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How to restore apps?

Hi,

Just got a new iPad2. Did a full backup of my old iPad, but after restoring from this backup, NONE of my apps are present. Old photos are there, music is there, mail is set up, but I don't see any apps at all.
Any idea why? I still have the old one in its original state here, anything I can do different to get my old apps to show up?

iPad2 64G/3G/Black, iOS 4

Posted on Mar 12, 2011 10:40 AM

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16 replies

Mar 12, 2011 10:47 AM in response to red555

I could, but then I'd lose all settings and files as far as I can see. I have a bunch of presentations and such in things like Keynote, Pages, Goodreader etc etc. Also don't want to lose my folders if at all possible.
I would've thought that a complete backup once restored would include all apps, files in apps, etc. As stated by Apple even.
Anything else that I could try?

Mar 12, 2011 11:17 AM in response to HoustonMike

Just called Apple support, they claim a backup wouldn't restore all apps. Odd as online documentation states something else. Also, the guy mentioned that syncing apps back from iTunes (meaning I have to select them by hand, and they don't show up in original folders anymore, just as loose apps) should retain the info contained in them, such as Keynote presentations. I'm skeptical, but he said to go ahead and he's calling back in 10 minutes. So far, all my new iPad is doing now is backup up yet again after I selected Keynote and hit sync. I have a hard time believing my presentations will be back after this. Hope it's be done before he calls back, so we can try something else....

Mar 12, 2011 4:33 PM in response to HoustonMike

You could Try rebooting your iPad, reboot your computer and then try restoring from the backup one more time. As you stated, restoring the new iPad from the last backup should transfer all of the apps and the data to the new device unless something radically changed in 4.3 and I can't believe that's the case.

Mar 31, 2011 5:14 AM in response to Madmethod

A backup only contains app data (and other things). The apps themselves are synced to the iPad from the iTunes library.. Thus, when you restore a new iPad (other other iDevice) from the backup of another device you have to have the iTunes set up to also sync the apps from the library, not just restore from backup. It sounds lie you two uses did either not have the the apps in the iTunes library or iTunes was not set up to sync them to the new iPad.

I had no problem when I restored my new iPod Touch from the backup of my iPad. Everything transferred except keychain items since those will only restore to the same device and iPad only apps.

Mar 31, 2011 12:26 PM in response to lllaass

OK - since I was in this thread I think I gave bad information and I want to make sure I have this correct now...

The restore will transfer your app data ... but you still have to sync the apps again after you restore. So for lack of a better way of putting this, restoring brings all of your "settings" to the new device, but not photos, apps, music and so on. Those are transfer back to the new device by syncing.

Is that correct?

Mar 31, 2011 1:50 PM in response to Demo

Yes, but I think the apps have to be in your iTunes library and the library configured to sync them when you do the restore from backup. It may be that if you first restore your iPad from backup w/o the apps n the library it may delete the data since there are no apps

Demo wrote:
OK - since I was in this thread I think I gave bad information and I want to make sure I have this correct now...

The restore will transfer your app data ... but you still have to sync the apps again after you restore. So for lack of a better way of putting this, restoring brings all of your "settings" to the new device, but not photos, apps, music and so on. Those are transfer back to the new device by syncing.

Is that correct?

How to restore apps?

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