Syncing apps on phone

So last week I have to reset my old iphone 4 to get around a problem with guided access and after the restore from a backup the apps aren't syncing. I can see them in iTunes and most show that they will be installed. The only apps on the phone are the default ones. Some of these apps have data in them so how do I get them back on my phone?

iPhone 4, iOS 7.1.2, null

Posted on Jan 24, 2016 9:22 PM

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9 replies

Jan 24, 2016 10:09 PM in response to benjaminfrombowling green

Do you also have a newer iPhone? That sounds like it may be the issue, as iOS 7.1.2, the latest iOS version the iPhone 4 can use, is quite dated now.


This may help:

Install the latest compatible version of an app on an earlier version of iOS or OS X - Apple Support


The apps in iTunes may be newer than your old iPhone can use. You have to download old copies of those apps directly on the iPhone as shown in the article.

Jan 25, 2016 9:39 AM in response to sberman

I know that the phone is old and yes I have a newer one but I wanted to have this as a backup. I know that I can redownload from the app store but some of the apps have data on them. Even if some of the apps are out of date they are all on my hard drive from previous syncs and backups so shouldn't I be able to put them back? Can't someone just tell me how to put the apps back on my phone from the copy on the hard drive? I had the same issue when I upgraded my phone and a apple tech told me what to do to get the apps on the new phone so I know that it's possible.

Jan 27, 2016 10:59 AM in response to benjaminfrombowling green

IFF iTunes on the computer is configured to sync all it can on all the iGadgets it manages AND the local iTunes Library has a copy of all the apps involved (i.e., they all show up in the Apps / My Apps section), then and only then will they be automatically installed and their documents restored when migrating from one iGadget to another OF THE SAME KIND. Make sure that EVERYTHING is up to date to ensure success.


Been there, done that. 5 times and counting. My gadgets and others.

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Syncing apps on phone

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