Unable to download item please try again later

This article does not fix anything. The “Unable to Download Retry” error message occurs after purchasing certain music or media from iTunes. The way to remedy this annoying problem is :

1. Download iMazing Software to a desktop computer

2. Open iMazing

3. Click Free Trial

4. Connect iPad or iPhone to your desktop

4. Find the File System Folder on iMazing for your connectediOS device.

5. Open the Download Folder, I think it’s under System

6. Open any media and Camera subfolders

7. Delete any files that have squib.lte in the name

8. The End

Verified this fixed the issue for me, don’t buy a new phone to solve their bug!

[Edited by Moderator]

I gave up, deleted apps (like Netflix) and downloaded the app from AppStore again. In my case I got a popup saying, "Requires iOS 14.0 or later," and my iPad isn't even offered that update, so the issue was the age of my iPad. I was able to get the apps again fine. I see some of you are on the latest iOS updates so this may not apply...but I'm willing to bet if you delete & download again it may break the logjam.

I was having this same message pop up repeatedly and it started shortly after I updated to IOS 15. I thought it was a bug with IOS but I happened to open up the Amazon Music app and it made me aware of downloaded content that was missing. I then remembered I had recently cancelled my paid Amazon music subscription. I don't remember the wording of the response I gave but it was something to the effect of Initialize or refresh my library. Ever since I did that the message has not appeared so far. As others have suggested this appears to be an app issue and in my case it would seem the Amazon Music app was trying to re-download music that I was no longer entitled to download because I cancelled my subscription. Maybe this explains the issue for some of you out there.

I was having the same message but only when I tried to open certain apps on my iPad which is about 5 years old. I updated the iOS to the latest version (for my iPad) of 12.5.5. That didn't help.

I tried to download the app again for each app I was receiving the message from but it told me that I needed iOS 13 or higher but it did give me the option of downloading an earlier version of the app that could be used with my iOS. I downloaded the older version if offered and the apps now work fine.

Well, I've fought this issue since upgrading to IOS 15 about 6 weeks ago. I thought I had it resolved it after deleting my Amazon Music app. I had previously subscribed to the upgraded paid service and had previously downloaded some music to my device but since I cancelled the subscription I figured maybe it was trying to refresh the downloads but was unable because I cancelled the service. Turns out that was not the issue. The errors resumed after a brief pause. I then decided to see how many applications on my phone were broken because of the publishers abandoning support for them. It turns out there were several apps that had broken links for that reason. Once I identified and deleted the orphaned applications I have no longer had the error message pop up for almost a week now. This may not account for all reasons for the error but it seems to have cured it in my case. I hope this helps at least some of you find a solution.

I don’t know what app you are having difficulty with. I was trying to get into Pages and I got the same message. I deleted that app thinking I would have lost all my documents. I reinstalled the same app and all my previous docs were there. It is working properly now. I don’t know what app anyone else is having the issue with. It worked for me. Just trying to help.

One more try. I was having that issue when opening an app”pages” as I already mentioned. I couldn’t open a couple of other apps either but they weren’t giving the messsge. They’d Just open and close immediately. That’s why I started with “pages” and deleted it. When I reinstalled it the other apps worked as well. I don’t know why but they did. My suggestion which you may have tried already is to open every app on your phone and see if there is one particular app that is providing the message. If so delete and reinstall. It might work.

It’s called iMazing, and it’s an app you have to install on your computer (laptop, whatever)… not an app you install on your phone. It’s basically an app providing complete access to your iPhone, so be very careful what you do.

I hadn’t heard of the app either and was worried it wasn’t legit but it is. There’s a free version but I like to support apps that bring value so I paid (there are a few options).

Once you install the app on your computer, connect to your phone through the app using either wifi or a USB cable. I used USB. Then click on File System icon over on left side, just under “Files” … go into the Media > Downloads and see what’s there.

I had two folders with incomplete downloads, and one empty folder called managed files or something like that, and then three SQLite files. DO NOT just delete it all. You need to keep the three SQLite files. I deleted everything but the three SQLite files… but, if this doesn’t work I might try copying them to my laptop, editing them and saving a new version, and then replacing the ones on my phone with the edited versions, but we’ll see.

After I deleted the stuff and rebooted, I did still get the “Unable to Download Item” dialog again.. but only once before then I updated to iOS15.3 (that was this morning) and so far I haven’t gotten the dialog again. So.. fingers crossed. I’m on an iPhone XS.

I have and ancient iPad mini 3.

Software version 12.5.5

Apple says "I have the latest version of software for my iPad"

I've discovered that it's the App itself. I'm having this same problem on my older iPad and discovered that if I delete the App and reinstall from the App store, that I get a the following message:

"Download an older version of this app?

The current version requires IOS 14.0 or later, but you

can download the last compatible version."

I Downloaded the last compatible version and it works.

That may not be your problem, but it works for me.

Each time that has happened to me I deleted the app and reinstalled. It worked. For older phones, its trying to install the newest version of the app and it's not compatible with an older iOS. For instance, iPhone 6 IOS tops out at 12.5 and most apps require 13 or greater. For up to date IOS I'm not sure what he deal is, but it's worked as well.

I have the same problem, here’s where I’m currently with it … the error is rather connected to my Apple ID, and not to my phone. When I logged in under a different ID, no more annoying message.

I’ve been talking to the support team, they want me to sync my phone with a computer and since mine is windows they want me to use the windows store version of iTunes and after I sync the phone they want me to reset it to factory settings and then set up the recording session so they can find out where the unable to download item is coming from

After discovering the iCloud downloads file (from the pages reference, so thank you that was helpful!!), I’ve gone in there and deleted everything that wasn’t a photo. So far, I haven’t gotten the message again! But it hasn’t been very long, a day maybe. I will update you all if I get it again. It seems to at least make sense that something is trying to download from iCloud and failing, I hope it works! Check your iCloud downloads file and be sure there isn’t unknown crap in there for you too!

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.

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.