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MichelPM

Level 10

(81,300 points)

Downloading Older iOS 9.3.5 Versions of Apps ONLY Available Now for iOS 10 or Later

by: MichelPM

Last modified: Aug 10, 2020 6:53 AM

83 227754 Last modified Aug 10, 2020 6:53 AM

Apps may have older iOS 9.3.5 versions still available from the iOS App Store.

There are a few ways to try/attempt to get an older version of any app.

A Disclaimer & Warning!

NOT ALL apps in the iOS App Store will still have older iDevice compatible versions still available, but hidden, on Apple’s iOS App Store servers.

It is a third party app developer’s decision to keep older versions of apps on Apple's iOS App Store servers, or not!

Not all third party developers will retain their older app versions on Apple's iOS App Store servers for older iDevices to still be able to download/install and use!

For example,

Apple and Microsoft no longer retain much older versions of their iOS apps on Apple’s iOS App Store servers, any longer.

The simple gist of this user tip is that you either use a newer iDevice, running a later iOS version OR use this special iTunes version 12.6.5 on a computer to download the most recent version of the needed app, FIRST!

Method using a newer iDevice running a more recent iOS version.

Also, whether the app is downloaded to a newer iDevice or to an app supported version of iTunes ( vers. 12.6.5 or earlier ) once the current version is downloaded elsewhere, the app should appear in the PURCHASED

tab/section/button in the iOS App Store app menu on the older iPad model.

Tap the PURCHASED icon/menu option and a list of purchased apps should appear.

Then, try tapping the download “cloud” icon next to the app, in this location, to see if the small window pop-up prompt appears that states that there is an older version of the app that is compatible with your device.. Would you like to download this version now?

Tap the OK button just below the prompt to start the downloading of the older app version to your iPad.

Method using an older, app supported, version of iTunes.

If you need older apps for that iPad, if you have a computer with an older version of iTunes ( version 12.6.5 or earlier ), you can try downloading the most recent versions/s of app/s, by accessing the iOS App Store, through iTunes 12.6.5, logging into the iOS App Store using your Apple ID and password and then, download the recent version of the app/s you like to use on your iPad into iTunes 12.6.5, on your computer, FIRST!

IF you own a computer with an older version of iTunes already on it, try using that version as an older iPad does not need the latest iTunes version.

If you have a computer, but NO iTunes on it, here is a link to the older 12.6.5 version for download found in this Apple weblink.

iTunes 12.6.5 found in this link here.

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT208079

iTunes 12.6.5 for the Mac requires OS X 10.11.4 or later. Not sure of Windows PC system requirement.

DO NOT download OR USE the latest version of iTunes (version 12.7.x and later ) as there is no more support for saving apps in iTunes under the most recent versions.If you have already downloaded the recent 12.7.x version of iTunes, NONE of what I have wriiten here in this post reply may work!

You will need to use an older iTunes version and once it is downloaded and installed on your computer, at launch, hold down the Opt/Alt key on your keyboard while launching this older iTunee version, so you can create a new Tunes library.

BEFORE DOING the IMMEDIATELY ABOVE, if you use iTunes on a computer and already have an iTunes Library, you will need to find the iTunes Library folder on your computer ( usually located in folder labelled Music ) and, temporarily, move/copy this folder to another location so you do not accidentally write over your existing current iTunes library.

To find the iOS App Store within iTunes, launch iTunes 12.6.5 or older.

Under the main iTunes top center status bar/window and to the left, click the category bar and change it from Music to Apps.

Then directly across and near the center of the iTunes window, there are three category bars. Click on the App Store category bar.

Search for the app you wish to install onto iPad ( running iOS 9 or 10 or earlier iOS version ) and download/install the current/recent version into your version of iTunes on your computer.

When you do this, if you haven't logged into any of Apple's online Web Stores within iTunes, yet, then the iOS App Store will ask you to login using your Apple ID and password to allow the download/install.

If the app is a paid app and not a free one, you will have to pay to download.install the current version, first.

Then, back on your iPad, open the iOS App Store app.

In the lower menu, tap the PURCHASED tab/category/menu option.

A list of apps should appear after the Purchased tab/section/button in the iOS App Store app menu is tapped on the older iPad model.

Search for the app/s in the Purchased listings shown.

Once you find the app/s, then, try tapping the download “cloud” icon next to the app/s, in this location, to see if the small window pop-up prompt that states that there is an older version of the app that is compatible with your device.

Would you like to download this version now?

Tap the OK button just below the prompt to start the downloading of the older app version to your iPad.

If you are successful in getting apps on this iPad, consider looking for more “up to date”, third party iOS web browsers for that version of iOS.

I would STOP using that nearly 3-year old Safari web browser, as it is, probably, not safe and secure to use any longer, and seek out a third party web browser that is STILL currently being updated and STILL being supported on iOS 9.3.5.

Here are a few third party web browsers that I am fairly sure are STILL being updated and supported on iOS 9.

Available and better known, more popular third party Web browser choices are completely GONE, now!

There are still a handful of iOS 9 and earlier supported third party Web browsers.

Some of these have had recent updates, too!

Here’s what’s left.

iCab Mobile Web browser

Aloha Web browser

ALook Web browwer

Dolphin Web browser

DuckDuckGo Private Web browser

Snow Bunny Web browser

Maxthon Web browser

Private Browsing Web browser by Savvy Soda

Private Browser Deluxe

TOR browser anonymous

Turbo VPN browser

TOR + VPN web browser private

Pick two to download and install that have had the most recent of app updates. Do not pick any third party Web browser that has NOT had an app update in a year, or more!

Good Luck to You!

Limnos

Level 10

(419,569 points)

Feb 20, 2019 4:44 PM

A note on the web browsers and iOS9 at least. We are not sure about the reason for this but some web sites, including Apple Support Communities, do not work properly with iOS9, even though they are up to date according to the distributors. I have tried 4 of the 6 in that list and found they would not work with either Apple Support Communities or United Airlines once you start needing to do something with buttons. Presumably there are other sites too. It may have something to do with the browser relying on some component of the outdated iOS software to do basic web site rendering, but some newer features may be absent.

Feb 20, 2019 4:44 PM