Restore from backup

[rgijzen]

When I restore my ipad from backup, will the ‘old’ version of an app (the one that was in the backup) be restored, or will automatically a newer / the latest version (if available) be restored?

 

[At Sea]

When I restore my ipad from backup, will the ‘old’ version of an app (the one that was in the backup) be restored, or will automatically a newer / the latest version (if available) be restored?

Whatever version of an app you backup is what ends up on your device when you restore

 

[Mike Boreham]

I thought one of the reasons that backups are small is that they contain pointers rather than the actual app. In a restore, the pointers are used to download the app from the store....which I think would give the latest version.

I think the above is probably true for restoring from an iCloud backup and may also be true for an iTunes backup.

One reason I say this is that after the last iTunes restore I did, I got a message that some apps were no longer available on the App Store, implying it tried to download them but couldn't.

If you still have the old app file I believe there are ways of restoring/installing it but I haven't done this.

 

[Arni99]

It restores the latest version of your apps. Otherwise you would see all your apps needing an update after the restore process has completed when you open the app store app and check for updates.
And that’s definitely NOT the case.
Done this more than 50 times...

 

[Paddle1]

It restores the latest version of your apps. Otherwise you would see all your apps needing an update after the restore process has completed when you open the app store app and check for updates.
And that’s definitely NOT the case.
Done this more than 50 times...

It restores whichever version was installed when you backed up. So as long as you have them (at least mostly) updated and don't wait long to restore you should be okay.

 

[Minorite]

Since Apple removed AppStore from iTunes it will always install latest version available on the AppStore after the restore. Works like this: App data is stored in the backup, .ipa not saved (since iOS 9) > Restore the backup, app data is restored to the device > iOS downloads all .ipa files from the AppStore, installs them and restores app data.

There's a way to restore exactly same versions of the app with iMazing if they are supported by current version of iOS, but you need downloaded .ipa files. And you can download them only while they are available on the AppStore... Not the best workaround but still. Check this guide if interested.

 

[Mlrollin91]

Whatever version of an app you backup is what ends up on your device when you restore

It restores whichever version was installed when you backed up. So as long as you have them (at least mostly) updated and don't wait long to restore you should be okay.

That is not true. It downloads the most recent version from the App Store. Apps are not stored in the backup, only the App Data. Before, to retain older version of apps, you must have kept the ipa in iTunes.