Apple Releases iTunes 12.7 With Major Changes, Including No Built-In App Store

[K4LK]

Sorry if this has been asked before, I don't have time to review 37 pages of this thread. What do I do with the almost 80 GB in my Mobile Applications folder?

BYW, Apple what were you thinking? Are you planning to give us a separate iOS app store

 

[Jax44]

My husband and I have had this very same discussion. Our iPhones and iPads are aging and because of this 12.7 fiasco, Android replacements have become much more attractive.

Does Android have this functionality for your computer?.
Honest question.

 

[sracer]

My husband and I have had this very same discussion. Our iPhones and iPads are aging and because of this 12.7 fiasco, Android replacements have become much more attractive.

Exactly. Apple made a calculated gamble that not many would be concerned by this move... at least not enough to switch out of their ecosystem. I don't begrudge Apple for doing what they felt they need to do... and I don't feel put out by doing what I feel I need to do... which is looking like my next phone and tablet will be Android-based.

Does Android have this functionality for your computer?.
Honest question.

Yes, but you don't need any special desktop software like iTunes to do that.

 

[JackieInCo]

Well, considering that I will not be upgrading any of my four iPhones to iOS 11 because of my ability to use my Apple watches with my jailbroken iPhones, I won't have to worry about upgrading iTunes and losing the ability to sync a few older versions of apps that I have on my Macs.

I'm done buying iPhones though. My SE, 6S and 6S+ are the last iPhone I will ever own.

The keynote on Tuesday inspired me to go out and buy a Note 8.

 

[Verchote]

It is very dissappointing of Apple to remove such useful functionality from iTunes. I don't want to have to edit my apps one app at a time. I don't want to have to download apps four times for each of my devices versus once. This presumes everyone has unlimited bandwidth and time. Ignoring customer needs and preferences is not going to help apple keep market share. I would hope Apple sees their error quickly and restores my ability to work with apps and ringtones on my iMac.

 

[nicho]

There is no other user involved. I am the user ever on my iPad and I have had only one Apple ID ever.

I checked the apps listed under "Add" in Configurator 2 and Google Maps is listed. Also, Configurator 2 sees that Google Maps is installed on my iPad.

Thats odd indeed. I don't use google maps anymore, so this is a hunch and I'm assuming you've updated on the ipad by now but if you haven't... what version of google maps do you have installed on your ipad and what version does configurator think you're supposed to be able to get (ie what is the newest version?)

sometimes apps have bugged updates, and even after they are updated and on the latest version, the app store pushes their update on you. i don't remember exactly, but i think it might have happened to the office apps a few months ago. i remember there was one app that i "updated" every day for a week with the same version number.

 

[JetBlack7]

Since most user stream music these days I can see Apple getting rid of that in the near future as well. The new Apple Watch is an example as there is no storage on it yet a big selling point is the ability to listen to music without your iPhone.

True, although there are still many people that put music into their phone.

 

[Raist3001]

Yep, still yep. The apps that are removed from the app store still work until you uninstall them or change the OS in some way. I have an ipad with Flight Control HD on it still. Its exactly the same situation.

This is assuming you have the IPA. Then I agree, as long as you have the IPA you should be able to re-install the app. I think I misunderstood your initial response. My apologies.
[doublepost=1505740862][/doublepost]So if I understand correctly, this is what has happened?

iTunes 12.7 has removed the ability to manage apps, tones, and audio books.
As long as we still have the IPA, AB, and tone, we can manage this manually by dragging the IPA, AB, or tone to the iPhone in iTunes.
If I set up my iPhone as a new iPhone, I will need to manually download apps now or use drag and drop.
iTunes Backups will only backup data and music now or will need to go to iCloud

Have I missed anything?

 

[nicho]

This is assuming you have the IPA. Then I agree, as long as you have the IPA you should be able to re-install the app. I think I misunderstood your initial response. My apologies.
[doublepost=1505740862][/doublepost]So if I understand correctly, this is what has happened?

iTunes 12.7 has removed the ability to manage apps, tones, and audio books.
As long as we still have the IPA, AB, and tone, we can manage this manually by dragging the IPA, AB, or tone to the iPhone in iTunes.
If I set up my iPhone as a new iPhone, I will need to manually download apps now or use drag and drop.
iTunes Backups will only backup data and music now or will need to go to iCloud

Have I missed anything?

Just as an FYI, Configurator 2 can re-download *any* app you've bought (I just tested it with regular Flight Control) even those pulled from the App Store long ago. The need to maintain the ipa is less.

