Updating apps using iTunes 12.6.5.3

I've got this problem too. Anyone tried using iMazing or Apple Configurator 2 instead?

I trked Apple Configurator 2 and it did update the app on the phone, but I can't see the download anywhere. I guess I was hoping that if it downloaded then I could copy it to iTunes for future use...

A quick google search later, I found it here:

~/Library/Group Containers/K36BKF7T3D.group.com.apple.configurator//Library/Caches/Assets/TemporaryItems/MobileApps/51A7935F-F02E-48B3-A807-86EE722C787C/1380676511/BBC Sounds 1.16.1.ipa

So I used a command like this to copy the file somewhere useful:

find ~/Library/Group\ Containers/K36BKF7T3D.group.com.apple.configurator/ -name "*.ipa" -exec cp {} /Volumes/QNAPRAID/itunes/ \;

From there I can drag it into iTunes.

It only seems to download apps that you actually have installed on the device. So if you have several devices and different apps installed on some to others, you need to perform the update on each.

Also I'd not used Apple Configurator 2 before so wasn't already signed in to my personal itunes account. There is no meaningful error if you are not signed in - it just doesn't let you update apps.

I don't see this as very useful long term, but as a short term fix it may be ok.

So I can also confirm you can use iMazing to download the apps using the 'library view'. At least this means you don't need to plug in each device. iMazing gives the apps different names to what iTunes/Apple Configurator 2 give them, but when you drag the newly download apps to iTunes it recognises them as the same. The app library for iMaxing can be found:

~/Library/Application Support/iMazing/Library/Apps

iMazing can actually sync the apps to your iphone/ipad too.

I purchased my copy of iMazing some time ago (about when Apple first said they were going to stop supporting apps), and I've been experimenting with it on and off. My personal verdict was that I preferred to keep using iTunes while it was working, but that I'd probably consider switching to iMazing when the updates for iTunes 12.6 finally stop. I find some parts of iMazing truly frustrating, but other things delightfully simple.

So between iMazing and my post yesterday about Apple Configurator 2 - there are two ways to keep this functionality alive for a while longer.

The iTunes 12.6.5.3 version will only work in Sierra and High Sierra, that is why your iTunes updated to 12.9.5.5 as you went to Mojave. And yes it does not support App downloads or updates into iTunes anymore.

However don't bother going back at this point, because the iTunes 12.6.5.3 version in Sierra/High Sierra has been broken since March 17th or so. Many of us have petitioned Apple support in various ways and on several threads here to bring it back online, but so far NADA.

March 18th was the debut of Music app to replace iTunes for the more recent versions of OS for Mac, the support agent I talked to said that is likely why iTunes 12.6.5.3 version is no longer working. I was also told backing up devices thru the Mac now will be done in Finder since iTunes has disappeared and Finder will NOT include copies of all of our iOS apps. So good luck rebuilding any old devices without long wait times to download your apps over the internet......

For now I am checking each of our iOS devices( we have 5 active phones and ipads) in the app store every couple days to be sure they have latest updates, apparently that is all we have going forward.

The Blues wrote:

I have had a search for solutions to the issue and have found the following links

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-12234

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201593

which describe how to manually manage content on your phone using iTunes (including installing old app). Not sure if it works though.

Use Apple Configurator 2 and you'll get the same app updating functionality as iTunes 12.6.5.3 once had. There are more steps involved with Apple Configurator 2 but it does work.

If you're running High Sierra and try to get Apple Configurator 2 for the first time, the App Store may refuse to download it, saying that a newer version of macOS is required. This can be resolved with the use of High Sierra in a VMware Fusion virtual machine.

Follow the steps here: https://www.chrisjmendez.com/2017/05/02/modify-systemversion-plist-within-macos-sierra/ to install Apple Configurator 2 in the virtual machine. Once added to your Apple ID via the VM, Apple Configurator 2 will be available for you to install elsewhere.

Yes I’m using AC too. Haven’t tried it today, but typically this is a sign-in error. Try ‘sign out’ then wait a long long time then ‘sign in’ and wait a long long time.

the sign in/out process seems very slow. It’s often 5 or 10 minutes after it ‘returns’ before the operation is complete on my system (high Sierra)

I'm a software developer, so I used the special portal Apple give to us to report bugs to also report this issue. I've also reported it using appspot open radar which is an 'open' equivalent that developers use.

The reference is: FB7648444, which you are free to use in your correspondence with Apple or other App Developers.

Full text of my report is below:

iTunes 12.6.5.3 on Mac cannot download new apps or update existing apps

Recent Similar Reports: None

Resolution: Open

Product :iTunes

Issue: Incorrect/Unexpected Behaviour

I've downloaded iTunes 12.6.5.3 for Mac and Windows from here:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208079

The Windows version DOES NOT exhibit this bug.

