Very slow downloading of any applications from the App Store

Did Apple intentionally slow down downloading new apps after the latest iOS update release?

I do have the same problem, no apps are downloading, at the same time I downloaded full movie 1gb on Netflix with in 10 minutes, 165 mb app takes forever

This has been ongoing for me for the past month as well. Each Apple device I use (iPhone 11Pro Max, iPad Pro 12.9", 16" MBP, and 14" MBP) is bafflingly slow downloading updates from Apple—not from Adobe, not from MS, not from any vendor or client with whom I exchange large files—only software updates from Apple.

To illustrate, the 17.4.1 update on my iPad and 14.4.1 on 14" MBP have never been completed, no matter the time of day I try or how long I allow them to run. And this is across days of allowing them to try. All apps with software updates by MS and Adobe during that time have proceeded as expected, quickly, without undue pause or delay.

Re-configuring TCP and DNS and even rebooting all devices have not changed this. A few minutes ago, Adobe updated 3 apps in the CC in 10 minutes. Before that, Apple could not download a Pages update more than a MB or two after 15 minutes. After trying repeatedly over three days, the MBP stated 4 days for the 14.4.1 update. A Surface Pro 2 updated its OS and apps after 2 months offline in about an hour, using the same WiFi and settings.

Recap:

Multiple Apple devices cannot update Apple software despite hours/days of attempts.

Adobe and Microsoft updates of apps and OS all proceed without issue, on Apple and MS devices.

Apple and MS devices on the same network are experiencing vastly different outcomes, despite a stable network and 250+Mbps DL speed.

My next step will be to take a device or two to a wholly different location and attempt to download the recommended Apple updates, but the evidence thus far indicates a significant issue at Apple, not the ISP or devices.

EDIT: I should also note that updates to Parallels and the resident VM OSs and apps all proceeded as expected.

Unless you are privy to Apple’s computing infrastructure and policies, I don’t see how you have the authority or expertise to make such a claim. Your experience doesn’t dictate every user’s experience any more than my experience does. There are many variables at play, as my 35 years in professional IT have taught me.

It’s unfortunate for others here who are experiencing this issue that instead of receiving helpful feedback they instead get trolled.

Do you use VPN? If so, delete the VPN profile in Settings/General/VPN & Device Management/VPN. Don't just turn it off; delete the profile. VPN cuts communications speeds to 1/4 of the available bandwidth, or, depending on the provider, even more.

Not necessarily true. Apple can easily throttle throughput on their end. I have gigabit speed through my ISP but also notice the abysmal speed of App Store downloads.

Downloads are definitely slower and have been for a couple months. It’s not my devices (all new, plenty of space), WiFi, ISP, iOS or anything else on my end. I have that all dialed in with gig speeds and solid WiFi. I am seeing a lot of updates failing and I have to select the update again and it again fails. It happens when I select one app or all updates most every time. Whether it's throttling or capacity or even something regional, Apple needs to address this.

Sasamafrass wrote:

Ummm never had a problem with my VPN before. Everything ran perfectly. My problem now is after the 2 updates in May 2024! Every app loads at dialup speed, if they load at all! Basically unwatchable/useless ever since.

Have you TRIED deleting your VPN? Below will be a very long explanation of why you can have a VPN problem now when you never had one before. But try first to see.

=============================

VPN frequently creates more problems than it solves. But one important fact is that when you install VPN it configures itself to the specific hardware, iOS version and network that the phone uses. If any of those change it can break the VPN. So any time you change any of these you may need to delete the VPN app and profile, restart your phone then add them back (if you still want to use VPN) so it can configure itself to the new environment.

Here's Apple's advice on VPN→

Check VPN (Virtual Private Network) and third-party software to help resolve network connectivity issues - Apple Support

Something to think about→Don't use VPN - GITHUB

Here's Brian Krebs on VPN security (or lack thereof)→Why your VPN may not be as secure as it claims

There are two legitimate purposes for using VPN:

• To allow access to a private network such as a school or business when you are not on site. 
• To allow access outside of a country with a repressive government that has restricted Internet access. (This has suddenly become more important)

Any other use is risky, and can lead to problems like the one discussed in this thread. VPN disguises your location by making you appear to be somewhere else in the world. But you usually can’t control that “somewhere else”, and if it is in a location that an app isn’t approved for the app won’t work. Plus the fact that the provider of the VPN knows everything about you and your location, as well as what sites you access through the VPN. So you are totally dependent on the VPN provider’s honesty. As a start, if the VPN is free, DON’T USE IT. The provider has to make money somehow, and if you aren’t paying them then they are selling your private data to make money. 

But even those that charge can’t necessarily be trusted. For example, a few years ago Avast was caught selling user browsing data. They claim they have stopped doing so, however, they lied 🤥→ FTC Order Will Ban Avast from Selling Browsing Data for Advertising Purposes

You don’t really need VPN when using public Wi-Fi, because all communications between your device and the servers it accesses are end-to-end encrypted.

If you want VPN for privacy about the sites you visit, that’s not a good choice as discussed; instead you should download and use the TOR browser.

The other use for VPN is to “steal” content that is not available in your area. I leave this question to your personal ethics.

With iOS 15.2 and later for iOS/iPadOS and MacOS Monterey 12.2 and later Apple now has iCloud+ Private Relay, which is not VPN, but provides a safer browsing environment than VPN, and it doesn't spy on you→About iCloud Private Relay - Apple Support

appreciate the response. My internet speed is 250mbps so I think this is very sufficient to maintain a good download speed. Perhaps it’s Apple way of giving me a nudge to upgrade my phone :)

Nope no VPN and I just ran speed check, it came up 246 mbps per second which is decent

Same here, there is for sure an issue with the App Store downloads. It is the same on 3 Apple devices all on high speed internet connections.

I’m having the same issue, not internet related.

I deleted the VPN profiles on my iPhone and iPad and that has restored my app update speeds on both devices.

I have the same issue as rellaax. I do not have any VPN profiles installed. 3 days ago I could down load my updates and new apps very quick (310mbps) then now even with the same speed the apps take a lot longer to down load (227mb took 30 minutes…) I have the space on my phone and no issues watching YouTube / Netflix. It really does appear to be an issue with Apple App Store downloading.

Ummm never had a problem with my VPN before. Everything ran perfectly. My problem now is after the 2 updates in May 2024! Every app loads at dialup speed, if they load at all! Basically unwatchable/useless ever since.