How To Fix an iPhone That Won’t Download Apps

Having access to an extensive selection of apps adds to the enjoyment of using an Apple device. But if you can’t download apps to your iPhone, you may feel frustrated and restricted. You’re not alone, as this happens to many iPhone users. Read on to learn some of the common problems other iPhone owners experience when downloading apps and what you can do to resolve them.

iPhone Won’t Download Apps – Keeps Asking for a Password

If the App Store keeps prompting you to enter your password after entering it correctly, the cause can be caused by several complex reasons. A consistent password prompt could be due to a technical hitch or your settings. Here are some troubleshooting tips for you to try in solving the problem.

Check Your iTunes and App Store Settings

If you’ve set your purchase and in-app purchase Password Settings to Always Require, you’ll be prompted to enter your password at purchase, even when signed in with your Apple ID. To stop the prompt from popping up each time, you can set it to appear after 15 minutes. This means that you won’t be prompted by the App Store when you have entered your password within the last 15 minutes.

1. Open the “Settings” app.
   
2. Tap on (your name), then choose the “iTunes & App Store”/ “Media and Purchase”.
   
   
3. Choose “Password Settings.” If you can’t find the “Password Settings,” you may have enabled Touch ID or Face ID for purchase.
   
4. Check the “Require After 15 Minutes” option below the purchase and in-app purchases.
   
5. Beneath the free downloads, disable the “Require Password” option.
   
6. If prompted, enter your password, then hit “OK.”

Restart the App Store

The App Store may have a bug, and quitting it may clear it. After closing the App Store, reopen it, then try again.

1. Open the App Switcher:
   
2. On iPhone with FaceID: swipe upwards from the bottom edge and stop at the screen center.
3. On iPhone with a Home button: double-click the home button.
   
4. Swipe right to find the App Store, then swipe up on it.
   
5. Go to your Home Screen to relaunch the App Store, or tap on it from the App Library.

Restart Your iPhone

Consider restarting your iPhone, as a simple reboot can clear bugs and errors.

To restart iPhone with FaceID, take the steps below.

1. Long-press the side or top button and either volume button until the slider for power off appears.
   
2. Drag the slider to switch off your iPhone.
   
3. Long-press the side or top button until the Apple logo displays.
   

To restart iPhone SE 2nd Gen, 6, 7, or 8, do as shown below.

1. Long-press the side or top button and either volume button until the slider for power off displays.
   
2. Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone.
   
3. Long-press the side or top button until the Apple logo displays.
   

To restart your iPhone SE 1st Gen, 5 or earlier, follow these steps.

1. Long-press the top control until the power slider displays.
   
2. Drag the slider and wait around 30 seconds for your iPhone to switch off.
   
3. Long-press the top button until the Apple logo displays.
   

Try Disabling Your FaceTime and iMessage

FaceTime and iMessage are directly connected to your App Store ID, and both features require your account information even when you’re not using their services. Therefore, either app can be causing the App Store verification error. Try disabling and then enabling FaceTime and iMessage to resolve the error.

Disable and enable FaceTime.

1. Go to “Settings,” then scroll down to “FaceTime.”
   
2. Disable the FaceTime switch.
   
3. Wait a few seconds before enabling the FaceTime switch. You may be prompted for your Apple ID and password.
   

Disable and enable iMessages.

1. Navigate to “Settings,” then scroll down to “Messages.”
   
2. Slide the toggle switch next to “iMessage” to turn it off.
   
3. After a few seconds, slide the switch again to turn it on. You might be asked to enter your Apple ID credentials.
   

Try Signing Out and In of the App Store

When your iPhone is not downloading apps, this could be caused by a problem with your Apple ID. Try signing out, then back in to the App Store by signing out and then back in to your Apple account. If there is a disrupted connection between your iPhone and the App Store, signing out and back in to your account may fix it.

Here are the steps to take if you’re using iOS 10.3 and later.

1. Navigate to “Settings,” then (your name).
   
2. At the bottom, tap on “Sign Out.”
   
3. Enter your Apple ID password, then press “Turn Off.”
   
4. Wait a few seconds, then tap “Sign In” and enter your Apple ID credentials.

Or for iOS 10.2 and earlier.

1. Go to “Settings,” then “iCloud.”
2. Tap on “Sign Out” toward the bottom of the screen.
3. Press “Sign Out,” then “Delete from my iPhone.”
4. Choose to retain data on your Apple device.
5. Enter your Apple ID password, then press “Turn Off.”
6. Tap “Sign In,” then enter your Apple ID credentials.

Try Resetting Your Network Settings

You’ll remove all internet and network-related data on your iPhone by resetting your network settings. Performing this action will hopefully clear the problem.

1. Open “Settings,” then tap “General.”
   
2. Scroll to the bottom and tap “Reset.”
   
   
3. Press “Reset Network Settings,” then enter your passcode if prompted.
   
   
4. Tap “Reset Network Settings” again to confirm.
   

Try Updating iOS

An update to the iOS frequently resolves software bugs. Your iPhone may be having problems downloading apps presently because of a bug in the OS. An OS update may be the quickest and easiest way to resolve the issue.

