How can I transfer purchases from my iPad to my iTunes library?

Question

Level 2

169 points

How can I transfer purchases from my iPad to my iTunes library?

I want to upgrade my iPad to iOS 4.2 but whenever I try I get an alert stating that, "There are purchased items on the iPad "XXXX" that have not been transferred to your iTunes library. You should transfer these items to your iTunes library before updating this iPad."

These items, I believe, are books. From the Books tab (in iTunes), I get an alert (when I check to sync books) that states, "Are you sure you want to sync books? All existing songs, movies and TV shows on the iPad "XXXX" will be removed."

My iTunes library doesn't presently have any of the purchased books in it. I can replace the songs, etc., from my iTunes library so no big deal if they're removed only from the iPad.

But will I lose the books from my iPad? How can I back them up before I sync to make sure I can recover them if something goes haywire??

Thanks in advance.

Quicksilver DP 1 GHz, 15 PowerBook, MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Nov 28, 2010 4:25 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Barbara Brundage

Level 7

22,066 points

Nov 28, 2010 4:27 PM in response to Will Mardis

When you connect your ipad next time, right-click (control-click) its name in the sidebar on the left and you should see "Transfer Purchases" as one of your options.

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Answer 2

Will Mardis Author

Level 2

169 points

Nov 29, 2010 3:39 PM in response to Barbara Brundage

Thanks, Barbara! That did the trick! My purchased items were transferred to my computer, and I was able to update my iOS without a problem.

Isn't the Apple Community outstanding!!??

Will

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Answer 3

Nov 29, 2010 4:23 PM in response to Will Mardis

You're welcome, Will. Glad it worked well for you.

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Answer 4

Nov 30, 2010 7:37 PM in response to Barbara Brundage

I had the same problem when I tried the upgrade last night. My purchases weren't transferring. I discovered the first problem - in iTunes, when I seleted my iPad in the left hand pane, then clicked the Books tab, "Sync Books" was unchecked. I then checked it, and it started to sync my books. But now it's doing a backup (Step 1 of 6 it says) and IT IS TAKING FOREVER. The status bar extended about 1/8" and hasn't moved in 15 minutes. Any idea why this is taking so long? I have probably 200K total in books data. This should take less than a minute normally.

Would appreciate any help.

Thanks.

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Answer 5

Nov 30, 2010 10:10 PM in response to coolvalentine

Did you already have iOS 4.2.1 on there? Is it possible that it's updating the OS at the same time? When I make a change in that tab, it happens almost instantaneously, without a full sync.

Also, it is possible that one of the books is giving it indigestion? No problems viewing any of the books on the ipad itself?

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Answer 6

Dec 2, 2010 6:11 PM in response to Barbara Brundage

I didn't already have iOS 4.2.1 on it yet. As it turned out, I gave up on it and installed the new iOS and wiped it clean. Then I synced up as if it were a new iPad. Some of my books weren't available for redownloading from the iBooks store anymore (which was odd - a couple just said "this item is no longer available) so I just dragged the purchases out of iTunes back onto the iPad).

It was a bit of futzing around, but everything's restored. And now it syncs up everything in a matter of minutes when I connect it to my Mac. Not sure what was causing the obstructed pipeline before, but everything is running smoothly now.

And no, I've had no problem viewing the books on the iPad either. Thanks for your feedback.

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Answer 7

Dec 6, 2010 5:02 AM in response to Barbara Brundage

I am having the same problem and I have tried all suggestions, but can't seem to be getting anywhere.

I have apps in my iPad that I am trying to transfer to my iTunes 10.1 on my new laptop. I have authorized this laptop and have tried 'Transfer purchases' using twi different means, right-click on device and transfer and from the File menu, but to no avail. When I try to upgrade the iPad it keeps saying 'You have purchased apps that have not been transferred ...bla bla bla'. I purchased the apps on a different computer but am positive that I used my iTunes account. Is this possible to see a history of all purchases on my iTunes account? or is there another solution..please help!!!!

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Answer 8

Dec 6, 2010 5:07 AM in response to venki_ramachandran@yahoo.com

I just checked on My account in iTunes -> Apple store and within the 'Purchase History' I can see the two apps that are currently in my iPad but are not transferring to my computer's iTunes. Still stuck

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Answer 9

Jsw6511

Level 1

0 points

Mar 18, 2011 3:39 AM in response to Barbara Brundage

Thanks, Barbara!

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Answer 10

Jan 18, 2012 8:32 AM in response to Will Mardis

Maybe it's just me, but wouldn't it be nice if Apple let customers know about control-clicking on the iPad icon to find the "transfer purchases" option?

Like maybe at the bottom of the message where it informs you there are untransfered purchases on your iPad?

It would seem that it would be kind of helpful since it is a message I've received many times before, as I'm sure others have, and had no clue as to what to do until today when I checked the discussions board.

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Answer 11

Mar 27, 2012 7:51 PM in response to Jsw6511

I ha ve the same problem i can not sync my purchases from iPad to iTunes so please help.

Thank you

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Answer 12

Mar 31, 2012 2:29 AM in response to Gloria 21

I have also followed the steps as recommended but it still doesn't work. The apps I buy on my ipad through the app store just won't transfer. It says my computer is not authorised but it definitley is and I have even tried deauthorising and re authorising it. I get the message saying it is authorised.

It all seemed to go wrong when I changed my email address which is also my Apple ID. however I have logged out on my ipad and changed the email on there to match my email on my mac mini. Still no luck. can't understand how I can be logged into the store on my mac mini and be able to see the details of my app purchases made on my ipad but not then be able to transfer them.

HELP!

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