12 Ways to fix ‘can’t download apps in iPhone’
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Written By Sumona Chatterjee
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Approved By Tanushree Chatterjee
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Updated on 4 Jul, 2024 -
Min Reading 7 Min - Share
Summary: You can’t download apps in iPhone due to various reasons, such as outdated iOS, device running out of storage space, app installation restrictions, etc. Try to restart the iPhone or App Store, update iOS, or check storage space to fix ‘unable to install app on iPhone’ issue. Check out more tips in this blog.
Be it games or utility, the iPhone App Store is a one-stop-shop for Facebook, Rope Rescue, Pokémon Masters, Uber, WhatsApp Messenger, TikTok, Instagram, Netflix, ESPN Fantasy Sports, Snapchat, Yolo, and many more apps.
But the experience becomes a pain when you cannot download any app (paid or free) from the App Store and receive a message – ‘unable to download the app.’
The situation gets annoying when you can neither download new apps through the App Store nor update the existing ones. Fortunately, you can fix the issue of ‘unable to install apps on iPhone’ using the methods mentioned in this blog.
Here, we bring 12 ways to fix ‘apps won’t download on an iPhone’ problem. But first, let’s understand what causes this iPhone error.
Why can’t I download apps on my iPhone?
There can be many reasons why you can’t download apps on my iPhone, such as —
- Poor Internet connection,
- Low storage space on your iOS device,
- A bug in the App Store.
- Faulty iPhone settings,
- Even a restriction setting on your iPhone.
12 Methods to fix ‘can’t download apps in iPhone.’
1. Check your Wi-Fi connection
A good high-speed internet connectivity is essential for smoothly downloading any app from the Apple Store. Switch to a Wi-Fi connection, if you’re using cellular data, as Apple allows only up to 200 MB download through cellular data.
Moreover, the apps may take a while to download if you’re using a poor network. In this case, turn the airplane mode on/off to refresh the internet connection or connect the iPhone to a strong Wi-Fi.
2. Check storage space in your iPhone
Insufficient space on your iPhone will not let you download apps from the Apple Store. In addition, you won’t even be able to update the existing apps if there is insufficient enough storage space.
Check and free up some space on your iPhone. You can delete unwanted apps, documents, photos, videos, music, WhatsApp chats, etc., to make storage space for the new app you want to download.
To check free space on iPhone:
- Follow Settings > General > click on iPhone Storage to see how much free space is available on your iPhone.
3. Restart App Store
Restarting the App Store helps clear cache, making space to download your app easily.
Steps to Restart App Store on iPhone
- Launch the App Store on your iPhone
- Tap any of the icons at the bottom (Apps, Games, or Arcade) until you see the ‘Loading’ circle.
4. Restart iPhone
A simple Restart can fix most of the iPhone’s problems and even helps free up RAM, resulting in a fast-responding iOS. First, restart your iPhone and then try downloading the app from App Store.
If you have an iPhone X or later version
- Press and hold the Volume and the side buttons until the power–off slider appears.
- Drag the slider and wait for 30 seconds for your iPhone to turn off.
- Press and hold the side button to turn on your iPhone.
5. Update iOS
Apple iOS updates usually fix bugs. For example, some users complained that apps wouldn’t download on iOS 17. The message ‘unable to install apps on iPhone’ may appear because of a bug. You may be able to fix it by updating the iOS.
Steps to update iOS on iPhone:
- Turn on Wi-Fi on your iPhone
- Tap Settings > General > Software Update
- Tap Update Now if an update is available.
6. Pause and Restart the app download
You can try this if you own an iPhone 14 or later models. Press the app from the Home screen. You will see three options — Pause Download, Cancel Download, or Share App.
- Tap Cancel Download, if you want to cancel the download.
- If the app download is stuck, tap Pause Download, press the app again to resume the download.
7. Sign out and Sign in to the App Store
Try signing out and then signing in to the App Store to see if the issue of ‘unable to install app iPhone’ is fixed. Here’s how to sign-out from App Store:
- On the App Store, tap on the profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Scroll down to the bottom and tap on the Sign Out option.
- Next, sign–in to your account.
Now try downloading the apps in App Store.
8. Check your Apple ID payment methods
Do you have a valid payment method on file in your Apple ID? If not, you won’t be able to download any app.
Moreover, if your card is expired, it will restrict you from downloading apps and show you a Verification Required pop-up message. Adding a valid payment method may solve the ‘apps not downloading on iPhone.’
Manage your Apple ID payment in Settings on your iOS device, in iTunes on Mac/ PC, and even in the Apple Music app on your Android phone.
On iPhone, how to add the payment method:
- On iPhone, go to Settings > [your name] > Payment & Shipping.
- Tap on the Add Payment Method and follow the prompts to add card or banking details.
- Once added, tap Done.
Once you get a valid payment method on file, you can try to download the apps again.
