Have you found a new, useful app, but can’t download it on a device? See how to solve this problem in this tip.
Apps can be downloaded and installed on smartphones and tablets via the App Store (iOS) and Play Store (Android). To do this, you must be logged in with an account of the relevant service. And in the case of paid apps, there must be credit on the account. Then you can put apps on the device to your heart’s content. But sometimes it fails to install an app. Below we explain possible causes.
Internet connection and account
If you are unable to download an app, it is useful to always check the basic conditions first. Check if the device is connected to the internet. A WiFi connection is recommended for downloading apps. But you can also use mobile data. It is possible that the app is too large. For example, Apple only allows downloading apps up to 150MB via mobile data. In addition, you must be logged in to the App Store or Play Store with an account. As we already indicated, for paid apps there must be credit on the account or it must be linked to, for example, a credit card. For paid apps, check if you have enough credit.
Outdated Operating System
The download problem can also have another cause. Namely that the device contains an outdated version of the operating system. Apple and Google annually release a new version of their operating systems iOS and Android. Users must then ensure that they put this new version on their device. Unfortunately, the companies regularly do not include older models with such a new version. The latest version of the operating system cannot be installed on the device. This does not mean that the device is immediately unusable, but it does have (slowly increasing) consequences. Developers of apps make their apps suitable for the latest versions of operating systems. In some cases, the app does not work optimally on older versions. But sometimes the app does not work at all or is not downloadable. The description of the app in the Store lists the operating system versions for which the app is suitable. Check the operating system version on your device using the “The system on your tablet or smartphone” article.