As the iOS ecosystem continues to evolve, many classic and nostalgic iOS apps eventually stop working or get removed from the App Store. According to App Store statistics, there are currently over 1.8 million apps available on the iOS App Store as of January 2023.[1] With new apps constantly being added, older apps can get lost in the mix. Additionally, apps may stop being supported over time as developers move on to other projects. This can be frustrating for iOS users who want to revisit an old favorite app that is no longer available.
Fortunately, there are several methods iOS users can try to locate and download old iOS apps that are no longer on the App Store. This guide will walk through strategies to track down legacy iOS apps, ranging from checking alternative app stores to finding the original IPA file. With some creative sleuthing, you may be able to get your hands on that retro iOS app for a blast from the past.
[1] https://www.bankmycell.com/blog/number-of-apps-on-apple-app-store/
Check the App Store
The easiest way to find an old iOS app is to search for it directly in the App Store. Open the App Store app on your iPhone or iPad and use the search bar at the bottom to look for the app by name. If the app is still available, it should show up in the search results. You can then download it again from your purchase history. According to Apple Support, even if an app is no longer available for download, you may still be able to download it again if you’ve downloaded it previously (1).
So before checking elsewhere, it’s worth quickly searching the iOS App Store to see if the app you want is still being hosted there. The App Store has a vast catalog of apps old and new, so an old favorite may still be available for download.
Use Alternative App Stores
Some apps are available on third-party app stores. Search and sideload from these. Some well-known options include:
- Apptoid – Offers apps no longer available on the official App Store. You can find old favorites here without jailbreaking. Source
- iPAB – Specializes in archived iOS apps. Browse and download apps not currently on the App Store. No jailbreak required. Source
- AppCake – Provides apps, games, tweaks, and more without needing to jailbreak. Includes hard-to-find retro iOS apps. Source
Be cautious with third-party stores, as apps may not be screened as thoroughly. However, they provide access to old iOS apps removed from the official App Store.
Search the Internet Archive
The Internet Archive has an old app archive containing thousands of legacy iOS apps in IPA format. This includes apps that are no longer available on the App Store. The Internet Archive aims to preserve old versions of iOS apps and make them accessible. You can browse and search their iOS app library to find discontinued or classic iOS apps.
To use the Internet Archive’s iOS app archive, go to archive.org and search for “iOS” or “iPhone app archive.” Look through their collection of IPAs to see if you can find the old app you want. The Internet Archive doesn’t contain every legacy iOS app, but it’s one of the largest public archives available. With some digging, you may be able to uncover a classic app there.
Locate an IPA File
One way to find an old iOS app is to locate the IPA file for the app and version you want. IPA files contain the application code and data for iOS apps. If you can find an IPA file for the app, you may be able to sideload it onto your device.
There are a few places you can check to find old IPA files:
- Search on sites like Reddit – some users share download links for older IPA files. For example, see this Reddit thread for a discussion on finding previous versions of iOS apps: https://www.reddit.com/r/sideloaded/comments/x8hidq/old_versions_of_ios_apps/
- Check third-party IPA libraries – some services host IPA files for download like iPASTORE.
- Look on torrent sites – you may be able to find an old IPA uploaded as a torrent.
Once you have the IPA file, you can sideload it onto your iOS device using a computer and a tool like Cydia Impactor. This allows you to install apps outside of the App Store. Do keep in mind sideloading apps violates Apple’s terms in some cases.
Finding an old IPA can be tricky, but provides a way to install previously released versions of iOS apps if you can track one down.
Check the Developer’s Website
One option to find an old iOS app is to check the developer’s website. Developers may still host old IPA files for download even if the app version is no longer available on the App Store.
For example, according to Apple’s discussion forums, some developers keep old IPA files available for download from their websites. So it’s worth checking the developer’s site directly to see if they make any previous versions of their apps available.
The key is contacting the developer to ask if they have archived versions. Many developers are happy to provide earlier IPAs, especially for valuable apps that users still rely on. So if there’s an app you need that’s no longer on the App Store, try reaching out to the developer through their website.
Use a Third-Party IPA Library
Some sites host user-contributed IPA files to download. For example, IPA Archive contains a library of older iOS apps submitted by users. You can search or browse the collection by category to find an app. If it is free, you can download the IPA file directly.
Other IPA libraries like The IPA Software Archive on the Internet Archive also host older iOS apps and IPA files. These collectively curated archives can serve as helpful resources to find an outdated or discontinued iOS app you want to install.
However, be aware that downloading from third-party sites comes with risks, as the apps are not verified or checked. Make sure to scan any downloaded files for malware before installing unknown IPAs.
Jailbreak Your Device
Jailbreaking opens up additional options for finding and installing older iOS apps. By jailbreaking your iPhone or iPad, you gain root access to the operating system which allows installing apps outside of the App Store. There are special jailbreak “app stores” like Cydia that contain IPA files of older app versions not available on the official App Store.
For example, a jailbreak tweak like App Admin lets you downgrade compatible apps to older versions still hosted on Apple’s servers. You can also find repositories that host older IPAs for direct installation like if you’re looking for an obsolete game from 5+ years ago. Overall, jailbreaking vastly increases your ability to locate and install vintage iOS apps no longer updated or available.
However, jailbreaking comes with risks like voiding your warranty and increased vulnerability. You should research carefully before jailbreaking to fully understand the implications and whether it’s right for your use case.
Consider Alternatives
If you are unable to find or install an old iOS app you want, consider looking for a newer alternative app that provides similar functionality. There are new apps released daily on the App Store that aim to improve upon and replace outdated apps.
For example, if you are looking for an old photo editing app, you could search the App Store for “photo editing” and filter by most recent to find newer apps with similar filters and tools. Popular categories like social media, messaging, and music have gone through many iterations of apps over the years.
Review sites like PCMag regularly update their lists of the top and best apps across categories. Check their recommendations for top photo, social, music, and other apps to find replacements for old iOS apps.
You can also search “best new ios apps” on Google to find recent articles and app recommendations. Pay attention to reviews and feature lists to understand if a newer app offers the same functionality you want.
While the app may not be exactly the same, finding a newer alternative helps ensure you can still accomplish tasks and access similar features on your updated iOS device.
Conclusion
In summary, the most effective strategies for finding old iOS apps include:
- Checking the App Store’s purchase history to re-download previously installed apps
- Using alternative third-party app stores that may still host older app versions
- Searching the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine for IPA files of deprecated apps
- Locating and sideloading an IPA file from a trusted source
- Visiting the developer’s website, as they may still make older IPAs available
- Using a third-party IPA library site to find archived app files
- Jailbreaking your device to install apps no longer supported by current iOS versions
While newer app alternatives may exist, these methods allow accessing apps specifically designed for older iOS versions. With some dedicated searching across app archives, alternative stores, developer sites, and communities, you can often still uncover those nostalgic apps from iOS past.