple would make some way that you can upgrde an old iPad up to capability for a lesser fee then havIng to purchase a brand new one, while the current IPad works perfectly, but just can’t upgrade. I am literally throwing money down the drain as these Ipads are not cheap. HELP!!!!
I try many tricks to update my iOS 9.35 to iOS 10, so my mobile legends bang bang game won’t crash, freeze and lag again but it doesn’t work I already watched many videos how to jailbreak it but it’s still didn’t work and now I’m mad what a useless iPad.
yah I feel you. I got an iPad mini ios 9.3.5 and can’t download any apps. I gotta bite the bullet and probably buy a newer version…
I would like your iPad! Haha,Just kidding *sadness noises :(*
That’s the problems, i’m the only one who had an iPad mini 2 running on 9.3.6 iOS, lol. so is there any way to installed aps like google meet on my iPad, please help.
Thanks it works for me on my iphone 5c
What do you do if it is not a purchased app? Netflix, Sling TV, Youtube, Youtube Kids, etc. They were all on the ipad before but I restored it to factory to add a child account and to clean up the apps. Now I have a better running ipad for my son but I can’t add any apps.
Hi, great tip, I managed to get ITV Hub back on my iPad doing this. Only problem now is that even though I have turned auto-updates off in the settings, the iStore still keeps offering me the update AND it starts auto up dating and ruins the installed copy. I end up ah I got to delete the App and then go through this install procedure again, about every 3 to 4 days. Any suggestions why turning off auto-updates doesn’t work ?
Still having a problem downloading apps on my iPad please help
what if the app has not older version compatable with your ios version?
lets assume X app compatable with ios 10 and later, there is no ios 9 version, can you still use X app on ios 9 ?
It’s a great method for installing, but not running the app, at least netflix. Netflix is only available on ios 10 and above (according to their customer support). So I can download it but cant log in. What a bummer
I just wiped my iPad 1 thinking I could do this and can’t get even 1 app to install (like Netflix).
Any other ideas?
I downloaded last version of a purchased app to work on my iOS 9.3.5 but when it opens it wants me to update. Is there a go around. The “update” message won’t go away.
Hey, Not sure this helps but when I downloaded on my old O.G. iPad I got prompted whether I wanted to download an older compatible version of the app.I said yep.
I used the workaround described above where you download on a newer device and then download the *purchased* app on the old device