Q: Why wont apps download to ois 4.2.1 itouch 2nd gen?

A 2nd generation Touch can only go as high as iOS 4.2.1. End of story.

Apps that require iOS 4.3 or higher, cannot be installed on a 2nd gen Touch. End of that story.

The only "fix" is to contact the App developer and let them know that you, among many others, can no longer use their App. Alternatively, badger Apple about this issue, suggesting that they introduce a process that allows those of us with 2nd gen Touch to continue to use older versions of the App.

Despite suggestions (claims) to the contrary, App developers can update their Apps without making iOS 4.3 (or iOS 5) a requirement. I have an App, updated on 20th October 2012, that only requires iOS 4.0.

okay...time to get some apple tree cut down

i am having the same problem with my ipod touch 3rd, can that go up to 4.3

Perhasp you actually have a 2nd generation iPod Touch, because the 2rd can go to iOS 4.3.

• If your iPod has Model No. A1288 etched in to the back casing, then it is 2nd generation.
• If your iPod is an 8GB model, it is not a 3rd generation model.
• See this page; http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1353 for help in identifying your model.

There are still some apps in the Apple app store that work with iOS 4.2.1.  They are getting harder and harder to find and finding them is a real chore when it should be technically easy.

One such app I just found is "Text Me!"

To help the apps you still have from future update errors (i.e. updates that change Ios compatibility) consider changing your pc's  iTunes automatic sync settings.  i often download apps directly via my device itself instead of from my computer. BUT next time i do log in to Itunes, it automatically begins to download those new items as updates because it knows i own them. and tells the program to do so... even if my ipod is not connected via usb.   if the app happened to be updated between these events ( ok i RARELY use itunes on my computer so this happens  a lot) then as soon as you connect the older version gets trumped.  i manually download updates and do not automatically sync devices to prevent these headaches!  plus it helps me control my storage capacity (too many songs, not enough gigabytes!! lol).

just a suggestion!  good luck!