How do I manage apps without iTunes

Howard Brazee wrote:

Some of us still want the ability to manage apps on our computers. It doesn't have to be in iTunes, splitting applications makes sense.

What would be nice is if such an app allowed us to store an app and its data on the computer, and then to other iDevices.

Your App data is stored on your iOS devcie. So, I'm a bit confused about your point. If the app is on your device, then the data is as well. An iTunes or iCloud backup preserves the data. Doing a restore from a backup would restore that data, and the automatic download of all the apps that were on the device (which is, and has been done as a part of the restore process for some time now) would take place in the normal manner. The changes to iTunes has no affect on this.

Can you explain what you mean?

Cheers,

GB

but I have a solution for managing the data of the iPhone File Sharing Apps without iTunes!

But that feature was not removed. You can still use File Sharing through itunes to copy files and data to apps on an iPhone.

Phil0124 wrote:

But that feature was not removed. You can still use File Sharing through itunes to copy files and data to apps on an iPhone.

I explained that to him in another discussion, but he seems to want to promote this software.

Mac desktop app data solution for managing iPhone File Sharing Apps data without iTunes!

Ok I replied to you. It took me 20 minutes, so for the delay. I'm an old guy.

In the other Forum I said:

"Thanks for your reply! I saw the linked page. Great to know! I looked but didn't find File Sharing in 12.7. Perhaps it is because I'm not running the 11beta, or the 10.13 beta, or both, or something else, I don't know. I have now gone back to 12.6.2.

I would like to know if 12.7 under iOS11 could File share non-iTune format music DSD files like .dsf.

Thanks for note!"

Demo wrote:

I explained that to him in another discussion, but he seems to want to promote this software.

Ahh, I see.

c.parabus wrote:

Ok I replied to you. It took me 20 minutes, so for the delay. I'm an old guy.

In the other Forum I said:

"Thanks for your reply! I saw the linked page. Great to know! I looked but didn't find File Sharing in 12.7. Perhaps it is because I'm not running the 11beta, or the 10.13 beta, or both, or something else, I don't know. I have now gone back to 12.6.2.

I would like to know if 12.7 under iOS11 could File share non-iTune format music DSD files like .dsf.

Thanks for note!"

It can file share any type of file you want, as long as there is an App on your iOS device that can accept said format and supports iTunes File sharing.

I agree with Howard (especially regarding a new OS app to manage iOS apps on devices) for many reasons (that follow). I realize that many have embraced using iOS devices exclusively, but not all. I found it very convenient that I could use my Mac to manage my devices rather than HAVING to use the devices themselves. I'd use the devices when it was convenient, but that is a far less frequent occurrence.

I purposefully have an SE for convenience of size. But because of the size, I prefer not to perform 'maintenance' activities on it. It was much easier, quicker and without iOS performance hits to 'Update All' apps on my MacBook and sync/backup at my convenience. There was no interruptions in using my iPhone as an iPhone. I could sync when I was done with it for the day.

I find adding/subtracting apps or reconfiguring my iOS devices (to ensure I might everything I might need on certain occasions) easy on the big screen. I can easily see all the apps I own and select the ones I wanted to add or subtract to configure the phone or iPad in the manner desired without using bandwidth to log on to the store. For example, when traveling overseas, I want different apps and documents than when I am around town. Super easy to do this in the apps section.

It made it easy to manage multiple iOS devices to do so in one place. You can see ALL the apps you already own (if I am using my iPad and owned an app that was on my iPhone (which I may not remember having purchased), I could (without logging into the App store) just check iTunes without having either device handy).

In my experience, 'Updating All' on the MacBook then syncing is infinitely faster than doing so on my iOS devices.

I've adapted many changes that Apple puts their loyalists through (on board since 1984), but this one may be the one that really tests said loyalty. I do hope Apple considers how drastic a change this is for some and provides another alternative. I use the devices for convenience. This change, and subsequent time commitment through forced learning, is inconvenient.

Not trying to flame anyone (well, maybe Apple), but just trying to answer the question posed. Will be glad to entertain additional ways to adapt (again). In the meantime, I off to explore how to painlessly revert to the previous version of iTunes (when I have the time).

Thanks for the explanation - that was all I was trying to understand. Personally, I have never done anything with my Apps in iTunes on my Mac. I agree with you that I do as little as possible with a small screen, but I just don't do a lot of app-intensive use of my iPhone.

So, thanks for clarifying.

I agree that it would be great if we could get an iOS App Store app that could be run on the Mac (or on a PC). I would suggest the feedback route: Apple - Feedback

Cheers,

GB

Thanks, GB. I submitted the request. I think the only hope is if there is enough of an outcry about this. I suspect that like myself, many have yet to discover what was done. In the meantime, if you would share with me and others the easiest way to access all purchased/already downloaded apps and add/subtract them from your devices in iOS 10.x, it'd be appreciated. As far as I can tell, my 'App Store' app just allows me to update those already on the device. Thanks in advance.

"If you need to download an app you've bought before, open the App Store app on your iPhone or iPad, and go to the Purchased section there. (on an iPhone its under Updates)."

I have a boatload of apps purchased through iTunes, but only keep a few on my iPhone 6s at any given time. As of today, I only have access to what was on my phone at the time of the update. The "Updates" screen does not have a "Purchased" option at the top. It only has an "Updates" heading. I see the "Purchased option in sample screen shots online, but not on my phone.

Thanks, GB for this most detailed and helpful response. Thanks, also for creating a wonderful tutorial. For some reason this was not showing at the top of the update section of my Apps application until I scrolled down and voila - just as you described. It now shows at the top when I enter that section. It does help me better manage my apps on the phone itself. I do, however, much prefer an OS option as I find it much more convenient for the managing apps/documents on my various devices.

Thanks westgalady. Glad you were able to find it on your device. I was on the Updates page when I had to scroll down to make the Purchased option appear. What iOS are you in? My Apps app doesn't have an account photo at the top right. On this page on my SE the only option in the upper right is "Update All". If you are in 10.3, I wonder if the displays are different on the different devices? It is also perhaps my use (or misuse) of 'scroll down', which in this case I meant to move your thumb down to go to the top of the page...

Hi, you have to be on iOS 11 to have the account photo at the top right of the App Store's Today page. Your iPhone SE supports iOS 11. The displays are not different on different devices. The App Store has been completely redesigned in iOS 11 so will look a bit different from what you are used to in iOS 10 and below.

Thanks. I suspected it must be on iOS 11. That's why I specified the iOS version I was using (10.3.1) when I described how I had to scroll to get the 'Purchased' option to come up. I'm a slow adaptor, so will be a while before I migrate to 11. Good to have confirmation the devices do not display differently, though.