HT201377: Install an app on an earlier version of iOS or OS X

Learn about Install an app on an earlier version of iOS or OS X
LadyLeonine

Q: Downgrade an app?

Like many Apple users I've been using the Google App since I got my iPad (the free normal Google if it's important) , the simple design and sideswipe to return to search history were my favourite features by far! Unfortunately the update given on February 10th (possibly December 2014 as I turn off the App story to avoid annoying adds in Youtube/Video Tube) I found the app has been 'rebuilt' to be focused primarily around the voice feature. I have never used this feature and never had a desire to as the placement of the microphone makes the voice function difficult to use at the best of times in my opinion.

 

I find the new version irritating beyond words! I can no longer just swipe back to my search history,min fact the search history is deleted after 2 days whereas before I could leave my search history in the app for as long as I wanted. The new version infuriated me so much I just deleted the App from my iPad and use another app for my searching but I miss the

 

I desperately want to downgrade my app to before it was 'Rebuilt' to focus solely on the speech function. Is there any way I can legitimately download the earlier 5.0 Googe app? If need be I'll continue coping with Safari, but I would so love to be able to use the App that has been with my iPad since I was given it.

 

Any replies or words of advice are welcome. Thank you for your time.

 

P.S I'm almost certain I posted this on the wrong community being so new to this aspect of Apple, sorry in advance!

iPad 2, iOS 8.2

Posted on Mar 18, 2015 1:56 PM

Close

Q: Downgrade an app?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by babowa,Helpful

    babowa babowa Mar 18, 2015 2:16 PM in response to LadyLeonine
    Level 7 (31,893 points)
    iPad
    Mar 18, 2015 2:16 PM in response to LadyLeonine

    Did you do a backup before updating? Since the only version at the app store appears to be the new one, I'd say you cannot unless you want to wipe and restore from an older backup.

     

    FWIW, I am an Apple user, but choose not to use Google for anything as I do not care for their business model of selling your information (and reading your emails).

  • by LadyLeonine,

    LadyLeonine LadyLeonine Mar 18, 2015 2:32 PM in response to babowa
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mar 18, 2015 2:32 PM in response to babowa

    Sadly I have no restore before the update as I backup to iCloud every 2 weeks. I was hoping that since the Store App shows older versions in the Version history there was a way to request them or re-download a previous version somehow.


    But if Google (or is it Apple?) can just force a truly ugly and cumbersome update with no consideration for the users' preferences perhaps I'm better off trying Safari.

     

    Thank you kindly for your time ^_^

  • by ChitlinsCC,Helpful

    ChitlinsCC ChitlinsCC Mar 18, 2015 2:43 PM in response to LadyLeonine
    Level 5 (7,580 points)
    Notebooks
    Mar 18, 2015 2:43 PM in response to LadyLeonine

    Google search leads to Google mobile apps... leads back to the iTunes Store page. The Google Support link there takes one to the front end of the product forums = no help.


    ÇÇÇ

     

     

    <Edited by Host>

  • by SergZak,

    SergZak SergZak Mar 18, 2015 3:00 PM in response to LadyLeonine
    Level 5 (7,304 points)
    iPad
    Mar 18, 2015 3:00 PM in response to LadyLeonine

    Do you sync the iPad to your PC/Mac using iTunes? When you update an app, either on the device itself or within iTunes and you sync the device, the older app versions are put into the Trash (I'm only speaking on the Mac here since I don't use a Windows PC for syncing my devices) where they remain until you empty the trash. If you have not emptied the trash in a while, the older versions may still be in there. The app name is used along with the version number of the app when it's listed in the Trash.

     

    If you DO find the version of the app you need in the Trash, move it out of the Trash like to your desktop. Within iTunes, delete the version stored there, the drag the older version to your iTunes App library. Delete the new version you don't want from the iPad. Now in iTunes, select to install the older app:

     

    Connect the device to iTunes

    Click on the device icon at the top/left

    In the left pane, click Apps

     

    The list of apps in your library will be displayed. Find the app and click the "Install" button which will change to read "Will Install". Now sync the device and the app will be installed to the device.