Why Has an App Stopped Working on My Old iPhone? (And What to Do About It)

The Four Reasons Apps Stop Working on Older iPhones

When an app stops working on an older iPhone, one of four things has happened:

1. The app raised its minimum iOS requirement — the developer released an update that requires iOS 16 or higher, and your device can't run that update
2. The app broke your specific iOS version — a developer released an update without testing on older iOS versions, and it crashes or misbehaves on iOS 15 specifically
3. A server-side change broke compatibility — the app's backend changed in a way that's incompatible with older app versions, and because you can't update the app, you're stuck on the broken old version
4. The app was removed from the App Store — the developer pulled the app entirely, and re-downloading is no longer possible

The cause determines the fix. Steps below work through each scenario.

First: Diagnose What Actually Happened

Check if there's an available update: Open App Store → tap your profile icon → scroll to Pending Updates. If the app shows an update with a note about iOS version requirements, your device can't install it.

Check if the app still opens the App Store page: Search for the app in the App Store. If it shows 'Get' but greys out when you try to download, the app's minimum iOS requirement is now above yours. If the App Store shows a 'Buy' or 'Get' button that works, the app is still technically compatible — the issue may be something else.

Check the App Store description: On the app's page, scroll to 'Information' → 'Compatibility'. This lists the minimum iOS version required. If it's above your iOS version, the app has raised its requirements.

Knowing which of these applies tells you which solution to try.

Fix 1: Install the Last Compatible Version

If an app has updated beyond what your iOS supports, you may still be able to install the last version that worked on your device.

How to get the previous version:

1. Open the App Store and search for the app
2. Tap Get (or the cloud download icon)
3. If the app's current version requires a higher iOS than yours, a dialogue will appear: 'This app requires iOS X or later. Would you like to download the last compatible version?'
4. Tap Download — Apple will install the last version that was compatible with your iOS version

This works for most apps. It doesn't always work if Apple has removed the older compatible binary, or if the developer never released a version supporting your iOS in the first place.

The limitation: the older version may be missing features, or — in the case of apps with server dependencies — may not connect to current servers correctly.

Fix 2: The App Has a Bug on Your iOS — Try These Steps

If the app recently updated and has started crashing on iOS 15 specifically, the developer may have introduced a bug affecting older iOS versions. This is more common than developers like to admit.

Force-quit and relaunch: Double-tap the home button (iPhone 8 and earlier) or swipe up from the bottom (iPhone X and later) to see running apps. Swipe the broken app upward to close it, then relaunch.

Delete and reinstall: Press and hold the app icon → Remove App → Delete App. Then re-download from the App Store. This reinstalls a fresh copy and often fixes corruption-related crashes.

Restart your iPhone: Hold the side button + volume down → slide to power off → wait 30 seconds → restart. A full restart clears system caches that can cause apps to behave erratically after an update.

Check for a pending update: Sometimes an app developer releases a bug-fix update quickly after a problem is reported. Check the App Store for updates a day or two after the issue starts.

Report it: Developers do fix iOS-version-specific bugs when users report them. In-app feedback or a review mentioning the specific iOS version (e.g. 'Crashes on iOS 15 after the July 2026 update') gives the developer the information they need to reproduce and fix it.

Fix 3: Use the Web Version Instead

For apps where the app itself is broken or unavailable on your iOS version but the service still exists, the web version is often a viable alternative that bypasses app compatibility entirely.

Services with good mobile web alternatives:

• Twitter/X: x.com in Safari is functional even if the app doesn't work
• Instagram: instagram.com in Safari — browse and view posts, limited upload functionality
• YouTube: youtube.com in Safari — full playback, account features
• Reddit: reddit.com in Safari works well on iOS 15
• Microsoft Teams: teams.microsoft.com — limited but usable for joining calls
• Most banking services: The bank's mobile website (not app) typically works in Safari on iOS 15

Add frequently used web versions to your home screen for a near-app experience: Safari → Share → Add to Home Screen. They open full-screen without the Safari address bar, functioning almost identically to a native app.

Fix 4: Find an Alternative App

When an app is permanently incompatible with your iOS version and the web version isn't adequate, an alternative app often exists that still supports iOS 15.

Use the AppCompat tool to search for apps in the same category that still work on your device and iOS version. Common alternatives:

• Social video: If TikTok no longer works on iOS 15, YouTube Shorts (via YouTube app) and Instagram Reels provide similar short-form video without a separate app
• Video calls: If Teams requires iOS 16, FaceTime, Google Meet, or Zoom all continue to work on iOS 15
• Note-taking: If Notion has dropped iOS 15 support, Bear, Apple Notes, or Google Keep are alternatives with iOS 15 support

The AppCompat tool at the top of this page filters by category and iOS version — type any app category to find working alternatives specific to your device.

Also see: How to install older app versions on older iOS devices · Complete guide to keeping your older iPhone or iPad useful · Apps that dropped iOS 15 support in 2026