Why is the app store not updating/downloading apps

Hey Ssimon311,

I completely understand how you feel about your iPhone not performing as you'd expect! Rest assured, I'd be more than happy to help you to hopefully resolve your issues you're experiencing with your iPhone. Let's follow these steps to see if they'll help with the issues you're experiencing. After each step, try seeing if they fix your problems.

Updating your iOS device to the latest version.

• Try updating your iOS device wirelessly, or with iTunes before continuing to trying the other troubleshooting steps listed below to help make sure we're able to troubleshoot your iOS device properly. If you need help updating your iOS device, please visit this Apple support article: Update the iOS software on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

Troubleshooting steps to attempt to resolve issues updating and installing apps.

• Make sure you're running the latest iOS version.
  • To determine if you're running the latest iOS version please open Settings > Tap on General > Tap on "Software Update"
    • If you're iOS device is up to date, you'll get a message saying "Your software is up to date."
• Next, reset your network settings
  • Open Settings > Tap General > Tap Reset > Tap Reset Network Settings
    • If you're prompted to enter a passcode, enter it now then follow the onscreen instructions.
• Now, try signing out of iTunes & App Store
  • Please visit this support article from Apple for assistance signing out of iTunes & App Store: Sign in with a different Apple ID on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
• Sign out of iCloud next
  • If you need help signing out of iCloud, you'll want to view the same article as the previous one for assistance on signing out of iCloud: Sign in with a different Apple ID on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

Troubleshooting steps to help you with the battery on your iPhone.

• Try Restarting your iOS device
  • Press and hold on the Sleep/Wake button
  • Drag the slider to power off your device completely.
  • Once the device is off, press and hold on the Sleep/Wake button until you see the Apple logo.
• Apple provides several tips to help you get the most out of your iPhone's battery which you can find here: http://www.apple.com/batteries/maximizing-performance/
• If you'd still like, you can set up a Genius Bar appointment for them to determine the condition of your iPhone's battery.
  • Setting up a Genius Bar appointment:
    • http://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/
  • iPhone Battery and Repair Costs:
    • https://www.apple.com/support/iphone/repair/battery-power/
• Enable Lower Power Mode
  • Open Settings > Scroll down and choose Battery > Toggle Lower Power Mode on.

I hope I was able to help you. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask I'd be more than happy to help! I own an iPhone too and I don't enjoy it as much when it's not working right either so I completely understand how you feel. The great thing is that the Apple Support Communities is here all the time with people who are all here to get help, or to help others. So stop by again if you need anymore help, all right? 🙂

-Best of Luck,

John

I've been having the same issue. I couldn't update any app AND couldn't update my iPhone either. None of the solutions mentioned worked for my phone. Incidentally, my turned off my wifi, and everything changed. I was able to update my iPhone and apps without any issue. I'm not too tech savvy, but it's possible that some firewall or other software on the router blocked the update although I had service for internet on the phone.

I hope this helps.

When upgrading to an iPhone 7P, I had this problem as well. Tried everything, talked to Apple support as well as second or third level support at my cellular carrier. Tried resetting phone, wiped the 6P to factory settings, tried anything. Nothing worked, until... Here's what worked for me:

1) Turned off Cellular Data, since the iPhone is made to seek WiFi downloading NOT cellular. Saves data plan if you're on one. In settings it's also a good idea to turn off WiFi Assist. Keeps data streams from being interrupted and getting corrupted.

2) Reset the router by unplugging, waiting for 60 seconds or so before plugging it back in. Unplugging most routers for one minute ensures a full reset.

3) Placed iPhone close to the router and apps started to download at warp speed.

All apps downloaded successfully, except for one that Apple messaged as needing to be upgraded by developer to work with iOS version (mine is 11.0.3).

To AVOID THIS ISSUE I suggest backing up your old iPhone, INCLUDING APPS, before switching over from one iPhone to another as a restore will, then, also restore your apps.

That's what worked for me and I hope it works for you. Oh, getting to this breakthrough took almost 13 hours, most of it on the phone with either Apple or my carrier, neither of which came up with the solution above.

Try this

1) On the Device, in Settings. Either turn on App store Automatic updates. Or if it on, toggle it off and on again. You should now at least see the "count" of apps needing updates. But they may still not have an Update button when you go to App Store updates.

2). Power Cycle / Reboot the device by holding BOTH the home button and power button until the white boot screen shows.

3) verify you are reconnected to wifi, by using a browser. I've noticed there is a little lag on getting connected

4) go to the App Store and check for updates. The Update buttons should now show.

