Running the YouTube app on iOS 9.3.5 is challenging because Google officially ended support for older app versions years ago. While you can still obtain a "last compatible version" through the App Store, it often fails with "Error Loading" or "Update Required" messages because the back-end APIs have changed.
Method 1: App Store "Last Compatible Version" (Non-Jailbroken)
This is the simplest official way to get a YouTube IPA installed, though it may not function perfectly without further tweaks.
Requirement: You must have previously "purchased" or downloaded YouTube on your Apple ID using a newer device.
Process: Open the App Store on your iOS 9.3.5 device, go to the Purchased tab, and search for YouTube. Tap the Cloud icon. A prompt will ask if you want to download the "last compatible version" (Version 13.42.6).
Limitation: Often, the app will open but show an "Error Loading" screen that cannot be bypassed normally. Method 2: Jailbreak Fixes (Recommended for Functionality)
If the standard app shows errors, jailbreaking with Phoenix (for iOS 9.3.5) allows you to use community-made patches to restore video playback.
TubeRepair: Use the SkyGlow Repo in Cydia to install TubeRepair. This tweak redirects the old app's requests to a custom server that translates modern YouTube data for old devices.
Version Spoofing: Using Filza File Manager, you can navigate to the YouTube app's Info.plist and change the CFBundleShortVersionString and CFBundleVersion to a more recent version (like "14.10" or "17.xx"). This sometimes tricks the app into bypassing the "Update Required" screen. Method 3: The Safari Web Workaround
If IPA installation fails or is too buggy, the mobile website is the most reliable way to watch videos in 2026.
Steps: Open Safari, navigate to m.youtube.com, tap the Share button, and select Add to Home Screen. youtube ipa for ios 935
Third-Party Browsers: Standard Safari can struggle with modern web scripts. Consider using ALook Browser or Dolphin Browser which are still available for older iOS versions and may offer better video compatibility. Legacy Support Summary App Store IPA Jailbreak (TubeRepair) Safari Shortcut Ease of Setup Low (Requires Phoenix) Functionality Low (Often errors out) High (Restores playback) Medium (Web UI only) Latest Version Custom patched N/A (Web-based)
Do you have a secondary Apple device that is newer, or should I walk you through the Phoenix jailbreak process for your iOS 9.3.5 device?
Running YouTube on iOS 9.3.5 is difficult because Google officially supports only iOS 16 or later as of June 2025. Most legacy YouTube IPAs for iOS 9 are broken due to server-side API changes, but there are several workarounds to restore functionality. Direct IPA & Version Status
Last Compatible Version: Version 13.42.6 is the final official release for iOS 9.
IPA Repositories: Legacy IPAs can be found on sites like the Internet Archive, though installing them typically results in an "Update Required" loop without further modification. Installation & Repair Methods
If you have an iOS 9.3.5 device (like an iPad 2 or iPhone 4s), use these methods to get YouTube working: 1. The "Last Compatible Version" Trick (No Jailbreak) If you previously downloaded YouTube on your Apple ID: Open the App Store and go to the Purchased tab. Search for "YouTube" and tap the iCloud icon.
When prompted, select "Download the last compatible version". 2. Fixing the "Update Required" Loop (Jailbreak Required) The app may install but refuse to run. To fix this: YouTube - App Store - Apple
Information * iPhone. Requires iOS 16.0 or later. * iPad. Requires iPadOS 16.0 or later. * Apple TV. Requires tvOS 13.0 or later.
Older iPhones and iPads losing YouTube support | Croma Unboxed
Running YouTube on iOS 9.3.5 is tricky because the official app now requires iOS 16.0 or later. While you can find .ipa files on community forums, they often suffer from "Update Required" loops or API errors. Running the YouTube app on iOS 9
Here are the most reliable ways to get YouTube working on your legacy device: 1. Use the "Purchased" App Store Trick
If you have previously downloaded YouTube on your Apple ID using a newer device, you can often download a legacy version directly from the App Store without needing a third-party .ipa. Open the App Store on your iOS 9.3.5 device. Go to the Purchased tab. Search for YouTube.
Tap the Cloud icon. A prompt should appear asking if you want to "Download the last compatible version". 2. The Browser-Based Solution (Most Stable)
Since the app version is often broken by Google’s server-side updates, using a browser is the most consistent way to watch content. Open Safari or a legacy-compatible browser. Navigate to m.youtube.com.
Pro Tip: Tap the Share button (box with an arrow) and select Add to Home Screen. This creates a "Web App" icon that looks and feels like the real app without the version errors. 3. Check for Community "Fixes"
If you have a jailbroken device, the community often releases patches to bypass the version check:
Verity / DisableYouTubeUpdates: Some tweaks in Cydia can spoof your app version to trick Google's servers into thinking you are on a newer OS.
Note: Downloading .ipa files from unofficial sites can be a security risk. Always use a secondary Apple ID if a service asks for your login credentials.
This walkthrough shows how to bypass the 'incompatible' error by using your purchase history:
How to Download the Youtube app on Older iPad (ios 9.3.5) (NO HACKING) Dan Norris YouTube• Jul 9, 2020 ✅ Key Good Features for iOS 9
If the app won't open at all, this guide explains how to use the browser effectively on iOS 9.3.5:
Here’s an informative write-up regarding YouTube IPA for iOS 9.3.5 — aimed at users running older Apple devices like the iPhone 4s, iPad 2, iPad 3, or iPod touch 5th generation.
Note: Free signing lasts 7 days. You’ll need to re-sign weekly.
Even if you have the old YouTube app icon on your home screen, it likely shows a black screen or throws an error. There are three technical reasons for this:
To fix this, the community has developed modified YouTube IPAs that trick Google’s servers into thinking the device is newer, or they strip out the broken components.
This is a heavily modified IPA that replaces the native YouTube player with a web wrapper that mimics a desktop browser.
An IPA (iOS App Store Package) is an archive file containing an iOS app. Sideloading an older IPA allows you to install a version of YouTube that was compatible with iOS 9.
If you have found a specific IPA file online and want to attempt installation (for example, a "Cercube 5" IPA), you will need a computer:
Note: Search repositories like "iOS Gods" or "AppDB" for compatible IPAs, but be aware that functionality is hit-or-miss.
In the past, "tweaked" IPAs were the gold standard for older devices. Tools like Cercube (a tweak for YouTube) were popular because they added downloading features and removed ads. However, the developer of Cercube ceased development years ago. While you might find an IPA of "YouTube + Cercube" on the internet, it will likely suffer from the same server-side connection issues mentioned above.
You do not need a jailbreak to install an IPA, but you do need a computer. Follow this method using AltStore Legacy or Sideloadly.