Why Can’t I Download Apps on My iPhone? 11 Fixes

If your iPhone isn’t downloading apps from the App Store, follow these steps to get it working again.

How to Fix an iPhone That Won’t Download Apps

There are several ways to fix an iPhone that fails or stalls while attempting to download apps. If apps on your device won’t download, try these fixes, in this order.

1. Download apps using Wi-Fi on your iPhone. To protect you from going over your data allotment from your carrier, Apple has placed a restriction when trying to download apps over 200 MB using the App Store via your carrier’s connection.

   The App Store will ask you if you really want to download an app that’s over 200MB if you are on a cellular connection; if you have a large enough data plan, you can go to Settings > App Downloads > and then choose if you’d like to be asked about this.

   Ensure the phone isn’t in Airplane Mode, which blocks all Wi-Fi and cellular network connections.

2. Restart the App Store app. Typically, you don’t have to quit apps on an iPhone, but if one is misbehaving (even one from Apple), forcing it to quit and reopening it can fix whatever temporary issue the app was having.

3. Pause and restart the app download. This tip works when the app download stalls. If an app icon appears on your home screen but the download has slowed or stalled, tap the icon for the app you’re trying to install. This pauses the download. Wait a short time and then tap it again to resume the download.

4. Restart the iPhone. Sometimes you need to restart a device to get things working again. There may be a temporary glitch in the operating system or a software component. A restart usually resolves these issues.

5. Check your Apple Account payment method. You need to connect a payment method to your Apple Account to download apps, even if you’re downloading a free app. If you do not have a payment method on file or your card is expired, you might not be able to download apps. This can also lead to a Verification Required pop-up message. Adding a valid payment method may solve the problem.

6. Sign out of the App Store and sign back in. An iPhone that can’t download apps may signify something wrong with your Apple Account. If the connection between your iPhone and the Apple App Store is disrupted, signing out and signing back in may fix it. Go to Settings, tap your name at the top, and choose Sign Out at the bottom. Then, sign back in by selecting Sign In and entering your Apple Account username and password.

7. Update iOS. Updates to iOS—the operating system for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch—frequently resolve software bugs. It could be that your iPhone cannot download apps because of a bug in the OS. An easy, fast, and free OS update may solve the problem.

8. Fix date and time issues on your iPhone. Incorrect date and time settings may block you from downloading apps. Select Settings > General > Date & Time. Move the Set Automatically toggle switch to On (green). This allows your iPhone to always check the time and set itself accordingly.

9. Reset the iPhone device settings. Bugs sometimes stem from low-level settings. You can’t always see or fix these settings individually, but iOS allows you to reset all settings. Doing this won’t erase your data, but it can solve these issues.

10. Check the Apple Account you’re using. If you have a problem updating an app on your device, the problem could be the Apple Account you’re using. When you download an app, it’s tied to the Apple Account you’re logged into then. If you change the Apple Account you’re using, apps tied to the old ID can’t update. Sign in to other Apple Accounts you’ve used, following the instructions in step 6 above.

11. Get help from Apple. If you tried all these steps and your iPhone still won’t download apps, you need help from the experts at Apple. You can get online or phone support at the Apple website or make an appointment at the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store for in-person help.

Causes of iPhone Not Downloading Apps

Often the iPhone won’t tell you exactly why it won’t download an app, but the likely causes are:

• There’s no storage room left on your iPhone
• Problem with Apple ID/Apple Account
• Incorrect iPhone settings

If the App Store itself is down you also won’t be able to download apps.