Then you own an older iOS or iPadOS device. You are very happy with your device because it still works like new, and you can do pretty much anything you want with information technology. Even so, your device may not back up the latest version of iOS or iPadOS software. This may mean that your device could be likewise onetime for many apps equally they may crave a newer version of iOS or iPadOS to run properly. It can exist quite a pain to download such apps.

Having this problem ways that you may not be able to download and install some apps that you would like on your device. When you endeavor to download some apps, you may get an fault popup proverb this:

This awarding requires iOS X.Ten or later. You lot must update to iOS X.Ten in lodge to download and use this awarding. (come across the image below)

This application requires iOS X.X or later

Similarly, you may go a message saying, "Cannot download. This app is not compatible with your device," when you lot want to download sure apps, such equally Netflix, on your iPad or iPhone.

This app not compatible message

Although the message above tells you to update, y'all may not be able to update even if y'all want to if your device does non support the iOS 10.X version. Then how are you going to download this app? Do not worry; There is a way to do this.

See likewise: Cannot Connect to the App Store, Fix

Apple has discontinued many older devices. Older devices may not support the highest supported versions of iOS available because they may non have the internal hardware to back up it. Thus, for instance, yous can not install iOS 12 on the original iPad (iPad 1). The last version of iOS that yous can install on the original iPad is iOS v.1.i. Below is a list of the highest versions of iOS bachelor for some of the older iOS devices:

  • iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and 6 Plus: iOS 12.5.v
  • iPhone 5c: iOS ten.3.iii
  • iPhone 5: iOS 10.three.4
  • iPhone 4: iOS seven.one.2
  • iPhone 4S, iPod Affect 5, iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad Mini 1: iOS ix.3.5
  • iPad 4: iOS ten.3.three
  • iPad 1, iPod Impact 3: iOS 5.1.1
  • iPad Air (first generation) and iPad mini 3 and iPad mini 2: iOS 12.5.5
  • iPad (3rd generation), iPad ii: iOS 9.3.6

However, you lot may still be able to download the last compatible version. This ways that, for instance, you may exist able to download the Netflix app on your iOS device running nine.iii.5 or x.3.iii. This article explains how you can practice that.

How to download apps that require the newest software on older devices

You may be able to download and install previously purchased apps (perhaps y'all accept deleted them). This tin can mean two different things. And so, in that location are 2 dissimilar ways yous can try to practice this. I explain them below:

i. If you lot previously purchased the app, yous tin can redownload and reinstall the last compatible version. Hither is how:

  1. Kickoff, make sure that you are signed in with the Apple ID that you used to purchase the app originally.
  2. Open the App Store app on your device.
  3. Find the Purchased tab and My Purchases. Here you can see all the apps you take installed previously.
    • For iOS eleven and afterwards, tap on the Today tab at the bottom, then tap on your user account icon nearly the top-right corner of the screen. Tap Purchased, so My Purchases.
  4. Detect the app you want to install
  5. Tap the iCloud icon
  6. A popup volition appear, and you will exist asked: "Download an older version of this app? The current version requires iOS Ten.X or later, but y'all can download the last compatible version." Only tap Download.
  7. The download will commence.
Download an older version of this app

2. Ok, you lot may think that #1 higher up does non work because you accept never downloaded the particular app that you want to install. So how can you do that? If this is the case, you can buy the app on a newer device and and then find and download it on your older device. Here is how you lot can do this:

  1. You need to take a newer iOS device (if you practice not have ane, you can borrow one from a friend).
  2. Make sure that y'all're signed in to iCloud with the same Apple tree ID on both devices. (If yous are borrowing a device from a friend, your friend needs to log out first. Your friend may want to make a fill-in of the information that they stored in iCloud.)
  3. On the new device, launch the App Store and find the app, and download and install.
  4. Now get your old device where you want to install the app. On your old device, go to the App Shop, and then Purchased.
    • For iOS 11 and afterward, tap on the Today tab at the lesser, then tap on your user business relationship icon near the top-right corner of the screen. Tap Purchased, then My Purchases.
    • You lot will run across the app there because you but purchased it. If yous practice non see it all the same, just wait.
  5. So tap the iCloud icon to download the app.
  6. The download volition start.

Note that these methods may not work for all apps. This simply works if the developer of the app has not deleted it from Apple's App servers. Furthermore, since you are downloading an older version of the app, information technology is highly likely that non all features of the (newer version of the) app are available. Lastly, this app may at present require more resources than your device can handle. Thus this new app could crusade your device to crash or freeze.

Meet also: Your Account Has Been Disabled in the Apple Store and iTunes, Gear up

Article history

  • This article was updated on April 22, 2022:
    • Recent changes were reflected, and a screenshot was added.

Dr. Serhat Kurt worked as a Senior Engineering science Manager. He holds a doctoral degree (or doctorate) from the University of Illinois at Urbana / Champaign and a principal'southward degree from Purdue University. Here is his LinkedIn profile. Electronic mail Serhat Kurt.