Level 1

56 points

Rearranging apps in iTunes 12.7

Now that the "apps" tab is gone under the device syncing pages in iTunes 12.7, how are we supposed to rearrange screens, add screens, move apps from one to the other and do those maintenance tasks we sometimes need to do? When I buy a new app, how do I make it go on the screen I want to put it on?

From here, it looks like an uninformed decision.

Only getting app updates by paying through our data plan? I don't even have data connectivity on my iPad to connect to them directly. No more updates for my iPad?

We just got our power on after Hurricane Irma. Having to download anything over the air was highly unlikely. The LTE internet connection hardly worked at all, since everyone lost their home internet connection and went over to their phones.

iPhone 6s, iOS 10.3.3, iTunes 12.7.0.166

Posted on Sep 13, 2017 1:25 PM

Top-ranking reply

javaliga

Level 10

120,179 points

Posted on Sep 15, 2017 10:53 AM

As far as rearranging apps on the device screen, you can do it directly on your device the "old fashioned way" (which is actually the newer way) by pressing on the icon until it starts to wiggle and then move it (or delete it by tapping the x in the corner). When finished, tap the home button

How to move apps and create folders on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

As far as downloading apps goes, it looks like you do indeed have to that for each device.

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73 replies

Nov 2, 2017 1:59 AM in response to CFLBob

I installed 12.7.1 update on 10/31. No change. I still keep older boot partitions available. Booted from a Sierra partition with older iTunes and could work the apps just fine.

jr378

Level 1

4 points

Mar 13, 2018 7:47 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Download the app "Apple Configurator 2". It is not as good as the features in the old iTunes but it is much easier than managing apps and pages on the device.

CFLBob Author

Level 1

56 points

Sep 15, 2017 10:13 AM in response to CFLBob

After two full days with no response, I've deleted 12.7.0 and gone back to 12.6.2.20.

Tenrec

Level 1

4 points

Jan 25, 2018 4:13 AM in response to CFLBob

I found this solution via "Apple Configurator 2". It worked for me. Good luck.

applications - Is there a way to rearrange home screens on iOS? - Ask Different

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,303 points

Nov 18, 2017 12:14 PM in response to turingtest2

I can verify what tt2 has said. I had stayed with iTunes 12.6.2.20 and it worked with iOS 11 on all of my current devices. I purchased my iPhone X on Thursday, and I needed new. Since I was also interested in app arrangement, and had been reading here, I opted to download the iTunes 12.6.3. Since I had been on an earlier one, I had no issues with the library creation error that many can see when downgrading, so I had no issues accessing my music. Working just fine now, I was able to sync my music with no problems.

Nov 30, 2017 8:15 AM in response to CFLBob

I used Deploy apps in a business environment with iTunes - Apple Support for access to iTunes 12.6.3 to revert to a version with the apps tab, but it only shows 3 columns of icons per page - causing the 4 remaining icons to be hidden behind the bottom task bar. Anyone else have this issue?

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Mar 31, 2018 5:22 AM in response to gibster99

I guess Apple really want everyone to use the current version of iTunes. Perhaps it is time to go with the flow.

My iPhone 6+ running iOS 11.3 seems happy to connect to iTunes 12.6.3.6 which I have running in a Sierra partition. I don't see why it would be different with say an 8 or X, but I cannot test myself. I tend to update over the air rather than through iTunes. On High Sierra I'm running iTunes 12.7.4.76 and I'm happy enough managing apps directly on the device.

tt2

CFLBob Author

Level 1

56 points

Sep 15, 2017 1:33 PM in response to javaliga

Thanks for the comment and the link. I know about the manual approach, but that's about a third of my questions.

That link still calls out using the iTunes "apps panel" that isn't there any more to do things. I wouldn't be surprised to find that no one thought about the things I think are important to do.

Moving apps around manually is slow and clumsy compared to doing it in iTunes. I actually thought iTunes was clumsy, but compared to doing it manually, iTunes is elegant.

In terms of ease of use in managing apps, I see this as a step backwards. The only bright spot is that it's something that doesn't need to be done often.

I still don't see how to decide where an app is going to be installed when I pick a new one, but I didn't experiment with that before uninstalling 12.7.0. It seemed I had to install it and then move it from wherever the installer put it. I really don't like the idea of downloading all updates over the air. I think my wireless provider charges for that.

Dec 3, 2017 9:55 AM in response to javaliga

Using the phone to arrange its apps is fine as long as you're moving apps within one screen. If you're trying to get a new app that you've just downloaded onto your main Home screen it is catastrophically bad UX.

Major mis-step from the iTunes dev team.

Mar 10, 2018 4:39 PM in response to Cynditjie

Cynditjie wrote:

I agree, and I hope they will take our requests seriously. It's MUCH easier to use our computers to manage files.....APPLE HELP!

They will only even notice your requests if you submit them where Apple can see them:

Product Feedback - Apple

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Apr 18, 2018 10:28 AM in response to Clayton King

No, there isn't a Windows version. See Managing apps with iTunes 12.7 or later. You can potentially install iTunes 12.6.4 but depending on when you first installed 12.7.x that might might mean rolling back to a quite outdated version of your library, so you have to consider what would be lost if you did that and how to bring it up to date with the contents of the media folder.

tt2

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Sep 16, 2017 8:01 AM in response to jmills1343

Share your thoughts with Apple: Feedback - iTunes - Apple.

tt2

tdplant

Level 1

4 points

Oct 12, 2017 11:38 AM in response to CFLBob

Dear Apple. Please bring back the tabs. It's so much simpler to arrange icons than doing it on your phone. It's nearly impossible to find apps that are hidden in a folder.

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Nov 25, 2017 2:45 AM in response to JohnrC123

iTunes 12.6.3 supports iOS 11, iPhone 8 & X, and all previously released devices running any version of iOS up to and including 11.

tt2

Sep 15, 2017 7:39 PM in response to turingtest2

I think its strange that Apple believes they know my access to high speed and secure wifi-I get that many people may have it, but in my situation many of the wi-fi hotspots are not very secure and they are very slow. Downloading app updates is going to be a bit of a problem. Using cellular will be very expensive. I not a fan of them forcing it in this manner. Not to mention if you have to do a clean reset of your phone and your back up is corrupted. If you have dozens of apps this will be very painful. Not shooting the messenger here, but, they need to rethink this.

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Rearranging apps in iTunes 12.7