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Apple's Special Version of iTunes That Still Has an App Store Currently Incompatible With macOS Mojave

bogdanw said:
Check For Available Downloads started some downloads in iTunes.
Click to expand...
Thank you for this tip! It's not yet worked for me (I say 'yet' because I've got multiple libraries but so far I've tried it on just one library).

Hope these posts here are helpful to readers!

UPDATE: 'Check For Available Downloads...' still not working for me. Is there some reason to think it's a High Sierra versus Mojave/Catalina thing? I'm using High Sierra...
 
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iTunes stopped downloading apps updates now. (Mojave, iTunes 12.6.5.3)
Apple is really being a pain in the ___ now.
Does it even matter to them which client I use to download the damn app anyway?
Wouldn't it be less demanding to their servers if I use iTunes to download it once and then sync to multiple devices that I own instead of downloading on EVERY SINGLE ONE of them?
 
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iTunes 12.6.5.3 in El Capitan 10.11.6 on an Early 2011 MBP stopped downloading iOS app (IPA) updates yesterday. The center progress bar says it will update but the progress wheel/list is missing and there is no download network traffic.

I deleted AT&T Call Protect from the library and tried to download it from the Apple Store, which still didn’t work :(

I guess it is too much to hope that some key Apple engineers and/or managers, who are working from home, have slow internet connections. And maybe, just maybe, they realize that Apple’s frequent updates of the apps on every iOS device can be a burden for those of us with slow and/or capped internet access.

FWIW the highest uncapped bandwidth internet available to me is 4Mb/s (yes bits). So I use iTunes to maintain the apps on 4 iPhones and an iPad, hence 1/5 of the bandwidth needed without iTunes. I download the updates via iTunes overnight and apply them the next day.

GetRealBro
 
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In case anyone is interested, all 3 Macs in my home are experiencing this issue. My MacBook Pro, using iTunes 12.6.5.3 and Mojave in included. The other 2 are on High Sierra. However, the MacBook Pro, using Boot Camp, Windows 10, and the 64-bit version of iTunes 12.6.5.3 for Windows has no problems whatsoever with either downloading a new app or updating an existing one.

I installed Apple Configurator 2, plugged in my iPhone, and after a while spent figuring out how to use it, was successful in downloading apps with Configurator. I was able to confirm that what I had just downloaded was in a temporary cache folder in my Library. HOWEVER, relaunching Apple Configurator deleted both the folders and the apps in them. Not very convenient compared to iTunes.

I really hope this situation is temporary. Seems really cruel to cut off Mac loyalists, not PCs.
 
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I confirm that Apple Configurator is a pain in the "neck" and it seeing few apps but exactly the ones I don't want to update. Only those and I'm using Mojave
Made few experiment using iMazing but it's even more painful beside being so slow to access the Store.
Probably I will put my devices in Quarantine and not updating any app till we get back to a normal time and pester Apple to put it back as it was for us, Loyal Mac users since ever!!
P.s. Maybe we need a virtual iPhone on the Mac to trick the servers, would it be possible?
 
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katbel said:
P.s. Maybe we need a virtual iPhone on the Mac to trick the servers, would it be possible?
Click to expand...
You might get sued by Apple, like Corellium :) https://www.macrumors.com/2019/10/29/apple-corellium-ios-lawsuit/
It’s probably time to test the free contingency plan
VirtualBox https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
Windows 10 Disc Image x64 (ISO File) https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO
or free Windows 10 virtual machines https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/tools/vms/
iTunes 12.6.5.3 PC (64-bit) https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208079
Sad times...being forced to Windows in order to use an Apple service.
 
