Unable to download item please try again later

I had a few podcasts that were set to automatically download. There were several trying to download at the same time. I went to podcasts/downloads/downloading then cancelled all downloads and that fixed it for me. Hope this works for you all!

a_lyl posted on Oct 12, 2021 7:34 AM in response to bmwood:

This problem started when I moved all my data and Sim card from from one old iphone to another (both were iPhone 6s). Several of my apps wouldn't open and displayed the message "Unable to download item please try again later".

To fix this, I deleted the app, then downloaded the app from the App store. In the App store, I got a message that said "Download an older version of this app? The current version requires iOS __ or later, but you can download the last compatible version." After doing that, the apps worked again.

Depending on the app in question, the message displayed different iOS versions.

THIS WORKED FOR ME!! In my case, it was because an old iPod was trying to update to the latest version of some apps, which weren't compatible with the iOS of the older device. I also turned off app updates to prevent this in the future:

Go to Settings.

Tap App Store.

Turn off App Updates.

I figured this one out. The “Unable to Download Item” error isn’t to your phone. It’s from another device that is linked to your phone. If you activated your new phone using another device or otherwise linked them somehow, and that other device is low on memory, then you will get this error on your phone.

Solution: unlink the devices or configure the other device to not do automatic downloads of apps or music.

I found it. It was a digital booklet that came with a musical album I downloaded. The booklet kept trying to download to the “books” app.

I deleted the books app.

I found it. It was a digital booklet that came with a musical album I downloaded. The booklet kept trying to download to the “books” app.

I deleted the books app.

Okay, so far the "unable to download item please try again later" message has not shown up again for a bit. Here's what I think it is. My iCloud storage was almost full, which perhaps prevented an app or something large from downloading. This is just an assumption. I looked at my storage by going to 'Settings', tapping on my 'Apple ID' (your name at the top), and then tapping 'iCloud'. I have 50GB and it was almost full. I backed up my photos (not to iCloud) and removed them. This freed up space. So far, I have not seen that message appear again. Fingers crossed. I'll let you know if I see it come back to haunt me.

This has been happening with quite a few off-loaded apps on my device. Solution in my case was to delete app and reinstall via App Store. Doing so prompts a ‘download an older version of this app’ msg or similar (I’m running old iOS 12).

Assuming this iOS check is not made or broken when trying to re-download apps directly from phone. Instead you end up jumping through hoops trying x y and z.

I had the same problem just now. I deleted the app and reinstalled it. When I opened it it worked and all of my documents that I had previously were there as they were in the iCloud. Don’t know if you had your docs backed up. It worked for me.

The only fix for me was to install iMazing on my MacBook plug my iPhone into it, navigate to the downloads folder and delete the files. No idea how people are saying they put the phone in airplane mode because the dialog prevents you from accessing any screens.

I’ve had this problem on my 6th generation iPad and I fixed it last night using iMazing. Download the free version on your MacBook or iMac and connect your device. Access the Downloads folder and delete the file fragments (I had three). You should be good to go.

I was getting the blasted message ^ over thirty times a day for at least the last two months so I am extremely relieved.

For what its worth, I was having this issue as well, but it was happening while trying to download multiple movie files from the iTunes Store at the same time. Once I started downloading them only one at a time, the error went away and it worked.

I realize that's not ideal and that downloading multiple files at once is better, but at least it's something. Maybe give that a try and see what happens if you are in fact trying to download multiple files at the same time.

I was able to resolve this annoying problem by going to the App store & downloading the item manually.

It my case it was Outlook & it now works perfectly.

Cheers,

John.

I was just able download after the annoying pop up. I deleted the old app and went and redownloaded it from the App store and it worked!!! :)

abigailfromcanby Said:

"I have this problem too. Retry and closing all apps didn’t work."

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Look into Clearing Space:

There may be something taking up lots of system resources. So, try clearing internal storage though use of the following:

What Space to Clear:

A. Clear Temporary Internet Files:

Clear your Temporary Internet Files(Cookies & Cache) of Safari:

• Cookies perform remembrance of certain site-entered data.
• Cache keeps a snapshot of the last time you visited a site.
• Go Here: Clear the History and Cookies from Safari on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch - Apple Support

Also...



B. Clean TV and Music Libraries:

Remove all unneeded files from your TV and Music Libraries. Full-Movies take up 2-4GB typically, and a bunch of those would take up a load of storage, ideally. So, if you have any movies that are not needed, then delete them.

Also..

C. Clear "Other":

Clear the storages named "Other". It basically contains unnecessary files such as caches that are used for system ease of use - all of which gather over time: How to Clear "Other" in your iPhone's Storage - Use Backup - User Tips. Caches would be being used for remembrance of application use. So, clearing other may be the way to go about this, as it would be performs through use of a computer.