UI/UX Designer from Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Here is how to fix if you are unable to update or install new apps from Apple AppStore on your iOS devices.

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I first faced this problem when I upgraded my iOS operating system from iOS7 to iOS8. I was unable to update my apps, and I was even unable to download new apps from the App Store or from recent purchases.

The first time, I thought this was because of slow Wi-Fi, but to no avail after deleting the old network & adding the same network again didn’t fix my problem.

So I called the Apple Online Support Toll Free number, and they said that this was happening because I installed a new operating system via Wi-Fi. It may cause errors because of Wi-Fi network loss or network interruptions. They said the best way to upgrade the iOS device operating system is via iTunes.

So here is how to fix this problem if you are getting errors like unable to install updates this time, unable to download the app at this time, unable to purchase or app doesn’t exist on AppStore:

Note: First, back up your iOS device using iTunes before following the steps below.

Prerequisite: Before proceeding, update your Mac to the latest OSX and iTunes software updates using the Mac App Store. Only then can you proceed if all apps are up to date with the latest versions.

Solution 01:

Step 01:
Open Settings App: Go to General > Reset > Reset All Settings

Step 02:
Now tap on the ‘Reset All Settings’ button. It may ask for the device’s security code or password. Enter that, then confirm again by tapping on the ‘Reset All Settings’ button prompt.

Step 03:
Your device will reboot with reset settings to factory default system-wide.

Step 04:
Add the Wi-Fi network again to your Wi-Fi settings tab. If asked, enter your AppStore password. Then, try to update your apps from the App Store.

I am 100% Assured that you will be able to update your Apps and download new ones with this tweak.

Solution 02:

Another solution would be to reset your iOS device to its factory settings

Step 01:
Check if your OSX & iTunes is up to date using software updates. Use latest software only.

Step 02:
Connect your iOS device to iTunes through your computer USB cable.

Step 03:
Select your device in iTunes & under the Summary pane, click on the Restore button for your device.

Step 04:
Confirm Restore by clicking Restore again to restore your device to factory settings and delete all data and content. iTunes will download the iOS software file and restore your iOS device.

Step 05:
After restoring your device will restart and display the ‘Slide to Setup’ button on the screen. Now, you have to follow the on-screen instructions to set up the device.

Step 06:
Now you can restore your backup Apps, Books, & Music to your device using iTunes

Solution 03:

If solution two doesn’t work, the last resort is to put your iOS device in recovery mode and restore it with iTunes.

Step 01:
Connect your device to your computer and open iTunes.

Step 02:
Press and hold the Sleep / Wake and Home buttons for at least 10 seconds, and don’t release until you see the Apple logo. Keep holding until you see the recovery mode screen. It will look something like the image below.

apple-ios7-8-9-device-recovery-mode-screen

Step 03:
When you see the option to Restore or Update, choose Restore. Wait while iTunes downloads the software for your device.

Note: If the download takes more than 15 minutes and your device exits recovery mode, you must repeat these steps and choose Restore again when iTunes completes downloading iOS Software.

Step 04:
Follow the on-screen instructions shown by iTunes. After iTunes completes restoring your iOS device, your problem should be solved automatically. I hope it helps.

Hope it helps,

Thanks & Regards
Mandar Apte

Comments

33 responses to “Here is how to fix if you are unable to update or install new apps from Apple AppStore on your iOS devices.”

December 7, 2014

Jen

It keeps telling me to verify payment authorization? For free apps? I can’t even install the update. I don’t have a credit card and there is no other option beyond the payment auth screen. Nothing but headaches with Apple.

Reply
1. December 31, 2014
  
  Todd
  
  I am unable to update my apps as well…butI am able to download new ones. I get the same message about payment verification for free apps…I also get one that says unable to purchase an application that I’ve never heard of let alone tried to purchase???
  
  Reply
February 20, 2015

tonia

hi,i cant seem to update my iphone5,ifollowed the steps like you said but it still keeps saying update not available and i cant update any of the already instaled app either,am really getting tired of iphone since this ios8 shattered my once perfect phone and process,please can you help

Reply
May 26, 2015

Jc

My iPod 4th generation keeps sting unable to download at this time when I try to download a game or update it what do I do?

Reply
1. June 7, 2015
  
  Mandar Apte
  
  Connect your iPod to iTunes to update it’s iOS operating System. (I assume your iPod is iPod touch)
  
  Reply
June 4, 2015

Vannaroth

How to fix apps store error? I cannot update or purchase new apps on my iPhone5 IOS 8?

Reply
1. June 7, 2015
  
  Mandar Apte
  
  Connect your iPhone to iTunes & update it’s operating system to latest version.
  
  Reply
June 18, 2015

Jane Eames

Many thanks for your solution to not being able to update apps.
Using reset all settings & then adding in our wifi worked perfectly on both our iPhones.
Thank you so much
Kind regards
Jane

Reply
July 22, 2015

Adrian loh

Thanks for your suggestions above. I used the function Reset All and I am able to update my IPad apps

Reply
August 12, 2015

Avi

Thank you Sir!!!
Solution #1 did the magic.

