Updating apps using iTunes 12.6.5.3

Yes, I fear the same, that they are abandoning support for iTunes 12.6.5.3 now.

At least I have the 200 or so old App files (.ipa) that when and if needed, I can put back onto my 5 iOS devices from iTunes. Then once I get the old ones on, they should all be updated over the internet to latest. That will work for a while, I hope.

One more thing can be done

Post a review for each app you cannot download because of broken iTunes

😶Impossible to download, because of iTunes glitch that Apple is not fixing

Dear developer, it's impossible for us to download your app or buy new ones from iTunes Enterprise MAC that is used both by businesses , schools and individuals who can't afford to download the same app several times for each device.

Please let Apple know about this issue. For the time being till the issue is going to be resolved, we will not be able to update your apps. Thanks for your support!

If it is a TLS issue, then another workaround would be to use a local proxy to upgrade the connection to TLS1.2 - if anyone wants to try it out there is a thread over on stackoverflow titled "Can I use Squid to upgrade client TLS connections?" (it's not possible to post links here I think, but a quick google search will find it).

The previous worarounds I posted using A.Configurator 2 are working for me, so I'm going to stick to that.

But if anyone does test out a client proxy and it works, please do add to the thread.

I can understand Apple wanting to kill iTunes 12.6.5.3 access to apps and updates, after all they took it out of all versions thereafter. I've come to think that Apple would simply be more direct and tell everyone what's happening instead of wasting our time troubleshooting and that of their their own tech support, all of whom seem baffled. I mean they own the SW abd can do what they want, why be so overt about it? It doesn't make sense or create good will.

When later OS's wouldn't load the newer OS's like Sierra and up on older equipment they told us so beforehand (even though it can run on older equipment) , but since they are in the business of selling hardware, I see why they did it. This situation with iTunes seems to be different, with it being more of a glitch with their servers rather than being intentional. From what I've read on a couple other posts, they are aware of it and will get it fixed once we are beyond this pandemic which is throwing everything off and behind schedule. Hang tight and update using your phone or iPad overnight. I recant my rant when I look at it from a more logical perspective.

I wish Apple would have given some sort of indication of this before going ahead. I have some old apps, which may no longer be available in the App Store. 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. I have found a link to reinstall 12.6.5 iTunes if you have installed the newer version, but it doesn’t work on Mojave or higher, so no good for me https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT208079

I'm using Apple configurator, because iTunes enterprise 12.6.5 is not downloading anything lately- since March 18th.

Today no way to be able to connect to Apple Servers

At launch of Apple configurator I get the error

The server gave an error during download: 401 Unauthorized.

But I'm not downloading anything yet!!!

Is anyone else having the same issue?

Is it because I'm using Apple software on Apple hardware?! 😡

I did not have any iTunes previously installed on the Windows 10 machine before installing the special version found here - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208079

I would suggest uninstalling any existing Windows iTunes before installing 12.6.5.3 (although Apple's info suggests this is not necessary, but who knows?)

I have the same Issue - the latest Updated Apps were Google Earth / OpenTable / SpeedTest by OOKLA / Amazon / Skype 8.58.93 on March 18th 2020, since then the middle Window of iTunes shows that it downloads App - but the Little Download Icon on the Top Right of iTunes is not appearing to show those Apps actually downloading. Nor does my Trash Bin fill with outdated Apps.

Maybe we have a semantics issue here. Here is my problem, see if it is the same as yours.

The Mac mini stores backup of the apps I use on 5 different iOS device that I support; I do this so I do not have to download for hour upon hour over the internet when I get a new device and need to fill it up with our Apps.

To do the updating of these stored apps, iTunes version 12.6.5.3 normally checks the stored app .ipa files in my Mac against the current updates being pushed out to iOS devices by Apple. If there is an update available, iTunes version 12.6.5.3 will indicate this in the part of the program called "updates" by showing the icon for any revised app. Currently there are about 40 of these waiting under "Updates" section.

Normally I can click on Update Apps button at bottom of the scree and all those updates are then downloaded, the .ipa file in storage is deleted and the new version .ipa replaced in storage on my Mac. The problem is that what was working to do the replacement and update of each .ipa is broken somehow and the .ipa is not downloading.

That is what I reported to the senior tech in detail. If it is not the problem you are having, sorry for that.

There is another thread on this where someone video'd the process that is not working and made you Tube video of it that shows what is happening on the screen during the failed update. Sorry, have lost that link but it was definitely the same problem I have.

The issue is that apps cannot be updated with iTunes version 12.6.5.3.or version 12.6.2.20. That means no one can use massive amounts of Data to update APPS that they may or may not have installed on their iOS devices. Maybe Apple needs this savings

to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic ! Just a thought.

Same problem here - iTunes 12.6.5.3 cannot update apps, since the 18th. Someone on Twitter said there is an error in the log:

default07:39:09.254909 -0700iTunesTCP Conn 0x60800019b2b0 SSL Handshake DONE
default07:39:10.934487 -0700iTunesTCP Conn 0x60800019b2b0 canceled

To see the update you downloaded via Apple Configurator (mine sees only some updates not all, sigh)

you need to be sure you have the "app".ipa somewhere safe on your computer, best would be in iTunes library

because as soon you reopen A.Config all apps downloaded will disappear -it's a temporary location

then move the one you still need to update where you wish: delete it if you are sure of the new update or backup it somewhere safe, but not on the same disk because iTunes is stupid enough not to update but it can find the app anywhere in the same disk.

Then you will option click the update in iTunes and not finding the app you moved you'll be asked to Locate it

Go to the updated one and you will be done for today

I had to do the task several times 😟

Apple fix it!!

There are many threads about the issue even on Reddit and MacRumors, beside here

So far we seem to be getting no attention from Apple, any one else hear or see any progress? I am up to 40+ apps updates waiting to download in my iTunes 12.6.5.3

FYI, I just set up a new iPhone SE for my wife, and used iTunes to set it up. I saved a backup of her current 5s, then restored the new iPhone SE using that backup. I had to first start the SE as new, then update it to 13.4. Once SE was up to date, I then could restore it from last 5S backup. It restored properly, and after that iTunes installed all her current apps from memory in my Mac, which took about 15 minutes.

I then switched sim card to SE for phone connection, went smoothly, no issues. Once done, the SE then began downloading the updates that had not been done, that took about another 15 minutes.

So i estimate using the 12.6.5.3 version of iTunes saved about 5 hours or so of app download time, not to mention the data saved. So WHY Apple thinks we don't need this version to work is unclear to me. It is safer, quicker, easier to use than downloading everything from cloud as far as I can see.