Applied to: iPhone and iPad in iOS 12/11.4/11.3/11.2/11.1/11.

Downloading and updating apps on your iPhone or iPad are usually as simple as tapping a few buttons. However, after upgrading to the latest iOS 12 or iOS 11, some users are faced with Apps can't download from App Store, Apps won't install or Apps can't update after on iPhone XS Max/X//8/7/6 and iPad. If you are one of them, don't worry, it is a common problem that can be fixed in many ways. On this page, all the workarounds are listed below. So go step by step until you address the issue.

Top Tips to Fix Can't Download/Update Apps in iOS 12/11

The App Store - along with Apple Music, Apple Radio and the Mac App Store - went down on Tuesday 4 June 2019, for example. If your iPhone is set to only download apps over Wi-Fi you won't be. Download deleted apps from the Mac App Store as normal. However, if you don’t remember the name of an app or want to see all your previously downloaded Mac apps together, you can view them in the App Store Purchased list. Click your name at the bottom of the App Store sidebar. Scroll through the Purchased list to find the relevant app. Hit Enter and you’ll open the com.apple.appstore folder in Finder. Empty Mac App Store temporary download cache folder Next empty the folder. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac. Now you need to empty. I noticed this problem yesterday when trying to download Mavericks. I don't use the Mac App Store too often, but this was the first time it never worked for me. I clicked on the Free Upgrade button next to Mavericks, then clicked Install, then it said Downloading. I went to the Purchased tab, and it shows up, but with a gray Download button. Why download from the Mac App Store? Downloading apps from the Mac App Store is easy. It uses the same login as the iTunes Store and the iPhone and iPad App Store. Mac App Store apps aren't just signed by the developers who make them, but they go through Apple's app review process.

If some apps get interrupted while downloading or updating, try the following solutions.

Fix1. Sign out and Sign into the App Store

The first thing you need to do is make sure the Apple ID for App Store is right or not. If the Apple ID has no problem, try to sign out and sign in to App Store to settle the issue.

Go to 'Settings' > tap 'iTunes & App Store' > tap the Apple ID > tap 'Sign Out' in the pop-up > tap the Apple ID again and sign in with your Apple ID.

Now, run App Store to download apps to check the problem is solved or not. If you find 'cannot connect to App Store' on your device screen when you are download and install apps, fix it first.

Fix 2. Check the Wi-Fi Connection

If you're using cellular data or Wi-Fi and have issues with app downloading, try to connect to another Wi-Fi network. To check the Wi-Fi connection, try watching a video from the Internet. Get help if the Wi-Fi is not working.

Fix 3. Delete and Restart the App Download

If the app fails to download or update, you can try deleting the app and reinstall directly.

Fix 4. Disable Restrictions for Installing Apps

The iOS Restrictions disables certain features of the iPhone, including the ability to download apps. So, if you can't install an update, the function may be blocked.

Go to 'Settings' > tap 'General' > tap 'Restrictions' > enter your passcode > check 'Installing Apps' and turn on the updating feature.

Fix 5. Check Available Storage

If you don't have enough storage space on your iPhone or iPad in iOS 12/11, you can't download or update apps. Therefore, check how much free space you have and free up iPhone space by deleting unwanted documents and apps.

Go to 'Setting' > tap 'General' > tap 'About' > check 'Available' to see how much free space you have.

If there is little available storage on your device, you can free iPhone space by exporting unwanted iPhone files or deleting some data you don't need, like apps, photos, podcasts, or videos.

Fix 6. Restart Your iPhone/iPad

If the app appears on your Home screen, but is dim or has white with lines on it, don't delete the app. Restart your device, then go to the App Store and redownload the app.

How to restart your device: press and hold down the sleep/wake button until the slider appears at the top of the screen, slide right to turn it off. After nearly 30 seconds, hold down the sleep/wake button again to restart your iPhone/iPad.

Fix 7. Set Date and Time Automatically

iPhone's date and time settings can influence the apps' downloading and updating in iOS 11/12. Therefore, set your date and time to be automatically to solve this problem.

Iphone App Store Won't Download

Go to 'Settings' > tap 'General' > tap 'Date & Time' > slide to turn on 'Set Automatically'.

Fix 8. Update to the Latest iOS

Another common solution to many problems in iOS 12 or 11 is to update to the latest version of the iOS, which may solve the issue caused by system bugs.

Go to 'Settings' > 'General' > 'Software Update' > check if there is a new version available, if yes, download and install it on your device.

Fix 9. Restore iPhone to Factory Settings

If you have reached here and tried all the methods above but nothing has worked, you have to erase all the contents and settings on your iPhone and restore iPhone to the factory settings. As this resort will cause data loss, you'd better make an iPhone backup at first by using a free iPhone data transfer tool. EaseUS MobiMover Free highly recommended here is an excellent utility to move to export and import iPhone files with one-click, such as contacts, messages, notes, calendars, voice mails, books, photos, videos, and audios. Why not download and try it now! After all, it's FREE!

Yesterday, I tried to download two apps from the App Store. The apps were Google Drive and Google Docs. Although I was able to install Google Drive without any problems, I could not download Google Docs as I was receiving a strange error message saying:

“Unable to Download App. “Google Docs” could not be downloaded at this time” with Done and Retry options. Tapping Retry was also giving me the same error again.

