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Does iOS App Store allows older legacy app to be downloaded to support older hardware and software ?

I am using iphone 4 on ios5.1 and cannot download waze, instagram etc.. since they required ios7.0, neither the new paypal's app required ios8.0. (so even if i upgrade my ios to 7.1.2, i won t be able to use it, it s a big issue)

There is a lot of apps not working anymore on ios5.1.

Has Apple archived old versions of apps and will make available this backwards-compatible ?

Can developers submit apps for outdated hardware and outdated iOS version on the App Store ?

Does iOS App Store allows older legacy app to be downloaded to support older hardware and software ?

Thanks for your help.

iPhone 4, iOS 5.1

Posted on Apr 5, 2016 1:01 PM

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9 replies

Level 10

166,747 points

Apr 5, 2016 1:04 PM in response to ToKuten

You can download older versions of apps if you have a computer or another device running a newer iOS version. This explains how to do it.

Install the latest compatible version of an app on an earlier version of iOS or OS X - Apple Support

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Apr 5, 2016 1:36 PM in response to Demo

Thanks for your help but i tried by this way and it doesn t allow to download older apps (waze,paypal,instagram) compatible for ios5.1 .

Paypal has release a new app and does work only for 8.0 and more. Before I delete the old one, was working well but now i cannot use anymore paypal on my iphone4. (even on ios 7.1.2)

Also they are free app so i just search them and used the install function.

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Level 10

166,747 points

Apr 5, 2016 1:37 PM in response to ToKuten

ToKuten wrote:

Thanks for your help but i tried by this way and it doesn t allow to download older apps.

Also they are free app so i just search them and used the install function.

Why doesn't it work for you? If it doesn't work, that means that the developers have pulled the older versions of the apps.

Whether the apps are free or paid doesn't matter. What the article means is that you have to download the new version on a device that can run that version - or download the newest version of the app in iTunes on your computer so that you can go to your iPad purchased tab of the App Store, find the app, tap on it to try to download it, and you should get a message asking if you want to install the latest compatible versions for your iOS.

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Apr 5, 2016 1:38 PM in response to ToKuten

ToKuten wrote:

Thanks for your help but i tried by this way and it doesn t allow to download older apps.

Not all vendors support this.

Also they are free app so i just search them and used the install function.

Not sure what that means. The only way to install apps on a non jailbroken device is via the app store or iTunes. Is that what you mean?

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Apr 5, 2016 1:39 PM in response to Demo

Ok i understand.

Can developers submit apps for outdated hardware and outdated iOS version on the App Store ?

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Apr 5, 2016 1:41 PM in response to ToKuten

They can elect to have earlier versions available, and a few do. But it is purely a vendor decision, not Apple's.

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Apr 5, 2016 1:43 PM in response to Kilgore-Trout

ok thanks for your help, yes i am using the install function on app store.

I thought the linked tutorial was only for purchased app. So it seems i have to contact the vendors.(paypal,waze,instagram)

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Apr 5, 2016 1:45 PM in response to ToKuten

You can certainly contact them to offer the feedback, but honestly, if those specific vendors were going to support version of iOS that old, they would have already done so.

Good luck.

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4 points

Apr 16, 2016 4:53 AM in response to ToKuten

Hello,

For anyone trying to find a way to install an older app working on their iphone 4 with IOS < 7.1.2

I found a nice tutorial and it works for most apps (wazz, chrome, etc..)

https://sites.google.com/site/appleclubfhs/support/advice-and-articles/app-store -downloading-older-versions-of-apps-ios

i am using iPhone 4, iOS 5.1

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