Deygus
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Unable to Backup iPhone Apps to my Computer?

I recall I used to be able to back up iphone apps to my computer.

 

However, now it seems I can't do this anymore.

 

I have iPhone 6 and my wife I am trying to back up since she has 5s and needs to back up to upgrade to 6s later on today or sometime this week.

 

Was this option removed? Or?

iPhone 4S, iOS 6

Posted on Nov 2, 2015 7:22 AM

by King_Penguin,Solvedanswer
King_Penguin King_Penguin
Level 10 (134,232 points)
iTunes
A:

If the phone is iOS 9 then apps will no longer copy back from a device, possibly due to a new developer feature called 'app thinning' (which allows only what is needed by an app on a device to be downloaded onto it, so it may not be the complete app on it). You will need to download the apps directly on the computer's iTunes (e.g. click on your name/icon towards the top right of iTunes and then click Purchased on the popup) - if you only want to download apps or their updates once you could download them on the computer and then sync them to your device(s)

Posted on Nov 2, 2015 7:31 AM

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Deygus

Q: Unable to Backup iPhone Apps to my Computer?

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  • by Phil0124,Helpful

    Phil0124 Phil0124 Nov 2, 2015 7:31 AM in response to Deygus
    Level 7 (27,681 points)
    iPhone
    Nov 2, 2015 7:31 AM in response to Deygus

    Apps have never been part of the backup file in iTunes, only their data.  If you downloaded them originally on the iPhone, you can click the Transfer Purchases option in iTunes to get them into iTunes.  After that the apps will be in the App section of iTunes.

     

    When you restore a backup using iTunes, it will install the Apps that are present in your library. 

     

    Redownload or transfer your iTunes Store purchases from an iPhone, iPad or iPod to a computer - Apple Support

  • by King_Penguin,Solvedanswer

    King_Penguin King_Penguin Nov 2, 2015 7:31 AM in response to Deygus
    Level 10 (134,232 points)
    iTunes
    Nov 2, 2015 7:31 AM in response to Deygus

    If the phone is iOS 9 then apps will no longer copy back from a device, possibly due to a new developer feature called 'app thinning' (which allows only what is needed by an app on a device to be downloaded onto it, so it may not be the complete app on it). You will need to download the apps directly on the computer's iTunes (e.g. click on your name/icon towards the top right of iTunes and then click Purchased on the popup) - if you only want to download apps or their updates once you could download them on the computer and then sync them to your device(s)