Search for and download it onto their device. This officially adds the YouTube license to your Apple ID purchase history.
Scroll through the action options in the share menu and select Add to Home Screen .
: If the app is already installed but shows an update block, some users bypass this by jailbreaking the device to modify the app's internal version number (info.plist) or using specific profile installation links found in community tutorials. Featured App: Picture-in-Picture (PiP)
Tap on your (avatar) in the top right corner of the screen.
Return to your , go to App Store > Purchased , and follow the steps in Method 1 to download the older version. install youtube ios 1257
A YouTube icon will now appear on your home screen alongside your standard apps. Tapping it will open YouTube in a dedicated Safari window without browser address bars, offering an experience that looks and feels exactly like a native application. Method 3: Third-Party App Store Alternatives
Offers excellent integration with YouTube accounts and features a highly compatible rendering engine for video playback.
Method 1: The "Purchased" Section Trick (Best for Official App)
These devices are powerful enough to run a version of YouTube, but they are locked out of the modern App Store environment due to their older OS . Search for and download it onto their device
Go to the section (tap your profile picture, then "Purchased" or "My Purchases"). Search for "YouTube" in your purchase history. Tap the Cloud/Download icon next to the YouTube app.
A pop-up should appear stating: . Tap Download . Method 2: Use a Newer Device to Link the Account
This version of YouTube will be slightly older, meaning a few modern features like Shorts UI modifications or specific live chat features might look different, but core video playback, subscriptions, and search will work perfectly. Method 2: Borrow a Newer Apple Device (To Trigger Method 1)
Name the shortcut "YouTube" and tap in the top right corner. : If the app is already installed but
If you are holding onto an iPhone 5s, 6, or 6 Plus running iOS 12.5.7, you know the struggle of the "This application requires iOS 13.0 or later" error message. YouTube is the lifeblood of the internet for many, and being locked out of the App Store version turns a perfectly functional phone into a paperweight.
If you want a dedicated app experience but the official app is laggy, third-party apps designed for older devices can be a great solution.
Return to your iOS 12 device. The app will now appear in your