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I have tested the above contingency plan. Specifically, using Parallels Desktop 13 on MacOS High Sierra. Downloaded and installed the Windows 10 free VM for Parallels, and set it up in a purely default manner - VM in user's home folder, iTunes Library in the the user's ~/Music folder. Sharing Mac home folders with the VM. Installed iTunes 12.6.5.3, and on launch, it immediately was seeing the iTunes Library in ~/Music. Downloading new apps works, updating existing ones does. Updating an existing one moves the old one to the Mac Trash. At least when using Parallels in Coherence mode. So it is now relatively seamless and functional. In Coherence mode, it appears as if the Windows version of iTunes is a running as a Mac app, in the sense you are still interacting with your Mac in Finder. Many thanks for the links for the prebuilt VMs. MS claims that if you make a snapshot of the VM BEFORE the first boot, reverting to that will get you going again after 90 days. But all changes are reverted.
 
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Thank you, everyone, for all these postings!

Windows workaround a great find, a welcome option although it does seem precarious. I wonder if there's a way to spoof the iTunes identifier? Spoof the platform identifier?

This is all so annoying!
 
GH1852 said:
MS claims that if you make a snapshot of the VM BEFORE the first boot, reverting to that will get you going again after 90 days. But all changes are reverted.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure what happens after 90 days. The ISO installed without a key just nags you to register and you can't use some options, like changing the desktop background.

uehithneu said:
I wonder if there's a way to spoof the iTunes identifier? Spoof the platform identifier?
Click to expand...
I've tried without success to modify the info inside WebBundle.bundle. Probably needs all info.plist files to be modified with Windows data.
 
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uehithneu said:
Thank you, everyone, for all these postings!

Windows workaround a great find, a welcome option although it does seem precarious. I wonder if there's a way to spoof the iTunes identifier? Spoof the platform identifier?

This is all so annoying!
Click to expand...
My fear is that in about 3 days, Apple will do the same with iTunes for Windows
 
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Red John said:
This issue has been there for quite a while for me. What I do is, delete the app needing an update from the library and re-download it. This works for me at the moment.
…
Click to expand...
I did that too, it's worked in the past, but no more. Won't download apps any more, as of 3/17 or 3/18/2020

Looked at Console after clicking 'update' on a listed app, apparently (by the 'error') CFNetworkAgent is bunged up:

