applicationsipaditunes
I just got my new iPad and installed the apps I wanted without first syncing it with my computer. When I connect it to my computer and choose to sync apps, iTunes wants to add all my 400+ purchased iPad apps to the iPad, and I don't want that.
Is there an easy way to deselect these 400 apps that I don't want from within iTunes? They are arranged on the last screens after the apps that I actually want.
In researching solutions, I found this discussion at apple.com in which somebody suggests "damaging" the iTunes library. This lead to a very useful post which discusses how iTunes uses the data it has to recreate what it doesn't have and gives instructions on how to damage (without deleting) the file -- spoiler: erase the data, leave the file.
Fortunately, I had backed up the iTunes files before I recreated the iTunes library.
I copied my backed up files back into the iTunes directory and launched iTunes and rebuilt what it needed to. There were no apps listed in the Apps display though.
When I connected my iPad, iTunes didn't complain about this being an unknown device. As it started to sync, it prompted my to transfer purchases (i.e. the apps on my iPad which didn't show in iTunes) -- but with no hint of having to erase anything. The sync took longer than normal, but everything is there and I can even find the songs which were originally hidden.
iPad is fine, will sync my wife's iPhone tonight.
iTunes will sync photos only if you turn on photo syncing in the "tab" for photos.
If iTunes is complaining about apps, it's likely that you once started to sync apps (or it got confused) - but it has nothing to do with app syncing. Sadly, if you want to use this iTunes library, you have to deal with the app issue or keep facing that alert.
Think of it this way. Your photos are in a room that happens to have some rotten food. You can either move your photos to a new room or deal with the rotten food by holding your nose or cleaning it up. One didn't cause the other, but they just ended up in the same room as you.
Best Answer
Unfortunately iTunes doesn't support selecting multiple applications, apart from manually selecting each one. The best option would be to disable syncing of Applications on iTunes.
For iTunes sync to work correctly you either need to use it to manage your applications, or only use the iPad and download all the applications you want directly to the iPad using the App Store on the iPad.