- To update your payment method: Tap on the payment method you want to change, then tap Edit. Next, edit the information and click Done.
- To remove a payment method: Tap Edit, then tap on the Remove icon. Next, tap Remove to confirm your choice.
9. Set Date and Time
Wrong date and time settings on your iPhone can affect app download on App Store.
So set your date and time correctly to fix the issue of ‘apps not downloading on iPhone.’
Steps to set date and Time on iPhone:
- Go to Settings > General > Date & Time
- Toggle on Set Automatically.
10. Allow App Store purchases in Content & Privacy Restrictions
You might have disabled app purchases under Content & Privacy Restrictions on your iPhone, due to which apps won’t download on your iPhone. Allow the iTunes & App Store downloads and purchases to fix the problem of can’t download apps on iPhone.
Steps to enable App store purchases on iPhone:
- Go to Settings > Screen Time
- Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions
- Enter your passcode, if required
- Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases
- Set Installing Apps and In-app Purchases to Allow.
Once done, try downloading any app from the App Store see if the problem is fixed.
11. Reset iPhone device settings
If you accidentally changed your iPhone settings, it will restrict you from downloading apps from the App Store. So first, reset your iPhone’s settings. This may resolve the app download problem.
Note –Resetting will remove and set to default all the device settings, including network settings, location settings, keyboard dictionary, the Home screen layout and privacy settings. You won’t lose any data, documents, photos, videos, etc. from the device.
Steps to Reset All Settings on iPhone:
Here’s how to Reset All Settings of your iPhone:
- On the iPhone, go to Settings > General.
- Tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Click on the Reset option.
- Next, tap on the Reset All Settings option.
- Then, enter the iPhone passcode.
- Now, tap Reset All Settings. This process will take a couple of minutes to complete.
12. Restore iPhone to Factory Settings
When nothing works, a factory reset is the last resort. But this will erase all your iPhone’s data, photos, videos, contacts, call history, music voice memos, messages, etc. Thus, always take the backup in iCloud or iTunes before opting for a factory reset.
Steps to factory reset iPhone:
- On the iPhone, navigate to Settings > General.
- Tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Click the Erase All Content and Settings options.
- Next, click the Continue button and then enter the iPhone passcode.
- Now, click Erase iPhone. Your iPhone will reboot a few times, and the device will be fully wiped once it’s done.
- Now set up your iPhone as new and restore your data from iCloud or iTunes backup.
Can’t Restore iPhone Data after Factory Reset
If you didn’t take a backup or are unable to restore iPhone data from iCloud and iTunes backup after a factory reset, use Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone to get back the lost Photos, Videos, Contacts, Messages, Camera Roll, Photo Stream, Calendar, Call History, Safari bookmarks, and other data. It is easy-to-use DIY software to retrieve lost and deleted iPhone data.
This tool is compatible with iPhone 15, 14, 13, and older versions. In addition, it is compatible with the latest iOS 17.
Watch the video to recover lost data from iPhone with Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone:
Wrapping Up
I hope one of the above methods will help you to fix the issue ‘can’t download apps in iPhone’ from the Apple Store. You can try to – restart iPhone, update iOS, check network connection and storage space, verify account details, or reset the iPhone to fix ‘unable to install apps on iPhone’ issue.
Still, if you cannot download any app after applying the above troubleshooting methods, visit your nearest Apple Genius Bar for assistance.
FAQ
Apple won’t let you download apps from the App Store, if you receive error message ‘billing problem with previous purchase’ or ‘verification required’. To fix the issue, you need to change the payment method in your iPhone Settings.
To free up storage space on your iPhone:
- Delete unused iPhone apps.
- Clear cache and cookies from browsers.
- Delete large attachments in Messages.
- Clean up your camera roll.
- Optimize photos on your iPhone.
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NO About The Author
Sumona is a tech blogger, avid photographer, & technogeek with vast experience in writing about media file recovery tips and tutorials. She has over 10 years of experience in media file recovery/media file repair technology. She is passionate about Photography, Creative Designing, Music, and Exploring lesser-known destinations.
15 comments
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Thanks for your thorough input on this issue. I also could not download or update apps on my iphone. I tried couple steps you outlined above and luckily the reset option worked for me.
For anyone with an older iPhone that is no longer supported by new iOS updates, here’s what you need to do:
Open App Store
Tap on your profile icon in the upper-right corner
Tap “Purchased”
Tap “My Purchases”
Find each app you’re having trouble with and tap to download it
This will allow you to download the latest *compatible version* with your phone, meaning an older version that still works with your iOS version.
Hi Brian,
Thank you for reaching out to Stellar and sharing this wonderful information.
I hope our readers will this information useful.
Tried all 13 tips/tricks and even took phone to Apple store. They couldn’t get the App Store App to connect. I have the icon displayed on the Home Screen, but nothing can be downloaded. It’s frustrating since the last IOS 15.8 was updated.
