Is there a way to un-update an app?

Question

Level 1

8 points

Is there a way to un-update an app?

I like the older version better, the newer version crashes immediately upon opening it. What the **** is the point of updating something if it's going to make it non-usable?!

powermac 11,2, Mac OS X (10.4.11), ipod touch, nano, shuffle iphone 3GS and iphone4 , Windows Vista

Posted on Nov 8, 2010 9:29 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Bob Sabiston

Level 3

571 points

Jan 15, 2011 10:51 AM in response to 2xxand1xy__

But won't deleting the app from the device cause you to lose any app files and data? Is there any way to go back to an earlier version but keep your valuable data?

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Answer 2

deggie

Level 10

167,309 points

Nov 8, 2010 10:14 AM in response to 2xxand1xy__

If a reset does not fix your issue you may need to restore your iPhone and load the app again.

Before doing a restore though I would go to the developer's website and see if there are other reports about problems with the upgrade. On one of mine there was a posting from the developer that there was an issue and it would be fixed in the next upgrade which appeared shortly after that.

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Answer 3

2xxand1xy__ Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 8, 2010 10:45 AM in response to paulcb

paulcb wrote:
It obviously had nothing to do with your first question. It was to point out the absurdity of your second.

OMG! Do you really get enjoyment out of doing what you did?
*The first question was the one I wanted answering!*

I guess I should have refrained from phrasing that second part as a question. I should have just stated that it's frustrating to update apps and then have them not work. I was simply wondering if there was a way to revert back. I thought that most of the users here would be able to differentiate between a real question and a frustrated vent!

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Answer 4

ctter

Level 2

190 points

Nov 8, 2010 9:41 AM in response to 2xxand1xy__

If you have not backup/sync your iphone yet after you updated, go to your itune's folder and look for that app. Copy that app to another location. Then delete your app from your iphone and sync. Copy your app back into your itune's folder and sync again. Make sure your app is checked in the app tab. I am assuming you backuped your iphone after you loaded your previous version.

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Answer 5

Nov 8, 2010 11:19 AM in response to 2xxand1xy__

If you haven't yet emptied your Trash, you will find the old version of the app in there. It was moved out of your /Users/<your_name>/Music/iTunes/Mobile Applications/ folder during the update and replaced with the newer version. Just drag the old version back into the Mobile Applications folder and remove the new version. Next time you sync through iTunes, the old version should be put back on your iPhone.

I successfully did this when an app update made it iOS4-only.... I rolled back to the previous version that was still 3.1.3 compatible.

Hope this helps.

Rob

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Answer 6

paulcb

Level 6

19,245 points

Nov 8, 2010 9:38 AM in response to 2xxand1xy__

What the **** is the point of updating something if it's going to make it non-usable?!

I'm sure that was intended by the developer... it's really good for business.

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Answer 7

2xxand1xy__ Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 8, 2010 10:06 AM in response to paulcb

paulcb wrote:
I'm sure that was intended by the developer... it's really good for business.

And this post was helpful and answered my question about un-updating apps........how?

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Answer 8

DaVBMan

Level 6

9,286 points

Nov 8, 2010 9:31 AM in response to 2xxand1xy__

You don't roll back.
Have you tried other trouble shooting steps first?

Reboot
Reset
Restore

Reset is the most common fix and only takes a min. Hold BOTH the HOME and LOCK buttons. DO NOT let go when it says slide to turn off but keep holding. Let go once the screen comes back up with the Apple Logo.

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Answer 9

2xxand1xy__ Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 8, 2010 10:23 AM in response to deggie

deggie wrote:
If a reset does not fix your issue you may need to restore your iPhone and load the app again.

-But it will load the up-dated version, not the older one. (I think the problem is with the app, not my phone). I will see if the developer has any other reports about it. Thanks!

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Answer 10

2xxand1xy__ Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 8, 2010 11:47 AM in response to Rob Crestani

*Thank you so much!!!*

They were all in the trash and it hadn't been emptied.

My daughter won't ever update apps. She's afraid she won't like something about the new one or that it won't work. (She's seen it happen to me)

I now have a folder with all of my old apps in it in case there is a problem with a new one. I really appreciate it. That is exactly what I was looking for!

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Answer 11

Jul 13, 2012 8:48 AM in response to 2xxand1xy__

Actually, if you go to the iTunes folder:

<path to iTunes Folder>->ITunes->iTunes Media->Mobile Applications->

Previous Mobile Applications

You will find all versions of all downloaded apps.

At least they are there for me. For instance, I have 10

versions in that folder from 1.1.3 thru 2.1.3.

Whether you could just remove the app from the Mobile Applications

and replace it with the older version and remove it from the phone and then

sync the phone would work I don't know.

Don't know why it shouldn't, otherwise why keep all the old versions?

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Answer 12

2xxand1xy__ Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 8, 2010 10:08 AM in response to ctter

Thank you... Unfortunately I've already updated it on my computer also. Thanks anyway!

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Answer 13

2xxand1xy__ Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 8, 2010 10:16 AM in response to DaVBMan

Thanks, I tried that. Still getting random crashes from that app though.

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Answer 14

paulcb

Level 6

19,245 points

Nov 8, 2010 10:17 AM in response to 2xxand1xy__

It obviously had nothing to do with your first question. It was to point out the absurdity of your second.

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Answer 15

paulcb

Level 6

19,245 points

Nov 8, 2010 10:56 AM in response to 2xxand1xy__

Frustration understood and we see vents here all the time, useless as they are. Never mind on the rest - my original post was somewhat tongue-in-cheek.

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