iPhone users are facing new difficulties when trying to reinstall apps that have been removed from the App Store. Tools like… iMazing enables these programs to be restored. , has stopped working properly due to changes to Apple’s servers.
According to user feedback on forums such as 4PDA and other professional websites, the problem started appearing around August 20. When trying to download an IPA file, Apple’s servers return an HTTP 403 error, access denied. This situation not only affects iMazing, but also other similar tools such as 3uTools and ipa_downloader.
Issue: HTTP 403 error when downloading IPA file
The main issue occurs when users try to download the app installation file from their personal media library. Apple’s servers (specifically buy.itunes.apple.com) will return a 403 error code, preventing the download. According to experts, Apple has deactivated the old authorization tokens that the mechanism relied on and revoked the corresponding certificates. Therefore, the server simply rejects requests to download apps that have been removed from the app store.
Technical reason: Tokens and revoked certificates
Apple changed its server logic, causing HTTP 403 errors for IPA file download requests. The company has disabled archived authorization tokens and revoked certificates, so even if the IPA file is saved, it cannot be transferred to a new device without a valid digital certificate. This means that even if you have a backup of the app, you cannot install it on another iPhone. If you don’t have the correct signature.
Impact on users: Banking apps and messaging apps
Banking apps and other installed apps will continue to run, but it is not recommended to remove them or enable automatic updates. Using the previous method to transfer apps to a new iPhone is no longer possible. Some users, such as the instant messaging app “Max”, have successfully restored access using previously saved IPA files. For other services, it is necessary to use the web version or an alternative method (such as the “Verni Sber” application) to restore the official client. Previously, third-party tools allowed users to restore VK apps, “Max” apps, and banking apps that had been removed from the Russian App Store. Apple has now effectively banned this method, leaving users with only two viable options: pre-save the IPA file or switch to the web version.
iMazing’s response
The developer of iMazing has confirmed that Apple made changes to its servers and promised to restore the feature when conditions allow. In the meantime, affected users will have to find alternatives or wait for a resolution. The situation is especially difficult for users who rely on apps that have been removed from the App Store, such as certain banking or messaging apps.
Apple has shut down a widely used method for recovering apps removed from the App Store. The move affects iMazing and other similar tools, leaving users with fewer options to manage their devices. The only solution at present is to back up the IPA file in advance or use the web version of the service. It remains to be seen whether developers can find a way around this restriction, and whether Apple will reverse its decision.
