On-Device App Store Downloads Currently Broken for Pre-iOS 4 Devices [Updated]

[MacRumors]

Engadget points to a growing thread in Apple's discussion forums documenting an issue in which users on pre-iOS 4 devices are unable to purchase or download apps from the App Store on their devices. The issue appears to have started on December 16th with a change in the way Apple is serving App Store content to the devices.

Whenever I go into a specific app in the app store, none of the buttons work properly.

1) clicking on the price no longer downloads the app,
2) the ratings button does nothing,
3) the 'tell a friend' and 'git this app' buttons jump back to the top of the app window,
4) pictures usually don't show up. They usually appear as five gray rectangular boxes with white borders (though in one app one too-large-for-the-window picture shows up (see pic),
5) the 'app support' button still goes to the developer's website.
6) the 'top in-app purchases' banner is just text now.

Users are reportedly having difficulty convincing Apple support staff that the issue on Apple's end, with support staff so far only suggesting a range of potential solutions that could help address device issues but which have proven unsuccessful for affected users.

Broken App Store display on iPhone running iOS 3.1.3​

Given the display anomalies experienced by affected users, it seems likely that the issue is a bug on Apple's end rather than any sort of planned obsolescence of pre-iOS 4 operating systems and devices by cutting off App Store access. For the time being, affected users can still download apps via iTunes on their computers and then sync them to their devices. It is unknown when Apple might roll out a fix for the on-device App Store access problems.

The original iPhone and first-generation iPod touch do not support iOS 4 and are thus limited to a maximum of iOS 3.1.3. Other users of devices such as the iPhone 3G and second-generation iPod touch have elected not to upgrade to iOS 4 for a number of reasons, most commonly due to complaints over those devices becoming more sluggish with the upgrade to iOS 4.

Update: Engadget now reports that the issue has been fixed. Readers in our forums have been reporting mixed results over the past few hours, with some seeing improvement while others were still having difficulty fairly recently.

Article Link: On-Device App Store Downloads Currently Broken for Pre-iOS 4 Devices [Updated]

 

[usher2005]

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Thanks for posting a problem that I have been having for months now. I contact Apple but they just tell me to restore my iPhone 4 that fixes it but a few days later problem is back

 

[jrtc27]

Update Button Broken

Stuck on iOS 3 and can, sadly, confirm this. It is worth noting that updating apps individually via the "Update" button in the update description does not work and has not for a very long time (possibly a year).

 

[Biscuit411]

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Have this problem too on my kids first-gen Touch. Somehow I don't see a fix coming our way...

 

[transmaster]

I can understand not upgrading

I have iOS 5 on my iPod Touch 4G and it has not worked as smoothly as it did before I upgraded, sluggish, App's shutting down suddenly, or just not working right. The wake up button not working as it once did etc. My 2G seems to be ok, execpt for App's that require a camera. When I compare the 4G's functionality with my Touch 2G the difference is really noticable the 2G is silky smiooth. I have had the iTune store behaving in a strange fashion in the last few weeks instead of opening as it should instead I get what almost looks like a fractal on the screen and I have completely shut down iTunes in order to clear it. I hope Apple fixes the iOS 5 issue I would love to have the silky smooth function back.

 

[johnnyjibbs]

Note the textured navigation bar and tab bar - this is obviously a bug but the interface elements are there by design. It's possible that they in the process of revamping the UI in the app and for whatever reason an unfinished version has propagated onto pre-iOS4 versions.

Just a thought.

 

[Reborn]

No issues on iOS 4.2.1.

Edit: Don't be so depressed.

 

[ouimetnick]

Hope its just temporary. Saying screw you and upgrade to their 1st ten users isn't nice. They could leave it alone, and if only say a few apps still run on iOS 3, then let it be.

Hope its just a glitch.

 

[mabaker]

No issues on iOS 4.2.1.

iOS 3.1.3

 

[crisss1205]

Note the textured navigation bar and tab bar - this is obviously a bug but the interface elements are there by design. It's possible that they in the process of revamping the UI in the app and for whatever reason an unfinished version has propagated onto pre-iOS4 versions.

Just a thought.

That is what I was thinking, it looks like they are revamping the App Store UI, and if that is how the navigation and tab bar are supposed to look then I like it. The nav and tab bar look too polished to be a bug.

Maybe, like you said, a pre-release version ended up on pre-iOS 4 App Store servers.

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Thanks for posting a problem that I have been having for months now. I contact Apple but they just tell me to restore my iPhone 4 that fixes it but a few days later problem is back

No issues on iOS 4.2.1.

And neither of you are using iOS 3 so it would not have an affect on you.

