Top 9 Fixes to iPhone 16/15/14/13 Won’t Download Apps

New iPhone 15 won't download Apps

My new iPhone 15 will not download apps. I’ve restarted and reset the phone. I’ve tried doing it manually with individual apps. I’ve signed out and then in again but nothing works. Please help!

- Question from Apple Community

After getting a new iPhone, you may be so exhilarated and set it up as soon as possible. Besides, what is more important is that you need to transfer all data from iPhone to iPhone after set up and download needed apps from App Store.

However, when you intend to download apps from the App Store, you may find iPhone won’t download apps. What can you do to fix the frustrating issues? This guide comes for help.

Why Can I not Download Apps on My iPhone?

To get an iPhone won’t download apps fixed, it’s necessary to figure out the reasons in the first place. Many aspects may make you can’t download apps on iPhone, and the followings are the main reasons for the issue.

• Something wrong with Apple ID, your Payment, and the App Store.
• An outdated version of iOS.
• An enabled restrictions for app installation.
• A wrong setting of date and time.

9 Fixes to iPhone 16/15/14/13 Won’t Download Apps

The following solutions can be nice tries if you get into trouble downloading apps. You can try them one after another until your trouble gets fixed.

Solution 1. Check Apple System Status

The first thing you need to do is to go to the Apple System Status to make sure the App Store works properly. If you can see a green light beside the App Store, then head to the next solution to troubleshoot. Otherwise, you can click the link beside it to check the solutions provided by Apple.

Solution 2. Check iPhone storage space

You may need to check if your iPhone has enough storage space left to save these apps. If your iPhone storage is full, you cannot download any apps.

To check iPhone storage space, go to Settings app > General > iPhone Storage to check the available storage.

Solution 3. Restart App Store and iPhone

When you can’t download apps on your iPhone, you can try to restart App Store and iPhone to refresh them and download apps again.

Restart App Store
On your iPhone, go to the App Store > Continuously click any icon in the button until you can see a loading circle.

If necessary, you can sign out and then in Apple ID in the App Store app to have a try. On the App Store app > Tap your profile in the top right corner > Scroll down to find Sign Out, and tap it. Now, you can sign in and download apps again.

Restart iPhone
Restarting iPhone seems to be the simplest solution to solve common iPhone issues like iPhone stuck. Follow the steps below to restart your iPhone to check if it works in this situation.

iPhone 8 or later: Press the Volume + button and quickly release it > Press the Volume - button and quickly release it. Press the Power button and release it until the Apple logo appears.
iPhone 7/7 Plus: Hold both the Power button and the Volume - button for seconds until the Apple logo appears.
iPhone 6s or earlier: Press both the Power button and the Home button for seconds, and release it when you see the Apple logo.

Solution 4. Check network settings

A stable network condition is a prerequisite to download apps from App Store. You can go to any web browser or send a message to check if your network is working. What if your network doesn’t work? You can try other network connections or reset network settings by going to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Finally, enter your password to make it.

Sometimes you will be restricted by countries and regions when downloading apps. You may need to turn off VPN if you once enabled it by going to Settings > General > Then choose VPN.

Besides, the Internet Service Provider (ISP) may also forbid some apps to be downloaded. You can change your DNS server to a neutral server to avoid it.

Go to the Settings > WiFi > Tap (i) beside the WiFi your iPhone connect > Choose Configure DNS > Manual to make it.

Solution 5. Disable Content & Privacy Restriction

If you still can’t download apps on iPhone, you may need to check if the iPhone has restrictions on disabling the installation of apps.

You can go to Settings > Scroll down and tap Screen Time > Click Content & Privacy Restrictions to disable it.

Solution 6. Update your payment method

If you want to download apps on iPhone, you need to submit the payment methods in your Apple ID. Therefore, if your credit card is forbidden or outdated, iPhone won’t download apps. Simple updating your payment method can fix it.

To update the payment method, go to Settings app > [your name] > Payment & Shipping > Sign in with your Apple ID and password if asked to check your payment methods or add a new one.

Solution 7. Update iOS to the latest version

You may need to keep an eye on iOS updating since it updates frequently. If you don’t update the iOS to the latest version in time, you may encounter kinds of troubles including iPhone can’t download apps.

You can go to Settings > General > Software Update to have a check. If there is an update available, Tap Download and Install to update it.

Solution 8. Factory Reset iPhone

If none of the solutions help you out, then the last way you can fix the error yourself is to factory reset your iPhone. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.

Since factory resetting iPhone will erase everything on your iPhone, it’s suggested to backup your iPhone in advance. You may be used to backing up iPhone via iTunes or iCloud. What if you just want to backup some of your files on iPhone? It’s suggested to try the professional backup tool - AOMEI FoneBackup to make backup simple and fast and keep your data safe.

With AOMEI FoneBackup, you can
• preview all data before choosing some of them to backup to computer,
• selectively backup most of the important data on your iPhone, including photos, music, videos, contacts, and messages,
• easily restore all the backup files in their original format and size without any data loss.

Just free download AOMEI FoneBackup on your computer to have a try.

Solution 9. Seek Apple Support’s help

If necessary, you can seek Apple Support for help. After all, the professors in Apple Support know their products the best. You can describe your problem in detail to them and wait for the last response from them.

Conclusion

That’s all for the 9 solutions to the issue iPhone won’t download apps. It takes your time and patience to try them one after another because the issue can result from many aspects.

If you have to factory reset iPhone, you can try backup iPhone using AOMEI FoneBackup to get more backups even if you have backed up iPhone to iTunes or iCloud. To some degree, it ensures your data safer.