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

A good idea from Apple forum thread
up_for_it
"The stalled updates are >100 now, so I'm going to focus on the bigger developers who might have louder voices. "
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I found another trick to push Apple Configurator to see more updates:
I deleted all the caches in
~/Library/Group Containers/K36BKF7T3D.group.com.apple.configurator/Library/Caches/Assets/TemporaryItems/MobileApps

and now it sees more updates you can download
 

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Upsetting! Users hear thru the grapevine, not from Apple itself. iTunes for macOS unusable but iTunes for Windows intact? Apple takes this action even though there's a big loss of function. And for what gain??
 
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Apple Configurator 2 does let you download current versions of a purchased apps from the App store.

What you do is attach your iPhone or iPad. Choose is Add > Apps

You log in your Apple account and you'll see all your current purchases for download. Simply choose the app you want. Don't worry if it is already installed on your iPad or iPhone, as it will prompt you what to do once it has finished downloading.

The thing is this. The downloaded files are only temporary downloaded to a folder. Once it has finished installing on your iPad or iPhone, the ipa file gets erased on your Mac. What you do is simply add an Automator Folder Action to that temporary folder so that each time you download an app it gets copied to another folder once it has downloaded.

The temporary files get downloaded on your Mac in the following folder

Library/"Group Containers"/group.com.apple.configurator/Library/Caches/Assets/TemporaryItems/MobileApps/

So you attached the Automator action to that folder.

So this way you can still download apps on your Mac, but of course there is no easy mechanism for getting updates. Still, it is something that I will now use to back up apps.
 
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Incredible : no apps but I'm still able to download the iPad update via iTunes 🙄
Just discovered after the download of the 13.4.1 iPadOs with iTunes (like to keep it just in case)
that you can drop it on Configurator , on your iPad icon and it work
Didn't want to look all over my hd to find where Configurator keeps the iOS updates, easier 😉

Good idea to use Automator "The Man", I'm always there like a vulture on the folder because the ones that you add disappear faster than the updates , beside the fact that few don't appear among the apps you bought.
 
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At this moment A Configurator doesn’t see any of the 40 updates available . Tried with both updated iPad 13.4.1 and iPhone still at 13.4 . Yesterday was still updating the apps
done few experiments , restarting iPad , A.C. but nothing 😠
I’ll do more and post
 
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I've not yet tried out Apple Configurator but seems to me it's really tricky? Perhaps iMazing the better option? Even though iMazing less featureful than is iTunes. I'd be so happy to see iMazing gain support for multiple libraries (à la the iTunes option+click trick).
 
After updating to iPadOs 13.4.1, A. Configurator must have signed me out of iTunes Stores. After I signed back-in a lot of the apps where available to be downloaded again 😊 Very simple explanation, for once!
 
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efecanarar said:
Apple software engineering department just gave a reply to us: We are aware of a problem like this but we don’t have information about whether it’s an interference from the upside, an expiration of an SSL certificate or a temporary error. We will research and reply in the following days.
Click to expand...
It's been a week since "most qualified people" at Apple looked into the problem. Any news?
 
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mdwsta4 said:
Those running High Sierra, how are you able to download Configurator 2? I get an error message stating I need to upgrade to Catalina
Click to expand...
I was able to download it on Mojave though , so it's not Catalina only. I have an older version that worked on high Sierra, let me know if you want it, and it is a 2.7

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bogdanw said:
It's been a week since "most qualified people" at Apple looked into the problem. Any news?
Click to expand...
Not on my side, but it’s a good sign they are aware of it At least.
 
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mdwsta4 said:
Those running High Sierra, how are you able to download Configurator 2? I get an error message stating I need to upgrade to Catalina
Click to expand...
One more idea: if you downloaded Configurator in the past, you could go through your purchases and download it again, from there. You first need to move to a safer location the old configurator (backup)
then you should see Install instead of update from your Purchases . Click install and
Usually you should get the latest version for your system
 
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Just realise I can no longer update any apps on iTunes 12.6.5.3 now. Apple says its unintentional but I dont think so. Now, I need to extract my app library somehow and maybe use iMazing to keep everything updated and stores locally.
 
