Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

How do I disable transferring purchases

Hi. I'm trying to configure my computer and iPad, so I am able to sync music between the two, but I do not want any app downloaded from my iPad, to be transferred onto my computer.


Sync app is unticked, yet it still tries to put all installed apps on my iPad, needlessly on my computer

Posted on Mar 6, 2012 5:04 PM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Mar 6, 2012 5:16 PM

You can't disable that feature. It is designed that way so you won't lose the content on the iPad if it is stored in iTunes on your computer. If you continue to sync, the purchases will continue to be transferred.


Unticking sync apps will remove apps that are already installed on the iPad via the sync process. You can ask the question 10 more times - but you can't turn that off - if you sync your iPad.


If you want to manually manage music on the iPad - you should be able to do that without transferring the purchases - but you can't sync without transferring purchases. This article describes manually managing music. Don't let the title fool you.


Using iPhone, iPad or iPod with multiple computers

32 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Mar 6, 2012 5:16 PM in response to smally99

You can't disable that feature. It is designed that way so you won't lose the content on the iPad if it is stored in iTunes on your computer. If you continue to sync, the purchases will continue to be transferred.


Unticking sync apps will remove apps that are already installed on the iPad via the sync process. You can ask the question 10 more times - but you can't turn that off - if you sync your iPad.


If you want to manually manage music on the iPad - you should be able to do that without transferring the purchases - but you can't sync without transferring purchases. This article describes manually managing music. Don't let the title fool you.


Using iPhone, iPad or iPod with multiple computers

Mar 6, 2012 5:17 PM in response to Demo

Demo wrote:


You can't disable that feature. It is designed that way so you won't lose the content on the iPad if it is stored in iTunes on your computer. If you continue to sync, the purchases will continue to be transferred.


Unticking sync apps will remove apps that are already installed on the iPad via the sync process.

Perhaps I'm hallucinating (comes with age) but I don't remember the transfer being automatic. I remember seeing a query as to whether or not I want the transfer to take place. I couldn't pick & choose; it was an all or nothing decision. Am I remembering the wrong thing?


The really great thing about senility is that I can hide my own Easter eggs!

Mar 6, 2012 5:33 PM in response to Philly_Phan

Philly_Phan wrote:


Perhaps I'm hallucinating (comes with age) but I don't remember the transfer being automatic.

If you are hallucinating - I'm upset that you are not sharing with the rest of us ..... 😉


Seriously though, maybe it isn't automatic - although it seems to be automatic for me - but there is no way to absolutely shut it off.


I just tested by downloading two new apps - and I synced after each app download. Both apps were transferred to iTunes. I do not auto sync either - I always inititate the sync on my own.


Like I said though, if you turn off auto sync and manage the music manually - drag and drop - the apps should not transfer since there is no syncing process taking place.

Mar 6, 2012 6:10 PM in response to Demo

The good news is that I wasn't hallucinating. Or was that the bad news? Unfortunately, in either case it won't help the OP. I did a test. I downloaded a free app directly to my iPad and then did a sync. The app transferred automatically and no message appeared. I then deleted it from the iTunes and did a sync again. That's when the message appears!

User uploaded file

Mar 6, 2012 6:27 PM in response to Philly_Phan

Philly_Phan wrote:


The good news is that I wasn't hallucinating.

I think that's good news - for guys our age anyway.



The app transferred automatically and no message appeared. I then deleted it from the iTunes and did a sync again. That's when the message appears!

User uploaded file

That makes sense - the iPad and iTunes know that the app was deleted from the sync source (iTunes) so if you do not transfer the app now - it will be deleted from the iPad. If it isn't in there (the iTunes library) - and you want to sync - its going to be erased from the iPad.


And like you said - it's not good news for the OP.

Mar 6, 2012 6:31 PM in response to Demo

Demo wrote:


Philly_Phan wrote:


The good news is that I wasn't hallucinating.

I think that's good news - for guys our age anyway.

I gave several Apollo-11 presentations yesterday and today and the oldest teacher/staff member (actually, it was the principal) was five years old when Neil Armstrong walked on the moon! I decked him.

Mar 6, 2012 6:33 PM in response to Demo

Demo wrote:


Like I said though, if you turn off auto sync and manage the music manually - drag and drop - the apps should not transfer since there is no syncing process taking place.

I don't manually manage my devices, but since manual management is described as "Manually manage music and video" I always assumed that option meant that all purchases on your device would always transfer to your library once you connect, but you're saying that only happens if you click the Sync button. I guess that makes sense, but ...


