iPad Can an old iPad download ANY Apps?

[HappyDude20]

I have an iPad 3rd generation that hasn't been used in many years but looks to be in good working condition. My grandma wants the iPad and says she only wants it for typing up recipes and the occasional YouTube video.

My grandma doesn't have an Apple ID so I went ahead and created one for her. This 3rd Gen iPad now has her Apple ID login info and I just attempted to enter the App Store and download some apps but EVERY SINGLE app upon tapping "Install" makes a pop up that says "Unable to Purchase - Pages is not compatible with this iPad"

It seems as if I can only use the stock iPad apps on iOS 9.3.5

Is this Apple's way of subtle'y telling us to upgrade to a newer iPad to then be able to download apps?

Again, I just today created an Apple ID for my grandma and added said Apple ID to this 3rd Generation iPad; of which the iPad works well with no issues running 9.3.5, minus not being able to download any apps in the App Store.

Am here to answer questions and get to the bottom of this.

 

[AutomaticApple]

I have an iPad 3rd generation that hasn't been used in many years but looks to be in good working condition. My grandma wants the iPad and says she only wants it for typing up recipes and the occasional YouTube video.

My grandma doesn't have an Apple ID so I went ahead and created one for her. This 3rd Gen iPad now has her Apple ID login info and I just attempted to enter the App Store and download some apps but EVERY SINGLE app upon tapping "Install" makes a pop up that says "Unable to Purchase - Pages is not compatible with this iPad"

It seems as if I can only use the stock iPad apps on iOS 9.3.5

Is this Apple's way of subtle'y telling us to upgrade to a newer iPad to then be able to download apps?

Again, I just today created an Apple ID for my grandma and added said Apple ID to this 3rd Generation iPad; of which the iPad works well with no issues running 9.3.5, minus not being able to download any apps in the App Store.

Am here to answer questions and get to the bottom of this.

I hope this this video helps out!

 

[MacCheetah3]

I have an iPad 2 with iOS 9.3.5 and automatic updates enabled. Updates, latest versions, for Apple's apps either don't show in the Updates list or appear then fail to install. A few apps by other developers do still support iOS 9, but don't expect many to extend compatibility that far back.

In fact, it appears Xcode 12 will be the last to support compiling for iOS 9.

Xcode - Support - Apple Developer

developer.apple.com

 

[HappyDude20]

I hope this this video helps out!

Thank you, the advice in the video would be helpful if I had purchased apps already but I literally just created this Apple ID today and hence have no apps in my purchased tab, therefore can’t access previous compatible versions of apps to then download.

gotta find a different way. Thank you none the less.

 

[cupcakes2000]

As a work around you could use her new Apple ID to purchase her desired apps on a newer model/iPhone, then go back to the steps in the video.

 

[akash.nu]

Thank you, the advice in the video would be helpful if I had purchased apps already but I literally just created this Apple ID today and hence have no apps in my purchased tab, therefore can’t access previous compatible versions of apps to then download.

gotta find a different way. Thank you none the less.

As a work around you could use her new Apple ID to purchase her desired apps on a newer model/iPhone, then go back to the steps in the video.

It comes down to individual apps and what the developers support. We’re on iOS 14 now and that iPad is 5 generations behind.

Most app developers do not support that old version of the OS simply because it becomes difficult to work on new features while keeping it working on such older versions of OS. Especially when a minuscule number of the customer base is on those older versions. Most app developers support latest version and -1 iOS version or max -2 version.

You can’t just buy an app on a newer iOS model and download on an older one. The app binary itself defines the compatibility.

 

[boogiedout]

You tube and typing up recipes?
just use safari for YouTube and notes for the recipes ??‍♂️

 

[macdogpro]

It is not Apple’s way telling us to buy new iPad.
It‘s the developers telling the hardware can not keep up with their updated apps.

I have 3rd gen iPad too, running 9.3.5.
Luckily it still has my Apple ID, hence can install the latest app it can support via my purchase history.

Your grandma can type on preinstalled Notes app and access youtube via Safari.

 

[cupcakes2000]

It comes down to individual apps and what the developers support. We’re on iOS 14 now and that iPad is 5 generations behind.