default 21:26:20.415232 -0800 iTunes Sending CFNA PAC query
default 21:26:20.423731 -0800 CFNetworkAgent Handling incoming message type 3 kCFNetworkAgentXPCMessageTypePACQuery
default 21:26:20.423792 -0800 CFNetworkAgent PAC handling query for id (null) token 0x7f8f2e8005a0
default 21:26:20.424101 -0800 CFNetworkAgent PAC fetch start for <private>
default 21:26:20.430665 -0800 CFNetworkAgent TCP Conn [1:0x7f8f2d506ac0] using custom proxy configuration
default 21:26:20.430726 -0800 CFNetworkAgent TIC TCP Conn Start [1:0x7f8f2d506ac0]
default 21:26:20.430966 -0800 CFNetworkAgent Task <53F4FC94-C362-4BF1-B2B7-2C62666DDD19>.<1> setting up Connection 1
default 21:26:20.431011 -0800 CFNetworkAgent [1 <private> <private>] start
default 21:26:20.433928 -0800 CFNetworkAgent TIC TCP Conn Event [1:0x7f8f2d506ac0]: 3
error 21:26:20.433978 -0800 CFNetworkAgent TIC TCP Conn Failed [1:0x7f8f2d506ac0]: 12:8 Err(-65554)
default 21:26:20.434008 -0800 CFNetworkAgent TIC TCP Conn Cancel [1:0x7f8f2d506ac0]
default 21:26:20.434229 -0800 CFNetworkAgent [1 <private> stream, pid: 1844, url: http://wpad/wpad.dat] cancelled. Events:
default 21:26:20.434268 -0800 CFNetworkAgent 0.000s [1 74DEAB99-87DF-495E-B8DC-908E0C99A8CC <private> resolver] path:start
default 21:26:20.434309 -0800 CFNetworkAgent 0.000s [1 74DEAB99-87DF-495E-B8DC-908E0C99A8CC <private> resolver] path:satisfied
default 21:26:20.434367 -0800 CFNetworkAgent 0.000s [1 74DEAB99-87DF-495E-B8DC-908E0C99A8CC <private> resolver] resolver:start_dns
default 21:26:20.434419 -0800 CFNetworkAgent 0.002s [1 74DEAB99-87DF-495E-B8DC-908E0C99A8CC <private> resolver] resolver:receive_dns Error Domain=kNWErrorDomainDNS Code=-65554 "DNS failed due to NoSuchRecord" UserInfo={NSDescription=DNS failed due to NoSuchRecord}
default 21:26:20.434450 -0800 CFNetworkAgent 0.003s [1] path:cancel
default 21:26:20.434570 -0800 CFNetworkAgent _CFNetworkIsConnectedToInternet returning 1, flagsValid: 1, flags: 0x2
error 21:26:20.434622 -0800 CFNetworkAgent Task <53F4FC94-C362-4BF1-B2B7-2C62666DDD19>.<1> HTTP load failed (error code: -1003 [12:8])
error 21:26:20.434708 -0800 CFNetworkAgent Task <53F4FC94-C362-4BF1-B2B7-2C62666DDD19>.<1> finished with error - code: -1003
default 21:26:20.439747 -0800 CFNetworkAgent PAC fetch end for <private>. data 0x0 response 0x0 statusCode 0 error 0x7f8f2d413cd0
error 21:26:20.439786 -0800 CFNetworkAgent PAC Fetch failed with error [NSURLErrorDomain:-1003]
default 21:26:20.439867 -0800 CFNetworkAgent PAC query complete list=(null), error=<private>
default 21:26:20.439966 -0800 iTunes Received CFNA PAC response
default 21:26:20.440219 -0800 iTunes TCP Conn [59:0x6080001792c0] using empty proxy configuration
default 21:26:20.440241 -0800 iTunes Stream client bypassing proxies on TCP Conn [59:0x6080001792c0]
default 21:26:20.440260 -0800 iTunes TCP Conn 0x6080001792c0 started
default 21:26:20.440409 -0800 iTunes [59 <private> <private>] start
default 21:26:20.512958 -0800 iTunes TCP Conn 0x6080001792c0 event 1. err: 0
default 21:26:20.513016 -0800 iTunes TCP Conn 0x6080001792c0 complete. fd: 36, err: 0
default 21:26:20.513195 -0800 iTunes TCP Conn 0x6080001792c0 starting SSL negotiation
default 21:26:20.621917 -0800 trustd Leaf has invalid basic constraints
default 21:26:20.707897 -0800 iTunes TCP Conn 0x6080001792c0 SSL Handshake DONE

I really hope it's an oversight that'll be fixed. Soon, the 'updates' are piling up… :)
 
bogdanw said:
Could this be the cause? https://www.macrumors.com/2020/03/23/apple-universal-purchase-mac-apps/
Click to expand...
Probably. I still think Apple should put in an option to revert to the previous versions of an app on iPhone and iPad. This way we don't have to use iTunes. But Apple now have cut us off completely, it seems. Of course, the writing was on the wall.

Many times an app update has presented me with bugs, and there's no way to revert back without iTunes. Apple assumes that every new version of an app is the better one. Alas, frequently new bugs are introduced.
 
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bogdanw said:
Could this be the cause? https://www.macrumors.com/2020/03/23/apple-universal-purchase-mac-apps/
Click to expand...

When I read it I thought the same.. but using iMazing still works
If you wish to keep your older apps in case you don't like the update of a specific app and you want to save the old one.
Not doing for all but for some yes. Then you can reinstall it in case using Apple Configurator or deleting from your iTunes library the new one you dislike and putting instead, after deleting it ,with a double click the old your prefer.
For now and for this purpose it's the best solution. Cache content is working for apps I do not care but it will leave your iTunes library updates full of apps.
If someone wants to know the exact procedure , please let me know and I will post it
 
katbel said:
If someone wants to know the exact procedure , please let me know and I will post it
Click to expand...
Yes yes--please--would you post?

