i downloaded a few apps onto the phone and [after a lengthy back up], they're not showing up in itunes [apps folder or in the list of apps when iphone is connected]. they're also not in the itunes mobile folder in the home folder.
i "tested" re-downloading an app in itunes and it did say that i've already purchased it [so i didn't actually repurchase it]. but it's nowhere on my macbook -- just on the phone.
i've authorized computer, checked for purchases, and rebooted everything. ideas?
I hope this helps someone... i'm using a PC, but this should apply to MAC's as well.
Background: I was getting errors trying to update applications from the app store, cryptic message about needing to connect to itunes to download. Started troubleshooting and as others in the post indicate, found that the application list in iTunes and the iPhone were nowhere near the same, even after syncing purchased content. This left me unable to upgrade (or in some cases even run) applications. After hours of googling, head-scratching, un/re-installing them with varying (and oftentimes strange) results this is what I discovered.
In Vista, c:\users\YOURNAME\Music\iTunes\Mobile Applications is where the PC stores the actual files, I found several versions of every app out there with 1,2,3 behind the name. I'm sure there is a similar location for MAC. Not sure if this is a "feature" or "bug", but that seems to confuse iTunes. On the phone I had the same problem. To fix I did the following:
1) Disconnect phone from PC
2) Delete applications from application tab in iTunes
3) Delete all versions of the application file in the PC folder (#1 doesn't get rid of all the dups)
4) Uninstall the app on the iphone (hold the icon till it "wiggles") then reboot (Hold the power button, slide to powerdown, hold power button for a second to power back up). If the application returns after reboot (Without syncing), there is more than one version on the phone. Keep repeating till it's completely gone (mine took three times for some).
5) Reinstall the app via iTunes or the phone (I chose to use itunes to be safe)
6) Sync
YMMV, but this cleared up my problems without having to hard-reset. Hopefully Apple cleans this process up soon, its very annoying when a device is touted as a "download anywhere" device, yet I keep having to tether it to my PC to fix problems.
