Google has moved on, and the modern YouTube app is built for modern versions of iOS. The APIs (the underlying code YouTube uses to talk to its servers) have changed. Older apps can't understand these new instructions, leading to the "Error Loading" message or the app simply refusing to launch.
Locate the YouTube folder and open the YouTube.app directory.
It sounds simple, but the mobile website works surprisingly well on iOS 9.3.5. Use Safari, visit youtube.com . Request desktop site if needed. No ads, no app lag. Save as a homescreen bookmark.
The stock Safari browser on iOS 9.3.5 struggles with modern web standards, but it can still render the mobile version of the YouTube website. Open Safari and navigate to ://youtube.com .
: Open Safari , navigate to m.youtube.com, tap the Share icon, and select Add to Home Screen . This creates a web-app icon that behaves similarly to the native app without compatibility issues.
Before you begin the sideloading process, make sure you have the following:
Consequently, even if a user successfully sideloads an older, compatible version of the YouTube IPA (such as version 12.11.6 or similar versions built for 32-bit iOS 9), the application will typically launch to a blank screen or display a persistent "Error Loading" or "Update Required" message. Method 1: Sideloading an Older YouTube IPA File
On your iOS device, navigate to , find your Apple ID, and tap Trust .
The question that echoes through vintage Apple forums: “Is there a YouTube IPA that still works on iOS 9.3.5?”
Difficulty Level: Advanced Target OS: iPhone 4s, iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad Mini 1, iPod Touch 5th Gen
If your device is not already jailbroken, you must do this first.
If you tap the app now, it will crash or show an "Untrusted Developer" error. To fix this:
Using Sideloadly aggressively (10+ installs a day) can trigger Apple’s anti-fraud system, locking your Apple ID. Use a burner account.
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