According to the current documentation for victron-connect, section 4.4 explicitly states that it is compatible with IOS16 and IP8.
The App Store requires at least IOS17!
How can I get a version that’s compatible with IOS16? The dealer “Verkauf-Bochum” doesn’t consider themselves bound by the manufacturer’s statements and hasn’t been very helpful. As a result, I can’t use my 150/35 Smart. How can I use the device with an IP8, as promised?
This is probably out of date documentation. As versions, and ios, get updated, old ones will fall off the list.
When these are picked up they will be corrected.
I will ask the team to clarify and correct any old documentation.
That means the docs will be updated, and iOS 17 will be mentioned there too.
With Apple, you tend to assume there are fewer users with older-generation devices 
It’s not about the number of users, new capabilities don’t get backported to old versions, so if you build apps to support these features then it can’t run on old devices. Typically support is for the present and last 2 or 3 versions. IOS 16 is now 5 generations behind and a lot has changed since then.
Same issue with old desktop operating systems and browsers.
I will try get an official clarification.
The documentation dates from 2026. Updating it is certainly necessary, but it doesn’t help me. At the time of purchase, 9/26, iOS 16 was a stated feature. So I expect you to offer me a practical solution, for example a link to a previous version of the software that’s compatible with IP8! As far as I’m concerned, the problem won’t be solved until I can use the device with IP8. Not everyone can afford to buy the latest mobile phone every few years. I did my research beforehand and relied on the information published by the manufacturer up to now.
If things turn out as I suspect, you should save the documentation and, if necessary, use it as grounds for withdrawing from the contract.
In any case, requiring a manufacturer to develop for OS versions that may have security vulnerabilities is unenforceable too. The manufacturer would then be knowingly breaking the law.
Manuals are not binding documents, they do from time to time have errors, they are also point in time documents. Apple does not allow the ability to choose an older version, unlike desktops where you can download older app packages from Victron itself, Android as well iirc.
As a community nothing we can do about it or what Apple does with its app store options, apart from clarify if it is an error and correct it.
No dev chooses when products get sunsetted, it is a global challenge.
I want a working solution! If the “brand” manufacturer provides incorrect information, they should also offer solutions to fix it. (Alternatively, they can provide me with a phone that supports at least iOS 17 at no cost ;-))
If the application won’t load on a device, it isn’t because someone arbitrarily chose to exclude the version from the list, it is because it won’t run on the device.
Yes, documents should be correct, but no document since the dawn of time has been that accurate. We always appreciate reports of errors and omissions and remedy them. Maintaining a mountain of documentation will mean things get overlooked occasionally.
Victron connect runs on many devices and operating systems there must be an alternative one you can use, there is no ability to make an older version available in the Apple ecosystem. If that is the flexibility you need then Android is a better choice, otherwise all us apple users have to follow their rules.
Sorry, not much more we can do beyond ask for any incorrect documentation to be fixed.
I never claimed it was intentional. In conclusion, I have to say that Victron apparently takes no responsibility for providing false information and offers no solution to the problem. Looks like this will be my last Victron device! If they do offer me a practical solution after all, I’ll let you know here. **No solution, No recommendation to buy!
That’s quite a claim.
In the case described, the legal obligation would be adequately met by the retailer accepting a return.
A new iPhone would probably be asking a bit much. You knowingly accept these incompatibilities by using a device that is no longer officially supported. The May `26 security patch will probably be the last one.
There is also a world of difference between false information and incorrect information through error.
I can appreciate the frustration though, you do your research so you have done the responsible thing and unfortunately the source material lets you down.
That said, the first thing I would have done if this was a showstopper and a concern when owning an ageing device, is install the app before spending any money or making commitments.
It is available and free, after all.
Wrong or faulty, the result is non-functional. I trusted the information provided by the “brand” manufacturer, so I saw no need to download the app long before making the purchase.
The tip about the phone ended with ;-)) and was meant that way.
I don’t understand why no responsibility is being taken for an obvious fault and no solution is being offered. Surely there are still many devices running the old version. Why can’t it somehow be made available to me for this “one-off case”? I could also live with a display, but I’m not willing to pay again for functionality I’ve already purchased!
Tell you what, mail Apple support and ask, then report back here. See who responds to you first.
Unfortunately, with Apple, it’s not so easy to simply make an older version available or install it.
You’d probably have to jailbreak your iPhone to do that.
For older Android devices, Victron offers the APK for download, so you can install apps without going through the Play Store.
So the solution to the problem will probably be to simply update the instructions.
Apple Support does not have a German email address and is not responsible for inaccurate Victron documentation either. Changing the documentation after the fact does not solve the problem. Victron is my contractual partner here, as the dealer considers itself not responsible for the manufacturer’s documentation. I therefore still expect Victron to provide a solution that will enable me to operate the device I purchased!!!
Your contract partner is Verkauf-Bochum. You can get toilet paper there too. So much for specialist retailers—or up-to-date documentation.
I can’t install a Victron app on Windows 3.11 either. Funny, it’s probably very outdated.
Either jailbreak that antiquated iPhone, or choose a phone that at least gets current security patches. It doesn’t have to be the newest one…
You don’t have a contract with either Apple or Victron.
You bought the device from Verkauf Bochum, not from Victron.
Victron could probably provide you with the file for installation, but you won’t be able to install it without jailbreaking your iPhone, because Apple doesn’t allow that sort of thing.
Of course, that’s frustrating, but unfortunately the options are very limited.
Let’s wait until Monday and see what Victron says.
However, I strongly suspect they’ll only make an adjustment to the instructions.
I don’t think Victron will change VC to make it work on your iPhone again; there must have been reasons for dropping support for this version in favour of further development.
Excerpt from the retailer’s reply: “…this documentation comes from the manufacturer…Unfortunately, we can’t do anything if it isn’t compatible with end devices…” The device documentation states that it can be operated via VictronConnect. The VictronConnect documentation explicitly mentions compatibility with IP8 and IOS16.
I believe both parties have a responsibility to offer a functional solution here.
(e.g. software access via IP8 or ControlDisplay or similar.) Returning it is not a viable solution, as the extensive installation has already been carried out specifically for this device.
(There are, among other things, space constraints.)
Since the fault isn’t mine, I expect (and surely not unreasonably) support from the retailer and the manufacturer. An official response from Victron is still pending.
I hadn’t expected it to be so difficult to get the IP8-compatible app version mentioned in the documentation, so I also hoped for practical tips from the forum.
As has been said several times, Apple is the problem here, because its closed system only allows apps to be installed via the App Store.
So even if Victron were to provide you with the “raw file”, as has also been said several times, you couldn’t install it without jailbreaking your iPhone. It simply isn’t possible!
On Android devices, installing apps directly from an APK file is generally no problem, which is why Victron still offers older versions there.
Unfortunately, we haven’t heard back from the developers yet (are they on holiday?), but I’m sure we will.
Ultimately, though, as has also been said several times, this probably won’t result in a solution that you’re happy with.