If you are asking this because you want to keep a specific UI design forever, the sideloading method above is temporary (requires re-signing every 7 days).
To keep an old version permanently:
Disclaimer: Downloading and installing apps from outside the App Store carries risks. Only download IPAs from reputable sources to avoid malware. This guide is for educational purposes only.
In the autumn of 2023, a broke college student named Aris discovered a cursed archive of old YouTube IPA files. He was desperate—his iPhone 6, a relic running iOS 12, could no longer support the latest YouTube app. The official version crashed on launch, showing only a spinning wheel of digital death.
One night, deep in a Reddit thread from 2018, Aris found a link: "YouTube_14.11_BackWhenCommentsWereGood.ipa." The post had 3 upvotes and a single reply: "Don't."
Aris ignored it.
He sideloaded the IPA using a sideloadly tool on his ancient laptop. The install took longer than expected—the progress bar pulsed like a heartbeat. When the icon appeared, it wasn't the modern white-and-red play button. It was the old 2017 YouTube logo: a dark red TV tube with a centered triangle. The name under it read "YouTub3" with a glitched 'e'.
He opened it.
The interface was beautiful. No Shorts. No intrusive ads. Just a clean subscription feed and recommended videos from 2016—PewDiepie, old Game Grumps, "How to solve a Rubik's Cube in 20 seconds." But the timestamp on every video showed "Now." Even videos he knew were deleted years ago.
Then he saw the "Trending" tab. It was stuck on the week of March 12, 2018. And every video had a comment from a user named @last_viewer, who always wrote the same thing: "Don't update. Don't close the app. Stay with us."
Aris tried to close the app. The screen flickered, and a new notification appeared: "YouTub3 would like to access your Camera." He hadn't tapped anything. He denied it. Then: "YouTub3 would like to access your Microphone." Deny. Then: "YouTub3 would like to access your Location—Always." Before he could react, a robotic voice whispered from the speaker: "Thanks for installing the old version. We've missed you."
The phone grew warm. The battery icon showed 100%, even though it had been at 32% a moment ago. The home button stopped working. Aris tried to force restart, but the screen now displayed a single video—a livestream of his own bedroom, from an angle above his closet. He looked up. Nothing there. But on the phone, the stream showed a shadow behind him.
He dropped the phone. It landed screen-up. The video was still playing—his own panicked face, but now with a countdown: "Time until update: 00:03:14."
Aris ran to his roommate's laptop, searched "how to delete sideloaded IPA without opening phone." The answer: you can't. You have to trust the profile expires.
But the profile wasn't expiring. The countdown hit zero. The screen flashed white. When it rebooted, the YouTube icon was normal again. The modern version. iOS 12 unsupported error message: "Please update to iOS 14 or later." youtube ipa download old version
The phone worked fine after that. No shadow. No whispers. But every night at 3:14 AM, the phone lights up for exactly one second. If Aris looks at the screen during that second, he sees a single video in his "Watch Later" playlist. A private video titled "You are still on the old version." Thumbnail: a photo taken from above his closet, dated that very night.
He never installed an IPA again. But sometimes, when he closes his eyes, he hears that robotic voice whisper: "Don't update. Stay with us."
Downloading an older YouTube IPA version is a common workaround for users with legacy iOS devices (like the iPhone 6 or iPad 2) that cannot run the latest app updates. While the official App Store typically only serves the newest version, several methods exist to retrieve and install older iterations. 🚀 Recommended Sideloading Methods
If your device is no longer supported by the current App Store version of YouTube, you can use these tools to manually install an IPA file.
AltStore (No Jailbreak Required): A popular, safe tool that allows you to sideload IPAs from your computer to your iPhone or iPad.
Note: Apps installed this way must be "refreshed" every 7 days unless you have a paid developer account.
Sideloadly: An alternative to AltStore that works on both Windows and macOS.
Cydia Impactor: An older tool often used for legacy devices, though it frequently requires an app-specific password from your Apple ID. 📂 Where to Find Old YouTube IPA Files
Finding a legitimate IPA is crucial to avoid malware or security risks. How to Get YouTube on The First Gen iPad (iOS 5.1.1)
Downloading an older YouTube IPA (iOS App Package) is a common workaround for users with legacy devices like the iPad 2 or iPhone 6 that cannot run modern iOS versions. 🛠️ Common Methods to Get Older Versions
App Store "Purchased" Section: This is the safest way to trigger a "Download an older version of this app?" prompt.
