Xanos

Q: Unable to transfer apps back from iPhone to iTunes

Running iTunes 12.2, iPhone 6 syncs fine except it won't transfer any apps back to iTunes (iMac). It worked fine until a month ago or so. Any idea on how to fix this?

iPhone 6, iOS 8

Posted on Sep 12, 2015 5:35 PM

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Q: Unable to transfer apps back from iPhone to iTunes

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  • by jason269,

    jason269 jason269 Sep 14, 2015 7:00 AM in response to Xanos
    Community Specialists
    Sep 14, 2015 7:00 AM in response to Xanos

    Hello, Xanos.  

     

    Thank you for visiting Apple Support Communities.  

     

    I understand that you are unable to transfer purchased Apps to your iMac.  I would need more information on what behavior you are experiencing or any errors received to provide a better answer.  However, try transferring all of your purchases via the steps in the article below.  

     

    Redownload or transfer your iTunes Store purchases from an iPhone, iPad or iPod to a computer

     

    Regards

  • by Xanos ,

    Xanos Xanos Sep 14, 2015 3:44 PM in response to jason269
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 14, 2015 3:44 PM in response to jason269

    Thanks for taking the time to reply. I've been using the same method to transfer purchases and it doesn't work. It used to work fine in the past but not anymore. My iPad is doing the same too.

  • by Xanos ,

    Xanos Xanos Sep 14, 2015 4:04 PM in response to jason269
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 14, 2015 4:04 PM in response to jason269

    I also erased the phone (erased content and settings) and set it up as a new phone, downloaded an app on the phone and wasn't able to transfer it back to my iMac/iTunes. I'm suspecting that there is something wrong with iTunes. What I can do next (not sure that I want to) is wipe the iPhone again, set up a new user account on my iMac and then sync and see what happens.

  • by Xanos ,

    Xanos Xanos Sep 14, 2015 5:42 PM in response to jason269
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 14, 2015 5:42 PM in response to jason269

    None of that worked, clean iPhone and clean user account on my iMac. I wonder if apple removed the functionality for copying back purchased apps, it only works for music. Either way I give up.

  • by SteveBox,

    SteveBox SteveBox Sep 14, 2015 6:30 PM in response to Xanos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 14, 2015 6:30 PM in response to Xanos

    I have this problem too. Since downloading 12.2.2, I can no longer transfer apps from phone to iTunes. File/Devices/Transfer Purchases from "*'s" iPhone transfers music, but not apps.

  • by Xanos ,

    Xanos Xanos Sep 14, 2015 7:13 PM in response to SteveBox
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 14, 2015 7:13 PM in response to SteveBox

    Thanks for confirming the issue, this could be a bug or Apple decided not support this feature anymore.

  • by IvanCarlos,

    IvanCarlos IvanCarlos Sep 16, 2015 11:59 PM in response to Xanos
    Level 1 (21 points)
    iPad
    Sep 16, 2015 11:59 PM in response to Xanos

    Same problem, iTunes is unable to get apps from iOS 9 since beta.

  • by ddregs,

    ddregs ddregs Sep 17, 2015 1:00 AM in response to Xanos
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Apple TV
    Sep 17, 2015 1:00 AM in response to Xanos

    Same problem here.

    Tried all suggested methods, with no success.

    Since installing iOS 9 yesterday night, iTunes 12.3.0.44 is unable to get updates downloaded on my iPhone and iPad back to the iTunes Library.

    Since it worked right until yesterday afternoon, either iOS 9 or iTunes 12.3 is the culprit.

  • by knweiss,

    knweiss knweiss Sep 17, 2015 1:16 AM in response to ddregs
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 17, 2015 1:16 AM in response to ddregs

    Same problem here. (The app sync problem started yesterday after upgrading to iTunes 12.3.0.44 (OS X 10.10.5) and iOS 9 on my iPhone 6 yesterday.)

  • by almuthanam,

    almuthanam almuthanam Sep 17, 2015 2:58 AM in response to knweiss
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Sep 17, 2015 2:58 AM in response to knweiss

    same problem here

  • by BenRector,

    BenRector BenRector Sep 17, 2015 4:55 AM in response to Xanos
    Level 3 (569 points)
    Sep 17, 2015 4:55 AM in response to Xanos

    I'm also having the same issue since upgrading to iTunes 12.3.0.44 & running iOS 9 on my iPhone 5s. Have tried signing out of my App Store account on my iPhone as well as a hard reset.

     

     

    Ben

  • by nishanthrao,

    nishanthrao nishanthrao Sep 17, 2015 5:08 AM in response to Xanos
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Sep 17, 2015 5:08 AM in response to Xanos

    Same here with my iPhone 4s, iPad Air2 on iOS 9 and with latest iTunes 12.3.0.44. I think Apple has removed this functionality. I faced the same problem when testing with iOS public beta 3 and reported it on feedback. If they have removed it knowingly then it is a step backwards as whenever you reset the devices one will have to download the latest apps again as the PC will have outdated versions unless the use updates the apps there too with iTunes. I hope they fix it or let the users know of any settings which one has to turn on for enabling the transfer of app updates from the devices.

     

    Updated a bunch of apps in the last two days on both my devices totalling 3GB but am not able to transfer the updates to my MBP, if I have to reset the devices I will have a huge update list to get up to speed, which is silly and a step backwards. Apple fix this or let us know of the fixing it on our side.

  • by MadTogger,

    MadTogger MadTogger Sep 17, 2015 5:41 AM in response to Xanos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 17, 2015 5:41 AM in response to Xanos

    Yep, I have just tried to sync via iTunes after the 12.3 update & after updating my 6+ to iOS9.

     

    No go, choosing the Transfer Purchases option in iTunes tries for a split second to do something and then stops.

     

    I have loads of apps in iTunes that are showing they need an update but I have already done them via the app store on my phone and do not wish to waste more bandwith redownloading them on my PC when Transfer Purchases is supposed to take care of this.

     

    Why do Apple seem to release unfinished/untested software constantly.

     

    One thing I was looking forward to in iOS9 was the News app & it's not there after I upgraded, apparently it's not yet available to the UK audience, Doh!! Did it mention this anywhere is a press release prior to iOS9 going live, not a chance.

     

    Come on Apple

     

     

    UPDATE:

    I just connected my iPad Air to iTunes 12.3 and it is transferring purchases perfectly, exactly as before. However my iPad Air has not been updated to iOS9 yet, so my conclusion is that the Transfer Purchases issue is a glitch in iOS9. What do you know, more unfinised/untested software. Expect a raft of minor iOS bug fix updates very soon.

  • by S Ks,

    S Ks S Ks Sep 17, 2015 1:59 PM in response to MadTogger
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 17, 2015 1:59 PM in response to MadTogger

    I have this problem too. I upgraded to iOS 9 and when I backup my phone, items I upgraded or bought can't transfer to itunes library. Hope apple might fix this ASAP.

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