How To Download Older Versions Of Apps

If you currently have an old iOS device such as an old iPhone or iPad, then making the most out of it can be hard. Especially if your old iOS device is also running an old iOS.

Installing apps on your old iPhone or iPad is not possible using the App Store on your old device, but there are still a few ways to do it.

Downloading iOS Apps on Old iOS Versions

this application requires ios or later

Apple releases a new version of iOS almost every year which means that Apps that are available in the Apple store have to stay up-to-date so that they're compatible with the new iOS version on the new devices.

Apple themselves try to drag out new iOS version old on iOS devices just so devices can have a fresh feel and be compatible with apps in the App Store, but at some point, old devices can't be given a new software.

Each time you try and download a new app on the app store, you're automatically going to be downloading the newest version of that app on your iPhone. Old versions of the app won't be available for you to download when there's a new version of the app available.

If you do try and install a new app on a device running an old version of iOS, you'll receive a pop up saying "This application required iOS ? or later" in order for you to install it.

Although there is a way to get old versions of apps on your old iOS device that isn't compatible with the new version of the app, it isn't quite obvious. The best part about this method is that it doesn't requite your iPhone to be jailbroken.

Highest Versions of iOS Available on Old iOS Devices

iPhone 4: iOS 7.1.2
iPhone 4s, iPad Mini 1. iPad 2, iPad 3: iOS 9.3.5
iPhone 5, iPhone 5C: iOS 10.3.3

This shows that devices that require any version of iOS for the device you're currently using won't be able to be installed on that device using the common method.

However, you can still download an old version of the app on your iOS device even though the apps new version can't be downloaded on your old iPhone. Apple still has old versions of apps that have been released which means that you can still download them, but not via the App Store like normal.

How to Install Old Version of Apps on Old iOS Devices

In order to do this, you'll need to have purchased the app because. This means that it's been stored in your cloud as an app you've previously downloaded so you'll be able to have access to the old version of the app.

To download the old version of an app:

Sign into Apple ID that you used to download the app.
Open the App Store.
Click on Account.
Click on Purchases. This will show you a list of all the apps you've ever purchase using that Apple ID.
Find the app you want to install.
Click on the iCloud icon. This shows that the app has been stored in your iCloud.
Click Download. This pop up will say, "Download an older version of this app? The current version required iOS… or later but you can download the last compatible version". The app should start downloading.

Download the App on Your New iOS Device

If you can't find the app in the list of purchased apps because you've never downloaded the app before, you can download the app on a new iOS device that has the iOS version that app is compatible for.

The problem with this method is that you've had to have a new iOS device to download the app on. If you do have a newer iOS device, here's how you purchase an app on your new device:

Sign into the Apple ID you're using on your old IOS device. This is the Apple ID you want to download the iOS app on your old device.

Open the App Store.
Find the app.
Download and install the App.
Go to the App Store on your old iOS device
Click on Account.
Click on Purchases.
Find the app you purchased on your new iOS device.
Click on the iCloud icon.
Click Download.

Can't Find Apps You've Previously Purchased

You should note that this only works if the developer of the app hasn't deleted the old versions of the app from Apple's server.

Also, if you're trying to download an app that you've downloaded before on an old iOS device, you may not find this app if it's been deleted by the developer.

Using the method listed above can save you few $100 because you won't have to purchase a new iOS device just so your device can be compatible with apps in the App Store.