Third-Party IPA Libraries: Sites like iOS-Repo-Updates or archive groups host .ipa files for manual sideloading.
Legacy Tools: Software like Charles Proxy or iTunes 12.6.5 can sometimes "force" the App Store to serve a specific older build ID. ⚠️ Key Risks and Challenges
Server-Side API Breaks: Even if the app installs, YouTube often breaks older versions by changing how their servers talk to the app. If you are asking this because you want
"Update Required" Loops: You might see a pop-up you can't dismiss without updating, which your device can't do.
Security: Downloading IPAs from unofficial sites carries a risk of malware or credential theft. 💡 Better Alternatives for Old Devices
Safari/Web Browser: Use the mobile site; it usually works when the app fails.
Third-Party Clients: Apps like TubeClicker or specialized legacy players sometimes offer better performance on old hardware.
Jailbreaking: Tools like Checkm8 or Cydia allow for "tweak" versions that bypass the "Update Required" screen.
Check out this guide for a quick walkthrough on getting the app via the App Store method:
Downloading an older YouTube IPA for iOS is a common way to maintain compatibility on aging devices (like an iPhone 6 or older iPad) or to revert to a preferred user interface. While the App Store generally only offers the latest version, there are several reliable ways to retrieve and install older versions. Method 1: Using Official App Store "Purchased" History
This is the safest method and does not require a computer or third-party tools. It works if your Apple ID has previously downloaded YouTube.
Open App Store: Tap on your profile icon in the top right corner. Go to Purchased: Select Purchased > My Purchases.
Search for YouTube: Locate the app and tap the Cloud icon to download.
Confirm Old Version: If your device's iOS is too old for the current app, a popup will ask: "Download an older version of this app?" Tap Download to install the last compatible version. Method 2: Using IPATool (For Specific Versions)
If you need a specific historical version, IPATool is a powerful open-source command-line utility for macOS, Windows, and Linux.
Install IPATool: Download the binary from the official GitHub repository or install via Homebrew using brew install ipatool.
Authenticate: Run the command: ipatool auth login --email your@email.com. Disclaimer: Downloading and installing apps from outside the
Search Bundle ID: Find YouTube's ID with ipatool search YouTube (it is com.google.ios.youtube).
Download Version: Use a specific External Version ID (build number) to download.
Example: ipatool download -b com.google.ios.youtube --external-version-id 874149063. Method 3: Sideloading via AltStore or Sideloadly
Downloading and installing an older version of YouTube on iOS typically requires obtaining an (the iOS application package) and using sideloading jailbreaking methods. As of April 2026, YouTube generally requires iOS 16 or newer
for its latest features, making legacy versions essential for older devices like the iPhone 6 or iPad Air. Methods for Downloading and Installing 1. Official App Store (Native Legacy Support)
If you have previously "purchased" or downloaded YouTube on your Apple ID, the App Store may offer a compatible legacy version. The Process : Go to the section. Locate YouTube and tap the cloud icon
. If your device is unsupported by the latest version, a prompt will appear: "Do you want to download the last compatible version?" Limitation
: This only works if your Apple ID has a history with the app. 2. Using IPA Downloading Tools
Advanced users often use command-line or web-based tools to fetch specific older versions directly from Apple's servers.
: A popular tool for macOS and Windows that allows you to download specific versions by entering an external-version-id (Build Number). pyIPATool-WebUI
: A rewrite of the tool featuring a web-based interface to make downloading older app versions more accessible. 3. Third-Party Repositories
Several online archives host decrypted IPA files for historical purposes. Internet Archive
: Hosts various versions, ranging from the very first YouTube 1.0 IPA to version 17.06.3. Archive Collections : Extensive collections like All YouTube IPA's Archive.org provide hundreds of historical files for testing. How to Sideload the IPA File
Once you have the IPA file, you must install it without using the official App Store.
Related search suggestions provided.
If you truly need an old YouTube version, Android allows side-loading old APKs with fewer restrictions and more safety tools (like Google Play Protect). This is not possible on iOS without jailbreaking.