Stuck app downloads on a new iPhone usually stem from account, network, or settings issues—work through these checks to start downloads.
New device, fresh setup, stalled progress. When apps won’t download on a new iPhone, it’s usually one of a handful of fixable causes. This guide gives you a fast checklist first, then deeper steps that solve most App Store stalls—without guesswork.
Apps Won’t Download On New iPhone: Fix Checklist
Before you dive into advanced settings, run this short list. It resolves most stuck downloads in minutes. Try each item in order and check the app tile again after each change.
| Symptom | What It Means | Fast Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Circle spins, bar doesn’t move | Weak link or busy servers | Toggle Airplane Mode on/off, then retry; switch Wi-Fi to mobile data or another network |
| GET button does nothing | Apple ID or terms prompt pending | Open App Store > profile photo > sign out/in; check for a terms prompt |
| Waiting… label forever | Download queue stuck | Long-press the app > Prioritize Download; pause, then resume |
| Cloud icon with arrow | Redownload from purchase history | Tap the cloud; if it won’t start, use the redownload steps below |
| Payment failed banner | Billing issue blocks the Store | Add or fix a payment method, even for free apps |
| Ask to Buy or greyed GET | Screen Time or Family Sharing limits | Settings > Screen Time > iTunes & App Store Purchases > Installing Apps |
| No App Store icon | App hidden by restrictions | Settings > Screen Time > Allowed Apps & Features > App Store on |
| Storage almost full | iOS pauses big downloads | Settings > General > iPhone Storage: free space, then try again |
Step-By-Step Fixes For A New iPhone
1) Confirm Apple’s Services Are Up
Open the Apple’s System Status page and look for App Store outages in your region. If there’s a current incident, wait until it reads normal, then retry.
2) Give The App A Nudge
On the Home Screen, press and hold the stuck app. Tap Prioritize Download, or choose Pause Download and then Resume Download. This reorders the queue and often kicks the transfer back to life.
3) Sign Out Of The Store, Then Sign Back In
Open the App Store, tap your photo, scroll, and choose Sign Out. Restart your iPhone, reopen the App Store, and sign in again with the same Apple ID used during setup. This refresh clears many token or terms prompts that stall downloads.
4) Fix Payment Method Blocks
Apple may require a valid payment method on file even for free apps. Add a card or Apple Account balance, then retry the download. If you see a billing hold or verification message, clear that first in your account settings.
5) Check Screen Time And Family Rules
Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases. Set Installing Apps to Allow. If the App Store icon is missing, go to Allowed Apps & Features and turn the App Store back on. For Family Sharing, Ask to Buy can pause a request until it’s approved.
6) Switch Networks And Reset The Radios
Move from Wi-Fi to mobile data, or to a different Wi-Fi network. Toggle Airplane Mode on for ten seconds, then off. If nothing changes, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Reset > Reset Network Settings. You’ll have to rejoin Wi-Fi afterward.
7) Free Up Space
Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. If free space sits under a few gigabytes, delete large videos or offload unused apps. Try again once you’ve cleared room.
8) Update iOS, Then Retry
Some apps target the latest iOS point release. Go to Settings > General > Software Update, install what’s pending, and then reopen the App Store. If an update itself is stuck, remove it under iPhone Storage, then download again.
9) Redownload From Your Purchases
In the App Store, tap your profile photo > Apps > Not on this iPhone. Find the app and tap the cloud icon. If it doesn’t appear, you might be signed into a different Apple ID, or the app may no longer support your device.
10) Last Resorts That Clear Stubborn Glitches
Delete the stuck app tile and try a fresh install. If the Store still won’t start transfers, reset all settings (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Reset > Reset All Settings). Your data stays in place; system settings go back to defaults.
Why New iPhones Often Hit Download Roadblocks
A new phone stacks several fresh variables: a restored backup, a long list of queued apps, a Wi-Fi network that has never seen this device, and first-run prompts in the App Store. Add a payment check or a Screen Time profile, and one weak link can halt the whole queue. The fixes above target each common bottleneck.