 

[Slurpy2k8]

3.13 is ancient, 2 generations old now, and honestly I think it's well within the realm of acceptibility for Apple to disable new downloads. I mean, the vast majority of new apps require at least iOS4 anyway. If this needs to happen to make the appstore more efficient for everyone and enable new features, this is fine. Sure, some people will be pissed, but I think it's a very small minority of ACTIVE iPhone users who are still stuck on iOS3. Also, whats with that screenshot? I've never seen that textured look before.

 

[Koodauw]

Are you sure you're not just holding it wrong?

 

[DavidLeblond]

The bigger story here is it looks like they're about to redo the look/feel of the App Store app.

 

[carmenodie]

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Being on the cutting edge has its prices. You all know how the game is played.
If you want to keep up with the Kardadhians you better drop that money like the Kardashians.

 

[madnutter56]

That is what I was thinking, it looks like they are revamping the App Store UI, and if that is how the navigation and tab bar are supposed to look then I like it. The nav and tab bar look too polished to be a bug.

Maybe, like you said, a pre-release version ended up on pre-iOS 4 App Store servers.

Or maybe the iPhone is jailbroken?

 

[haydn!]

The bigger story here is it looks like they're about to redo the look/feel of the App Store app.

Where do you get that conclusion from? (Not challenging it... I'm interested!)


Edit* Should have paid more attention to the picture in the article.

 

[DipDog3]

3.13 is ancient, 2 generations old now, and honestly I think it's well within the realm of acceptibility for Apple to disable new downloads. I mean, the vast majority of new apps require at least iOS4 anyway. If this needs to happen to make the appstore more efficient for everyone and enable new features, this is fine. Sure, some people will be pissed, but I think it's a very small minority of ACTIVE iPhone users who are still stuck on iOS3.

Anyone with an iPhone 2G or the first iPod Touch is stuck at 3.1.3 which is only a two years old version of the OS. Not everyone needs to upgrade to greatest and latest every year. Many of the apps like facebook and weather bug and many games still work under 3.1.3.

My iPhone 2G is actually more stable than my iPhone 4S and I only have to charge my 2G every couple of days. Unlike my 4S which needs to be constantly plugged in.

 

[DavidLeblond]

Where do you get that conclusion from? (Not challenging it... I'm interested!)

Look at the screen shot. And then look at the app store on your phone. They don't look the same. The tab controller at the bottom is textured differently. So is the navigation controller.

 

[Slurpy2k8]

Anyone with an iPhone 2G or the first iPod Touch is stuck at 3.1.3 which is only a two years old version of the OS. Not everyone needs to upgrade to greatest and latest every year. Many of the apps like facebook and weather bug and many games still work under 3.1.3.

My iPhone 2G is actually more stable than my iPhone 4S and I only have to charge my 2G every couple of days. Unlike my 4S which needs to be constantly plugged in.

I also own an old 2G, and it's excruciatingly slow with most new apps. There's a threshold, and I think we've passed that threshold where Apple is allowed to drop support for a phone 5 generations old now. I mean, do you still actively download new apps on your 2G? I can't even imagine that. Apple still provides, by far, the best and longest support in the industry. Look at the cluster**** that is android.

 

[KamuiVII]

no issues here... but it could be the fact that he's using a unlocked phone on TMobile...

 

[SandynJosh]

Anyone with an iPhone 2G or the first iPod Touch is stuck at 3.1.3 which is only a two years old version of the OS. Not everyone needs to upgrade to greatest and latest every year. Many of the apps like facebook and weather bug and many games still work under 3.1.3.

My God how time flies when you're having fun with friends! It feels like the iPod Touch has been on the market since, well, forever.

 

[Consultant]

Hope it's just a temporary thing.

Will try with first gen iPhone when I get home.

 

[ghostface147]

Get off your lazy butts and get a new iPhone.

 

[commander.data]

The 8GB "Third-gen" iPod Touch was actually a relabeled 2nd gen device and was sold until September 2010. Apple loves the $199 price point because of the psychological "under-$200" barrier and Apple was also pushing this model as part of the 2010 Back-To-School deal so the installed base is not insignificant. Yes, these people can update to iOS 4.2.1, but at the same time some of these devices are just over a year old, and it's not unreasonable that they should be supported at 3.1.3 if that's what their users prefer. Especially, if it's primarily a server-side layout issue, which can be addressed silently on Apple's end without having to invest effort in an OS update.

 

[Bearxor]

If you want to keep up with the Kardadhians you better drop that money like the Kardashians.

I think I want to go kill myself now.

BTW, first-gen iPhone in my hand, unlocked/jailbroken on T-Mobile with 3.1.3 and I just downloaded Jetpack Joyride with no problem. I can not, however, update apps it seems.