I tried this and it works for me.

I deleted all the apps that stucks in App Store for updates, and redownloaded those apps.

The App Store started to work as normal again after I deleted those apps and I’m able to download new apps as well.

P/S: please back up data of some apps (for example whatsapp) before deleting.

Been fighting App Store download problem for a few days and finally figured something out: (IOS 11.1.1, IPhone 8):

Turned off Touch ID for App Store in Settings/Touch ID & passcode. Then, went into Settings/ITunes & AppStore/password Settings and made sure that the “purchases and in app purchases” setting “always require “ is checked. This cleared up the issue for me.

Please note that I tried to turn on the Touch ID for app purchases again and this brought the problem back so leave Touch ID off for the App Store. Hopefully IOS 11.2 fixes this, if so, let me know. I don’t have WiFi so usually am a little slow with updates.

KC

I had to connect to iTunes with assistance from apple support and they erased phone and reset it. It was an hour process but worked.

Open Settings > Tap General > Tap Reset > Tap Reset Network Settings

If you're prompted to enter a passcode, enter it now then follow the onscreen instructions.

^This step solved it for me! Thank you!

Hi,

So for those still struggling - I had this problem with the latest IOS.

Individually the Apple solutions didn’t work for me.. but before completely resetting my phone and losing it all (and hours of resetting), I tried a few things.

I fixed it on mine - trybthis sequence:

1) log out of App Store

2) restart phone

3) log in to App Store

Neither logging nor restarting worked on their own.. the combo was the key

Good luck all

Been fighting App Store download problem for a few days and finally figured something out: (IOS 11.1.1, IPhone 8):

Turned off Touch ID for App Store in Settings/Touch ID & passcode. Then, went into Settings/ITunes & AppStore/password Settings and made sure that the “purchases and in app purchases” setting “always require “ is checked. This cleared up the issue for me.

Please note that I tried to turn on the Touch ID for app purchases again and this brought the problem back so leave Touch ID off for the App Store. Hopefully IOS 11.2 fixes this, if so, let me know. I don’t have WiFi so usually am a little slow with updates.

KC

Dear John,

Thank you for the info! Resetting my network settings solved almost every problem at once!🙂

Turbinator wrote:

Exactly same problem with my iPhone 6. Complete pain in the butt. Very annoyed as I am on holiday and really need to update apps for various reasons. It is a huge lesson to me to not be so dependent on Apple. Very, very unimpressed. This should not be happening and very little coming from Mother ship by way of help.

Hi Turbinator,

I'm very sorry that you're having problems with your iPhone. I can understand how it's important to update apps. Have you tried following the steps I've previously suggested to Ssimon311? You'll want to make sure you're running the latest iOS version, and if you aren't then you'll want to update to the latest iOS version. Look at the steps under "Troubleshooting attempts to resolve issues updating and installing apps" for more steps on problems with updating apps.

If you're still having problems please refer to this support article from Apple on steps you need to do to erase your device and set it up as new, or how to restore it from a backup: How to erase your iOS device and then set it up as a new device or restore it from backups - Apple Support. I would recommend you restore your device as a new device because if you were to restore it from a backup, you might encounter the same problems again. But please remember to back up your device first.

Of course, if you're still having problems again you can contact Apple Support or schedule an appointment at the Genius Bar

To contact Apple Support:

http://www.apple.com/support/

To schedule an appointment at the Genius Bar

http://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/

I hope this helps,

John

AS you see, I was also having this issue and emailed the apple support. They emailed me a list of ways to repair it. I went thru the list but it was the same. It did not help. I went to the Apple Store this weekend and there was over 100 people waiting in the store. It looked like the airport when planes are delayed due to bad weather. People were sitting on chairs, on the floor everywhere and kids running wild!! I was told to wait in a line. There was only about 10 people ahead of me so I was thinking that wasn't too bad until I get to the front of the line and find out that is where I sign up to make a reservation to get helped. Then I find out that the wait is approx 2 and 1/2 hours. I was pretty annoyed and I think the lady Could somehow tell. I did not have 2 and 1/2 hours to waste. The lady then tells me that she can have an apple support person call me. So within 2 minutes apple support calls me. I was on the phone for approx 30 minutes. Turning on different setting, turning off settings, logging out, logging in to iTunes, iCloud and finally my phone started working normal. I have no idea what really fixed it because I'm pretty sure I tried everything before. however, my phone is fixed!!! Im thinking the apple support did something from her end to repair it but who knows.

I just restarted my phone after updating new iOS then all my apps updated fine