How to transfer apps from idevices

[brownujr]

Hi,

The latest version of iTunes no longer transfers apps from devices leaving the app store as the only option. I have 116 apps on my iPad and iTunes does not transfer these apps to my library.

When the app is pulled from the store is the app lost forever?

 

[BeSweeet]

Hi,

The latest version of iTunes no longer transfers apps from devices leaving the app store as the only option. I have 116 apps on my iPad and iTunes does not transfer these apps to my library.

When the app is pulled from the store is the app lost forever?

They should continue to be available for re-download from within the App Store app -> Updates -> Purchases.

I haven't plugged my iPhone into iTunes in a very long time, but is it true that the "sync apps" option is gone? I used to occasionally remove all the old IPAs and retransfer them from my iPhone to iTunes for storage purposes.

 

[Weaselboy]

Hi,

The latest version of iTunes no longer transfers apps from devices leaving the app store as the only option. I have 116 apps on my iPad and iTunes does not transfer these apps to my library.

When the app is pulled from the store is the app lost forever?

Yep... there used to be a "transfer apps" option in iTunes, but with the "app thinning" feature introduced with iOS9, that feature is gone.

 

[brownujr]

They should continue to be available for re-download from within the App Store app -> Updates -> Purchases.

I haven't plugged my iPhone into iTunes in a very long time, but is it true that the "sync apps" option is gone? I used to occasionally remove all the old IPAs and retransfer them from my iPhone to iTunes for storage purposes.

As long as the app remains in the store! Also, what's the point of backup since the store holds the key?

 

[BeSweeet]

Also, what's the point of backup since the store holds the key?

What do you mean?

 

[Shirasaki]

Hi,

The latest version of iTunes no longer transfers apps from devices leaving the app store as the only option. I have 116 apps on my iPad and iTunes does not transfer these apps to my library.

When the app is pulled from the store is the app lost forever?

If you don't have that app in your library or anywhere else, then yes, you are right. When that app is being pulled, then that app is lost forever.
Better need to download them explicitly when purchasing apps or turn on "automatically download apps" on every single device signed with your Apple ID, and hope you will have a chance.

 

[CTHarrryH]

when I look at iTunes under File, Devices there is a transfer purchases option - isn't that what you are looking for?

 

[Weaselboy]

when I look at iTunes under File, Devices there is a transfer purchases option - isn't that what you are looking for?

Like I mentioned, that no longer brings over apps since App Thinning in iOS9. It only brings over things like iBooks purchases.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201267

From this support doc:

It is confusing. They should rename that menu item transfer purchases or something, because it won't transfer apps since iOS9.

 

[BeSweeet]

Darn... You're right. It's a big shame. iTunes should be smart enough to come up with a slimmed IPA based on the device the apps are coming from.

 

[Shirasaki]

Darn... You're right. It's a big shame. iTunes should be smart enough to come up with a slimmed IPA based on the device the apps are coming from.

But what if you have multiple types of iOS devices?
No. I assume what iTunes store is still a full package of an app.

 

[BeSweeet]

But what if you have multiple types of iOS devices?
No. I assume what iTunes store is still a full package of an app.

It would hopefully download the remaining data it needs, or make multiple copies, which Apple would never end up doing because it wouldn't be like them.

 

[Shirasaki]

It would hopefully download the remaining data it needs, or make multiple copies, which Apple would never end up doing because it wouldn't be like them.

Pulling everything from cloud has its obvious drawback. What if cloud items are gone?

I hate such move. This means I cannot do just a local restore.

 

[brownujr]

It would hopefully download the remaining data it needs, or make multiple copies, which Apple would never end up doing because it wouldn't be like them.

I traded in my iPhone 5 for an iPhone 6 thinking iTunes had been extracting my apps. I have an iCloud backup I will attempt to restore on my iPhone 6 to get the apps no longer in the store.

Thanks for the helpful replies.

 

[Shirasaki]

I traded in my iPhone 5 for an iPhone 6 thinking iTunes had been extracting my apps. I have an iCloud backup I will attempt to restore on my iPhone 6 to get the apps no longer in the store.

Thanks for the helpful replies.

And do remember downloading all apps you have purchased no matter when.
Here I have 3 apps no longer available in App Store. All I have is the app IPA so.

 

[brownujr]

My iTunes is incomplete with respect to apps. For example I have over 100 apps on my iPad but iTunes is showing 2 dozen! Any restore depends on the app being in the store! Also restoring app data does not work for all apps.

Funny how these details are never mentioned,

 

[Shirasaki]

My iTunes is incomplete with respect to apps. For example I have over 100 apps on my iPad but iTunes is showing 2 dozen! Any restore depends on the app being in the store! Also restoring app data does not work for all apps.

Funny how these details are never mentioned,

You can consider those as dark secret of iTunes and App Store.
Data transfer from backup depends on developer. They can decide where to put their data. And backup only takes data stored at certain locations.
Nevertheless, do a local app library just in case some of your favourite apps are gone from store.

 

[brownujr]

You can consider those as dark secret of iTunes and App Store.
Data transfer from backup depends on developer. They can decide where to put their data. And backup only takes data stored at certain locations.
Nevertheless, do a local app library just in case some of your favourite apps are gone from store.

I agree about iTunes and the App Store. I have used automatic downloads from day one but the setting did not prevent me from losing purchased apps removed from the App Store.

 

[Shirasaki]

I agree about iTunes and the App Store. I have used automatic downloads from day one but the setting did not prevent me from losing purchased apps removed from the App Store.

It does, however, help you to keep the last version of this app. So that you can install it on your device and continue using it until an iOS update breaks it entirely, or you don't want to use it again.
I have four apps being pulled from App Store. The most recent one is that "System and Security Info". I still can use that app as long as it can be installed on device. But I cannot download it from App Store again.

 

[brownujr]

It does, however, help you to keep the last version of this app. So that you can install it on your device and continue using it until an iOS update breaks it entirely, or you don't want to use it again.
I have four apps being pulled from App Store. The most recent one is that "System and Security Info". I still can use that app as long as it can be installed on device. But I cannot download it from App Store again.

Backup and restore made difficult by Apple I wonder how Android handle app purchases, backup and restore.?

 

[Shirasaki]

Backup and restore made difficult by Apple I wonder how Android handle app purchases, backup and restore.?

Since Android is more open, I think users have more choices to backup and restore their apps. A possible way is to do a full phone backup, and then restore. Or they can extract app data as well as APK, then put app data back to where it came from after installing apps.
For Google Play Store, it handles user purchase pretty much similar to what Apple handle user purchase: give you a list of apps being purchased, free or paid, and then you can download those apps using this list.
BTW, these are what I know or I can imagine.

 

[brownujr]

Since Android is more open, I think users have more choices to backup and restore their apps. A possible way is to do a full phone backup, and then restore. Or they can extract app data as well as APK, then put app data back to where it came from after installing apps.
For Google Play Store, it handles user purchase pretty much similar to what Apple handle user purchase: give you a list of apps being purchased, free or paid, and then you can download those apps using this list.
BTW, these are what I know or I can imagine.

I have owned an iPhone 3g, 5 and now a 6. I have always liked the hardware with very few complaints but iOS has evolved very little since 2007. The heart of a mobile platform is the O/S and Apple's iOS 9 sandbox is something I no longer enjoy.

I need a new tablet and will give Android a tryout.