1. Plug your iPhone into a power source.
2. Connect to the internet using Wi-Fi.
   
3. Go to “Settings,” “General,” then tap “Software Update.”
   
4. If there are two software update options available, select the one you wish to install by pressing “Install Now.”
   

iPhone Won’t Download Apps After Transfer

If you’ve just performed a restore from iCloud or transferred from an old device, you may experience apps stuck waiting to download. Typically, the app will finish downloading; consider waiting slightly longer than usual. Waiting may not work when something is wrong with the Wi-Fi connection, the App Store service, or the iOS. Here are some troubleshooting tips to try to resolve the problem.

Pause and Resume the Download

Pausing the problem app and then resuming the download may force it to complete the download.

1. Long-press the app.
2. From the pop-up menu, tap the “Pause Download” option.
   
3. Tap the app again to resume the download.
   

If the app download progress continues to hang, try the following ideas.

Ensure You’re Connected to a Stable Wi-Fi Network

Be sure your Wi-Fi is stable.

1. Launch the “Settings” app.
   
2. Tap Wi-Fi to connect to a network.
   
3. Open “Safari” to verify that you can get to iCloud.com.
   
4. If not, try switching to another Wi-Fi network, if possible. Or try using your cellular data.

Allow the App Store to Access Your Cellular Data

Follow these steps to let the App Store use your cellular data.

1. Open the “Settings” app and press the “Cellular” option.
   
2. Scroll down slightly to your apps in the cellular data usage section.
   
3. Go to the “App Store” option and ensure the toggle switch is enabled.
   

Restart Your iPhone

Consider restarting your iPhone, as a simple reboot can clear bugs and errors.

Restart iPhone with FaceID.

1. Long-press the side or top button and either volume control until the power off switch displays.
   
2. Drag the switch to shut down your iPhone.
   
3. Long-press the side or top button again until the Apple logo displays.
   

Restart iPhone SE 2nd Gen, 6, 7, or 8.

1. Long-press the side or top button and either volume control until the power off switch appears.
   
2. Drag the switch to shut down your iPhone.
   
3. Long-press the side or top control until the Apple logo displays.
   

Restart your iPhone SE 1st Gen, 5 or earlier.

1. Long-press the top button until the power slider displays.
   
2. Drag the slider and wait around 30 seconds for your iPhone to switch off.
   
3. Long-press the top control until the Apple logo shows.
   

Ensure the Date and Time Are Correct

Incorrect date and time settings may be stopping your apps from downloading successfully. The simplest way to fix this is by ensuring the date and time are set automatically so it’s always correct.

1. Launch “Settings.”
   
2. Tap “General,” then “Date & Time.”
   
3. Enable the slider switch to “Set Automatically.”
   

Won’t Download Apps Without a Credit Card

You can temporarily add a credit card to purchase your app and remove it afterward. Or add funds to your Apple ID.

If you see a “Verification Required” error message before downloading an app, this usually happens when something is wrong with the payment method. This message occurs if a payment method has failed, if there is an unpaid balance on the account, or if your iPhone has never purchased an app or downloaded a free one.

You’ll need to change the Apple ID payment method to resolve this issue. You can either set up a valid payment method or not associate payment details with your Apple ID and App Store. Next, we’ll show you how to do the latter.

1. Open “Settings,” then at the top, tap your name.
   
2. Press “iTunes & App Store,” “Apple ID,” then “View Apple ID.”
   If you’re using iOS 15, do the following.
   • Select “Media & Purchases,” “View Account,” then “Manage Payments.”
   Here you’ll see the payment method you added. If there are issues with this method, like incorrect name, security code, billing address, or expired card, tap on it to amend the details. If all the details are correct, continue to the next step.
   
   
   
3. At the top right, press “Edit,” then the red minus icon.
   
   
4. Tap “Remove,” then from the pop-up, tap “Remove.”
   

You now have no payment method associated with your Apple ID, so you cannot buy apps or subscriptions. But this will stop the “Verification Required” pop-up error. Add a payment method to your Apple ID to purchase apps or subscriptions. You can add funds to your Apple ID to purchase apps from the App Store, iCloud Storage, and more.

Won’t Download Apps Without Wi-Fi

Your iPhone will look for a Wi-Fi connection by default to download anything. If you don’t have access to Wi-Fi, you can change your settings to allow downloads using a cellular network connection.

1. Open “Settings.”
   
2. In “Settings,” scroll down to the third set of options then click “Cellular”.
   
3. Next to “Cellular,” tap the slider switch to enable it.
   
   

When the Cellular feature is enabled, your iPhone will use your cell phone provider’s 3G, 4G, or 5Gnetwork if available to download apps and movies when you’re not connected to Wi-Fi.

iPhone App Download Successfully Completed

There can be many reasons why an app won’t download. Common causes include a problem with your Apple ID account, a problem with payment, a problem with the iOS version, or simply no Wi-Fi connection. Luckily, most issues can be solved by yourself with quick fixes such as rebooting your phone, restarting the download, or signing out and then back in to your Apple ID.

Have you had this problem? What was the cause, and what did you do to fix it? Tell us about it in the comments section below.