Cheers,
A.

Reply
August 29, 2015

Cath

Hello! Good day! I can’t install any apps on my iphone4. and when i tried to install an app it keeps on loading then the blue circle on the appstore keeps on going, Then after a seconds it keep on saying ”WAITING”. Please help me 🙁 Thanks in advance sir! 🙂

Reply
1. September 2, 2015
  
  Romas
  
  Hi, Try hard reseting your Iphone.
  Press and both hold home button and sleep button simultaneously,
  keep holding for 5-6sec. till apple logo appears,
  try updating your apps now.
  It worked for me.
  
  cheers.
  
  Reply
  1. November 21, 2015
    
    Oren
    
    Thanks for this, cause it did the magic for me and saved me the above mentioned factory reset!
    
    Reply
2. September 2, 2015
  
  Cerilo
  
  Hello! Good day! I can’t install any apps on my iphone4. and when i tried to install an app it keeps on loading then the blue circle on the appstore keeps on going, Then after a seconds it keep on saying ”WAITING”. Please help me …
  I already reset and Hard reset my iphone4 and i also did the restore iphone on itunes connected by the usb cord…but still after that its the same thing i still cant update and download application stuck on waiting then it will say unable to download app at this time…Please help me… Thanks alot in advance
  
  Reply
  1. November 9, 2015
    
    Mandar Apte
    
    As I have written in my blog post first backup your iPhone using iTunes while connecting it to your Mac using USB cable then reinstall current generation iOS operating system, It should work.
    
    Reply
3. September 5, 2015
  
  sushan vuzu
  
  same peoblm i m facing
  
  Reply
  1. November 9, 2015
    
    Mandar Apte
    
    Try all solution I have documented in my blog post it should work.
    
    Reply
4. December 21, 2015
  
  Mae
  
  I have the same problem please help me I can’t
  Install any apps on my iPhone 4
  
  Reply
September 17, 2015

Toreman

Same again here on Iphone4. Tried all of the above but still no apps will install.

Reply
1. November 9, 2015
  
  Mandar Apte
  
  Backup your device & reinstall current generation iOS Operating System by connecting your iPhone using USB wire.
  
  Reply
September 22, 2015

Apurba

I tried all of above but still it’s saying unable to download app at this time plz help me …..

Reply
1. November 9, 2015
  
  Mandar Apte
  
  First backup your device & then reinstall current iOS Operating System using iTunes while connecting your device to your Mac or Computer using USB wire.
  
  Try to avoid WiFi update or Sync as it creates problems in installation & backup.
  
  Reply
October 10, 2015

sultan

hi!
how to solved this problem that
this app is not downlond in this time i iphone4.

Reply
January 3, 2016

angus

ive tried everything above even the comments my iPhone 4 wont download or update

Reply
1. September 11, 2016
  
  mahmoud sowar
  
  yeah
  what shoud we do now ???
  
  Reply
January 8, 2016

Phearun

Hi Dears,

I got a problem of Unable Download in Appstore while i am using IOS 8.1.3 in my Ipad then i have tried to update and restore system to latest version IOS 9.2 by PC but it still the problem like before although i installed last version of IOS . after that i try to reset all setting & Sign out itunes and Appstore then press Sleep with Home Bottom to reset , whatever i try for many methods it still doesn’t work for me . BUT i get wonder that in my Itunes and App of Sitting for sign in Apple ID have different FORM of sign in ( Normally it look big and good form to sign in but it is look small and different from system ) . i think it may from this point that i get the problem above. ( Before i used iO8 8.1.3 with Jailbreak and i use 25PP china too ) when i got a problem then i update to IOS 9.2 by PC .

if you anyone have idea or the ways , please help me . i need you help so much .

Reply
March 2, 2016

Rasool

But if I do that above, all my apps will be cleared!!! It works because I tried it before but all apps will be cleared and after 1or2 months this error will be appread on ur device!!!! Please tell me another way to solve this problem!!!!

Reply
March 9, 2016

Meena nagar

I did the same as u mention in the first method. But I am still unable to install or update apps in my iPhone 5s. Please solve it

Reply
March 28, 2016

Kia

Thank you, it worked after reset all settings, you are a genius..

Reply
March 28, 2016

Ravi Sankar

I purchased Iphone 6S in last month, Feb’16. Appstore worked for only 1 month. Now I am not able to update the existing apps or downloading new apps. I spent more than 3 days and tried for all combinations, Reset the factory settings, reboot the device etc etc etc. But the result is zero. Iphone 6S is not at all user friendly. I did a mistake in buying iphone 6S.

Reply
May 4, 2016

Kate

It worked straight away!!! Thanks so much, you’ve solved my problem!

Reply
July 18, 2016

keith

solution # 2 did work! 😀

Reply
September 9, 2016

kambiz pour jam

Hello
Thanks for your support
my apple 4s can’t download any app in AppStore
I thought is better reset all eras for new setting device.
I tried it but device can’t erase all content.
help me please to fixe this problem.
Thanks for all

Reply