MacBook won’t download or update iPhone and iPad apps
Asked by
MellowCedar42
I'm using an M3 MacBook Air on the latest version of macOS Sequoia. Mac-only apps download and update normally, but iPhone and iPad apps no longer work. Selecting Get or the cloud download button may show a spinner briefly, then stop and return to the cloud icon. Even after approving a download with Touch ID, the app never installs.
I've already restarted the Mac, force-quit the App Store, cleared its cache, signed out and back in, tried Safe Mode, disabled network-scanning or blocking software, tested multiple internet connections, and updated Sequoia. I'd prefer not to upgrade to a newer major macOS release or factory-reset the Mac unless absolutely necessary. Has anyone found a fix for this specific problem?
Answers
The key distinction seems to be whether the app has a Mac-compatible or universal version. Apps that also appear in the Mac section can still be installed, but apps that are listed only as iPhone or iPad apps fail to download or update. Removing one and reinstalling it doesn’t help because the App Store refuses the new installation as well.
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I’m experiencing the same behavior on an M4 MacBook Air. Mac apps install normally, but iPhone and iPad apps won’t download or update. I’ve also tried the usual troubleshooting steps, including contacting Apple Support, without finding a solution yet.
MellowCedar42: Thanks for confirming it isn’t limited to my M3 model. Which macOS version are you currently running?
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MellowCedar42: That matches what I’m seeing. Universal apps work normally, while anything available only in the iPhone or iPad section fails after the download briefly starts.