Review: Installing YouTube on iOS 12.5.7 (The iPhone 6 Experiment) Device Used: iPhone 6 iOS Version: 12.5.7 Method: App Store "Purchase" History 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. However, there is a workaround. Here is my review of the process and the result of getting YouTube installed on this older firmware. The Installation Process Installing modern apps on iOS 12 is not straightforward, but it isn't impossible either. You cannot just search for YouTube in the App Store, as Apple only offers the latest version (which requires iOS 14+). The Workaround: You must use the "Purchased" method.
Open the App Store . Tap your profile icon in the top right. Select Purchases . Search for YouTube in your purchase history. Tap the cloud download icon. A prompt will appear saying an older version is available. You must confirm.
Verdict on Process: It is annoying that Apple doesn't make this more obvious, but the installation is simple enough for non-tech-savvy users. It takes about two minutes. The Experience: Living with the "Legacy" App Once installed, you aren't getting the YouTube you see on a brand new iPhone 15. You are getting the last version of YouTube that was compatible with the 64-bit architecture of iOS 12. The Good:
It Works: Most importantly, videos play. The player controls are familiar and functional. Speed: On iOS 12.5.7, the older YouTube app actually runs smoother than the modern app runs on newer phones with older batteries. It feels lightweight and snappy because it lacks the bloat of the 2024 version. No Ads (Mostly): Because the ad-serving API is outdated on this version, you often see significantly fewer ads, or the "Skip Ad" button behaves differently than on the current build. install youtube ios 1257
The Bad:
The Interface is Stuck in Time: You will notice missing features. The "Shorts" shelf does not exist (which might be a pro for some), and the navigation bar is the old design. Login Issues: This is the biggest hurdle. Google frequently updates its authentication security. When I first installed it, logging in was fine. However, roughly once every few months, Google will deprecate the old login protocols. You might open the app one day to find yourself logged out, and unable to log back in until you delete the app and reinstall it via the App Store trick again. Picture-in-Picture: It is hit or miss. iOS 12 supports PiP on iPads, but the implementation on the iPhone version of this legacy app is unreliable.
Performance & Battery The iPhone 6 only has 1GB of RAM. Modern YouTube is a RAM hog. Surprisingly, this legacy version is much friendlier to the hardware. I didn't experience the crashing or freezing that often plagues other updated apps on older firmware. The phone ran cool, and battery drain was manageable. The Verdict: 3.5/5 Stars Installing YouTube on iOS 12.5.7 is a lifesaver for legacy devices . It transforms an unusable device back into a media consumption tool. However, the experience is fragile. Living on an outdated app version means you are at the mercy of Google’s server-side updates. It works today, but it might be broken tomorrow. Recommendation: If you need a dedicated media player for a car or a child's device running iOS 12, this installation method is perfect. Just be prepared to troubleshoot the occasional login error. How to do it: Go to App Store > Profile > Purchased > YouTube > Download. Accept the prompt for the "older version." Review: Installing YouTube on iOS 12
While the official YouTube mobile app now requires iOS 14.0 or later to download from scratch, users with devices like the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and original iPad Air running iOS 12.5.7 can still access the platform. Primary Method: Download via Purchased History The most reliable way to install YouTube on iOS 12.5.7 is by using the "Purchased" section of the App Store. This method works if you have previously downloaded YouTube on any device using your current Apple ID. Open the App Store on your iOS 12.5.7 device. Tap your Profile Icon in the top right corner. Go to "Purchased" and search for "YouTube". Tap the Cloud Icon next to the YouTube app. Confirm the Download : A prompt will appear stating, "The current version requires iOS 14.0 or later, but you can download the last compatible version." Tap Download to proceed. Tip: If you haven't owned YouTube before, sign into your Apple ID on a newer device (iOS 14+) and download it there first. It will then appear in your purchase history on the older device. Google Help Download the YouTube mobile app - iPhone and iPad - Google Help
Installing the official YouTube app on devices running iOS 12.5.7 (such as the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6/6 Plus, and iPad Air 1) is no longer a straightforward "Get" from the App Store, as the current app officially requires iOS 16.0 or later . However, you can still access YouTube using several effective workarounds. Method 1: The "Purchased" Section Loophole (Best for Existing Accounts) If you have previously downloaded YouTube using your Apple ID, you can trigger a prompt to download the "Last Compatible Version." Open the App Store on your iOS 12.5.7 device. Tap on your Profile icon in the top-right corner. Go to the Purchased section. Search for "YouTube." Instead of a "Get" button, you should see a Cloud icon with a downward arrow. Tap it. When a pop-up appears stating the current version requires a newer iOS, select "Download" to get the last compatible version for iOS 12. Method 2: Use a Newer Device to "Unlock" the App If you have never downloaded YouTube on your Apple ID before, the "Purchased" trick won't work initially because the app isn't in your history. Log in to your Apple ID on a newer Apple device (running iOS 16 or later). Download the YouTube app on that newer device. Once the download starts, you can cancel it; the app is now linked to your account history. Return to your iOS 12.5.7 device , go to App Store > Purchased , and follow the steps in Method 1 to download the older version. Method 3: The Safari Web Shortcut (No Installation Required)
Installing the official YouTube app on iOS 12.5.7 can be tricky because the current version requires iOS 14.0 or later. However, you can still get it working using these methods: Installation Methods The "Purchased" Trick (No Jailbreak) : If you have previously downloaded YouTube on your Apple ID using a newer device, go to the App Store on your iOS 12 device. Tap on your Profile Picture > Purchased . Search for YouTube and tap the cloud icon . When prompted to "Download an older version of this app," select Download . Safari Web Version : If the app won't install or constantly asks for an update, you can use YouTube via the Safari web browser. You can even add it to your home screen by tapping the Share icon and selecting Add to Home Screen . Fixing the "Update Required" Error : 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) A standout feature you can use on iOS is Picture-in-Picture (PiP) , which lets you watch videos in a small, floating window while using other apps. How to enable it: Go to your device's Settings > General > Picture in Picture and ensure Start PiP Automatically is toggled On . In the YouTube app (if using a premium account or in supported regions), go to Settings > General and toggle on Picture-in-picture . Safari Tip : If you are using the Safari web version, play a video in full screen, then swipe up or press the home button to enter PiP mode. Here is my review of the process and
Installing YouTube on iOS 12.5.7: A Step-by-Step Guide Method 1: Installing YouTube from the App Store (Recommended)
Open the App Store on your iOS device. Tap on the Search icon (magnifying glass) at the bottom of the screen. Type "YouTube" in the search bar and select the YouTube app from the results. Tap the "Get" button next to the YouTube icon. If prompted, enter your Apple ID password or use Touch ID/Face ID to authenticate. Wait for the app to download and install.