Snapchat truly shines on iOS and is implemented seamlessly, especially since the social media platform has always levitated toward iOS rather than Android. Unfortunately, many users are unable to enjoy the vast possibilities that Snapchat brings since they can’t download Snapchat from App Store on their iPhones.
If you are among them, check the list of solutions we provided below and give them a try. They should help you address the issue.
Why is Snapchat not downloading on my iPhone?
1. Restart your device
The first thing you should do is restart your iPhone. Chances are that the problem is temporary and a simple restart usually does miracles.
If you have Snapchat installed but it won’t update, navigate to App Store > Your Profile > Pending Updates and try updating Snapchat manually. Also, try uninstalling the app and re-download it from App Store.
If that doesn’t help, check the network.
2. Check the network
Now, the simplest way to test this is to open any internet-dependent app and check if it works as intended. Even better, open the App Store and download any other app to confirm that the issue relates exclusively to Snapchat.
If it does, continue with the steps below. On the other hand, if you are experiencing any Wi-Fi connectivity issues on your iPhone, check the instructions we provided in the article on iOS Wi-Fi issues.
3. Inspect the Payment Method
Apple’s App Store requires a valid Payment Method of sorts to work unless you opt-out while creating a new iTunes account. And, you won’t be able to download even free apps unless you either don’t have the Payment Method or have a valid Payment Method. Some random debit card credentials won’t cut it. Creating a new account without Payment Methods (just select None) is a good start.
Just Sign Out of App Store and try getting Snapchat. You’ll be prompted to Log In or create a new Apple ID. Do the latter and, when prompted for the preferred Payment Method, make sure to choose None.
On the other hand, if you want to add a valid Payment Method, make sure to navigate to App Store > Your Profile > Your AppleID > Manage Payments. Have in mind that the supported payment methods are not the same for all regions. Also, have in mind that you can usually only use a debit card issued in the country/region which you set as your AppleID country/region.
Extra Tip: A trick you can use is to change the region along with the address (some random address will do). This is especially useful if there are certain region-based limitations for certain apps or other purchasable content.
4. Update iOS
Make sure that your iPhone’s firmware is up to date. Although many users forget about updates or their storage is almost full so there’s no space for the installation file, we strongly recommend running the latest available firmware.
Apple is known for its long-term software support so go and install the latest update. Chances are that your device’s firmware version is outdated which, in principle, can lead to issues with App Store.
To check manually for updates on your iPhone, follow these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Select General.
- Choose Software Update.
- Check for updates.
- Go through and install any available updates.
5. Reset All Settings and send a ticket to Apple
Finally, if nothing worked for you, you can reset All Settings and hope for the best. This action won’t delete any of your data, just reset all system settings.
Here’s how to Reset All Settings on an iPhone:
- Open Settings.
- Select General.
- Choose Reset from the bottom.
- Tap Reset All Settings.
- Enter password or PIN when prompted.
- Confirm to reset all settings.
Also, it’s a good idea to report the problem to Apple and Snapchat. You can report issues to Apple. When it comes to Snapchat, you can reach them on the official support page and report the problem.
That should do it. Thank you for reading and, in case you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to share them with us in the comments section below. Also, do tell us if the steps above helped you or not. Do you have any alternative solutions to recommend? Write it down below.
Editor’s note: This article was initially published in September 2021. We made sure to revamp it for freshness and accuracy.
