Updating apps using iTunes 12.6.5.3

Yep, I'll add my voice to the chorus. I've been using iTunes to handle syncing of apps, music, & podcasts to my iDevices, and to keep a local backup of each device. While I realize Apple's done away with that with the latest MacOS, I can't upgrade to that because of apps that are in my daily workflow, and even if I could I'd find it a regular annoyance - much easier to handle all my downloads from one place and sync to the iHerd than have to update each device individually.

As of right now, I have 60 updates for iOS apps that have failed to download for the last two weeks. This issue cropped up a year or more ago, and magically fixed itself; I'd definitely hope the same thing happens again, but I'm not holding my breath.

That's a great idea, thanks. Will probably get you banned from future posts, but it just might work. I currently have 40 apps that won't download, so tomorrow will get to it. Cut -paste and on to the next one....

Thanks.

Thanks you ArthurBA, this should help a lot. I did not realize getting a new app thru this version 12.6.5.3 was also broken, hadn't tried. Nor do I use this version in my Win 10 Itunes. Doubt Apple intends driving us to Win version, but it would be a possibility since it works OK.

Re Annabelles post above, have filed a report on the link posted, and am working my way thru the 40 or so apps that wont update- posting her suggested script. Hope that will help as well to get them moving on this.

BobW0904 wrote: So WHY Apple thinks we don't need this version to work is unclear to me.

Apple has decided to release macOS versions and apps on a schedule. This has resulted in the release of a lot of buggy, half-baked software with little thought to usability. End users are also responsible as they reflexively update software, whether warranted or not, just to get the latest shiny new trinket.

At one time Apple had great software, well thought out and indeed, "it just works". Those days are gone and now it's mass market driven; all about making a lot of money. As usual, whenever something becomes cool, it no longer is cool.

This is what I think too 😟

They don't care anymore just money money 🤑

Sad

I heard Bill Gates talking few days ago: I like him more than I did ..maybe because he's doing a great philanthropy job and is far from computers 😉

We need to hope that someone will come back to rescue the rotten apples as it happened in the past when Jobs rescued Apple from J.Sculley , sigh

Dreaming

One more annoying detail- all of a sudden, on all of my many playlists, the iCloud download column has reappeared,

even though none of the playlist previously had it displayed (I always disable that)- it’s like iTunes just ignores my settings, and does whatever it want to (or in the case of downloads, doesn’t want to).

Your consideration is sharper than ever!

Thanks

May I suggest to all new people and old too, having the same problem

Please , keep sending a feedback , more we send more chances we'll have to see it fixed

More they get, more they should act, at least before we all pass to Windows 😡

Yes, you are not the only one 😉

But since two years ago they fixed it and

alas recently broke it again..

I guess now is more complicated not having the whole force working at Apple because of the Covid 😟

I have been submitting feedback on the same issue I have with iTunes without app store and we needed to download the same app updates multiple times on multiple devices. But it seems Apple doesn't really care about that.

Thanks the Blues , so today after reading your post on encrypted backups, I have found a couple of support articles (see below for link if the page allows links) on iTunes back up, and it does not sound like any apps are backed up in either regular or encrypted. It actually says a lot of things are not backed up in either one, making me question the phrase "backup" for being really much at all.

Regarding the issue covered in the thread, I think using the latest iTunes software, with either backup type, to backup to iTunes just records the settings you have for each app, not the actual app data. So a rebuild or transfer to new phone still needs internet to load the bulky apps themselves. That is why iTunes 12.6.5.3 is wanted/needed for everyone wanting to keep it operational.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205220

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204136

Can you let us know where did you see that the apps on each device are backed up in an encrypted backup too?

I have used this method a couple of times when getting new phones and it has restored an exact copy of the previous phone including apps onto the new phone. As far as I’m aware, it uses the information in the backup, which includes the apps. I presume it’s the apps stored in iTunes. The only thing I had to manually reinstall was some films that I had manually put on. Hope that helps

Does any one else know if you can backup an iOS device to a Mac running iTunes 12.6.5.3 AND also back up same iOS device up to another PC running Windows 10 iTunes version 12.6.5.3 ?

I think there is some kind of reason you cannot actually backup same device to two different iTunes, but am not finding anything on Apple support for iTunes about it.

I understand from other posts that Win 10 iTunes 12.6.5.3 is working still to download and also backup iOS apps, so am thinking about using it instead of Mac version iTunes 12.6.5.3 for apps. But all music and other stuff now is in Mac version and don't want to lose that.

i don’t believe there’s any reason why not. You need to copy the iTunes media folder and the mobilesync/backup folder from the Mac to the pc and presumably make sure you have up to date encrypted backup on both devices

iTunes Package Contents changed on 19th March 2020 (right click iTunes>Show Package Contents.... and navigate the various folders to see content change dates)

Does anyone know what would happen if an earlier version of these Package Contents were to be restored - e.g. via Time Machine?

And would iTunes simply override the restored version again?

Thanks for thoughts/knowledge re.this

Thanks for thoughts regarding this

Without knowing a myriad of details about your system, it's impossible to answer your question. The iTunes.app package modification dates may vary depending upon macOS version, iTunes version and Apple maintenance updates that have been applied.

In general, unless you're a programmer who's intimately familiar with macOS and its various subsystems, modifying any executable is ill-advised.

If you want to experiment then do that in a virtual machine, with copies of your data files, so that there is no risk to your production machine.