How to Fix Apps Not Downloading on iOS 16

Trying to fix apps not downloading on iOS 16 issue?

Imagine getting so excited about the new iOS beta release only to find out that you cannot download applications anymore. That’s right! Many users have reported that their apps are not downloading on their devices or they’re getting stuck mid-installation.

You may not be bothered if you already have all the necessary apps installed. In this case, waiting for Apple to introduce the stable iOS version is also an option. But those who need to install more applications must start looking into the root cause of the error.

Usually, apps refuse to get downloaded due to poor internet connection, insufficient storage space, system bugs, or software-related problems. Lucky for you, we have concluded several troubleshooting steps below for you to follow. Hopefully, by the end of this guide, you’ll successfully fix the apps not downloading on iOS 16.

So without any delay, let’s begin right away!

1. Check Your Internet Connection.

When anything fails to download on your device, your first step should be to check the strength of the network connection. You may use Wi-Fi or Mobile Data to download applications on your iOS device. If your usual service doesn’t work, switch to the other and see if that works. 

2. Restart Your Device.

Your device or the App Store may have been affected by unknown glitches or bugs. In order to eliminate them, a basic method is to restart the application or your entire device. Generally, the latter is better since you don’t know where the bug actually lies. It gets rid of all temporary data and memory, giving your iPhone or iPad a fresh start.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Long press the Side button and let go once the slide to power off slider appears.

2. Drag the slider to the right to shut down your phone.
   
3. Wait a couple of minutes, then long press the Side button again.
   
4. Release when the Apple logo comes up on the screen.

3. Restart App Store.

If restarting the device doesn’t work, try logging out and back into your App Store account. And while you’re at it, force close the application and relaunch it. Doing so, you’ll delete all temporary cache associated with your account and the App Store, subsequently deleting any application bugs.

Follow the steps below to log out and back into the App Store:

1. Begin by launching the Settings app and tapping on your iCloud ID.

2. Then, go to Media & Purchases.

3. From the pop-up options, choose Sign Out.

4. Then, tap on Sign Out in the confirmation box.

5. Again, tap on Media & Purchases and sign in.
   
   

4. Ensure the Date & Time Is Correct.

Incorrect date and time can lead to several problems, including apps not downloading on iOS 16. This is because most applications, like the App Store, use this information to sync with the Apple servers. If any discrepancy is detected, the apps will fail to function properly.

The best way to combat this problem is to set the date and time to automatic. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Settings and go to General.

2. Scroll and select Date & Time.

3. Make sure your current location is correct, then toggle on Set Automatically.

5. Disable Your VPN.

Many users have started using VPN services to protect their data since you never know just how much of your information an application may use.

However, using the VPN might be the reason behind apps not downloading on iOS 16 because the App Store doesn’t allow you to access servers that don’t match your actual location. 

So in order to download apps on the new iOS, disable your VPN by following these steps:

1. From your Settings app, go to General.
   
2. Then scroll down and select VPN & Device Management.

3. Now tap on the info icon next to the VPN you use.
   
4. Finally, tap on Delete VPN.
   
5. On the confirmation prompt, select Delete.
   
   

6. Configure Download Permissions.

The iOS 16 applications are huge in size. So Apple does not allow users to download them over Cellular Data by default. This is to prevent unnecessary data consumption and paying extra. But this won’t be an issue if you’re using Wi-Fi.

However, if you don’t have a problem with getting billed for the downloads, configure your settings by following the steps below:

1. First, launch the Settings app on your device.
   
2. Then, tap on Cellular.

3. There, scroll down and enable the toggle for App Store.

7. Ensure You Have Enough Free Storage.

Applications will also fail to download if you don’t have enough storage on your device. You can check your storage status from Settings. In case it’s full, delete all unwanted apps, music, photos, etc.

Follow these simple steps to check your device storage:

1. From the Settings main screen, go to General.
   
2. Then, tap on iPhone Storage.

3. Your device will then take some time to load all the applications’ storage.
   
   

8. Check Your Payment Method.

To use the App Store, you must have a verified payment method, even if you only download free apps. If you already have a payment method, ensure that it’s not expired, declined, etc.

9. Disable Content & Privacy Restrictions.

iPhones come equipped with features to provide a safe environment for kids. That means you can put restrictions on certain apps and settings and keep them out of children’s reach. This limits the usage and may also prevent apps from downloading.

To disable the feature, follow these steps:

1. To start, go to the Settings app and select Screen Time.

2. From there, tap on Content & Privacy Restrictions.

3. Turn off the toggle at the top for Content & Privacy Restrictions.

10. Turn On Developer Mode.

This method should be your last option since turning on the developer mode might put your device at a security risk. The option to enable the mode doesn’t appear for all iOS 16 users. However, those who can enable it could also download apps they couldn’t otherwise.

Here’s how to enable Developer mode in iOS 16:

1. Launch the Settings of your device.
   
2. Scroll down and select Privacy & Security.

3. Now, scroll to the bottom and choose Developer Mode.

4. On the next screen, toggle on Developer Mode.

When the application is successfully downloaded on your device, immediately disable the Developer mode by following the same steps above.

11. Reset Your Device.

When nothing else works, your last resort is to reset your device. Sometimes, the bugs in the system get so severe that they can only be eliminated by a device reset.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. In the Settings app, go to General.
   
2. Then, scroll to the bottom and choose Transfer or Reset iPhone.

3. Tap on Reset.

4. From the pop-up options, select Reset All Settings.

5. Lastly, enter your passcode when prompted.

This ends our guide on how to fix apps not downloading on iOS 16. All the mentioned methods have effectively resolved the issue for most people. But if you still have any confusion, feel free to leave a comment down below. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

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