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> Apple does not give you the freedom to use old versions of software. Not only can you use old versions of software, you can download them again if you reset

> Apple does not give you the freedom to use old versions of software. Not only can you use old versions of software, you can download them again if you reset your device. Visit the purchased tab in the App Store and select the app you wish to download again, and you will receive the last compatible version for that particular device.

inanutshellus 4y ago
The distinction here is choosing which version you want, not "the latest / maximum version the developer allows to be used for my device". For example I just got an update to an app I've been using for a while. The update will sunset the app despite there being no online component to it. I'd kinda like to downgrade now, but the latest version compatible with my phone would be his sunsetted one.
- GeekyBear 4y ago
  What app are you talking about? I've never seen a developer set the "last compatible version" to something that intentionally breaks the app.
- joshspankit 4y ago
  There’s also apps like Cooking Fever (the original is a great game to play with kids) The latest version tacks on so many ads and “free to play” IAPs that it’s an entirely different game (and tbh one that’s no longer usable). It’s good enough and holds enough nostalgia for me that I would pay $2-5/yr to keep it clean but that’s not an option any more. Thankfully I have been keeping backups over the years (iMazing) and so I was able to spend some time going through old versions to find a good one, but that is only a solution if you’re planning ahead or if you have a time machine.
vanilla_nut 4y ago
Those versions don't stick around forever, unfortunately. A couple months back I reset my iPhone and it wasn't possible to download the Pebble app any more. My watch still works fine, especially with Rebble cloud services, but the app was just unavailable on the app store. That was the nail in the coffin that got me to switch to Android.
- GeekyBear 4y ago
  Again, you have to look in the purchased tab of the App Store. This allows you to continue to download apps you downloaded in the past that are no longer available as a new purchase.
eviks 4y ago
You forgot the tiny universe of all the new apps you might want to try on an older device, what you describe only works for the apps you've already purchased
- GeekyBear 4y ago
  > new apps you might want to try on an older device In that case, you borrow a newer device, sign in with your Apple ID, and download the app onto that device. Now that app will be in your purchase history and you can download the last compatible version for your older device.
  - eviks 4y ago
    This advice is as useful as "permanently borrow a newer device"
    - GeekyBear 4y ago
      All you have to do is get the app into your user account's purchase history. You can do that on a borrowed device and immediately hand that device back to the owner.
      - eviks 4y ago
        ...and do that every time for a new app. Again, "all you have to do" is buy a new phone
        GeekyBear 4y ago
        Apple keeps the OS current on it's devices for twice as many years as most Android device makers. Are we pretending that the sort of person who keeps the same device for up around ten years is the sort of person who constantly loads new apps?

inanutshellus 4y ago

The distinction here is choosing which version you want, not "the latest / maximum version the developer allows to be used for my device". For example I just got an update to an app I've been using for a while. The update will sunset the app despite there being no online component to it. I'd kinda like to downgrade now, but the latest version compatible with my phone would be his sunsetted one.

GeekyBear 4y ago
What app are you talking about? I've never seen a developer set the "last compatible version" to something that intentionally breaks the app.
joshspankit 4y ago
There’s also apps like Cooking Fever (the original is a great game to play with kids) The latest version tacks on so many ads and “free to play” IAPs that it’s an entirely different game (and tbh one that’s no longer usable). It’s good enough and holds enough nostalgia for me that I would pay $2-5/yr to keep it clean but that’s not an option any more. Thankfully I have been keeping backups over the years (iMazing) and so I was able to spend some time going through old versions to find a good one, but that is only a solution if you’re planning ahead or if you have a time machine.

vanilla_nut 4y ago

Those versions don't stick around forever, unfortunately. A couple months back I reset my iPhone and it wasn't possible to download the Pebble app any more. My watch still works fine, especially with Rebble cloud services, but the app was just unavailable on the app store. That was the nail in the coffin that got me to switch to Android.

GeekyBear 4y ago
Again, you have to look in the purchased tab of the App Store. This allows you to continue to download apps you downloaded in the past that are no longer available as a new purchase.

eviks 4y ago

You forgot the tiny universe of all the new apps you might want to try on an older device, what you describe only works for the apps you've already purchased

GeekyBear 4y ago
> new apps you might want to try on an older device In that case, you borrow a newer device, sign in with your Apple ID, and download the app onto that device. Now that app will be in your purchase history and you can download the last compatible version for your older device.
- eviks 4y ago
  This advice is as useful as "permanently borrow a newer device"
  - GeekyBear 4y ago
    All you have to do is get the app into your user account's purchase history. You can do that on a borrowed device and immediately hand that device back to the owner.
    - eviks 4y ago
      ...and do that every time for a new app. Again, "all you have to do" is buy a new phone
      - GeekyBear 4y ago
        Apple keeps the OS current on it's devices for twice as many years as most Android device makers. Are we pretending that the sort of person who keeps the same device for up around ten years is the sort of person who constantly loads new apps?