Many years ago, Apple removed all apps for the 1st gen iPod touch from the app store, with no warning. I found out about this when I did a factory reset (ironically, this was to un-jailbreak my iPod touch, since the jailbreak slowed it down a little and I wasn't using any of its features). Imagine my surprise and frustration when all the apps I was using moments before - Spotify, Fruit Ninja, Opera Mini (the only browser that was acceptably fast on that device) - were suddenly gone with no recourse.. except to upgrade. Which I did -- away from an ecosystem where a company has that kind of control over me.

>How to download old versions of apps from the App Store

https://appleinsider.com/articles/18/02/08/how-to-download-o...

Not available in 2011.

It was available starting in 2010.

It was also possible to backup and restore apps individually through iTunes.

Perhaps I have the date wrong, then?

I do remember the individual app backup+restore, which I would have done if I'd known that I was going to need it. But I didn't have any data I cared about (just my music, which was already in iTunes), so I figured I'd just reinstall the apps. I remember re-jailbreaking my iPod afterwards and trying to find an old version of Spotify to install online, but being unable to find a trustworthy source.

Try that with an iPhone 6. Apple's position on right to repair and planned obsolescence is well known:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batterygate