Unable to download item please try again later

For me none of these worked with my ipad mini 2.

What worked for me was

1. Backup iPad with iTunes
2. Factory Reset iPad.
3. Restore Backup.
4. Now delete all the software and redownload in the iPad.
5. At every download, the app will be an older version of the software notification will appear. Continue with the older version.

It is a result of predatory removal of older devices compatibability. Its forcing you to buy a new device and not giving you a choice. No support is given as well.

This is typical microsoft move. But what distinguished Apple was to support users regardless of the device version.

RIP Steve jobs. Welcome Microsoft minions. At the end, when the visionary is no more, the company is no more.

i just started having this issue about a week ago. It’s annoying and it looks like there’s not a solution. I’m running iOS 14.8 on my XR and 10.2-inch iPAD. Both with 128GBs of storage. Maybe I need to upgrade to iOS 15? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Got a new variation today. Actually seemed to be trying to download something. I must stress that I WAS NOT TRYING TO DOWNLOAD THIS ITEM (whatever it is), though I do have Hamelt as an audiobook (downloaded from the cloud when I transferred stuff to my new iPad ages ago).

Okay everyone. I am 99.9 % sure that I fixed this issue on my phone! I’m not sure this will work for everyone, but here’s what I discovered:

The “cannot download” annoying as **** message occurred immediately after I did the latest iOS update.

After the update I noticed many of my apps that are the least used had the shortcut icons on my phone, but had the little arrow near them to “re-download” from the App Store.

So I thought- what if this message is bc it’s trying to re-download these apps from the App Store and there’s an issue?

I did just that - started downloading all of my apps, and discovered one of the apps I had was “no longer available” via the App Store. It was Ticketfly, who apparently was bought out by another company and the app “went away” in 2019. Had to Google it. Who knew..

soooooo I deleted that particular app and y’all…. THE “cannot download “ message has STOPPED. It’s been three days ERROR MESSAGE FREE. Not once has it popped up.

so go through your phone- maybe you also have some old out of date app or no longer available apps that your device is trying feverishly to DL and it CANT hence this message.

So that’s all I got, but it has worked for me. I hope it does for you too.

Good luck and God Speed!

Unfortunately I think the only “fix” judging by everyone’s comments is getting a new phone 😤 Folks have tried different remedies, error seems to have gone away but returns.

I thought I had solved the issue when I found an app on my phone that was “no longer available” in the App Store . I was error message free for three days after deleting the shortcut from the device, and now the message is back with a vengeance. Today I got an error message highlighting something even more specific- “unable to download a digital booklet” for an album I have from iTunes. I’m going to have to plug my phone into the MacBook and see what the heck this digital booklet is…

this is so frustrating.

I’m on iPhone Xs with 15.1 iOS. Been having this issue for the last week. I’ve not requested to download anything. I’ve done everything everyone else has. Years ago I worked with a retired Air Force Colonel who told me when all else failed, pilots would turn everything off and on. I’m thinking the equal with an iPhone is to take note of all the apps I use, and restore factory settings. This has been that annoying. before I do, has anyone else tried that?

I did what macuserjeff suggested and it does appear to be working so far. Thanks, Jeff!!! I shut off my phone and turned it back on again too. The message typically pops up right after a reboot. It didn't occur. Amen. I documented the process on a PC with 2 screenshots. See the attachments. The files mentioned by macuserjeff have a slightly different extension than what I found. The free version iMazing works!

I have an iPhone XR as well and hear that a lot of people who also have them are experiencing the same issue. I would contact Apple support. They just asked for my Apple ID and after a few minutes they asked if I was having the same issues and I’ve never had an issue like that again.

Imazing was Free and WORKED!!!! THANK YOU Macusurjeff for this thread and for finally getting rid of the pop up!

The files mentioned by macuserjeff had a different extension but delete those three and boom gone!

Just chiming in that I’ve had this same annoying issue with my iPhone XR for almost two months. A Google search led me to this discussion. I’ve tried viewing download files and disabling automatic downloads, but no luck. After reading this thread, I’m thinking my next step is make sure I’ve backed up everything & take it to the Genius Bar. Will post here after with anything helpful.

I’m having the exact same issue for months. I tried downloading everything, resetting everything, wiped the phone. Talked to Apple support. They suggested a complete wipe using a computer. I did this 3 times and tried starting from an iCloud backup and it still came back. Then I tried it and didn’t use a backup and just had the stock apps on there and then signed into my Apple account and manually added all apps and media and still this pop up comes every time I start my phone and randomly as well. I’m thinking this has something to do with my iCloud account and not the phone itself or iOS. When I started the phone fresh after a wipe and before signing into my account, the pop up never showed up, only after signing in. There should be a way on apples end to clear or reset whatever queue my Apple ID is looking to for downloads I would think?

Hello ~ I wonder now by seeing all you have gone through …and you have really gone through it…if there is a possibility that it may be something that could be connected to the email address associated with your Apple ID? Just a thought. If you do find a solution and I do so hope that you do …could you post back with your solution? Good luck :)

~Katana-San~

I am yet another person with this issue.

I have also tried everything and have a phone/email thread going with Apple Support and so far everything they have tried has had no effect.

I notice it will occur predictably every time I reboot the phone.

iPhone 11 Pro Max IOS 15.0.2

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.