Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Backup iOS apps
- Thread starter rubennb
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Why? Because Apple took the ability to do so away. That's why. I've not used it, but iMazing is supposed to be able to backup and restore apps. It's been around for a while and seems to be held in high regard.
Download, Install & Back up your iOS Apps to Mac and PC | iMazing
Manage your apps your way, without iCloud or a complex iTunes sync. Install .IPA files from your Mac or PC computer to your iPhone and iPad. Download .IPA files from the App Store. Back up and transfer your apps' files, game progress or chat conversations.
This was removed a long time ago. All you can backup now is app data. Apple assumes everyone has access to internet and simply stores a list of installed apps at the time you backup.
With a restore, it just redownloads the apps and then moves the app data into the correct spot.
AFAIK, there is now third party app that will give you what you want. I don't think Apple allows that kind of access to the iOS system.
There’s always the catch when apps are removed and Subsequently restored app data can’t be used. I’ve encountered a couple times in The past. Fortunately no critical ones are affected. The only way to use the app data is by backing up the app at the time of the download, and install the app using old iTunes or iMazing and similar.
The problem is indeed old apps that can't be restored in a working state after a restore, even purchased ones, it’s somewhat unfortunate (unless of course it's because they woudn't be compatible any longer). Why remains a mystery.
However, iMazing seems like a good option for making future backups that are really complete. Thanks!
However, iMazing seems like a good option for making future backups that are really complete. Thanks!
‘I think it was partially done to “clean out” apps that are no longer on the App Store or approved. It also makes backup smaller but why would Apple care when you are backing up on iTunes?
Re: iMazing. It's no longer a great option to do this as they too pull from the App Store and not backup the actual app(s) from the device.
imazing.com
That link is from 2017, so oooold, so probably don't have copies of old apps on PC/Mac to manage via iMazing.
So need to do some initial planning if want to have apps available for restore: will need to do an initial app update within iMazing to get a copy of the version you have/want that you can use down the road. And if no longer in App Store, out of luck.
Manage and Download Apps (.ipa) without iTunes
That link is from 2017, so oooold, so probably don't have copies of old apps on PC/Mac to manage via iMazing.
So need to do some initial planning if want to have apps available for restore: will need to do an initial app update within iMazing to get a copy of the version you have/want that you can use down the road. And if no longer in App Store, out of luck.
Oh sad. Time to ramp up the frequency of launching iTunes 12.6.5.3 to backup apps as often as I can until Apple pulls the trigger on that one too sometime in the future.Re: iMazing. It's no longer a great option to do this as they too pull from the App Store and not backup the actual app(s) from the device.
Manage and Download Apps (.ipa) without iTunes
That link is from 2017, so oooold, so probably don't have copies of old apps on PC/Mac to manage via iMazing.
So need to do some initial planning if want to have apps available for restore: will need to do an initial app update within iMazing to get a copy of the version you have/want that you can use down the road. And if no longer in App Store, out of luck.
This is not the case. I was able to copy an app from an old iPhone to a new iPhone using iMazing that was no longer available in the App Store.Re: iMazing. It's no longer a great option to do this as they too pull from the App Store and not backup the actual app(s) from the device.
Manage and Download Apps (.ipa) without iTunes
That link is from 2017, so oooold, so probably don't have copies of old apps on PC/Mac to manage via iMazing.
So need to do some initial planning if want to have apps available for restore: will need to do an initial app update within iMazing to get a copy of the version you have/want that you can use down the road. And if no longer in App Store, out of luck.