One other thing I realized was that the Google Docs icon was on the home screen but the app was not installed the icon was in a different darker color and was saying “waiting…”

There are many reasons for the problem, it is highly likely that, if you are having this issue, you are having a connection problem. But the good news is that it is usually easy to fix.

It is obvious that you need to make sure that your iPhone (or iPad, iPod touch) has a Wi-Fi connection or a cellular-data connection.

I listed the potential solutions below. The solution that worked for me is solution #7.

See also:

See this article, if you are unable to connect to the Mac App Store.

iOS App Store: Unable to Download App Fixes

Please try the solutions below. Make sure to check your iPad or iPhone after each step to see if App Store downloads start working.

Before we start make sure that you have an active Wi-Fi or mobile data connection. You can easily check this:

• On your device, open Safari or any other browser.
• Type macreports.com and tap go.
• Does the web site load? If not, you may be having a connection problem.

Another important point is that it is rare, but it is also possible that the App Store service is down. You can check the status of the App Store service by going to the Apple System Status site.

Solution 1: Airplane mode

Turn on Airplane Mode by going to Settings > Airplane mode and wait about a minute and turn back off.

Solution 2: Restart your iPhone or iPad

Simply restart your device. Here is how you can do that:

• iPhone X, 11 or later and iPad with Face ID models: Press and hold the side or top and the volume up (or down) buttons together until you see the power off slider. Then drag the slider. Wait about a minute. And then press and hold the side or top button until the Apple logo appears.
• Other iPhone models and iPad with a Home button models. You can restart these devices by pressing and holding the on/off (sleep/wake – top or side) button until you see the red slider and then slide the red slider. Wait about a minute. Then turn your device back on by pressing and holding on/off button until you see the Apple logo.

Solution 3: Restart the App Store app

Here is how you can do that:

• iPhone X or later or iPad with iOS 12 or later: Swipe up from the bottom of your screen. This will open the App Switcher. Locate the App Store app preview and swipe up on it to close it. Then reopen the App Store app.
• iPhone 8 or earlier: Double press the home button. You will see your open apps. Find the App Store app and swipe up. Then launch the app and try again.

Solution 4: Sign out and then sign in

Here is how you can do this:

• Launch the App Store app. If your device is running iOS 12 or earlier, tap Today (located at the bottom of your screen) and then tap your profile icon (located at the top of your screen). If your device is running a newer version of the iOS software, tap your profile icon. Scroll to the bottom and find your Apple ID. Tap that and select Sing Out.
• Now open the App Store app. Then Sing back in by going to App Store > Sign in (scroll to the bottom again).

Solution 5: Update your device

Updating your device to the latest iOS version may fix this. You can do so wirelessly. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.

This is important because iOS must be updated periodically. You may be having this issue because of a bug in the software. And an update may include your fix.

Solution 6: Google DNS

You may try changing your iPhone’s or iPad’s DNS (domain name system) servers. Here is how:

• Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
• Find your Wi-Fi connection.
• Then tap the (i) button.
• Tap the DNS field.
• Delete the current numbers there and enter the new Google DNS numbers: 8.8.8.8.
• Tap Wi-Fi to go back. The changes you made will be saved.

Solution 7: VPN

This is what fixed my issue. I had already installed a few VPN (virtual private network) apps. One of them was Opera VPN. I simply turned this app on and then I successfully downloaded the app.

Solution 8: Force restart

Force restart your device. Apple’s website explains how you can do that. This may fix the problem. Here is how you can force restart your device:

• iPad with Face ID models and iPhone 8 or later: Press and release the volume up button and press and release the volume down button and then press and hold the side or top button until you see the Apple logo.
• iPhone 7 models: Press and hold the top/side and the volume down buttons together until the Apple logo appears.
• Other iPhone and iPad models: Press and hold the side/top and the Home buttons together until you see the Apple logo.

Solution 9: Try a different Internet connection

Go to another place and use a different Wi-Fi connection (e.g., school lab, library or your friend).

Solution 10: Time settings

On your device, tap Settings > General > Date & Time and turn on Set Automatically. Also make sure that your time zone is correct, if it is not, fix it.

If your time settings are correct, and turning on Set Automatically does not fix the issue, try this: turn off Set Automatically and change your settings to a future date and time and try again. If you get the error message, turn on Set Automatically.

Solution 11: Restart your router

Restarting your router may fix your problem. To do this, disconnect your router from its power source then wait about a minute and reconnect.

Apple Store Won't Download Apps

Solution 12: Powercycle

Complete these steps:

My Apps Won't Download

• Turn on your iPad, iPhone or iPod.
• Unplug the power cord from your modem and router.
• Plugin your modem and wait until the modem turns on completely.
• Plugin your router and wait until your router turns on completely.
• Now turn on your device and try downloading the app.

New Iphone Won't Download Apps

These solutions will likely fix your problem. As I stated above, this error typically points to an Internet connectivity problem. This connection problem is preventing your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch from reaching the Apple servers. Following the steps above will help you resolve this.