Account And Billing Checks That Matter
Open the App Store account screen and scan for alerts under your name. Clear any “verification required” banners. Add a primary card or Apple Account balance, then move the app tile to the front with Prioritize Download. If you share purchases in a family group, confirm the app is eligible for sharing and that Ask to Buy isn’t holding the request.
Using multiple Apple IDs can confuse the Store. If the app lives under a different ID, you’ll need to sign in with that ID to redownload it, or buy it again under the new account. Apps tied to a former region may be unavailable if you changed country or region; region-locked titles won’t show in search after a switch.
First installs sometimes trigger updated terms. If you tap GET and nothing happens, open the App Store account screen and scroll; a terms prompt can sit there waiting. Accept it, then try the download again.
Network And Wi-Fi Settings For Steady Downloads
Fast downloads depend on a stable path. Turn off any VPN, ad-blocker profile, or private relay feature while testing. Check the router: captive portals, guest SSIDs, or strict DNS filters can block the Store. If the phone came from a workplace or school program, a management profile may restrict the App Store.
Router tips that help during setup day:
- Reboot the router to clear stale sessions.
- Try a different band; 5 GHz is quicker nearby, 2.4 GHz reaches farther through walls.
- If downloads stall on one Wi-Fi, switch to mobile data briefly to confirm the Store works.
For official steps, check Apple’s guide to fixing App Store downloads and account prompts here: Apple’s guide to fixing App Store downloads. You can also confirm Store outages or connection issues at Apple’s connection tips and status links.
Storage, Compatibility, And App Availability
Even if the app is free, the installer needs elbow room. Keep several gigabytes free during setup day. Offload apps you won’t use this week; photos and offline videos are quick wins when space is tight.
Some titles need newer system features. If the App Store page says an app isn’t compatible, update iOS and try again. If the developer removed the app or ended support for your device, it may not show in search; you might still find it under Not on this iPhone in your purchase list if the last compatible version remains available.
| Error Or Clue | Likely Cause | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| “Verification Required” | Billing problem blocks downloads | Fix payment method, then retry |
| “App Not Compatible” | Device or iOS version mismatch | Update iOS or pick an alternate app |
| Blank App Store screens | Network filter or Store glitch | Switch networks; sign out/in; reboot |
| Greyed GET button | Screen Time or MDM rule | Allow installs or ask the admin |
| Stuck on “Waiting…” | Queue jam or weak signal | Prioritize, pause/resume, move spots with stronger signal |
Exact Paths For Popular Fixes
Turn App Install Limits Off
Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases > Installing Apps > Allow.
Find And Redownload Missing Apps
App Store > profile photo > Apps > Not on this iPhone > search the list > tap the cloud.
Restart And Reset Network Settings
Side button + volume up, slide to power off. To reset radios: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
Advanced Tips That Save Time
Clear The Queue
If a restore triggered dozens of downloads, open the App Library and pause big games or editors first. Prioritize core apps you need now. Keeping the phone on power while Wi-Fi is strong prevents sleep from interrupting transfers.
Remove And Reinstall A Stuck Tile
When one app refuses to start, delete its tile and install fresh from the Store page. If the Store won’t load that page on Wi-Fi, flip to mobile data, search the app name, and try again.
Match Apple ID To Purchases
Go to the App Store account screen and confirm the email under your name. If a past device used a different ID, that app belongs to that account. Sign in with the right ID to redownload, or purchase under the new ID.
Check Date And Time
Settings > General > Date & Time > Set Automatically on. Time drift can block secure connections. Switching it on forces a sync with the network clock.
Look For Management Profiles
Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. If a corporate profile is present, the admin may block the App Store or certain categories. You’ll need the admin to allow installs or push the app directly.
When To Contact Apple
If payments won’t verify after you add a valid card, if the Store keeps returning errors across different networks, or if a Screen Time passcode blocks changes you can’t make, reach out to Apple Support from the App Store account screen. Share the exact error text and steps you tried so far for faster help.
Keep The Setup Smooth Next Time
When moving to a new iPhone, connect to a strong, open network during restore, keep the device on power, and open the App Store once the Home Screen appears to clear prompts early. Add a payment method even if you plan to use balance later. If you manage Screen Time for a child, set Installing Apps to Allow until the initial batch completes.