How do I update iPhone apps via iTunes 12 on computer

There is no three-dot symbol, and Apps is not in the list. There's a drop-down menu that lists Music, Movies, TC shows, Podcasts, Audiobooks. Nothing else. And no "Edit menu" that I saw in some post.

You can still download and updates apps via a computer's iTunes, you just need to update to iTunes 12.6.3 instead (it’s aimed at business environments where apps are deployed, but works for individuals as well) : https://support.apple.com/kb/HT208079

Unfortunately Apple keep moving the goalposts. In the recently released iTunes 12.7 they have removed most of the app management features from iTunes. It would seem that the intention is that all updates are performed on the device over Wi-Fi rather than through iTunes.

tt2

The device has features for adding, removing and organizing apps. Apps have features for managing their own data. The iTunes File Sharing mechanism still exists. And there is iCloud Drive and Dropbox. You can backup to iTunes or iCloud. You don't need any further third party tools.

tt2

Yes, same problem... why don't these fabulously intellectual software geeks understand their customer base? Most of the world doesn't have high speed internet or wi-fi, so all these changes just result in denial of service. Off to android, but they're not much better.

This is ridiculous. Having the APPS in iTunes allows us to manage where they are and which apps we want to carry around. Moving a single APP on the iPhone, is painful and a waste of our time, when the solution in iTunes was USER FRIENDLY and convenient. Someone at Apple should be talking to the customers instead of arbitrarily making decisions that impact us and are inefficient.

I have this question too. Updating apps on the iPhone is less convenient than through the laptop/iTunes. The apps store does not even list the iPhone apps in the purchased list or that they require an update. In this case newer is not better.

See your thread in iTunes for Windows: Re: iTunes 12.6 update all apps button missing.

tt2

Apple just released iTunes version 12.6.3 that brings back App and Ringtone management support.

See this User Tip for more details.

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-12172

You've responded to a two year old post. iTunes 12.7 removed most of the app management features from iTunes. See Managing apps with iTunes 12.7 or later for more.

tt2

See Managing apps with iTunes 12.7 or later. Install 12.6.3 and restore a pre-iTunes 12.7 version of your library.

tt2

Hi TestShip,

In iTunes on your computer, look in the upper left at the bar that shows little icons for Music, Movies, TV etc., and click the "three dot" symbol there. You should see a drop-down menu that includes Apps.

When the Apps display opens, you'll see a tab near the top center of the screen called Updates. Click on this, and you'll see all the apps that need updating. At the bottom right, there will be a button labeled Update All Apps. That should do it.

Cheers

I have the same question. I used to be able to update all my apps through iTunes and then when I syncing my phone and iPad, they would automatically updated to the latest version directly from iTunes. Now, I still have to download the updates separately on both my phone and iPad, which is a pain in the butt. It just doesn't work the way it used to before iTunes 12, and it seems broken to me. I just want to download once and then sync through usb and be done with it.

New with iOS9 "App Thinning": To make apps smaller they are being customized for specific hardware when downloaded from Apple directly to a device with iOS9. The variant of an app downloaded for a retina iPad may not be suitable for a non-retina iPhone. Transferring from one device to a computer then to a different device may result in the wrong version being used and Apple has disabled transfer from device to computer to prevent this happening. If you want a backup copy on your computer you can transfer a non-thinned version directly from the Store to the computer which should you need it can be transferred to any i-device (but will take up more room).

https://developer.apple.com/library/watchos/documentation/IDEs/Conceptual/AppDis tributionGuide/AppThinning/AppThinning.html - iOS9 App Thinning > "Slicing is the process of creating and delivering variants of the app bundle for different target devices. A variant contains only the executable architecture and resources that are needed for the target device." ... "The App Store will create and deliver different variants based on the devices your app supports."