I recently updated Itunes to 12.8 and now I cannot see my apps in the program. Before I could choose a tab and see what apps where on my harddrive and update them if neccessary. Was nice to have them on the PC in case I needed an old one. But now I cannot see them in Itunes. Does this mean I can delete all the apps on the harddrive? Or am I missing something?
The ability to manage apps with iTunes was removed in version 12.7. See turingtest2's article: for options:
Managing apps with iTunes 12.7 or later
or Rysz's article:
iTunes 12.6.3 brings back App, Ringtone support
You can delete the apps on your harddrive, if you wish, and manage the apps "new old-fashion way" directly on your iOS device:
The ability to manage apps with iTunes was removed in version 12.7. See turingtest2's article: for options:
Managing apps with iTunes 12.7 or later
or Rysz's article:
iTunes 12.6.3 brings back App, Ringtone support
You can delete the apps on your harddrive, if you wish, and manage the apps "new old-fashion way" directly on your iOS device:
Funny enough I moved my whole Itunes directory to another disk a long time ago since I 1-2 times a year reinstall my whole C directory from an image file. I have also once or twice been forced to downgrade Itunes and so I know how to reactivate old librany files like turingtest2 suggests. My biggest problem is that I have a cvouple of old apps that are named 14.3.ipa and _1.4.ipa and I have no idea what they are.
My idea is that I can make a copy of the whole Previous Itunes Libraries folder as well as the latest files, delete Itunes 12.8, install 12.6.4 and then open up a library file from Before I upgraded to 12.8 and see what happens. If it all goes pear-shape I reinstall 12.8 and open the that version's library file and live with the fact that I have apps on my harddrive that are viable anymore.
Older 32-bit universal apps would sync in either direction. Newer apps use something called app thinning and only deliver the resources needed by each device, e.g. the iPad gets higher resolution images which would be wasted on an older iPod touch, so the app on the device won't necessarily work on another device. Download from iTunes purchase history and/or turn on automatic downloads, and then check for updates in iTunes from time to time.
tt2
The problem with downgrading iTunes is that the older version of iTunes on your PC may not be compatible with the newer version of iOS on your device. Also, once you upgrade iTunes, your iTunes Library may no loger be compatible with n older version of iTunes also. So, it is not that simple. Pay particular attention to the fourth paragraph of turingtest2's article above where it says "Windows users who want to use this version need to uninstall the current copy of the iTunes application first. See Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash for steps to revert to a pre-iTunes 12.7 version of your iTunes database, which you may then need to bring up to date to reflect the contents of your media folder."
See the "Make a split library portable" section this article also by turingtest2 if you realty want to be courageous and see how the iTunes Library folder is organized to use the Windows File Explorer to delete old versions of apps:
OK, thanks. So I either downgrade Itunes and have access to all of my apps on my PC or leave it as it is and delete all of my apps.
BUt when I check my Itunes Media folder I notice that there are sometimes several copies of the same app but with different version numbers. Obviously I could throw away the version with the lowest numer but is there any way of checking what I actually have on my harddrive?
perfect, it worked 🙂.
Just a follow up question. I notice that apps that are in the Mobile Applications folder that are not on the phone are synced over when I connect the phone with Itunes. But not the other way, ie downloaded apps are not synced into the Mobile Applications folder. They used to do this.
I have tried using this script but it keeps asking me for the Apps folder. How do I choose the folder?
Sorry, been busy at work and haven't managed to find time to install an older build of iTunes to check the script with. Can you post a screenshot of what you're seeing when you get stuck?
tt2
Line 279 of the script reads:
Do While A<>"Apps"
You need to change this to read:
Do While A<>"Appar"
The script is assuming the English name for the Apps section of the library.
tt2
Hi,
You could try adding copies of the mystery apps into the Automatically Add to iTunes folder while you're running 12.6.4. See also CleanDeadApps for a script to clean up any excess copies of older versions of apps that are in the folder and not connected to the library.
tt2
where to find apps in itunes
