Member Tools support for older iPad

Discussions around the iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch versions of the Member Tools Application.
Post Reply
KellyHawkes
New Member
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Oct 16, 2023 1:07 am

Member Tools support for older iPad

#1

Post by KellyHawkes »

On my iPad, the following message is displayed: "Member Tools is not available". So I deleted the Member Tools app from my iPad mini 4 and tried to download it from the App Store. The App Store said that I needed iPadOS 16.0 or later to download the latest version. So I clicked a button that said to download a version compatible with my iPadOS 15.8.3. After doing so, I logged in and then Member Tools displayed the message: : "Member Tools is not available".

There are three problems:
1) Apple doesn't release software updates for the iPad mini 4 after iPadOS 15.8.4, and so I can't upgrade iPadOS to 16.0 or later.
2) There is a bug in the church's server which doesn't permit the download of data (stake member's phone numbers and addresses) to the older version of Member Tools. This means that for me to fulfill my calling, either the church's software development department needs to continue to support the older version of Member Tools or I have to purchase a new iPad.
3) The message "Member Tools is not available" is misleading. It really means that the church's server is not compatible with the older version of Member Tools.

My wife is having a similar issue with her older iPhone.
russellhltn
Community Administrator
Posts: 35551
Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 2:53 pm
Location: U.S.

Re: Member Tools support for older iPad

#2

Post by russellhltn »

Another factors to consider:
- Member Tools contains personal information about members in the ward.
- The church is liable for the security of the information.
- As such, they're not going to support running on devices that no longer receive security updates.

Apple discontinued the iPad mini 4 on March 18, 2019 (5+ years ago) and appears to have limited, if any, security support.
Have you searched the Help Center? Try doing a Google search and adding "site:churchofjesuschrist.org/help" to the search criteria.

So we can better help you, please edit your Profile to include your general location.
KellyHawkes
New Member
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Oct 16, 2023 1:07 am

Re: Member Tools support for older iPad

#3

Post by KellyHawkes »

I am not pleased that I am being forced to buy a new iPad for $300 so that I can use Member Tools. :cry:
russellhltn
Community Administrator
Posts: 35551
Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 2:53 pm
Location: U.S.

Re: Member Tools support for older iPad

#4

Post by russellhltn »

Understandable. But there are forces that the Church is bound by. That's not a battle central to their mission.

You can always use the web browser.
Have you searched the Help Center? Try doing a Google search and adding "site:churchofjesuschrist.org/help" to the search criteria.

So we can better help you, please edit your Profile to include your general location.
davesudweeks
Senior Member
Posts: 2729
Joined: Sun May 09, 2010 9:16 pm
Location: Washington, USA

Re: Member Tools support for older iPad

#5

Post by davesudweeks »

And the fact that OS companies (Apple, Android, etc.) choose to abandon their older OS versions for security updates is not the fault of, nor under the control of, the church. I am grateful the church is doing their part to protect my private data from known security risks (using an out-of-date OS).
Post Reply

Return to “iPhone/iPad Member Tools App”