Stop iPhone/iPad syncing apps to the Mac?

ImperialX said:

I know this question has been asked literally 100 times on the forums, and I have read every single thread but none of them answer the question.

My MacBook Air only has 128GB of space and 14GB right now are iOS apps. I have no space for them nor do I want them. I only want them on my iPhone and iPad. Every time I delete the apps folder, the apps are synced back from the iOS device. This happens even if I have already unchecked "Sync Apps" in iTunes.

So what can I do to prevent this? Surely I can't be the only one who still has this problem.

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there's another option in the preferences to stop transferring purchases.

ImperialX said:

I have deselected apps in this window, or is there another one I have to check? It still doesn't work for me.

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no, that's not it

find the "reset all warnings" option, under Advanced.

the next time you sync, it should prompt you with "transfer purchases?"

Hmm. are you backing up to iCloud or iTunes?

I'd like to solve this problem too. It's even more frustrating that I have apps on my Mac that I've since deleted off my device. With the iCloud, having a local copy of your apps isn't necessary. I hope this gets solved soon.

Personally, I think they just forgot to put in a "don't download apps" check box.

I'm in the same boat. There is no need for a local app backups with iCloud now. It's useless, a waste of space and bandwidth.

QuarterSwede said:

Personally, I think they just forgot to put in a "don't download apps" check box.

I'm in the same boat. There is no need for a local app backups with iCloud now. It's useless, a waste of space and bandwidth.

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That's not entirely true.

There are Apps in my iTunes and on my device that can't be re-downloaded from the App Store.

Daveoc64 said:

That's not entirely true.

There are Apps in my iTunes and on my device that can't be re-downloaded from the App Store.

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From what I understand even apps no longer being sold (or free) on the store can still be redownloaded by those who have already bought (or downloaded) them.

QuarterSwede said:

From what I understand even apps no longer being sold (or free) on the store can still be redownloaded by those who have already bought (or downloaded) them.

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Unless Apple pulled them for violating the App Store's guidelines.

Daveoc64 said:

Unless Apple pulled them for violating the App Store's guidelines.

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I don't even know if that much is true. I can still download "Tris"... remember that free (awesome) tetris game that was on the app store for a while back in 2009?

iBreatheApple said:

I don't even know if that much is true. I can still download "Tris"... remember that free (awesome) tetris game that was on the app store for a while back in 2009?

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Indeed I do. That was pulled for copyright reasons, but was allowed to remain on the App Store for a few days in a settlement with the trademark owner of Tetris (EA at the time I think?).

Daveoc64 said:

Indeed I do. That was pulled for copyright reasons, but was allowed to remain on the App Store for a few days in a settlement with the trademark owner of Tetris (EA at the time I think?).

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It can still be downloaded by those "bought" it. The point is, I don't think there is an app that Apple has permanently taken off their servers even for people who had previously bought them.

QuarterSwede said:

It can still be downloaded by those "bought" it. The point is, I don't think there is an app that Apple has permanently taken off their servers even for people who had previously bought them.

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Apps that violate the rules cannot be re-downloaded.

"Tris" didn't violate the rules, it was taken down by the publisher voluntarily to avoid a copyright lawsuit.

It's easy enough to do, but not all that intuitive... well sorta.

First, connect your device and make sure it shows up under the Devices listing in iTunes.

Second, go to the device and then the Apps tab.

Third, at the top you'll see a check box next to "Sync Apps." Uncheck it. It will ask if you wish to keep the apps on the device or remove them. Select "keep."

That's it. Next time you sync to iTunes, it won't transfer any apps you have on your device and you are free to store them in the cloud.

Lokheed said:

It's easy enough to do, but not all that intuitive... well sorta.

First, connect your device and make sure it shows up under the Devices listing in iTunes.

Second, go to the device and then the Apps tab.

Third, at the top you'll see a check box next to "Sync Apps." Uncheck it. It will ask if you wish to keep the apps on the device or remove them. Select "keep."

That's it. Next time you sync to iTunes, it won't transfer any apps you have on your device and you are free to store them in the cloud.

Click to expand...

If you sync to the Cloud, you won't be able to do this unless you select "backup to the computer" under the Summary tab.

Here is my recommendation:

1. iTunes > Preferences > Devices: check the box that prevents automatic syncing when devices connect to it.

2. iPhone: perform a Cloud backup

3. Connect iPhone to iTunes. In the summary tab, select "backup to this Computer." DO NOT SYNC at this time.

4. Click on the app tab in iTunes. Uncheck "Sync Apps" iTunes will now ask you if you want to delete or keep the apps on your iPhone. Select "Keep"

5. iTunes: Apply/Sync then eject iPhone from computer.

6. Remove Apps from iTunes on your Mac.

7. iPhone: Go into Settings > iCloud > Storage and Backups: Turn Sync to iCloud back on.

If you ever want to create additional backups to the Mac using iTunes, you have to recheck the "backup to this computer" on the summary tab. When you select it, it changes your iCloud backup feature on the iPhone to OFF. Conversely, when you turn backup to iCloud on the iPhone to ON, it changes the back up to this computer in iTunes to OFF.