With over one million apps available for download, and many of those free. One of the most convenient things about the iPhone is that the download. Before you update your phone, make sure to back up your data using iCloud. Jul 28, 2015 - Glitch: Apps won't download or update. Quite a few people have. It could be that a specific app or game is causing the issue.
Normally, an iPod Touch should download files without any problems, provided you're connected to Wi-Fi with Internet access. Other iPod models can't download files themselves -- they need to be connected to iTunes on your computer. If you're outside of your home or office using a public Wi-Fi hotspot, a slow Internet connection may be the problem. Once you're sure you have Internet access, make sure you have free storage on the iPod to accomodate a download before troubleshooting downloads themselves.
If your iPod Touch won't download anything, the first thing to look for is a problem with your Wi-Fi and Internet access. The Wi-Fi signal strength is indicated by the icon in the upper left corner of the home screen. If you see fewer than three curved bars, try moving closer to the Wi-Fi router. If you don't see a signal indicator, select 'Wi-Fi' on the Settings screen to connect to a Wi-Fi network and enter your password if prompted. If it's connected to the right network with a strong signal strength, your Internet might be down. Launch Safari and try going to a new Web page. If the page doesn't open, try using a computer's Web browser on the same network to verify whether your Internet service is working or not.
If your iPod's storage capacity is full, you won't be able to download new files. To check its available storage, launch 'Settings,' select 'General' and then 'Usage.' Available storage and used storage are displayed at the top of the screen. Apps using the most storage are displayed on this screen as well. To quickly delete a large app, just swipe it with your finger on this screen and select 'Delete App.' From this screen you can also remove large files, or all files, from the Videos, Music and iBooks apps. To delete other videos, music or e-books, go to the app from the home screen and edit them there.
If you have an app, video or song that says it is downloading but seems stuck, you have a couple of options to get it going again. First, try tapping on the icon to pause the download and then tap it again to resume it. Make a note of where the status bar is and then look at it again after several minutes to see if it has moved. If it hasn't moved, tap and hold the icon, then delete it by tapping the '-' button. Go to the App Store or iTunes Store and then download it again from the 'Purchased' section of the store. Keep in mind that if you are downloading several files at once, they may appear to be stuck when in fact they are waiting for other files to finish downloading first.
Restarting the iPod Touch will often get it downloading again. To restart your iPod, just press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until you see a red slider on the screen, then drag the slider with your finger. After it has powered down, turn it on again by pressing the Sleep/Wake button until you see the Apple icon on the screen. If this doesn't work, you can try a reset. Press and hold the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button simultaneously for about ten seconds until the Apple logo appears. The iPod Touch will reset itself and turn back on automatically.
Information in this article applies to iPod Touch models with iOS 6.1. It may vary slightly or significantly with other versions or products.
A published author and professional speaker, David Weedmark has advised businesses and governments on technology, media and marketing for more than 20 years. He has taught computer science at Algonquin College, has started three successful businesses, and has written hundreds of articles for newspapers and magazines throughout Canada and the United States.
With over one million apps available for download, and many of those free or costing only 99 cents, most iPhone users flock to the App Store to make the most of all that the device has to offer. One of the most convenient things about the iPhone is that the download and installation of apps is completely automated -- you don't have to select a file location, create a folder name or choose your setup options. If your smartphone refuses to download new apps, however, try troubleshooting your device to pinpoint the source of the problem.
Confirm your iPhone is connected to a wireless or data connection. Open 'Settings' from the Home screen and then turn off 'Airplane Mode,' if applicable. If you're not in your home or office, or if you don't have access to a public hot spot, open the 'Cellular' menu and confirm Cellular Data is turned on. If you are within range of an available wireless network, open the 'Wi-Fi' menu and make sure your device is connected to your local hot spot. If the signal bar for your network indicates a poor connection, try moving closer to your router or access point.
To download and install apps from the App Store, you must first log in to your Apple ID. If you paused an installation and then resumed it later, your session may have timed out. Similarly, you may have entered your password incorrectly too many times, causing the App Store to halt all downloads. In the App Store, touch 'Featured' and then scroll to the bottom page. Touch your account name and then select 'View Apple ID.' If your session has timed out, iOS will prompt you to re-enter your password. If you can't remember your login credentials, touch 'iForgot' and follow the onscreen prompts.
If you're connected to the Internet and are signed in to your Apple ID, the download function in the App Store may be frozen. To forcibly close the app, press the Home button twice to bring up the task switcher and then swipe up on the screenshot above the App Store. Relaunching the app from the Home screen will load a fresh copy of the App Store into the memory. If the problem persists, power your device off and then on again; this may clear any bugs affecting iOS from the device's memory.
If an update to iOS is available from your carrier, try upgrading your iPhone, as the problem may be due to a bug in your current OS. Your iPhone should automatically inform you of a new update when you connect to a wireless or data connection, but you can also check for updates in iTunes. Download the latest software upgrade by touching 'Settings | General | Software Update | Download and Install.' Before you update your phone, make sure to back up your data using iCloud or iTunes.
Ruri Ranbe has been working as a writer since 2008. She received an A.A. in English literature from Valencia College and is completing a B.S. in computer science at the University of Central Florida. Ranbe also has more than six years of professional information-technology experience, specializing in computer architecture, operating systems, networking, server administration, virtualization and Web design.