iOS: "Unable Connect to Pandora" Error

[happygene]

I have a really old iPad (iOS 5.1.1) with Pandora v5.2.1 that was working fine last weekend, but now fails with "Unable to connect to Pandora". Yes this is old hardware...Pandora is the only thing remining that WAS working on it. I used the iPad in my shop to listen to Pandora, so it was convenient on weekends.

I've done the usual things, rebooted, double checked the network, even checked another old device that used to work and it too is now unable to connect. 

Has there been some sort of change in the Pandora network that has bricked old Pandora versions?

Not the end of the world, but if Pandora no longer will run on this old hardware, I guess that's more eWaste... sigh...

[LeonPandora]

@happygene Welcome to Community!

Could you share a bit more about how you're listening?

• Carrier:
• iOS version: (Settings > General > About > Version)
• Are you connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data when this is happening?
• Are you using a VPN? 

Feel free to let me know how it goes.

[happygene]

@LeonPandora  much of what you ask was in my post, but:
Carrier - NONE this is an old iPad - using wi-fi, connection is stable and tested fine

ios version  5.1.1 (yes it's an old iPad - it is no longer updateable, but has been stable and working faithfully for years.)

No VPN

The issue is reproducible on another old iPod that used to connect fine, but no longer does.

I'm suspecting that Pandora deactivated an old port or protocol last week. I am skeptical that anything changed on my end. Especially on 2x working devices that just suddenly quit. I've tried them on 2 different wifi networks that still work fine for other devices, so have serious doubts it's network related.

I'm an engineer and been programming and working with computers and networking for > 40 years, so not a typical user...

Mainly curious if anyone with working older devices has seen similar behavior on their devices in the last 2 weeks or so.

[LeonPandora]

@happygene Thanks for taking your time to report this issue.

I've gone ahead and passed your experience along to the appropriate parties for further investigation. We'll follow up with you if we need any additional details.

Thanks for your patience in the meantime!

[yoterryh]

Similar situation here. I've been using an iPod touch that sits in a speaker dock to listen to Pandora forever. Suddenly it no longer works when I tried it today, 7/16/25.

[LeonPandora]

@yoterryh Welcome to Community!

If you haven't already, please try our troubleshooting steps: iOS Troubleshooting

If you continue having troubles, could you share a bit more about how you're listening?

• Carrier:
• iOS version: (Settings > General > About > Version)
• Are you connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data when this is happening?
• Are you using a VPN? 

Feel free to let me know how it goes.

[yoterryh]

Similar to happygene above in this thread, but using an iPod Touch. Here's more detail:

1. Carrier: none, using home WIFI. Note the device connects to the Internet without issue.
2. iOS version: 5.1.1 (9B206)
3. Connected to WIFI
4. VPN: no VPN

The last time I connected to Pandora using this device it worked fine and nothing in my local environment has changed in the interim.

[happygene]

Hi @LeonPandora ,

I do hope that the "appropriate parties" can clearly identify what changed on their end and make a clear statement as to whether it was an error or a conscious decision.

My request as a paying user for MANY years is that they resolve this issue and allow me to continue to use my devices with older software. If they will not...just PLEASE say so clearly. 

[AdamPandora · Accepted solution]

@yoterryh The current version of Pandora for iOS requires iOS 15. 

If you are running a version older than iOS 15, you will need to update your iOS version.

Otherwise, I'm afraid you won't be able to download the current version of the Pandora app on that device. Previous versions of the Pandora app are not available for download. 

I hope this is helpful. Please let us know if you have any other questions.

[yoterryh]

This *not* helpful in the least! As I and others in this thread have mentioned, we are using older devices to listen to Pandora, in my case, an iPod Touch running iOS version: 5.1.1. The OS on this device can't be updated any more and until recently was working just fine to listen to Pandora. Why not continue to accommodate long time users, which previous Pandora updates have done? 

Whatever has changed on Pandora will leave myself and other listeners unable to listen to Pandora without purchasing new hardware. This is unfortunate and a distinct failure by Pandora to accommodate longstanding users such as myself. I've been listening to Pandora since at least 2008! While I can appreciate that technology evolves, I also understand the need for backwards compatibility, which apparently is unimportant to Pandora.