PhilChris
Level 1
(5 points)
Q: iTunes 12 doesn't sync apps from iPhone
I manage my iPhone, and iPad, apps from iTunes (12.5.1.21) on my MacBook Pro (OS 10.11.6). It's old school, I know, but I've been doing it this way in the Apple ecosystem for many years, and I also have data restrictions so I don't want duplicate updates. So I download new apps and updates to iTunes on my Mac, then sync with my iPhone 6 running iOS 10.0.2 (or iPad, also current iOS version).
Occasionally, however, I will download a new app purchase (free or paid) directly to my iPhone. What I've recently realized is that these apps don't show up on iTunes. I'm pretty sure they used to transfer from my iPhone to my Mac/iTunes, but no more - no matter what I try (including searches here and elsewhere online).
This creates a problem for me. For example, I have been struggling today trying to update one of those apps that I downloaded straight to my iPhone. I've downloaded the current version, which is iOS 10 compatible, to my Mac/iTunes. I then synced to my iPhone. No joy. I've selected that app in iTunes on my device screen, clicked "update," and then "apply." Nada. The old version, iOS 10-incompatible version, remains on my iPhone, even with the new version in iTunes. I can't delete and reinstall that old version because I don't want to lose its data. So I'm stuck.
I know from other posts that somehow iTunes no longer syncs apps that same way to iPhones/Pads, although I don't really understand the details. But is there anything I can do to fix this problem?
TIA,
Phil
Limnos
Level 9
(54,635 points)
Starting with iOS9 apps could no longer be synced from a device to iTunes. Copies of iOS apps stored on your computer should still appear in iTunes. If they are not on your computer then you either need to download them from the iTunes Store to the computer directly to then sync them to the device, or ideally download them directly to the mobile device.
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). You may wish 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 Extra tips from sberman: Make sure "Apps" is checked. Also make sure the Apple ID shown just below "Automatic Downloads" is the same one you're using on the iPhone. - Aug. 2016 tip from King_Penguin on updating apps using iTunes:
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."
Related post -