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B4U said:
WOW!
Apple actually admits fault?
I need to go outside to buy lottery!! 🤣
Click to expand...
We share than if you win...😉 and if Apple fix it as promised

Meanwhile: I figured out a simpler way to update iTunes using Configurator.
Just drop all the new apps updated from the folder

Library/"Group Containers"/group.com.apple.configurator/Library/Caches/Assets/TemporaryItems/MobileApps/

Drag it over iTunes open window where the updates are

iTunes will ask if you want to update each one , say yes and you are done.
Of course if you care to have some apps backup before doing the "dropping",
it is better you do it till you can.
 
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I doubt here's anything wrong with anyone's system. I have exactly the same issue on both my iPhone SE and iPad Pro. I'm running OS 10.12.6 Sierra and iTunes 12.6.5.3 on a Mac Pro 5,1 and MacBook Air. My iPhone is running iOS 12.4.1 and the iPad 13.3. Both iOS's worked perfectly on Sierra managing my apps both in updates and holding copies of the apps so I could install or uninstall apps on my many iOS devices. In looking at other Apple blogs, it's become apparent this is Apple's way of forcing those who have refused to upgrade to the latest iTunes since there is no reason to stay with iTunes 12.6.5.3 and earlier.

I personally feel it's Apples doing and I doubt we'll ever see it come back. They are simply forcing people to upgrade their equipment by writing code and using their servers to frustrate people into upgrading, whether it's their software or hardware. I'd like to believe I'm wrong, but an obvious case in point is Mac Pro 3,1 (and others) not being able to load Sierra and above without some high end user/code writer showing how a cracked code they designed can allow these newer OS's to run perfectly on older gear. It's obvious they are trying to retire good equipment and force upgrades. I love my Apple stuff and I have plenty of it, but I hate these kind of decisions on their part. The interesting thing is this iTunes issue is not supposedly happening on the Windows side from what I've read. So maybe there's a glitch in Apples servers, as why would they do it on the Apple OS side and not the Windows versions if it's true? I suspect the Windows iTunes side app management will suffer the same fate shortly.

Apple you have enough money in the bank to allow us users who have older gear (and can't afford to upgrade or are happy with our current gear) to continue to use your later software or at least allow us the ability to use our current software and hardware in the manner it was designed.

Sorry for the rant in my love/hate relationship since my first purchase of a 9600 Tower running OS9...LOL. Life goes on though and we will have to get used to their ways. I still love my Apple gear; it's dependable, works wonderfully with few glitches and is bought and paid for. I suspect it will give me many more years of fairly trouble free use. Buying into the latest and greatest is part of the consumption problem in our rapid slide into industrial waste and pollution of the planet.

Shame on you Apple for being greedy. Prove me wrong please.
 
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Kaiman said:
I doubt here's anything wrong with anyone's system. I have exactly the same issue on both my iPhone SE and iPad Pro. I'm running OS 10.12.6 Sierra and iTunes 12.6.5.3 on a Mac Pro 5,1 and MacBook Air. My iPhone is running iOS 12.4.1 and the iPad 13.3. Both iOS's worked perfectly on Sierra managing my apps both in updates and holding copies of the apps so I could install or uninstall apps on my many iOS devices. In looking at other Apple blogs, it's become apparent this is Apple's way of forcing those who have refused to upgrade to the latest iTunes since there is no reason to stay with iTunes 12.6.5.3 and earlier.

