Copy old app from iPad to replace a new non working app on an old iPhone

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Copy old app from iPad to replace a new non working app on an old iPhone

I mistakenly updated an app on my old iPhone (which used off line on my bike) which does not work because the developers changed some code which does not work with my iPhone 6. I still have the previous version on my iPad which works, but I can't use that on my bike! I want to replace the iPhone app with the one on my iPad--or from someplace else. How can I do that? The developer says it is against Apple policy for them to "send" me the previous app version, but in their release notes they never mention it will not work on iPhone 6. If it matters--the app is CYC Motors, Ride Control App from the Apple store.

iPad Pro, iPadOS 17

Posted on Dec 23, 2023 12:16 PM

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Answer 1

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lobsterghost1

Community+ 2026

Level 10

213,924 points

Dec 24, 2023 4:02 PM in response to rondi7

It is 100% up to the app developers to either support older iOS versions or not support them. There is no policy which prevents an app developer from supporting older devices. Just as there is no policy they should support old devices. As it stands, you're dealing with a nearly 10 year old iPhone, which is out of date, no longer supported, and will soon be on the obsolete list of products from Apple. The app developer would have to release a version which will run on such an out of date iPhone. Apple has no control whatsoever on what App developers support or don't support. But as time goes on, you're going to find that more and more and more apps are no longer supported on a 10 year old iPhone. You can contact the app developer, but it's not very likely they will update the app to be supported on your old iPhone. And no, you cannot transfer the app from your iPad to your iPhone. What you really need to do, is realize it's time to retire your outdated iPhone and invest in a newer, more modern iPhone.

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Answer 2

Bob Timmons

Level 10

193,884 points

Dec 23, 2023 12:22 PM in response to rondi7

If the developers cannot send you the "old" app, then no one else can either.

Sorry, but you cannot "copy" the old app from one device and "install" it on another.

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Answer 3

Dec 24, 2023 4:45 PM in response to rondi7

And you can see on YouTube videos which purport the world is flat. That doesn't make them right. You can't move an iPad app to an iPhone if the app is no longer compatible with the iOS version running on the phone.

Whether the developers are lazy or not is debatable. It comes down to what makes them money. Most apps are free and don't cost users anything (unless they choose to make an in app purchase). It doesn't make sense for app developers to spend money on keeping apps current for old devices, which fewer and fewer people still use. To do so would require them to make apps for older devices and ones for newer devices. It just doesn't pay for them to do that. So they end support for older devices and keep their apps updated for modern devices.

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Answer 4

rondi7 Author

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4 points

Dec 23, 2023 5:11 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Do you know if Apple has a policy for apps which disallow a developer to send, or somehow manage to install a previous version of an app? The CYC developer wrote "From the technical team's reply, we are restricted to providing the old version CYC Rider Control App from Apple Development Policy".

Is this just not caring to do it, or is it a real policy? Or maybe they do not know how to get it installed. IF they would email me the attachment--how would I install it, after deleting the nonworking app?

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Answer 5

rondi7 Author

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4 points

Dec 24, 2023 11:53 AM in response to Bob Timmons

What do you mean--"If the developers cannot send you the "old" app"? How would they send it to me? They claim "From the technical team's reply, we are restricted to providing the old version CYC Rider Control App from Apple Development Policy."

Is it really a POLICY? or are they just lazy or they don't want me using the previous version. They update every 6 months or more and do not publish changes made. I'm stuck not being able to use their app unless I buy a newer iPhone--which I do NOT need nor want.

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Answer 6

rondi7 Author

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4 points

Dec 24, 2023 3:35 PM in response to Bob Timmons

What do you mean--"If the developers cannot send you the "old" app"? How would they send it to me? They claim "From the technical team's reply, we are restricted to providing the old version CYC Rider Control App from Apple Development Policy."

Is it really a POLICY? or are they just lazy or they don't want me using the previous version. They update every 6 months or more and do not publish changes made. I'm stuck not being able to use their app unless I buy a newer iPhone--which I do NOT need nor want.

Deleted

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Answer 7

rondi7 Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 24, 2023 4:39 PM in response to lobsterghost1

thank you for the details about the policy. you've confirmed my opinion--they are just too lazy to to do it.

I use this iPhone for only 2 things, biking-- to display the status of my ebike and flying my drone. I just want the previous version--not a newly designed version. It's how the Chinese company can supply me with the previous version which I doubt they know how. How can they do that? I ask because then I can hopefully give them a simple way to do it. tia

btw--I keep seeing youtube videos on how to get file from a iPad to an iPhone, and via versa. Yes I know this an official Apple forum--so we can't post contrary info.

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Answer 8

Bob Timmons

Level 10

193,884 points

Dec 24, 2023 5:02 PM in response to rondi7

You can either believe or not believe what the developers told you. It doesn't matter as far as the result, now does it?

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Copy old app from iPad to replace a new non working app on an old iPhone

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