I for one use iTunes to keep several libraries (e.g., paid apps, free apps) so that things stay somewhat organized. Really do wish iMazing would app support for keeping multiple libraries!
 
1)Take a screenshot of your updates on the iTunes library and close iTunes and keep the screenshot open to see which updates you need.
2)Launch iMazing and select your device connected via usb and click Manage Apps
1.jpg


You will be ask to Sign-in on your iTunes account.

3)You will get a screen: select Library and then click on the cloud sign
(Red arrow) to download the app you need

2.jpg

Once the app has been downloaded you will see the "Download available" changing to
the app release number. (Blue arrow)

4) Move the original app from the iTunes library to another disk if you want to keep the old app in case
you need to go back for any reason- Moving to a folder on the same disk is not enough because iTunes is still able to mess it up.

5)From iMazing drag the app you just dowloaded to the iTunes library

Do it for all apps you need to update

6)Close iMazing and reopen iTunes

iTunes will not automatically recognize the update but if you

7)Option- click on the app to update on the iTunes window and click Show in finder it will not be able to locate it.

Click locate and go to the folder of your library: select the new app and you will see the update on the iTunes screen disappear. Success !

Do it for as many apps you need to update
Then sync your devices as usual and you will see iTunes working as the good old time.

It is a lot of work 😟 but for now is the only solution I found
The good news is after the first few times it will be faster.
Another solution could be to use iMazing for backups and updates and forget iTunes.
I'm not ready yet, for now.

Maybe there is a faster step to make iTunes to recognize all the updated apps, I don't know

P.s.Remember to clean time to time the iMazing folder in
~user-library-App support-iMazing-Backups-Library-Apps
The first time you will launch it, iMazing will create tons of icons too, this is why it takes sometime to have all the apps to update displayed. It duplicates many of them too. If you have tons of space on your hd it's ok, if not delete that one too and the first time it will spin the wheel again...
 
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The Man said:
Is it safe to sign in your Apple account via a third party app? That's how passwords get stolen, no?
Click to expand...
Good question, not sure though
What I do on my side is to block iMazing to communicate home via little snitch.
Than I check with Radio silence all the other communications that have been and usually there are all normal and all going to Apple, iTunes and local on my network, but of course there is always a chance. Sigh
 
The Man said:
Is it safe to sign in your Apple account via a third party app? That's how passwords get stolen, no?
Click to expand...
I don't trust iMazing, especially for adding com.DigiDNA.iMazing2Mac.Mini.plist to ~/Library/LaunchAgents.
Little Snitch informed me that iMazing is trying to connect to appcenter.ms Maybe that's why it's working.
 
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bogdanw said:
I don't trust iMazing, especially for adding com.DigiDNA.iMazing2Mac.Mini.plist to ~/Library/LaunchAgents.
Little Snitch informed me that iMazing is trying to connect to appcenter.ms Maybe that's why it's working.
Click to expand...
I deleted the iMazingMini immediately and it has been blocked since I installed it the first time and keep deleting the launch agent each time as soon as I launch the app, and for what I know it should work just to have iMazing ready from the menubar, that I do not want.
[automerge]1585083787[/automerge]
One another point on security should be the two factor authentication: if someone got my password , he/she will not be able to use it from another location or a different device, without entering the code sent to my devices.
Plus -just in case- I never backup with iMazing for a further security reason.
 
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bogdanw said:
I don't trust iMazing, especially for adding com.DigiDNA.iMazing2Mac.Mini.plist to ~/Library/LaunchAgents.
Little Snitch informed me that iMazing is trying to connect to appcenter.ms Maybe that's why it's working.
Click to expand...
These are the very reason that I am very reluctant to get that app... 😩
 
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