It appears some iPad users are seeing a bug in the iOS App Store that prevents them from being able to locate and download iPhone-only apps. When using an iPad to search for an app that's only available on the iPhone like Instagram or Snapchat, results do not list iPhone-only apps even when the "iPhone Only" filter is turned on.

For example, in a search for "Snapchat" on an iPad Air 2 with the "iPhone Only" option selected, the results that are displayed include only universal apps made by third-party companies. The actual Snapchat app does not come up in the results at all, preventing it from being installed on an iPad. A test for several other iPhone-only apps revealed the same search error.

snapchatbadsearchresults
It is not clear when this App Store search bug started, but we first saw an issue last night and a MacRumors reader alerted us to the problem this morning. It is also not clear if all users are experiencing the issue, but each of the iPads we tested failed to bring up the proper search results.

It's likely this is an error that Apple will fix shortly, and while iPhone only apps can't be downloaded via search, they're still available in the list of purchased apps. Installing an iPhone-only app on the iPad can be done by installing it on an iPhone first and then downloading it on the iPad from the purchased list. It's also possible to search for the app in Safari to get a direct link to it in the App Store.

(Thanks Tim!)

Top Rated Comments

t0mat0 Avatar
110 months ago
If Apple can filter results like this, what the heck is stopping them from filtering out old non-updated apps, or those built to an old OS?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sevarre Avatar
110 months ago
This actually sounds more like a useful feature.

Logically, if an app is only for the iPhone, then why clutter the listings on devices that the app is not designed to run on.

Same as if an app is only designed to work with the latest iPad and won't run on my phone, then it's a waste of my time to have to see it in the listings and realize it won't work on my device.

Sounds like a useful feature that should go from being a bug, to becoming standard operating procedure.
But you can download iPhone-only apps onto your iPad, just not the other way around. If you mean don't allow iPhone only apps to be downloaded onto iPads, I disagree and think most people disagree. I run many iPhone only apps on my iPad.

Pretty sure that any app that you are able to view in the iOS AppStore is able to be downloaded on the device you are using to view it.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jclo Avatar
110 months ago
The screenshots are from iOS 9 (you can tell by looking at the system font). It's beta, so...
This particular screenshot is from iOS 9, but this was also tested on iPads that are not running beta software. Good eye though, you know your system fonts :p
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
flyinmac Avatar
110 months ago
This actually sounds more like a useful feature.

Logically, if an app is only for the iPhone, then why clutter the listings on devices that the app is not designed to run on.

Same as if an app is only designed to work with the latest iPad and won't run on my phone, then it's a waste of my time to have to see it in the listings and realize it won't work on my device.

Sounds like a useful feature that should go from being a bug, to becoming standard operating procedure.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
QuarterSwede Avatar
110 months ago
As an aside, I've always found it annoying I can't view iPad apps on my iPhone. Just because I'm looking at the App Store on my phone doesn't mean I don't have an iPad too.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AngerDanger Avatar
110 months ago
As if the mobile gaming press didn't have it hard enough with App Store rankings ('https://www.macrumors.com/2015/06/24/app-store-disparity-developers-gaming-websites/'), reviewers who own iPads won't be able view iPhone only apps. :p
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 17

iOS 17.2 Will Add These 12 New Features to Your iPhone

Friday December 1, 2023 12:19 pm PST by
iOS 17.2 has been in beta testing for over a month, and it should be released to all users in a few more weeks. The software update includes many new features and changes for iPhones, including the dozen that we have highlighted below. iOS 17.2 is expected to be released to the public in mid-December. To learn about even more features coming in the update, check out our full list. Journal ...
iOS 16 4 Web Push

Apple Confirms Governments Using Push Notifications to Surveil Users

Wednesday December 6, 2023 5:06 am PST by
Unidentified governments are surveilling smartphone users by tracking push notifications that move through Google's and Apple's servers, a US senator warned on Wednesday (via Reuters). In a letter to the Department of Justice, Senator Ron Wyden said foreign officials were demanding the data from the tech giants to track smartphones. The traffic flowing from apps that send push notifications...
airpods pro 2 pink

Apple Releases New AirPods Pro 2 Firmware

Tuesday December 5, 2023 11:28 am PST by
Apple today released new firmware update for both the Lightning and USB-C versions of the AirPods Pro 2. The new firmware is version 6B34, up from the 6B32 firmware introduced in November. Apple does not provide details on what features might be included in the refreshed firmware beyond "bug fixes and other improvements," so it is unclear what's new in the update, but prior software releases ...
magsafe blue 2

iOS 17.2 Brings Qi2 Support to iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 Models

Tuesday December 5, 2023 11:04 am PST by
The iOS 17.2 update that Apple is set to release to the public in the near future will bring support for the next-generation Qi2 wireless charging standard to the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 models. Qi2 was mentioned in the release notes for the RC version of the update that came out today. With the addition of support for the new standard, iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 models will work with Qi2...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Blue

'All-Screen' iPhone Under-Display Camera Enters Development

Wednesday December 6, 2023 2:03 am PST by
Apple's Korean suppliers have begun developing smartphone under-display cameras (UDC), paving the way for the first iPhone with a true "all-screen" appearance. According to The Elec, LG Innotek has entered the preliminary development of the UDC, which sits under the display and does not result in a visible hole in the panel when the camera is not in use. A UDC differs from a typical front ...
airpods pro bulbs

Black Friday Prices Return for AirPods Pro 2 With USB-C, iPad, and More

Tuesday December 5, 2023 7:30 am PST by
Today we're tracking a collection of deals that are matching - or nearly matching - the same all-time low discounts we saw during Black Friday. This includes the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C, 9th generation iPad, and M1 MacBook Air. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the ...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 May Reuse Existing iPhone 14 Battery

Wednesday December 6, 2023 1:17 pm PST by
Recently, MacRumors has received details on the battery currently being tested on the upcoming fourth-generation iPhone SE, and the information corroborates previous findings in relation to the device. The iPhone SE 4, known by its device identifier D59, is expected to use the exact same battery found in the base model iPhone 14. Partially assembled prototypes of the next iPhone SE have been ...
instagram messenger

Instagram and Facebook Messenger Chats to Disconnect This Month

Tuesday December 5, 2023 1:57 am PST by
Meta has revealed plans to end Instagram users' ability to chat with Facebook accounts later this month, rolling back a feature that it introduced over three years ago. In September 2020, Meta (then Facebook) announced it was merging its Facebook Messenger service with Instagram direct messaging, allowing Instagram users to chat with Facebook users and vice versa using the same platform....