You're staring at that annoying gray pop-up again. This application requires iOS 10.0 or later. It’s frustrating because you know your phone works just fine for everything else. Maybe you're trying to download a simple calculator or a basic social media app on an old iPhone 4S you found in a drawer.
Suddenly, the App Store feels like a gated community.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a gut punch when tech leaves you behind. You've got a perfectly functional piece of hardware, but the software says "no thanks." This isn't just a random glitch; it's a specific compatibility wall that millions of users hit every year.
What’s actually happening behind the scenes?
When you see that message, it basically means the developer used tools that don't exist in older versions of the operating system. They might be using 64-bit architecture or specific security protocols that were introduced when iOS 10 launched back in 2016.
If your device is stuck on iOS 9—like the legendary iPhone 4S or the original iPad mini—you're technically "frozen" in time. Apple stopped supporting those devices with the release of iOS 10 because their A5 processors simply couldn't handle the new features.
It’s not just about "new emojis" or a shiny lock screen. iOS 10 was the bridge between the old 32-bit era and the modern 64-bit world. Once a developer updates their app to require the newer "frameworks" found in iOS 10, the App Store won't let you download the current version.
Can you actually fix the iOS 10.0 or later error?
The short answer? You can't force an iPhone 4S to run iOS 10. The hardware lacks the muscle.
However, there’s a workaround that most people totally miss. It involves a "legacy" feature in the App Store that allows you to download the last compatible version of an app. This is the secret sauce for keeping old tech alive.
Here is how you actually do it:
- Check your "Purchased" list. You cannot just search for the app in the main store; that’s where the error usually triggers.
- Open the App Store and tap on Purchased (or your profile icon, then "Purchased").
- Search for the app there.
- If you’ve downloaded it at any point in the last decade, you'll see a cloud icon.
- Tap that cloud.
If you’re lucky, Apple will give you a different pop-up. It’ll say something like, "The current version requires iOS 10.0 or later, but you can download the last compatible version."
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Tap Download, and you’re back in business.
What if I’ve never downloaded the app before?
This is the tricky part. If the app isn't in your "Purchased" history, the "last compatible version" prompt won't appear. It’s a weird catch-22.
To bypass this, you need a "proxy" device. If you have a friend with a newer iPhone or if you have a newer iPad, sign in with your Apple ID on their device. "Purchase" the app (even if it's free). Now, that app is officially linked to your Apple ID.
Go back to your old device, check the "Purchased" tab, and suddenly that cloud icon will be there. It’s a bit of a hassle, but it works surprisingly often.
The hardware wall: Which devices are stuck?
Sometimes the news is just bad. If your device is on this list, you are officially capped at iOS 9.3.5 or 9.3.6:
- iPhone 4S
- iPad 2 and iPad 3
- iPad mini (1st Generation)
- iPod Touch (5th Generation)
If you have an iPhone 5 or iPhone 5C, you actually can update to iOS 10.3.4. If you're seeing the error on these models, it just means you haven't hit the "Software Update" button in your settings yet. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and let it do its thing.
Why do developers ditch old iOS versions?
It feels like planned obsolescence, and in a way, it is. But from a developer's perspective, supporting iOS 9 is a nightmare. It requires keeping old code alive that might have security vulnerabilities. Plus, less than 1% of the total iPhone market uses anything older than iOS 12 these more.
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For a company like Netflix or YouTube, spending thousands of dollars in engineering hours to support a handful of iPhone 4S users just doesn't make financial sense.
Is jailbreaking a solution?
You'll see a lot of "tech gurus" on YouTube suggesting you jailbreak your phone to bypass the this application requires iOS 10.0 or later message.
Be careful.
While tools like "Checkmate, Store!" can sometimes force an app to download, they can't force it to run. If the app requires a 64-bit processor and you have a 32-bit iPhone 4S, it will simply crash the moment you tap the icon. Jailbreaking doesn't change the physical chips inside your phone.
Real-world steps to take right now
If you're determined to keep using your legacy device, your best bet is to avoid the App Store entirely for certain things.
Instead of the YouTube app, use Safari. Most mobile websites are designed to be much more backward compatible than the apps themselves. You can even "Add to Home Screen" from Safari to make it feel like a real app.
Also, check out communities like r/LegacyJailbreak. They maintain lists of "Web Apps" and old .ipa files that still work on older firmware.
The reality is that as we move further into 2026, the gap between modern apps and iOS 10 is only getting wider. If the "Purchased" trick doesn't work, it might finally be time to trade that old brick in for a refurbished iPhone SE or something that can at least run the current web standards.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check Settings > General > About to confirm your current version.
- If you are on an iPhone 5 or later, run the Software Update immediately.
- Use a newer device to "purchase" the app under your Apple ID so it appears in your history.
- Try the Purchased tab trick to snag the last compatible version of the app.
- If the app still won't load, try accessing the service via the Safari browser instead of the dedicated app.