What happens if you manually drag music over to your device, do purchased apps then transfer to the library?


Since manual management only applies to music and video, you can manually manage that media content but set up an auto-sync to certain apps in your library. When one of those apps in your library is updated, next time you connect your device will the update be pushed to it, or do you have to click the Sync button? (and thus, transfer any purchases)


Just curious ... not that I'm interested in manually managing anything, I just want to make sure I have correct info if the question ever comes up.

Mar 6, 2012 7:05 PM in response to rockmyplimsoul

This is the way that I understand this whole thing to work. I have never tried it - but I'm basing what I'm saying on logical and deductive reasoning - or at least I think I am!

rockmyplimsoul wrote:


I don't manually manage my devices, but since manual management is described as "Manually manage music and video" I always assumed that option meant that all purchases on your device would always transfer to your library once you connect, but you're saying that only happens if you click the Sync button. I guess that makes sense, but ...

The key to this whole thing is to turn off Automatic syncing first. The iPad cannot possibly sync anything if you disable auto sync - on a Mac - iTunes>Preferences>Devices>Prevent iDevices ..... from auto syncing. (I am abbreviating here). On a PC - Edit>Preferences>Devices>Prevent iDevices ..... from auto syncing. Now the iPad can't sync unless you tell it to do so.

What happens if you manually drag music over to your device, do purchased apps then transfer to the library?

I don't see how they can - you did not select them to sync nor did you drag them over - if auto sync is disabled.

Since manual management only applies to music and video, you can manually manage that media content but set up an auto-sync to certain apps in your library. When one of those apps in your library is updated, next time you connect your device will the update be pushed to it, or do you have to click the Sync button? (and thus, transfer any purchases)

As I understand it - and I think it was pointed out to me at one point - that you can still sync and manage songs and videos manually - if you auto sync. Your apps will sync - but not songs and videos - you have to drag them. So the updates should sync. Would the purchases transfer? I would assume that they would.


Plus - the bottom line to me - and again with the deductive reasoning - if Apple is saying that you can use multiple computers to put music on a device - I would hope that there would be a clear warning that you will erase all other content - if you choose to do this.


So ...if you turn off auto sync and manually manage the songs, you can keep the apps on the iPad and prevent them from transferring into iTunes because you never performed a sync.


Does this make sense? Or am I not understanding the whole thing?

Mar 6, 2012 7:20 PM in response to Chris CA

Chris CA wrote:


Any chance you have Automatic downloads checked in iTunes prefs?

That would be an additional way for the purchases to end up in the iTunes library. I am configured for Automatic Downloads. If I sync before the auto download takes place, then the purchase is copied via "transfer" and the download never occurs. If I take my time, the auto download occurs and no transfer takes place.

Mar 7, 2012 9:53 AM in response to Demo

Demo wrote:


So ...if you turn off auto sync and manually manage the songs, you can keep the apps on the iPad and prevent them from transferring into iTunes because you never performed a sync.


Does this make sense? Or am I not understanding the whole thing?

Yes I think that does make sense. When you manually manage music and video, you still auto-sync apps but only those that you've selected to sync, and any updates to those designated apps will sync. But if you're using manual mode and you buy an app directly to the device, the app won't be transferred to iTunes unless you click the Sync button.


My experience with manual management tells me that the only purpose of the Sync button is to force a sync of everything other than music and video, which probably includes the transferring of purchased items.


Not to beat a dead horse, but a couple of other observations/ comments:


The iTunes setting to prevent auto-syncing only applies to devices that are set to auto-sync, this feature has no purpose for a manually-managed device since you always have to click the Sync button to initiate a sync while in manual mode.


Also, this feature only applies to auto-sync'd devices where you've also chosen to "automatically open iTunes" when the device is connected. If you don't have this option set, the auto-sync won't initiate by itself until you click the Sync button, so this feature wouldn't be needed in this case. The only exception to this are non-iOS devices like a Nano or Classic -- those will always start an auto-sync as soon as you connect to iTunes, regardless of the auto-launch option you've set for the device.


To your point about getting a warning if you connect to another iTunes library, if you manually manage music and video you can safely connect to other libraries to drag and drop such media to your device (iPhone is the exception, for some odd reason). Will your apps or photos be affected by doing this? I'd have to say 'no' ... otherwise there'd be howls of pain from those who manually manage and connect to multiple libraries. Maybe if you clicked Sync on another library, but not if you simply drag and drop music or video from another library.


Anyway, thanks for the discussion and food for thought!

How do I disable transferring purchases

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.