If http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1766 says "Backed-up information includes purchased music, TV shows, apps,…" Why aren't apps backed up? I get this message when I prepare to Restore:

The content of the apps will be included in the backup, but not the apps themselves - before doing the restore you should do File > Devices > Transfer Purchases so as to copy all of your iTunes downloads over to your computer, so that they can then be copied back by the restore (and so that you can take a backup copy of them, there is no guarantee that any item will remain in the store for future re-downloading, and not all content types can be re-downloaded in all countries).

MrElvey wrote:

So many contradictions:

http://www.apple.com/ipad/icloud/#backup says (numbering changed; otherwise, this is a direct quote):

Connect your device to Wi‑Fi and enter your Apple ID and password. Your personal data — along with your purchased music, movies, TV shows, apps, and books — will appear on your device, automatically.¹

Backup of purchased music is not available in all countries. Previous purchases may not be restored if they are no longer in the iTunes Store, App Store, or iBookstore.

Not really. iCloud and iTunes backup different items. Confusing maybe, but not contradictory.

iCloud backup apps because if you rely solely on iCloud, and have gone PC free, Apple assumes that you are not using iTunes, so iCloud allows you to recover everything from the iCloud backup. If you are using iTunes, your purchases are transferred into your iTunes library when you sync, and your app data and device settings are stored in the backup on your computer.

These "magical" devices can be somewhat confusing to use and a little intimidating at times as well. You just have to read all of the relevant links in the support articles in order to get the full picture.

I am not trying to be argumentative either because I agree with much of what you said. Apple should have broken this down into two very distinct articles about iCloud backups and iTunes backups instead of lumping it all together and making you have to click on more links that relate to the same thing. Put all of the information In one kb article for iCloud backups and do the same for iTunes backups. It wouldn't be quite so confusing then.

IMHO - in Apples quest to make it "just work", sometimes they make it "just confusing"

I downloaded a programme Pad2Mac to keep the ipad contect by moving them to my computer then back to the device and yea it was a problem I wanted to fix thanks for the reply anyway