Practical tip: For modern web services, use the mobile website in Safari when the app isn’t available.
Streaming apps are the hardest hit by OS updates. However, some big players still offer legacy support, or server-side workarounds.
If you are holding onto an iPad 2, iPad 3, original iPad mini, or a 4th-generation iPod Touch, you are likely well acquainted with iOS 9.3.5. This was the final software update for these devices, representing the end of the line for Apple’s support.
In the modern tech era, using a device stuck on a 2016 operating system can feel limiting. Many popular apps (like YouTube, Netflix, and Instagram) have dropped support for iOS 9, leaving users with a "skeletal" device.
However, your legacy device is far from useless. With the right apps and a few specific tricks, you can breathe new life into your older hardware. Here is your ultimate list of iOS 9.3.5 compatible apps and how to get them. ios 9.3.5 compatible apps list
If you want, I can produce a curated list of specific app titles (by category) likely to run on iOS 9.3.5, or help you check a particular app’s compatibility—tell me which apps or categories you care about.
iOS 9.3.5 is an older operating system, and most modern apps now require at least iOS 13 or 14. However, you can still use a variety of apps by downloading their "last compatible version."
Below is a list of apps known to work on iOS 9.3.5 as of April 2026, categorized by their utility. Productivity & Utilities : While Safari is often outdated, third-party browsers like iCab Mobile Puffin Browser still offer functional web browsing on older devices. Office & Notes Polaris Office Tayasui Sketches
are compatible, providing document viewing and drawing capabilities. Calculators & Tools Basic Calculator+ Elegantune Chromatic Tuner Pro are useful additions for standard tasks. File Management remains a reliable option for syncing files across devices. Entertainment & Media Video Streaming : You can download compatible versions of Amazon Prime Video . While the Practical tip: For modern web services, use the
app may require a workaround, it is often accessible via a web browser. Amazon Music
still function if you have previously "purchased" them on your Apple ID. Media Players
is highly recommended for watching downloaded videos locally. Communication & Social
is known to be very usable, though it may occasionally lag. Apple's built-in also remains fully functional. Social Media : Older versions of may still work if previously installed. Video Calls If you want, I can produce a curated
reportedly still allows downloads of compatible versions for iOS 9.3.5.
Users with legacy iOS 9.3.5 devices can still install compatible versions of apps like Netflix, YouTube, VLC, and Microsoft Office by leveraging the "Purchased" section in the App Store to download older versions. To bypass "Requires iOS 10.0 or later" restrictions, apps must be downloaded on a newer device first, allowing the older device to install the last compatible version from the cloud. For a complete, community-maintained list of apps still functional on iOS 9.3.5, visit Reddit.
Use iOS 9.3.5 only if:
Avoid if: You rely on modern social media, banking, streaming, or two-factor authentication apps.
Would you like a printable checklist of confirmed working apps, or help finding the last compatible version of a specific app?
Note: Some apps may stop working if their backend services drop iOS 9 support.