Can you install an old version of an app? [ASK MR. NOOBIE]

QUESTION: I’m always worried when there is an update for my apps on my iPad. If I upgrade the app and don’t like it can I go back to the previous version of the app? – Emily from Norwalk, California

ANSWER: What a great question, Emily, and one I can’t believe I have never been asked before. The short answer to your question is no. There is no way using the App Store to revert back to a previous version of an app once you upgrade to the newer version. That’s why I always recommend reading the most recent reviews before upgrading to see if there are any people complaining about the new upgrade.

The long answer is that technically you could pull it off. But you would have to make sure you have a complete backup of your iPad (presumably using iCloud) before you upgrade the app. Then if you don’t like the app and want to revert back to the previous version you would have to do a full restore of your iPad. But seriously, who has time to do this?

I’m pretty much a risk taker so I just upgrade all of my apps as soon as an upgrade is available. I figure if the new version is bad enough, the developer will probably release another upgrade fixing the previous upgrade as quickly as he or she can. But if you’re not a risk taker then my advice is to wait a few weeks before upgrading an app or just make it a policy to only upgrade an app if you feel the new features are worthy of upgrading.

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