Transferring updated apps from an iOS device

Question

Level 1

71 points

Transferring updated apps from an iOS device

Often, I will update an app directly on my device (iPad or iPhone) instead of doing it through iTunes on the computer. But, after syncing, and/or simply selecting to transfer purchases from the menu bar, the list of apps shown in iTunes to be updated doesn't change, despite that many of the apps have been updated directly on the device itself. In the past, this list used to auto-update after a sync or purchase transfer.

I'm using all of the latest versions of everything applicable, and have tried quitting iTunes and restarting. No change.

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

iPad Air, iOS 9.2.1, Air 2

Posted on Feb 25, 2016 4:53 AM

Reply

Answer 1

King_Penguin

Level 10

334,336 points

Feb 25, 2016 6:04 AM in response to jimchik2

With iOS 9 apps will no longer copy back from a device due to a developer function called 'app thinning', that allows only what is needed by an app on a particular device to be downloaded to it (so it may not be a 'complete' app on your iPad or iPhone) - you will need to redownload the updates directly on your Mac's iTunes

Reply

Answer 2

Feb 25, 2016 6:53 AM in response to jimchik2

New "App Thinning" with iOS9: To make apps smaller they are being customized for specific hardware when downloaded from Apple directly over-the-air to a device with iOS9. Apps downloaded directly to a device from Apple may no longer work on any other kind of device. Apple has decided there is no point in syncing these to a computer since each device should ideally get a customized version directly from Apple. 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). It may be a good idea to enable automatic downloads on your computer so there will be a copy of all apps there as sometimes apps are removed from the Store: Turn on Automatic Downloads - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202180#computer

Here's the technical description: 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."

Reply