Most app developers do not support that old version of the OS simply because it becomes difficult to work on new features while keeping it working on such older versions of OS. Especially when a minuscule number of the customer base is on those older versions. Most app developers support latest version and -1 iOS version or max -2 version.

You can’t just buy an app on a newer iOS model and download on an older one. The app binary itself defines the compatibility.

Yeah sure I understand that. Just offering a works around for the ops problem. Obviously the app needs to be compatible also.

 

[legis_arvum]

Jailbrake it an use cydia repo and warez stuff

 

[xplorations]

I found this (on Low End Mac) when faced with a similar problem for an older iPod touch:

iOS Apps for older versions (3.1.3)

Open Google and do this:

Google:
site:iTunes.apple.com/us "requires ios 3.1" frogger
(If you wanted frogger)

site:iTunes.apple.com/us "requires ios 4.1” frogger
(If you wanted frogger)

site:iTunes.apple.com/us "requires ios 4.1" pedometer

Explanation:

Easily Find Apps for Older iPhone OS Versions | Low End Mac

It will return PAGES of apps. and Pages. and Pages.

I still use my iPad 2 regularly, Pages, Books, Numbers and Notes all work for my purposes,
as long as I don't OPEN and CHANGE the file in a newer device.

Best,

Vic

 

[ApfelKuchen]

Every app description in the App Store includes Compatibility. I wouldn't expect many apps to be backwards compatible to iOS 9, but you may find some.

According to available stats, iOS 9 is in use on 1% of devices. Apps are constantly being updated/upgraded. To maintain backwards-compatibility, those updates must be tested on those older OSes. So, how many developers are likely to do that for 1% of potential users? Even the most widely-used apps are unlikely to do that (Facebook, for example, requires iOS 10 or higher), so what are the chances a less-popular app is going to do that?

 

[Digitalguy]

I have an ipad 2, which is on the same version of IOS. The best way is that you login with YOUR apple id, then download apps there, then log out and use the new ID. Apps will stay. Most apps have an older version compatible with IOS 9 if you have them on your id (so before you log in make sure you download them on your modern ipad). Just to name a few:
Facebook, messenger (they even work with ios 6). Office (Word, Excel.etc.) all good apps (youtube, gmail, maps etc.). spotify, jump desktop, etc.
Jailbreak might not be an optin at all. It's no longer possible on this version of IOS on my ipad 2 for instance. And it does not help wth app compatibility anyway...

 

[flaubert]

I have an ipad 2, which is on the same version of IOS. The best way is that you login with YOUR apple id, then download apps there, then log out and use the new ID. Apps will stay. Most apps have an older version compatible with IOS 9 if you have them on your id (so before you log in make sure you download them on your modern ipad). Just to name a few:
Facebook, messenger (they even work with ios 6). Office (Word, Excel.etc.) all good apps (youtube, gmail, maps etc.). spotify, jump desktop, etc.
Jailbreak might not be an optin at all. It's no longer possible on this version of IOS on my ipad 2 for instance. And it does not help wth app compatibility anyway...

You can probably make this easy by adding her new Apple ID to Family Sharing on your device. Then all the apps that you have ever purchased will be available to her without cost, and you won't have to switch back and forth between IDs.

 

[Digitalguy]

You can probably make this easy by adding her new Apple ID to Family Sharing on your device. Then all the apps that you have ever purchased will be available to her without cost, and you won't have to switch back and forth between IDs.

Yeah that's a easier way, unless in-app purchases are necessary (I think family sharing excludes them)

 

[HDFan]

she only wants it for typing up recipes

If she has a lot of recipes it might be worth it to purchase a used, cheap, relatively current iPad in order to use Paprika. An awesome recipe, groceries, pantry, meals & menus manager.

 

[HappyDude20]

I ended up signing into a newer iPhone and downloading apps she would use and then they showed up on said old iPad.
90% of app were available, albeit older versions. It worked. Thank you!!!

 

[Starscape]

I still have my iPad 3 on my desk docked with the Apple dock. I really liked the dock and I keep it there as basically a third screen for YouTube, music, live radio streams, etc. Works fine for that and the battery is still as good as new, which is incredible for an 8 year old device.