When the App Store won’t download apps, check Apple’s system status, your network, billing, storage, and Screen Time limits to restore downloads.
Fast Checks That Solve Most Stuck Downloads
Start with quick wins. These take a minute and clear the most common roadblocks that stop App Store downloads or updates. Work down the list, then try the download again.
| Issue | What To Do | Where |
|---|---|---|
| No service or weak Wi-Fi | Toggle Airplane Mode off, then back on. Test another network or hotspot. | Control Center, Settings > Wi-Fi |
| Store outage | Check live status for App Store and Apple ID. | System Status page |
| Storage full | Free a few GB. Delete large videos, offload unused apps. | Settings > General > iPhone Storage |
| Billing hold | Add a valid card or fix the declined payment prompt. | Settings > [your name] > Payment & Shipping |
| Age rating block | Relax App Store age limits or ask the Family Organizer. | Settings > Screen Time |
| Apple ID mismatch | Sign in with the ID that owns the app, or redownload from Purchased. | App Store > account photo |
| Software bug | Restart the device, then update iOS or iPadOS. | Settings > General > Software Update |
| VPN or DNS filter | Disable VPN, private relay, or filtering apps, then retry. | Settings > VPN / app settings |
Why The App Store Won’t Let You Download Apps
When downloads fail, one or more layers block the request: Apple’s servers, the device, your account, or the network. The sections below show the exact fixes that clear each layer.
Check Apple’s Servers First
If the App Store is having a service incident, your device won’t complete purchases or downloads. Open Apple’s live System Status page in a browser. If App Store or Apple ID shows a yellow badge or outage note, wait until it returns to green, then try again.
Fix Network Glitches
Move off a crowded Wi-Fi. Reboot the router if you can. On mobile data, turn Airplane Mode on, wait ten seconds, then turn it off. Open Safari and load a fresh site to confirm the link. If a VPN is active, turn it off for a test. Filter apps and private DNS can also stall App Store traffic; pause them and retry.
Clear Storage Headroom
App installs need free space for the download and unpacking. Aim for a few gigabytes free. In iPhone Storage, sort by size and remove old videos, large message attachments, or offload rarely used apps. Empty the Recently Deleted album in Photos to reclaim space.
Resolve Payment Method Problems
Even free apps can pause when your account has a failed charge or an expired card. Open Payment & Shipping, add a fresh method, then remove the old one. If you use Apple Account balance, set it as the top method. After fixing billing, return to the App Store and tap Retry on the stuck app.
Adjust Screen Time And Age Limits
Content & Privacy Restrictions can block installs by age rating or require ask-to-buy. On a child’s device, the Family Organizer may need to approve. On your own device, review App Store limits and allow app installs. If you forgot the Screen Time passcode, use Apple’s recovery flow and then lift the block.
Sign In To The Right Apple ID
Purchases live under the Apple ID that bought them. If the App Store shows a cloud icon but won’t start, open your account page, tap Purchased, and confirm the app appears. If you switched regions or IDs, the app may not be tied to the current account. Sign in to the original ID or find an alternate app.
Confirm The App Is Available In Your Region
Some titles are country-limited or removed by the developer. If search shows the app on the web but you can’t get it in the local store, region rules are likely the reason. In that case, pick a comparable app or contact the developer via the App Store page for guidance.
Update iOS Or iPadOS
Older system builds can break install prompts or store sign-in flows. Install the latest update, then retry the download. If the update itself won’t install, delete the partial update in iPhone Storage and pull it again, then return to the App Store task. Apple’s step-by-step Support guide for download issues walks through restart and update tips that help here.
Restart And Refresh App Store
Close App Store from the app switcher, then reopen. Sign out of the store, reboot, and sign back in. This resets stale tokens that block purchases and refreshes your session.
Remove Device Profiles That Block Installs
Work or school profiles can set rules that hide the App Store or restrict app installs. In Profiles & Device Management, remove any profile you no longer need, then try again. If the device is managed by your employer, contact IT for permission.
Redownload From Purchase History
If a paid app shows as owned but won’t install from search, use your account page and fetch it from Purchased. That route often skips odd cache issues on the search page and starts the download cleanly.
Fix It Now: A Clean Step-By-Step Sequence
Work through these steps in order. After each step, try the download again before moving on.
- Toggle Airplane Mode on and off. Then test another network.
- Open the System Status page. If App Store or Apple ID shows an issue, wait until it clears.
- Open Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Free space until you have room for the app and its data.
- Restart your device. Simple, fast, and often enough to restore downloads.
- Update iOS or iPadOS to the latest build. Then retry the App Store task.
- Open Settings > [your name] > Payment & Shipping. Add a valid payment method or set Apple Account balance first.
- Open Settings > Screen Time. Allow app installs and relax age limits if needed, or ask the organizer to approve.
- Open the App Store account page. Sign out, reboot, sign back in, then try from Purchased.
- Pause VPN, private relay, and filter apps. Retry on plain Wi-Fi or cellular.
- Remove old MDM or configuration profiles that control installs.
Common Error Messages And Quick Fixes
The App Store reports short prompts that map to clear actions. Match the message to the fix in this table and you’ll save time.
| Message | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Payment declined | Expired card or failed past charge | Add a new method, then remove the old one |
| Verification required | Account needs a valid billing method | Add a card or Apple Account balance |
| Unable to download app | Network, storage, or store outage | Switch networks, free space, check status |
| This app is not available in your country or region | Region limit set by developer | Pick a local alternative or contact the developer |
| Ask to Buy pending | Family approval not granted yet | Ask the organizer to approve in Screen Time |
| Account not in this store | Region mismatch for your Apple ID | Change store region or use the original ID |
Extra Tips That Often Help
Reset Network Settings As A Last Resort
If downloads stall on every network, reset network settings. You will lose saved Wi-Fi passwords, so make sure you have them handy. After the reset, join Wi-Fi and try again.
Try A Different Device Or Mac
Sign in on a second device and grab the same app. If it works there, the issue is local to the first device. Come back and repeat the steps on the original phone or tablet.
Check For Age Rating Mismatches
Open the app’s page and check the age badge. If Screen Time is set below that level, the App Store blocks the install until the limit is raised.
Watch For Hidden Prompts
Sometimes a card verification sheet sits behind other screens. Return to the Home Screen, then go back into Settings > Payment & Shipping to clear any pending prompts.
When To Contact Apple
If you still can’t download, gather these details for faster help: device model, iOS or iPadOS version, the exact message text, and the steps you tried. Share any recent region change, card update, or Screen Time change. With that, Apple Support can pinpoint the blocker and restore downloads.