Since March 15th, the MacOS version cannot download or update iOS apps.   Prior to March 15th it worked OK.  MacOS High Sierra is the latest version of MacOS that this version of iTunes is supported on (as per the support note above it will not run on Mojave or Catalina).

Install new app fail

1. start iTunes

2. switch to app view

3. click on "App Store" tab.

4. purchase app/get free app (eg: TikTok)

5. window briefly flashes "downloading ..."

6. app is not downloaded

Update fail

1. start iTunes

2. switch to app view

3. click on updates tab

4. click on "Update All Apps" button

5. window briefly flashes "downloading ..."

6. no apps are updated

If the windows version works, and the mac version does not, then the implication is that Apple wants us to use the Windows version and retire our macs.  I suspect this was not Apple's intention.

Diagnostics attached:

system_profiler -xml  > ~/Documents/apple-itunes-feedback-system-profiler.spx

sudo sysdiagnose

cp /private/var/tmp/sysdiagnose*.tar.gz ~/Documents/

Have just upgraded my iMac to Mojave thinking that my iTunes was old, which is why it wouldn’t update the apps and this would give me an up to date version. I’ve now got iTunes 12.9.5.5 and Apple have completely scrapped the apps tab, which means that the only way to update apps is through your devices. This is a complete pain, as my husband, myself and kids share apps using different Apple IDs, which could previously be managed through iTunes on the Mac. 😖

Oh well... The usual answer. We've to use the latest iTunes or use the Music App. 12.6.5.3 is out of date.

Agree with Chineseguy38, no syncing to computer from any iTunes after version 12.6.5.3

All iTunes versions after 12.6.5.3 will not store anything on your Mac or Windows iTunes. All that exists is a record of what app, music, etc that you purchased or that family has purchased if you Family Share. The records are associated with your Apple ID, and you may download them again IF the version you want is still available for the system you want to download too.

Here is the current link explaining how to REDOWNLOAD anything you have purchased.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201272

If you go thru this thing in detail, you will see that all things need to be downloaded, as there is no more storage possible on your computer running iTunes. The only apps available will be the ones still supported, you cannot download an app you may have had that has been discontinued, so it is lost for good.

Also a rebuild or transfer to new phone with the latest iTunes will still need to download the bulky apps themselves. That is why iTunes 12.6.5.3 is wanted/needed for everyone wanting to keep it operational. Not to mention those of us with old devices and old apps that are NO LONGER available to download.

Just spent another couple hours on phone with different levels of iTunes and Mac support re 12.6.5.3 iTunes not updating or downloading iOS apps since March 18th. It seems the issue started around the time that iTunes moved to Music under Mac OS Catalina on March 19th, according to the last Senior tech I talked to. She can find no official statement that 12.6..5.3 is no longer supported however, just that the move to Music from iTunes happened at the same time. So there may still be hope.

She has filed a request to look into our "problem" with iTunes 12.6.5.3 with the iTunes/Music group. Will see what happens in next week or so, not holding my breath however!

As with all other techs, she suggests it would be best to update my Mac-mini to High Sierra and also iTunes 12.8 so I have the latest software my system can handle. For the 100th time I had to explain I don't WANT to update to High Sierra or iTunes 12.8 because I like what I have now. I just want them to fix 12.6.5.3 so it does what it used to.

Anyone else out there try calling in to Apple support lately?

Same issue.

For now, I find that since I have a Windows VM I use for development its easier to use iTunes in Windows (because it 'Just Works'). All the apps are local, iOS upgrades, backup and restore work just fine - just like in the old days. It's a helluva lot more efficient and convenient not to have to download redundantly on individual devices and do OTA upgrades.

I'm certain Apple thought it was a brilliant idea to strip the Apps out of iTunes on Mac.

Why?

Because: Apple.

To be clear, I don't think the problem is iTunes.

I suspect Apple may have finally removed the iTunes app repository. That makes sense considering Apple's plan. I think it was a terrible decision. They've really been full of odoriferous organic matter lately.

If you read this post and the thread you will see that they were able to isolate the problem to Apple Servers

and confirmation came from Apple too, with the promise -Not Maintained Yet!

that they were going to fix it

Alas no! I've been writing to Apple , leaving feedbacks but no one seems to care. 😟

One solution is to use Apple Configurator , just for one of your devices

Just follow these instructions from this thread

#363

Then you can sync all your other devices without the need to download it multiple times.

I feel your pain, all of you, I went all thru this yesterday with Tech support on the phone for 1.5 hours, and ended up finally getting a senior tech who actually wrote up what the problem is, instead of going thru the canned answer like you all have gotten so far.

Here is my case # Case: ****

tell them you are having the same problem as this case and maybe we can get them to fix it?

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