iPhone/iPad apps won't download on Mac

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Level 1

9 points

iPhone/iPad apps won't download on Mac

Hi everyone, I’m having a very specific problem with the Mac App Store.

I have a Mac with an M3 chip running macOS Tahoe 26.6.2.

Normal Mac apps download and update normally. However, apps listed as “Designed for iPhone/iPad” cannot be downloaded or updated.

The behavior is always the same:

I click the cloud/download button
I authenticate with Touch ID
The download appears to start
After a few seconds, it goes back to the cloud button
The app is not installed

I tested this with both:

apps I had previously downloaded/purchased
completely new, free iPhone/iPad apps

With a new app, the App Store actually registers it as purchased/owned, but the app still remains in the cloud state and never installs.

Things I have already tried:

Restarting the Mac
200 GB+ of free storage
Confirming the correct Apple Account
Confirming that the same Apple Account is used for Media & Purchases
Checking that there are no payment/billing issues
Checking Apple's System Status — everything is green
Trying a completely different network using my iPhone hotspot
Enabling automatic downloads for apps purchased on other devices
Trying from a second macOS user account — same problem
Normal Mac apps download/update correctly

So the problem seems to be specific to the installation/download of iPhone/iPad apps on macOS, rather than the App Store in general.

Has anyone experienced this?

I'm particularly interested in solutions that don't require erasing the Mac or reinstalling macOS.

Thanks!

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 26.6

Posted on Aug 20, 2026 7:23 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

PreCognition

Level 6

8,524 points

Aug 20, 2026 9:20 AM in response to aleari11

You’ve already ruled out most of the usual App Store causes. Since regular Mac apps work and the same failure happens in another macOS user account and on another network, I wouldn’t erase or reinstall macOS at this point.

Apple says apps shown as Designed for iPhone or Designed for iPad in the Mac App Store are compatible with Apple silicon Macs.

I’d try one specific check next: open the App Store, click your name at the bottom, and look under your purchased apps for one of the affected iPhone/iPad apps. Try downloading it from there rather than from its normal App Store page.

If it still changes back to the cloud icon with no error, this is starting to look more like an App Store/iPhone-app installation issue in macOS 26.6.2 than a problem with your account or storage. At that point I’d contact Apple and give them exactly the testing you listed here, especially that normal Mac apps install correctly but every “Designed for iPhone/iPad” app fails.

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Answer 2

Aug 24, 2026 1:46 PM in response to aleari11

i am not able to launch any ipadOS app on my M3 Pro since day one.

I have contacted developer of few apps. They have enabled access to MacOS from their end, and told that issue was on my system, as majority are able to run app.

Its really frustrating to see others use same app on their mac, while me being stuck inspite buying high end Macbook pro.

I am not sure where to contact now for troubleshoot.

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