Once you have the YouTube.ipa file, you need software to push it to your device.
The most popular solution in the legacy jailbreak community is using a modified .ipa that patches out Google’s version check.
The current version of YouTube requires iOS 11 or later. Apple has stopped signing older versions of apps, meaning you cannot download an older version directly through the App Store on a new device.
While Apple offers a feature where it lets you download "the last compatible version," this feature often fails for apps that have drastically changed their architecture (like YouTube) or if you have never downloaded the app on that Apple ID before.
If you don't want to jailbreak, you can sideload the specific Youtube.ipa using a computer.
The search for "Youtube.ipa for iOS 9.3.5" is the digital equivalent of keeping a classic car on the road by fabricating your own spare parts. It is difficult, requires technical know-how, and isn't perfect. But for the thousands of users who refuse to throw a perfectly functional iPhone 4s or iPad mini into a landfill, it is the only way to keep watching cat videos.
Stick to version 14.43, jailbreak your device, and always verify the hash of your IPA file. If you do it right, that ten-year-old iPad will keep streaming for another five years. Youtube.ipa For Ios 9.3.5
Have you successfully sideloaded YouTube onto iOS 9.3.5? Let us know which version worked for you in the comments (if your ancient device can load the comment section).
To install and use YouTube on iOS 9.3.5 (common for devices like the iPad 2, iPad 3, and iPad Mini 1), you generally need a combination of a compatible version and a workaround to bypass "update required" prompts. Method 1: Direct Download (No Jailbreak)
This is the simplest way to get the app if you have previously downloaded YouTube on your Apple ID. Open the App Store on your iOS 9.3.5 device.
Go to the "Purchased" tab. Do not search for YouTube in the main store, as it will likely say it's incompatible.
Find YouTube in your list of purchased apps and tap the cloud icon.
Accept the prompt: A message will ask if you want to download the "last compatible version." Tap Download. Once you have the YouTube
Note: If the app crashes or asks for an update immediately after opening, you may need Method 2. Method 2: Version Spoofing (Requires Jailbreak)
If the app installs but won't let you past an "Update Required" screen, you can trick it into thinking it is a newer version.
Jailbreak your device using a tool like Phoenix (standard for 9.3.5). Install Filza File Manager from Cydia.
Navigate to the YouTube folder: /var/containers/Bundle/Application/YouTube/YouTube.app/. Edit Info.plist:
Locate the keys CFBundleShortVersionString and CFBundleVersion.
Change their values from the current version (e.g., 13.42.6) to a newer one like 14.10 or 14.01.10. AltStore / SideStore: These are newer alternatives that
Save and Close: Restart the YouTube app. This often bypasses the update block. Method 3: Legacy Fixes (TubeRepair)
For a more stable experience on very old devices, the community has developed specific tweaks.
TubeRepair: A tweak available on community repositories (like cydia.skyglow.es) that restores functionality to old YouTube versions by redirecting them to a custom server.
YouTube Eternal: Another legacy tweak found on r/LegacyJailbreak designed to fix playback issues on iOS 9/10. Version & Files Information
The Verdict Upfront:
If you are holding onto an older device running iOS 9.3.5 (such as an iPad 2, iPad 3, original iPad Air, or iPhone 4S), a modded YouTube .ipa file is currently the only viable way to watch YouTube on that device today. The official App Store version no longer works on this firmware, making these "community ports" essential for media consumption on legacy hardware.
However, the experience comes with significant caveats regarding stability and security.