Apple Boosts Over-the-Air App Store Download Limits to 50 MB

fifty
With the launch of the 3rd Generation iPad, Apple has increased the over-the-air download limit for the App Store to 50MB, up from 20MB.

As noted by AppAdvice, the change is presumably to accommodate larger app sizes due to the new iPad's Retina display and faster cellular data available with 4G LTE. The download limit is now 50MB across all devices, as shown in the above screenshot. This limit affects the maximum size of an App that can be downloaded over 3G or 4G networks.

Developers frequently work hard to keep their apps under the over-the-air download limit, as they believe going over that limit reduces the likelihood of spontaneous purchases.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
xiaomi apple ad india

Apple and Samsung Push Back Against Xiaomi's Bold India Ads

Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple and Samsung have reportedly issued cease-and-desist notices to Xiaomi in India for an ad campaign that directly compares the rivals' devices to Xiaomi's products. The two companies have threatened the Chinese vendor with legal action, calling the ads "disparaging." Ads have appeared in local print media and on social media that take pot shots at the competitors' premium offerings. One...
iOS 18 on iPhone Arrow Down

Apple Preparing iOS 18.7 for iPhones as iOS 26 Release Date Nears

Sunday August 31, 2025 4:35 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs. We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else. iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...

Top Rated Comments

eric/ Avatar
176 months ago
Should have never been a limit in the first place.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WillEH Avatar
176 months ago
With my jailbreak, it's unlimited. :rolleyes:
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
plumosa Avatar
176 months ago
No they are correct. You ever been away from home and thought about buying an app you saw on some site, etc, only to try to buy it and you get the dreaded "must be on wi-fi BS"? I can't tell you how many times I have said, oh well, I'll get it when I get home, only to forget and never buy the app.

It's a good thing for all.

Sure, but the way its written, it means that they work hard to keep it under the over the air limit because if they don't it will reduce the spontaneous purchases. Which is the exact opposite of the reality because it will increase the likelihood.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wordoflife Avatar
176 months ago
So now you can blow through your capped data limits even faster!

You need to be responsible for your usage too.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cambookpro Avatar
176 months ago
Great for us who are on unlimited data plans!!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tomsamson Avatar
176 months ago
It was long overdue to boost the download limit but only pushing it to 50 Mb is ridiculous and extremely disappointing. Why sell a device with LTE support if one can't use it as one wants?
On top of that way more apps will pass that limit easily now soon when featuring higher Res art. Come on Apple, the new iPad looks great, why limit its use with such nonsense?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)