Syncing Apps between iPhone/iPad/iTunes annoyance

[parish]

I've got a number of iPhone apps that are useful - necessary even - on my 3GS, e.g. the Amazon.com app. After installing it the next time I sync with my MBP the app gets copied to iTunes but when I then sync my iPad, iTunes installs the app on the iPad, which I don't want it to do as the app is not needed because I use the normal Amazon website in Safari on the iPad.

If I delete the app from the iPad, it gets re-installed next time I sync.

How do I stop this? It seems that iTunes syncs any app that is compatible with the device being sync'd.

When I look at Apps in iTunes they are grouped by the device(s) they are compatible with, not the device they were (originally) installed - i.e. downloaded - on.

Is there any way to configure iTunes to not do this and maintain the apps on a per device basis?

 

[eerokk]

After you connect your iPad, go to the tab where you can arrange your apps on each iPad screen. At the bottom of the list of all available apps on the left side, there is a check box that says Automatically sync new apps. Make sure this is not checked.

Then go through and make sure that the apps you do not want do not have check boxes in the list.

Hopefully this helps.

 

[parish]

After you connect your iPad, go to the tab where you can arrange your apps on each iPad screen. At the bottom of the list of all available apps on the left side, there is a check box that says Automatically sync new apps. Make sure this is not checked.

Then go through and make sure that the apps you do not want do not have check boxes in the list.

Hopefully this helps.

Ah-ha! Thank you

I never use that tab, I prefer to re-arrange my apps on the device itself based on real-time usage, e.g. if I find I'm regularly swiping to the 3rd screen for an app I move it to the Home screen.

 

[eerokk]

With about five pages of apps sorted by category, I have found that it is easier for me to rearrange in iTunes. I can't wait for folders to come to the iPad. I wasn't sure about them, but now that I have them on my iPhone I am really liking them. I think I may be able to get down to only 2 pages on the iPad once they release iOS 4.2.