Hi Norilyn,
Thank you for reaching out to Stellar.
I understand your concern, and it is indeed a very frustrating situation you are facing. It seems more like an App Bug or the iOS Bug that is not letting you connect with AppStore to download or update Apps. It is very crucial to know that even the Apple Store was not able to resolve the issue.
I recommend that you install a fresh copy of the existing version of the iOS installed on your iPhone. You can get help from this article to learn more on how to install a bug-free copy of the iOS on your iPhone or iPad. If still the issue persists, then feel free to reach out to our Stellar Support to resolve the issue.
I hope it works for you.
Tried all but no solution. I can download but can’t run Netflix on my iPhone 6.
Hi Timmy,
It seems like that Netflix has stopped its services for lower versions of iPhones. Try contacting Netflix to resolve the issue.
Hi i just got my iphone 14 pro max but from the day it came its apps have been on waiting. The apps apple downloads itself when signed in to icloud example:-podcast itunes etc.
So we have tried all the solutions you have wrote but they have been stuck there. New apps are installing and youtube videos are playing just fine. If new apps we install are working then why not its own apps. This has completely annoyed please if you can help.
Hi Asad,
Thanks for reaching out.
I understand your frustration. It can be annoying when apps are stuck on waiting, especially when you just got a new phone.
Make sure you have a strong Wi-Fi connection. If you’re using cellular data, try connecting to a Wi-Fi network.
Check the App Store server status. If the App Store is down, you won’t be able to download or update apps.
Make sure you have enough storage space on your iPhone. If you’re running out of storage, apps may not be able to download or update.
Try downloading the apps again. Sometimes a simple retry can fix the issue.
If the issue persists after trying mentioned steps in the blog, it might be best to reach out to Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for further assistance. They will be able to provide you with specific troubleshooting steps or determine if there is a hardware issue with your device.
I hope it help!
-Team Stellar
It has been several days since I have been attempting to resolve the issue of being unable to download or update apps on my iPhone. Thankfully, the methods mentioned in the article were successful in resolving the issue for me. I am extremely grateful to the author for sharing such informative solutions that proved helpful to me and others who might be struggling with a similar problem.
Hi John,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We are thrilled to hear that the solutions mentioned in our article helped you resolve the issue of not being able to download or update apps on your iPhone.
We understand how frustrating it can be when you face such issues, and we are glad that our article provided you with the necessary information to solve the problem.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to ask, and we will be more than happy to assist you. Thank you for your kind words, and we appreciate your feedback.
Help me how to download app on iPhone 6
Hi Muyonjo, Thank you for reaching out and sharing your concern about downloading apps on your iPhone 6. The blog post you commented on provides several solutions that can help you fix the issue of not being able to download apps on your iPhone.
Here are a few steps you can try to download apps on your iPhone 6:
1. Make sure that your iPhone has a stable internet connection. You can connect to Wi-Fi or cellular data.
2. Ensure that you have enough storage space on your iPhone to download and install apps.
3. Check if your iPhone’s date and time are correct. You can do this by going to Settings > General > Date & Time.
4. Sign out and sign in again to your Apple ID. You can do this by going to Settings > iTunes & App Store > Apple ID > Sign Out. Then, sign back in with your Apple ID.
5. Restart your iPhone. You can do this by pressing and holding the power button until you see the “Slide to power off” option. Slide the option to the right to turn off your iPhone. Wait for a few seconds, then turn it back on.
If the above steps do not work, you can also try resetting your iPhone’s network settings or contacting Apple support for further assistance.
I hope this helps you download apps on your iPhone 6. Let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.
I can’t download apps on my 3 month old ATT android cellphone Samsung Galaxy A13. Tried to download 4 different apps at different times during last night. None downloaded. Circle in center just continued to spin. Are you able to advise me on things I could try to fix my Samsung?
Hi Brenda,
This article is for an Apple device. But still, I would like to help you resolve the inability to download apps on Android; you need to log in with your Gmail from the settings, which needs to be viable and authentic. Follow the steps-
1. From the main screen, tap the “Google” folder.
2. Tap the “Gmail” icon.
3. Tap “Add an email address.”
Note: If necessary, tap “GOT IT” to continue.
4. Tap “Google” as your email provider.
5. Tap the “Email or phone” field to add an existing account. Then, follow the prompts on your screen.
Note: To create an account, tap “Create an account.” Then, follow the prompts on your screen.
Once your phone is signed in to a Google (Gmail) account, tap the HOME key to return to the main screen. Next, tap the “Play Store” icon. Then, use the search bar near the top of the screen to search for the apps you would like to download.
Secondly, you need to check for available storage in the device. Finally, the most important thing will be connected to the internet via WiFi or a mobile service provider (ATT).
I hope it helps!