I orginally synced and starting using my iphone4 with one laptop. Now I want to change and always sync and manage my iphone from a new laptop. Right now I want to update the iOS, but before I can do that, I need to get all my apps from the iphone to my new laptop itunes library. How? When I try to sync with new library which has no apps, I get a message that my iphone apps will be lost.
How can I move forward??
The best way is by transferring your entire iTunes library from the one laptop to the new laptop per the instructions included with this link along with all other important data that you will want or need to access on the new laptop.
This will prevent any iTunes content from being deleted from your iPhone with the first sync with iTunes on the new laptop. This is assuming all apps on your iPhone are in your iTunes library on the one laptop.
these apps are not found on a library anywhere. all downloaded directly to iphone. where do I find this file->transfer step?
most of my apps are free ones that I have configured to do what I want, so I would really like to keep that setup..
All iTunes content on your iPhone - all music, movies, tv shows, and 3rd party apps should be in your iTunes library on your computer for this and several other reasons. All apps on your iPhone would be in your iTunes library if Sync Apps had been selected under the Apps tab for your iPhone sync preferences with iTunes. With this selected, after downloading an app direct with your iPhone the app will be copied to your iTunes library automatically the first time you sync your iPhone with iTunes after doing so. This also provides for downloading an app with iTunes on your computer and installing the app on your iPhone via the iTunes sync process, and for removing an app from your iPhone without deleting the app by deselecting the app under the Apps tab followed by a sync. To reinstall the app again later, reselect the app under the Apps tab followed by a sync. This also provides for transferring your entire iTunes library from one computer to another per the link provided.
First you need to authorize your new laptop with your iTunes account with iTunes. With your iPhone connected and without syncing, at the iTunes menu bar go to File and select Transfer Purchases From - the name of your iPhone.
After confirming all 3rd party apps on your iPhone were transferred to your iTunes library, select Sync Apps under the Apps tab and make sure all apps below are selected. Select Apply.
