IPhone – How to sync apps that I have bought on the iPhone

applicationsiphoneitunes

I have bought a number of apps on my iPhone. When I try to set up syncing with iTunes it says that this will remove all of the apps.

How do I make iTunes not want to replace all of the apps and instead just make a backup of the existing ones?

Best Answer

I had this same issue after I recreated my iTunes library. This may be totally off because it was about a month ago, but I think I did this:

  • canceled the sync
  • clicked on the iPod under devices or whatever (maybe I secondary clicked)
  • I think after I clicked (or secondary clicked) on it, there was an option to copy purchased items

Sorry this is so vague, it's been awhile :)

on edit:

I just tested this out by alt clicking iTunes, creating a new library, and connecting my iPod. It's pretty much exactly how I described.

  • cancel the sync
  • secondary click the iPod on the left
  • click "transfer purchases"

Afterwards, you can sync, and everything will be erased and rewritten to the iPod.

I'm not sure why Apple makes this so confusing. The only reason I can come up with is that they want people to have to repurchase stuff but that seems a little over the top even from Apple.

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