 

[Raist3001]

Just as an FYI, Configurator 2 can re-download *any* app you've bought (I just tested it with regular Flight Control) even those pulled from the App Store long ago. The need to maintain the ipa is less.

To be honest, I never used iTunes to manage my apps. I just don't want to lose the apps I paid for when they are removed from the app store. Where are the IPA's stored now once a new app is purchased since they are no longer managed by iTunes? Will I need to use Configurator 2 to get the IPA?

 

[Beren1969]

Does Android have this functionality for your computer?.
Honest question.

Yes via Sony Bridge.

 

[tgara]

I have a different but similar problem. There have been times when an app has gone on sale or free and I did not have enough space on my iPad. So I would just download it to my computer for use later. Now I can't do that and that blows.

I'm missing the problem. If you purchased or downloaded an app and had insufficient space on your ipad, it would still be grouped in with your purchased apps. You could download it later from the App Store on your iPad at a later time when you had more space. Or does the iPad prevent one from downloading apps directly onto an iPad where space is insufficient? If so, you purchased an iPad that is too small. Not trying to be harsh here, but it's not Apple's or the developer's fault that you purchased an iPad with insufficient storage space for all the apps you plan to use.

Related to the space issue, keep in mind that with iOS 11, Apple is introducing this feature called Off Loading, where unused apps, but not their data, will be deleted from your iPad automatically to save space. This could be useful if you have an iPad with limited space, as your apparently is.

https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/7/15752132/ios-11-storage-deleting-apps-messages-photos

But this update blows for all the reasons mentioned in this thread too. No organization? Come on. There HAD to be a better way to handle this with much better communication instead of just shoving this update out so quickly that even tech support doesn't know what is going on. That's just bad management.

Agreed, they should have given customers a heads-up, if nothing else to back up the apps they already have.

 

[nicho]

To be honest, I never used iTunes to manage my apps. I just don't want to lose the apps I paid for when they are removed from the app store. Where are the IPA's stored now once a new app is purchased since they are no longer managed by iTunes? Will I need to use Configurator 2 to get the IPA?

AFAIK there is no precedent for apps being removed from the app store and rendered in accessible... you can still re-download purchased items even from ios?

 

[brian3uk]

I was already a little annoyed at this, but now that I have a new phone coming it hurts more. I like to setup each years new phone fresh, now this year I have to download each app on the phone itself. Yikes. Not to mention I normally put page 2+ in alpha order and the purchased tab in the app stores doesn't give that option. Is there any other Mac app that you can use to load apps onto a phone?

 

[Raist3001]

AFAIK there is no precedent for apps being removed from the app store and rendered in accessible... you can still re-download purchased items even from ios?

I'm not sure, I am unable to find a few purchased games in my purchased history that are no longer available in the App store. For Example, I can't find Amazing Alex in my Purchased History.

 

[SteveJobzniak]

AFAIK there is no precedent for apps being removed from the app store and rendered in accessible... you can still re-download purchased items even from ios?

http://www.idownloadblog.com/2015/10/07/app-store-apps-disappearing-purchase-history/

 

[Raist3001]

http://www.idownloadblog.com/2015/10/07/app-store-apps-disappearing-purchase-history/

And there we go. This move by apple is terrible. If this is still the case (article is form 2015) we should be given refunds to all apps we can no longer download. And since I do not see a few games in my purchase history, this lends some truth to the article.

So how do we get access to IPA's we purchase from this point forward since iTunes no longer manages our apps?!?

 

[Eternal Bliss]

Thats odd indeed. I don't use google maps anymore, so this is a hunch and I'm assuming you've updated on the ipad by now but if you haven't... what version of google maps do you have installed on your ipad and what version does configurator think you're supposed to be able to get (ie what is the newest version?)

sometimes apps have bugged updates, and even after they are updated and on the latest version, the app store pushes their update on you. i don't remember exactly, but i think it might have happened to the office apps a few months ago. i remember there was one app that i "updated" every day for a week with the same version number.

I have now reverted to iTunes 12.6, but before I did that I tried to see the version of Google Maps that shows in Configurator 2, but such information is not shown (at least in the function that I used to check). After I reverted to 12.6, the update showed in iTunes, along with updates for 2 other apps (which are not installed on my iPad).

iTunes 12.6 is like sitting down in a comfortable chair compared with iTunes 12.7.

 

[MacGarage]

I think one of the overlooked issues that I am running into with, dealing with senior citizens, is that many do not have wifi, very limited data plans, fingers cannot move apps well, and some are uncomfortable with new tech.

iTunes works well for all of those issues. So what are all of these people supposed to do that are limited due to their internet connection, lack of wifi, a limited data plan, or difficulties in using their fingers or seeing the tiny screen?

