HT201267: Redownload or transfer your iTunes Store purchases from an iPhone, iPad, or iPod to a computer

Learn about Redownload or transfer your iTunes Store purchases from an iPhone, iPad, or iPod to a computer
mlankeit
Level 1 (8 points)
iTunes

Q: Transfer Purchases not working

I happen to notice today that there are nearly 200 apps I need to update in iTunes on my PC.  I've been sync'ing my iPhone (6S) with iTunes regularly, and I keep up with app updates on my phone, so this is quite a surprise.  I recognized some apps in iTunes that recently updated on the phone but which iTunes says need to be updated.  Then, I started checking more and found various apps on my phone do not exist in iTunes at all--some I remember were relatively recent purchases. 

 

Anyway, I go to iTunes and do the File > Devices > Transfer Purchases from "[device name]", and iTunes thinks about it for about 10 seconds and then then completes the sync without reporting any errors.  But, no apps nor app updates actually transferred--in previous versions I remember iTunes displaying the app as it is transferring it back to the PC.  I did a diagnostic test inside iTunes, and it did not report any errors.  I also tried to check for other discussions on this topic, but the only thing I found was people having problems restoring in-app purchases, which is different from my problem.

 

Any suggestions on how to fix this? 

 

I'm running the latest iOS on my phone (9.3.1) and the latest iTunes (12.3.3.17)

 

Thx.

iPhone 6s Plus, iOS 9.3.1

Posted on Apr 6, 2016 1:20 AM

by turingtest2,Apple recommended
turingtest2 turingtest2
Level 10 (84,964 points)
iTunes
A:

There is nothing to fix since iTunes is working as intended. A feature introduced with iOS 9 referred to as app thinning or app slicing allows each device to download only the code and resources needed by that device, resulting in smaller downloads and better use of storage on the device. As a consequence the device no longer holds the universal version of the app that could be installed on any device so transferring apps is no longer supported. You can however download past purchases from iTunes and/or enable automatic downloads of app purchases to make sure that iTunes always has the apps that you want on your device. A further change to the way restores are implemented means that all private app data is restored and apps that are not in the library are queued for download from the iTunes Store over Wi-Fi, in a similar fashion to the way restore from iCloud works. Not having the apps in your library isn't the drawback it once was, however you are still at risk of losing a favoured app if it is removed from the store and you don't have a local copy.

 

 

See Backup your iTunes for Windows library with SyncToy for a suggested backup strategy.

 

 

tt2

Posted on Apr 7, 2016 5:13 AM

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mlankeit

Q: Transfer Purchases not working

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  • Helpful answers

  • by turingtest2,Apple recommended

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Apr 7, 2016 5:13 AM in response to mlankeit
    Level 10 (84,964 points)
    iTunes
    Apr 7, 2016 5:13 AM in response to mlankeit

    There is nothing to fix since iTunes is working as intended. A feature introduced with iOS 9 referred to as app thinning or app slicing allows each device to download only the code and resources needed by that device, resulting in smaller downloads and better use of storage on the device. As a consequence the device no longer holds the universal version of the app that could be installed on any device so transferring apps is no longer supported. You can however download past purchases from iTunes and/or enable automatic downloads of app purchases to make sure that iTunes always has the apps that you want on your device. A further change to the way restores are implemented means that all private app data is restored and apps that are not in the library are queued for download from the iTunes Store over Wi-Fi, in a similar fashion to the way restore from iCloud works. Not having the apps in your library isn't the drawback it once was, however you are still at risk of losing a favoured app if it is removed from the store and you don't have a local copy.

     

     

    See Backup your iTunes for Windows library with SyncToy for a suggested backup strategy.

     

     

    tt2

  • by Varin57,

    Varin57 Varin57 Jun 13, 2016 3:38 PM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jun 13, 2016 3:38 PM in response to turingtest2

    Trying to sync my ipad pro itunes just tells me that the apps aren't in my library and it doesn't download them. I wont get into how ****** I am to begin with that they seem to be mostly deleted from the main mac that is set to download everything.They also won't download even trying the 'download' button from the purchased but not in my library page. Jobs I miss you.