I personally feel it's Apples doing and I doubt we'll ever see it come back. They are simply forcing people to upgrade their equipment by writing code and using their servers to frustrate people into upgrading, whether it's their software or hardware. I'd like to believe I'm wrong, but an obvious case in point is Mac Pro 3,1 (and others) not being able to load Sierra and above without some high end user/code writer showing how a cracked code they designed can allow these newer OS's to run perfectly on older gear. It's obvious they are trying to retire good equipment and force upgrades. I love my Apple stuff and I have plenty of it, but I hate these kind of decisions on their part. The interesting thing is this iTunes issue is not supposedly happening on the Windows side from what I've read. So maybe there's a glitch in Apples servers, as why would they do it on the Apple OS side and not the Windows versions if it's true? I suspect the Windows iTunes side app management will suffer the same fate shortly.

Apple you have enough money in the bank to allow us users who have older gear (and can't afford to upgrade or are happy with our current gear) to continue to use your later software or at least allow us the ability to use our current software and hardware in the manner it was designed.

Sorry for the rant in my love/hate relationship since my first purchase of a 9600 Tower running OS9...LOL. Life goes on though and we will have to get used to their ways. I still love my Apple gear; it's dependable, works wonderfully with few glitches and is bought and paid for. I suspect it will give me many more years of fairly trouble free use. Buying into the latest and greatest is part of the consumption problem in our rapid slide into industrial waste and pollution of the planet.

Shame on you Apple for being greedy. Prove me wrong please.
Click to expand...
We can't
 
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Kaiman said:
The interesting thing is this iTunes issue is not supposedly happening on the Windows side from what I've read.
Click to expand...

From a hint in another thread @macrumors.com I learned, that iTunes 12.6.5 on WIN still is running incl. the features concerning the appstore and administrating apps locally. I tried it with Parallels 15 and WIN7 - and yes, everything is fine -

I agree with you @Kaiman - on the long run >> "The only constant in life is change" like Heraclitus already said 2500 years ago ...

But I don't agree with your statement
Kaiman said:
Shame on you Apple for being greedy.
Click to expand...

Greed is one of the seven deadly sins and therefore part of Christianity and and from there following it became part of our today's moral and ethical values.
And economics and running a business all around the world - in most cases - follow different 'values'.

We do not complain, that Steve and Woz invented the Apple I back in 1976, the iMac in 1997, the iPod in 2001 and the iPhone in 2007 ... otherwise we would still make big fires to send messages to the next town ...
Evolution is a center principal of this galaxy and we humans are a result of this principle and at the same time it is part of our genes and our acting ...
And main part of economics and running a business is profit ...
And moral and ethics are a wonderful human achievement, but - in my opinion - only a very thin layer over the million year old principal of the survival of the fittest.

>>> It doesn't make much sense to project moral values or our personal wishes onto a business company and being outraged, that this company doesn't act like we as endusers might wish ... <<<

When Apple can sell more devices by claiming they are produced in a political correct way, they will do it ... well, already do it all the time.

Like the most of you I am a BIG fan of this wonderful gear -
And like you I had several moments of frustration -
But we have a choice among quite a lot of other operating systems and other hardware stuff - and we made our choices > for < Apple ... and if we don't like it any more, we can move on.
For me personally Apples hard- and software is still the best (or the petty evil ...) and still I am willing to pay >much< more for this.

On the one side we want change and on the other side we don't want it ...

From my point of view it doesn't make much sense or changes a lot, bashing Apple for running a business and aiming for profit - (ok, ok ... there is enough room for a more detailed and differentiated discussion about that).

What I really appreciate here and in other forums, is the common sense of helping and supporting each other with information, tips and tricks and being part of this virtual community -

In this sense ... I wish, that the big majority is hopefully well and healthy and wish a pleasant Easter weekend to you all -

😊
 
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katbel said:
We can't
Click to expand...

LOL."We can't"...good one. Given what's going on in the world today, where the movie" Contagion" is here and real, we've all got many more important things to worry about. Maybe why Apple hasn't gotten to it if it wasn't intentional. Either way a good chuckle is in order. Thanks :)
 
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efecanarar said:
Sorry for making you wait. I got the good news today. The problem is in the server, Apple software team is aware of this and they are working on it. They said that the problem will be fixed soon.
Click to expand...
Any further word from Apple on this?
 
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