 

[MadeTheSwitch]

Or does the iPad prevent one from downloading apps directly onto an iPad where space is insufficient?

Well yeah, you can't download something you don't have room for on any computing product, ipad included. I wish it was a Tardis that had more room than it appeares from the outside, but it just doesn't.

Related to the space issue, keep in mind that with iOS 11, Apple is introducing this feature called Off Loading, where unused apps, but not their data, will be deleted from your iPad automatically to save space. This could be useful if you have an iPad with limited space

Yeah, that's one of numerous reasons I am interested in ios11. However the inability to run some old 32 bit apps offset that. That is quite a painful tradeoff that Apple expects to me to make and I don't know that I can. I wish this draconian policy was in ios 12 not 11 if it had to be in place at all. But nothing I can do about that.

It is possible that my ipad will be frozen forever at ios 10 because of that issue though leading to customer dissatisfaction. And what does a frustrated dissatisfied customer do? They eventually become the customer of another company.

It seems all that Apple does these days is put obstacles in their customer's path and make things harder not easier. Just shouldn't have to spend this much time on researching workarounds for poor company decisions. All this stuff should be seamless, easy, and customer friendly first, not last.

 

[firewood]

Where are the IPA's stored now once a new app is purchased since they are no longer managed by iTunes? Will I need to use Configurator 2 to get the IPA?

New apps are no longer stored on your Mac during purchase. Instead you will have to use Configurator 2 to temporarily (re)download iOS apps to a temporary directory deep inside your Library directory. See:

https://apple.stackexchange.com/que...-ipa-file-to-my-mac-after-itunes-12-7-update/

You will have to quickly copy app .ipa files out of this temporary directory before the Configurator deletes them

 

[SteveJobzniak]

Just as an FYI, Configurator 2 can re-download *any* app you've bought (I just tested it with regular Flight Control) even those pulled from the App Store long ago. The need to maintain the ipa is less.

Sadly this is not true at all. :-\

- ProTube was recently removed from the App Store by its developer.
- Everyone lost it from their "Purchased" tab on iOS and in iTunes.
- Your post gave me hope that Configurator can still get fully-removed apps, so I installed Apple Configurator 2 and went to "Add - Apps". It listed all my apps from my AppleID. ProTube is not in the list. So no, it doesn't work.

That means there's Zero advantage to using Apple Configurator. It has no advantages over iTunes 12.6, and it makes things much harder. Apple Configurator cannot easily save .IPA files and keep them up-to-date locally. There's a temp folder (mentioned by users above) but it's nowhere near as easy as iTunes 12.6.

So the best way is still:

- Keep iTunes 12.6.
- Use it to update and store your .IPA files.
- And remember: You can never, ever retrieve a .IPA file anymore if the developer removes it from sale in all regions worldwide.

Apple can go screw themselves for not allowing re-downloads of removed apps that we've paid for. I bet I've lost $300 so far in paid apps (I've lost like 40 apps from my purchase history since 2010).

 

[bigchief]

I think one of the overlooked issues that I am running into with, dealing with senior citizens, is that many do not have wifi, very limited data plans, fingers cannot move apps well, and some are uncomfortable with new tech.

iTunes works well for all of those issues. So what are all of these people supposed to do that are limited due to their internet connection, lack of wifi, a limited data plan, or difficulties in using their fingers or seeing the tiny screen?

[doublepost=1505776180][/doublepost]Good point, I'm 66 YOA and I dropped windows computers about 4 years ago when I found out how easy it was to sink my devices, iPhone and iPad, just by plugging it into my MacBook Pro and click back to this computer in iTunes. Many of my friends did the same. I come to this forums when there are updates for my devices just to read how it works out for everyone before I download it. I'm sure glad I did with this update. I let all of my friends know about it and they are very disappointed with Apple's removal of apps from iTunes for many reasons. Our minds are not a sharp as they use to be and trying to adopt to this change is very up setting to us. We like knowing all of our apps that we have purchased over the years are safe and sound backed up in our Macs where we can pick and choose what we want to use on our iPhones/iPads without using the iCloud. I really don't fully trust iCloud.

Any way I hope Apple can help us out with this dilemma.

 

[Kevenly]

I'm not sure, I am unable to find a few purchased games in my purchased history that are no longer available in the App store. For Example, I can't find Amazing Alex in my Purchased History.

