woodmeister50

Q: Apps downloaded by iDevices no longer automatically downloaded in iTunes on Macs?

I have recently found out that iTunes no longer automatically downloads apps purchased

on iDevices to Macs.  I recently downloaded an app (K-Mart Pharmacy app to be exact)

to my iPhone 6S via my wireless connection.  After downloading app updates in iTunes

since they now longer sync from iDevices to iTunes on a Mac, I realized when reviewing all

apps that this app was not automatically downloaded to iTunes!!

 

When iDownloaded this app in iTunes on my iMac, it did end up getting downloaded to iTunes

on my MacMini Server.  The MacMini Server has iTunes open and logged in 24/7 as it is my

"Home Sharing" iTunes machine so it should be catching every thing downloaded, and used to.

 

This behavior seems to have happened with some recent update to either iTunes or iOS or both.

I know it was working properly with some flavor of iOS9 and iTunes 12.something when it was first

discovered that syncing updated apps from iDevices to iTunes on a Mac was deprecated.

 

Screen Shot 2016-05-11 at 3.38.47 PM.png

It does not say "only the Macs"!!!!  And yes, all devices and Macs are using the

same AppleID.

 

So, has this feature also been deprecated do to that wonderful app thinning?

 

iTunes version 12.3.3.17

iMac (27-inch, Late 2013), OS X El Capitan (10.11.4), Thunderbolt display

Posted on May 11, 2016 1:01 PM

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Q: Apps downloaded by iDevices no longer automatically downloaded in iTunes on Macs?

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  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos May 11, 2016 1:07 PM in response to woodmeister50
    Level 9 (54,210 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 11, 2016 1:07 PM in response to woodmeister50

    Short reply, yes it has been deprecated.

     

    New "App Thinning" with iOS9:  To make apps smaller they are being customized for specific hardware when downloaded from Apple directly over-the-air to a device with iOS9. Apps downloaded directly to a device from Apple may no longer work on any other kind of device. Apple has decided there is no point in syncing these to a computer since each device should ideally get a customized version directly from Apple. If you want a backup copy on your computer you can transfer a non-thinned version directly from the Store to the computer which should you need it can be transferred to any i-device (but will take up more room). You may wish to enable automatic downloads on your computer so there will be a copy of all apps there as sometimes apps are removed from the Store: Turn on Automatic Downloads -  https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202180#computer   Extra tips from sberman: Make sure "Apps" is checked.  Also make sure the Apple ID shown just below "Automatic Downloads" is the same one you're using on the iPhone. - https://discussions.apple.com/message/29896877#29896877

     

    Here's the technical description: https://developer.apple.com/library/watchos/documentation/IDEs/Conceptual/AppDis tributionGuide/AppThinning/AppThinning.html - iOS9 App Thinning > "Slicing is the process of creating and delivering variants of the app bundle for different target devices. A variant contains only the executable architecture and resources that are needed for the target device." ... "The App Store will create and deliver different variants based on the devices your app supports."

  • by woodmeister50,

    woodmeister50 woodmeister50 May 11, 2016 1:33 PM in response to Limnos
    Level 5 (5,574 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 11, 2016 1:33 PM in response to Limnos

    Limnos wrote:

     

    ......You may wish to enable automatic downloads on your computer so there will be a copy of all apps there as sometimes apps are removed from the Store: Turn on Automatic Downloads -  https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202180#computer  .....

    Look at the dialog box image that is posted.  This is the problem!  The new apps are not automatically downloaded

    from the iTunes store.

     

    The very first sentence of my post:

    "I have recently found out that iTunes no longer automatically downloads apps purchased

    on iDevices to Macs."

     

    As I stated in the text my post:

    After downloading app updates in iTunes since they now longer sync from iDevices to iTunes on a Mac, I realized when reviewing all

    apps that this app was not automatically downloaded to iTunes!!

     

    So, I am aware that the syncing function does not work from iDevice to Mac.  The issue is with

    iTunes automatic downloads of apps, new apps.

     

    Maybe I wasn't sufficiently clear, but this is with a new app, not an update.  And as shown in the dialog posted

    are the words "new purchases".