Deleted Apps keep re-installing

Question

Level 1

14 points

Deleted Apps keep re-installing

I keep deleting apps on my phone, but they keep reinstalling when I sync it up to the computer. This just started happening recently... either after the iOS 4.3 upgrade, or the 10.2.1 iTunes update. Or maybe just coincidence? Anyway, how can I stop these apps from reinstalling?

Thanks

iPhone 4, iOS 4, Windows 7

Posted on Mar 15, 2011 7:05 AM

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Answer 1

radellaf

Level 1

14 points

May 10, 2017 9:31 PM in response to geforcer

Still a problem six years later.

Solution: I deleted all the apps from iTunes (select all and Cmd-Delete) and checked to make sure the Mobile Applications in Music/iTunes is empty. You can only delete them from the iTunes library, not from the iPhone device view in iTunes.

So no apps on the computer, and no complaints about missing apps, nor are any apps on the phone deleted when I sync.

"Transfer all purchases from this iPhone" does nothing.

I suspect the problem will reappear if I download any new apps and might have to delete them from iTunes.

Not sure why iTunes keeps a copy of the apps anyway. In case one like Flappy Bird is deleted from the app store? On the rare event that I restore a phone from backup, I can cope with it having to re-download all the apps.

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Answer 2

Jul 15, 2017 7:00 PM in response to radellaf

I found a multi-part solution that works for me after trying many others. It is not straightforward, since the solution requires both iTunes and iPhone manipulation. It was a 10 minute fix for me but well worth the invested time: How to Prevent iOS Apps from Reinstalling When You Sync With iTunes

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Answer 3

sn4p2k

Level 4

1,228 points

Mar 15, 2011 7:06 AM in response to geforcer

Well this isn't supposed to happen. What I would try is when plugged into the computer uncheck the applications you don't want in the apps tab.

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Answer 4

Mar 15, 2011 7:08 AM in response to geforcer

In your sync options in iTunes you need to unselect those apps from the list. Seems your iPhone settings and your iTunes are not connecting the way the normally should.

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Answer 5

geforcer Author

Level 1

14 points

Mar 15, 2011 1:07 PM in response to geforcer

Thanks, I'll try the suggested when I get home and post back.

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Answer 6

geforcer Author

Level 1

14 points

Mar 17, 2011 6:46 AM in response to geforcer

I tried deselecting them in iTunes, but the very next time I sync, they get installed again. Any other ideas?

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Answer 7

Mar 17, 2011 6:49 AM in response to geforcer

I don't know which folder Windows stores those app files in, but if you can find them, just move them to another folder. On a Mac, they would be in ~/Music/iTunes/Mobile Applications/.

Not sure why it is behaving that way, as it shouldn't.

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Answer 8

wjosten

Level 10

95,321 points

Mar 17, 2011 6:55 AM in response to geforcer

With your phone connected, iTunes running, click on the apps tab, scroll down, do you have a check in the box labeled "Automatically install New Apps"? If so, remove the check.

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Answer 9

geforcer Author

Level 1

14 points

Mar 17, 2011 6:59 AM in response to wjosten

I'll give this a try when i get home, thanks.

It seems like it may be reinstalling those apps purchased on/after 3/10. I deleted an app purchased in February yesterday, and it didn't add it back. But when I delete apps purchased on March 10th, or newer, it adds them back during the next sync.

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Answer 10

geforcer Author

Level 1

14 points

Mar 18, 2011 7:29 AM in response to wjosten

Thanks wjosten, unchecking the suggested box resolved the problem. Any idea why it started doing that? If I check the option back on, will it do it again? I may give that a try this weekend and test it out 🙂

Thanks again

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Answer 11

UltraJoe

Level 1

0 points

Aug 11, 2011 6:46 PM in response to geforcer

I am having the same issue. I tried unchecking the 'Automatically sync new apps' box, but the problem still occurs. This is very frustrating.

However I have the iOS5 beta, so I can't really complain right now. I hope the issue doesn't persist after the official launch.

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Answer 12

paulcb

Level 6

19,239 points

Aug 11, 2011 8:05 PM in response to UltraJoe

It's not an 'issue'... you also need to select the Apps tab and uncheck those apps you don't want on your iPhone.

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Answer 13

UltraJoe

Level 1

0 points

Aug 11, 2011 8:35 PM in response to paulcb

No, this IS an "issue". Here's why:

What's the point of letting me delete an app from my iPhone if this change is not persisted when I next sync? Can you suggest a reason why Apple added a feature to "temporarily delete this app until next sync"? It is clearly a bug. If it's not a bug then it is a very dubious functionality choice.
I used to manage my apps using my iPhone exclusively. This included installing, arranging, and deleting. Now I am forced to use my Mac do delete apps. This is a serious usability issue.
This never happened to me before. It only started quite recently. Therefore it seems Apple have introduced a major workflow change in the process managing my phone without so much as a popup hint or message. How does this fit in with Apple's whole ethos of simplicity?

At the end of the day I would like to be able to manage my apps using only my device. I would like the iTunes sync to be a 2-way street where changes made on both sides are persisted. I definitely don't want to be forced to uncheck apps using the Apps tab in itunes.

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Answer 14

geforcer Author

Level 1

14 points

Aug 12, 2011 7:39 AM in response to geforcer

This problem has started for me again... and I have the option "Automatically install New Apps" deselected. It only reinstalls them during the next sync this time though. For instance, if I install an app on my phone. Sync the phone to my PC, then deleted the app off the phone. The next day I sync, it reinstalls it again. Afterwards, when I delete that same app again, it won't install it during the next sync. It'll do this for every new app I have. I just deal with it now, but it is aggrevating.

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Answer 15

m megan

Level 1

0 points

Aug 12, 2011 9:46 AM in response to geforcer

The same thing is happening to me. I can't seem to solve the problem. Everytime I try to sync my phone it starts uploading old apps to my phone. What should I do??

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