I have dozens of apps, some of which I'm quite fond of and still use, that have absolutely vanished from the app store and do not appear in my purchase history. This is what made me really start being sure to have backups of everything. Same issue with the Mac App store but I have purchased far less from that.

I had already bought many iOS apps in 2009 before I had an iDevice. It was my mounting library that pressed me to go ahead and get an iPod Touch. Apple is foolish for this, for a lot of reasons. I myself do all my iOS app browsing and management on desktop and always have.

I also have had scenarios where an app did not have enough space to update on the iPad so I would have to download and update through iTunes. Deleting and re-installing would have lost my app's data.

This is all just so stupid. It was bad enough to be locked out of everything, now they are taking the only way to manage my devices. It's fine, I can stay on old versions but how long until they dump the IOS App store even existing on the net? Then iTunes won't work for updating. I need that feature. So few of my apps are able to be installed at a time on my limited 16gb iPad. Sometimes they quit working so I uninstall but then an update comes along and I can re-install. I'd never know if it wasn't for my desktop management and updating.
[doublepost=1505777248][/doublepost]

This is assuming you have the IPA. Then I agree, as long as you have the IPA you should be able to re-install the app. I think I misunderstood your initial response. My apologies.
[doublepost=1505740862][/doublepost]So if I understand correctly, this is what has happened?

iTunes 12.7 has removed the ability to manage apps, tones, and audio books.
As long as we still have the IPA, AB, and tone, we can manage this manually by dragging the IPA, AB, or tone to the iPhone in iTunes.
If I set up my iPhone as a new iPhone, I will need to manually download apps now or use drag and drop.
iTunes Backups will only backup data and music now or will need to go to iCloud

Have I missed anything?

Yes, Apple claimed to re

And there we go. This move by apple is terrible. If this is still the case (article is form 2015) we should be given refunds to all apps we can no longer download. And since I do not see a few games in my purchase history, this lends some truth to the article.

So how do we get access to IPA's we purchase from this point forward since iTunes no longer manages our apps?!?

This is why I've been archiving my IPAs for years now. It started before 2015. From the article:

As a result, questions arose as to whether this pointed toward a big problem in the App Store. Sadly, as PocketGamer points out, this is definitely a new Apple policy meaning you now have to back up your purchased mobile apps in iTunes to keep them forever.

And now Apple is removing the ability to do just that. I guess they considered having a copy of what I purchased to be a liability to their "we'll take it back whenever we want approach". That only leaves one more step - Actually deleting installed apps off your device when you're not looking once they become censored or the developer stops paying their fee, or however it works.
[doublepost=1505777666][/doublepost]

Sadly this is not true at all. :-\
Apple can go screw themselves for not allowing re-downloads of removed apps that we've paid for. I bet I've lost $300 so far in paid apps (I've lost like 40 apps from my purchase history since 2010).

There were some Star Wars games that were quite expensive. When Disney bought Lucasfilm they disappeared from the App store and my purchase history. Then they released the new Star Wars games that are all generic microtransaction engines. I paid $10 for one of them that they stole.

Imagine if you went to the department store, bought some clothes and furniture, then one day woke up to find employees from the store in your house taking your things back. No explanation, no compensation, just loads them in a truck and disappears.

It's theft.

This is why only fools would trust and depend on non-local servers to be the keepers of your valuable data/goods.

 

[nicho]

Sadly this is not true at all. :-\

- ProTube was recently removed from the App Store by its developer.
- Everyone lost it from their "Purchased" tab on iOS and in iTunes.
- Your post gave me hope that Configurator can still get fully-removed apps, so I installed Apple Configurator 2 and went to "Add - Apps". It listed all my apps from my AppleID. ProTube is not in the list. So no, it doesn't work.

That means there's Zero advantage to using Apple Configurator. It has no advantages over iTunes 12.6, and it makes things much harder. Apple Configurator cannot easily save .IPA files and keep them up-to-date locally. There's a temp folder (mentioned by users above) but it's nowhere near as easy as iTunes 12.6.

So the best way is still:

- Keep iTunes 12.6.
- Use it to update and store your .IPA files.
- And remember: You can never, ever retrieve a .IPA file anymore if the developer removes it from sale in all regions worldwide.

Apple can go screw themselves for not allowing re-downloads of removed apps that we've paid for. I bet I've lost $300 so far in paid apps (I've lost like 40 apps from my purchase history since 2010).

I didn't know that. TBH i abandon apps I don't use a lot, fairly quickly, so I've never noticed.

serious question then - Does that mean that there's somewhere in the world, where they're still selling Flight Control on the App Store?