The problem of iPhone 12 not downloading apps is more common than we’d like to admit, but it has an easy fix.
We have all encountered problems with App Store at one time or another. Every app has its issues. Yet, few things are more frustrating than trying to download that new game you’ve been waiting to play for ages, only to have your download waiting indefinitely. But we are here to help! In this article, I’ll explain what to do if your iPhone 12 won’t download apps!
The tips explained on this article applies to iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max that won’t download apps.
The App Store is one of those apps we take for granted, mostly because it simply works as a mediator between the user and their precious apps. Hell freezes and the sky falls once it happens to stop working, though. How will you download that new app you have been so desperately waiting for? There’s no definite manual for fixing the problem of iPhone 12 not downloading new apps, but we have put together a set of tips and tricks that will most likely help.
Check Status of Apple Services
Before you go through a bunch of steps attempting to fix the issue of iPhone 12 not installing apps, make sure the problem isn’t with Apple itself. Apple servers can sometimes become temporarily unavailable and prevent you from downloading apps on your iPhone 12. You can confirm this by visiting Apple’s System Status page and take a look at App Store entry.
If there is a problem, you will see an error message next to App Store entry and the dot next to App Store will be Red and not Green.
Also, make sure that you search by typing App Store Down on Twitter and see if users are reporting problems.
You can also head somewhere like the Down Detector to see if others are reporting issues. If enough people are claiming similar problems, it could be a temporary server issue that will fix itself with just a little patience.
Pause and restart your download.
A simple glitch in communication or connection can cause an app download to stall. You may be able to fix the issue if you pause and restart the process.
Just tap and hold the app on from the home screen. If the app download is paused, tap Resume Download to get it going again. If it’s stuck, you can try to tap Pause Download. Once that’s done, you’ll press and hold the app again to tap Resume Download.x
Are you using the right Apple ID?
If you’re having an issue of iPhone 12 not downloading apps from old phone or downloading app updates on your iPhone 12, the issue could stem from your Apple ID. If you change the Apple ID on your phone or are signing in with an old ID, the apps you’re using won’t update or download.
You can quickly check the Apple ID you’re logged in with by going to the App Store. If you find that you’re logged in with the wrong Apple ID, follow these steps to change it:
- Open the App Store app.
- Tap on your account located at top right side of the screen.
- Scroll all the way down on the Account page.
- Tap on the Sign Out button in order to log out from your Apple ID.
- Sign back in with the correct ID.
See also: iPhone 12 not accepting Apple ID password? Fix
Force close the App Store
Sometimes a simple force close is all you need to fix the problem of iPhone 12 not downloading new apps! You can do this by following these steps:
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen. This pulls up the multitasking view.
- Scroll through the open windows on the screen to locate the App Store and then swipe it off the top of the screen.
- Once you’ve closed the app, you can just reopen it and get your download started again.
Turn on airplane mode
Not sure how much this one works, but I have heard plenty of people say that switching Airplane Mode on and then off will fix iPhone 12 not downloading apps issue. Hey, it’s not a complicated process, and it’s safe. Why not try, right?
Start the Settings app and tap the switch next to Airplane Mode to turn it on. Tap the switch again to turn it off again.
You can also toggle Airplane Mode on and off in Control Center by sliding down from the top right-hand corner of the screen and tapping the Airplane Mode button.
Toggle Wi-Fi off and on
Just like with Airplane Mode, Wi-Fi could be the reason why your iPhone 12 won’t download apps. Not to mention, your network may very well be having simple connection issues! Toggle Wi-Fi on and off, and play around with the App Store for a few. It just might help.
Start the Settings app and tap on Wi-Fi. Toggle the Wi-Fi switch to off position. Tap the switch again to turn it on again.
You can also toggle Wi-Fi off and on in Control Center by sliding down from the top right-hand corner of the screen and tapping the Wi-Fi button.
See also: iPhone 12 not connecting to internet? Fix!
Restart your router
I have fixed a Wi-Fi issue or two by simply restarting my router. It may not always make sense, but give it a try, and you might affect the Wi-Fi magic enough to get your iPhone 12 downloading apps again.
You can reset your router by unplugging and plugging it back in.
It’s good to leave your router off for 10 seconds to ensure that it has fully turned off before switching it back on.
See also: iPhone 12 not Connecting to Wi-Fi? Fix it Here!
Restart your iPhone!
Like in the good ol’ times, modern electronics sometimes just need a smack to work properly. OK, maybe not an actual smack, but you need to put everything back in place, and sometimes a simple reboot will do. This will take a minute or two and very often fixes problems including iPhone 12 not downloading apps.
Go to Settings > General > Shut Down.
See also: iPhone 12 Not Booting Up? Here’s Why And The Fix!
Check your storage
A common cause for iPhone 12 not downloading apps is a lack of storage on your device. Usually, you will receive a notification if your storage is low when attempting a download. However, if you still want to make sure storage is not causing the download to pend, there are a couple of things you can do.
- Check how much free storage you have manually by going to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
- Free up some space by offloading unused apps or deleting old photos and videos you have backed up elsewhere.
Check for iOS updates
Are your downloads still stubbornly waiting? Sometimes an update or security patch might be all that’s needed. To check if one is currently available for your iPhone, head to Settings and tap on General > Software update. If an update pops up, Download and install it, and hope for the best.
Check your date and time settings
It may seem like a cliché fix, but often this could be the reason why your iPhone 12 won’t download apps. This could be due to Apple’s servers having trouble syncing with your date and time settings. Go back and put them on automatic, if they aren’t. To do this:
- Go to Settings > General > Date & Time.
- Toggle the Set Automatically to On (green).
Remove VPN settings
Plenty of VPN users say they have encountered issues all over the board. Have you tried deactivating these (if you are using them)? You can find VPN settings under “VPN & Device Management” in General settings. If you’re using a third-party VPN app instead, disconnect from the server.
Double-check your payment method
Your iPhone 12 not downloading apps issues could be caused by an expired or outdated payment method. You need to have a current, usable payment method connected to your Apple ID — and that’s true whether the app is free or paid for. .
To check your payment method:
- Open theSettings app from the home screen.
- Tap your profile at the top of the screen.
- Tap Payment & Shipping.
- Type in the password for your Apple ID if prompted.
- Tap Add Payment Method to add a new card to your account.
Try signing out of the App Store and back in
If you are still experiencing a problem of iPhone 12 not downloading apps, sign out of the App Store and back in. I suppose it’s worth a try before jumping on the last (and most extreme) tip. Just go to App Store and tap on your account located at the top right side of the screen. Scroll all the way to the bottom and tap “Sign out” then Sign back in using your Apple ID name and password.
Factory reset your iPhone
If all else fails, wipe your iPhone clean and give it a fresh start. At this point, we have no idea what could be causing your iPhone 12 not to download apps, but resetting your phone to factory defaults will likely fix most of your issues, as it deletes everything on the device and leaves it the way it was when you turned it on for the very first time.
To reset your iPhone back to factory settings, go to settings > general > reset > erase all content and settings.
iPhone 12 not downloading apps: Fixed!
We hope one of these methods got your iPhone 12 downloading apps again. If nothing helped, the problem has to run deeper than usual, and you should probably contact Apple support.
These are our tips and tricks on fixing the dreaded iPhone 12 not downloading apps issue. Did we help you solve the problem? Do you have other solutions that worked for you? Let us know in the comments section below.
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