Apple hasn’t allowed users to download third-party apps (legally) outside of the App Store until 2024, so some issues are inevitable. After upgrading to iOS 17.6, you may find that these apps aren’t working as expected. This can be frustrating, especially if you rely on them for your favorite tools and services.
In this guide, I’ll show you the quickest ways to resolve this issue, including some less obvious solutions you may not have thought of.
How to fix third-party apps not working after iOS 17.6 update
1. Update to iOS 17.6.1
Time required: 20 minutes
Apple released iOS 17.6.1 quickly after the launch of iOS 17.6, and it’s by far the easiest way to get your apps working again, so if you haven’t updated your software yet (or don’t know if you have), start here.
- Open the Settings app and select Generally.
- Knock Software update.
- Wait for your iPhone to check for a software update. If it is up to date, you will see a message, but if it is not, you will see the option to download it. If you need to update your software, select Update now.
- Wait for your iPhone’s software to update. The time it takes depends on the strength of your Internet connection and the amount of storage space you have available. Always keep your iPhone connected to a charging port, as updates use a lot of power.
NOTE
When I downloaded iOS 17.6.1, I encountered several issues where the software wouldn’t update. The same thing happened when updating iPadOS and macOS Sonoma. You should prepare for the possibility of this happening to you, and this guide on how to fix iOS 17.6.1 update issues will help you with that.
2. Delete all shortcuts to the app
If updating your software isn’t enough, you may also be able to delete the shortcuts to your app. Removing shortcuts can be confusing if you’ve never done it before, so follow these instructions:
- Open the Links app on your iPhone.
- Choose All keyboard shortcuts.
- Press and hold the shortcut(s) you want to remove. A drop-down menu should appear.
- Choose Delete.
- When the confirmation window appears, tap Delete link to complete your decision.
3. Check if there are any problems with the app developer
Apple doesn’t help with non-Apple apps and you’ll probably be asked to delete the app and re-download it. This can actually help, but it’s worth trying different things first. Check with your app developer to see if there are any issues to make sure they’re OK.
Explain the problem to the customer support team and check if there are currently any issues with the app’s servers, then you should have a better idea of what to do next.
4. Force restart your iPhone
If everything is fine with the app’s servers, there is probably a problem with your iPhone’s software. In many cases, a force restart of your device is a helpful next resort. The process is the same on all phones that support iOS 17:
- Tap one of your Volume buttons.
- Quickly release and tap the other volume button before releasing again.
- Hold the side button.
- Your iPhone will turn off and then turn back on. If the Apple logo appears, release the side button.
- Sign in to your device with your passcode.
5. Delete the third-party apps and download them again
If you’ve gotten this far without success, now is the time to delete the apps that aren’t working and re-download them. The steps aren’t much different from what you’ll need to do if you delete an app you downloaded from the App Store. Here’s what you need to do.
- Press and hold the app you want to remove.
- Choose Delete app when you see the pop-up menu.
- Knock Delete app when the confirmation window appears.
- Launch the relevant app marketplace and download the app again based on the usual procedure for your specific app store.
6. Delete some of your other apps
One bizarre solution that has worked for some users is to delete some of your other apps. The steps are pretty similar to the previous section, except you’ll have to re-download your apps from the App Store later.
You can also quickly delete multiple apps on an iPhone in a variety of ways, such as by Settings App.
7. Turn off your VPN
While VPNs are great for protecting your identity online, they can also occasionally interfere with other apps and services. This is especially true if you’re trying to use apps you’ve downloaded from a third-party app store.
You can disable your VPN either through your iPhone’s settings or through the VPN’s app. First, let’s see how to disable your VPN through the Settings app:
- Open the Settings app and go to VPNwhich is at the top of your screen.
- Turn off the VPN function.
I usually turn off my VPN through the app. Although I specifically use ExpressVPN, the process is pretty similar across all services. Here’s how to turn off your VPN through the app:
- Open the app of your VPN service.
- Tap the Standby button to turn off your VPN.
8. Reset your iPhone from before iOS 17.6 and try updating again
Reinstalling a previous version of your iPhone before downloading iOS 17.6 and then updating directly to iOS 17.6.1 will likely fix any remaining issues with your apps, but since this is very time-consuming, it should be the very last resort.
Reverting to an older version will also only work if you have already backed up your iPhone. If this is the case, you should follow these steps:
- Connect your phone to your computer and navigate to the Finder app.
- Select your iPhone in the left toolbar.
- Go to Backup and select Restore backup.
- Select the backup you want to restore your iPhone to, then wait for your device to complete the restore.
- After your iPhone has been restored to a previous version, go to Settings > General > Software Update and download iOS 17.6.1.
At least one of these solutions should work if you can no longer access your non-Apple apps. In most cases, upgrading to iOS 17.6.1 will do the trick. More complex solutions, such as force restarting your iPhone and deleting the app before reinstalling, may also work. If worst comes to worst and you still can’t fix the app, it’s worth contacting the app’s support team again.
