How to stop syncing apps without deleting them on my iphone?

[MareLuce]

My laptop hard drive is filling up with apps I've installed on my iPhone.

How can I stop syncing apps from my from my iPhone to my laptop without deleting them on my iPhone?

When I try to uncheck the box on the "Apps" tab, iTunes tells me it's going to delete the apps on my iPhone. I don't want to do that. I simply want to stop syncing them.

However, I definitely DO need to sync my contacts.

 

[JamesMB]

My laptop hard drive is filling up with apps I've installed on my iPhone.

How can I stop syncing apps from my from my iPhone to my laptop without deleting them on my iPhone?

When I try to uncheck the box on the "Apps" tab, iTunes tells me it's going to delete the apps on my iPhone. I don't want to do that. I simply want to stop syncing them.

However, I definitely DO need to sync my contacts.

You must have an awfully small HDD on your laptop, if the amount of apps that it would take to completely fill an iPhone is filling your laptop hdd. As you have found out, if you select to not sync your apps in iTunes, they will be removed from your phone.

 

[xraydoc]

My laptop hard drive is filling up with apps I've installed on my iPhone.

How can I stop syncing apps from my from my iPhone to my laptop without deleting them on my iPhone?

When I try to uncheck the box on the "Apps" tab, iTunes tells me it's going to delete the apps on my iPhone. I don't want to do that. I simply want to stop syncing them.

However, I definitely DO need to sync my contacts.

iPhone apps are pretty small. A few megabytes tops most of them. I doubt you have enough to make any statistical impact on your HD unless you have an abnormally small HD or partition, of you've got it filled to the brink with loads of other stuff.

 

[JamesMB]

iPhone apps are pretty small. A few megabytes tops most of them. I doubt you have enough to make any statistical impact on your HD unless you have an abnormally small HD or partition, of you've got it filled to the brink with loads of other stuff.

That's exactly what I was thinking. The largest phone that the OP could have is 32GB...Can you imagine how many apps you would have to have to take up 32GB on an hdd.

 

[Mlrollin91]

Keep the app in iTunes, delete the actually app under iTunes Media Folder on your computer. As long as the App Icon is showing in your iTunes App menu, and it is installed on your phone, it wont be deleted. Same goes for movies, music and tv shows.

 

[MareLuce]

iPhone apps are pretty small. A few megabytes tops most of them. I doubt you have enough to make any statistical impact on your HD unless you have an abnormally small HD or partition, of you've got it filled to the brink with loads of other stuff.

I'm syncing my iphone with my work laptop (Win XP) that has only work files and iPhone backup on it. I've deleted all my music.

I downloaded "Top 100 largest files finder" program from cnet.

Beginning with #3 on the list, after pagefile.sys and a work-related file, are files I'm assuming are apps:

..\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Document\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Media\Mobile Applications

#3:
USA.ipa...........................1,917,053,025 Bytes
Nike Training.ipa..................756,025,885 Bytes
Korean.ipa..........................617,463,217 Bytes
Jibbigo1.12437.ipa...............392,073,991 Bytes
etc...

 

[MareLuce]

reply to Mlrollin91

Keep the app in iTunes, delete the actually app under iTunes Media Folder on your computer. As long as the App Icon is showing in your iTunes App menu, and it is installed on your phone, it wont be deleted. Same goes for movies, music and tv shows.

Thank you!!

In other words, if I go to that folder above
..\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Document\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Media\Mobile Applications

and delete
USA.ipa

then I will get back
1,917,053,025 Bytes
on my hard drive

and it won't be deleted on my iPhone?

 

[JamesMB]

Thank you!!

In other words, if I go to that folder above
..\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Document\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Media\Mobile Applications

and delete
USA.ipa

then I will get back
1,917,053,025 Bytes
on my hard drive

and it won't be deleted on my iPhone?

That is exactly what he is saying. If it were me, I would probably try it with a small app first. That way you could easily re-download if needed.

 

[MareLuce]

Mlrollin91's suggestion worked!

Keep the app in iTunes, delete the actually app under iTunes Media Folder on your computer. As long as the App Icon is showing in your iTunes App menu, and it is installed on your phone, it wont be deleted. Same goes for movies, music and tv shows.

This worked! Thanks again!

If the apps don't take up much room on my iPhone, why are those *.ipa application files on my PC so huge?

 

[JamesMB]

This worked! Thanks again!

If the apps don't take up much room on my iPhone, why are those *.ipa application files on my PC so huge?

They actually should be larger on the phone, because you have app data, but I'm not familiar with those particular apps, so I really don't know. When you connect your phone to iTunes, how much space does it show that the apps take up?

 

[MareLuce]

On my iPhone 4: 15.2gb used for apps

It's strange that iTunes did not re-sync that huge USA.ipa (NavFree app) file the next time I synced.

I guess it's syncing something elsewhere (in addition to that IPA file) about the app. If not, it's not really do its job at syncing, right? (i.e., if it does not detect or at least complain that I deleted the applications big IPA file on my laptop)

Am I thinking about that correctly?
What is the purpose of those IPA files?

It would be so much simpler if I could just turn off and on app syncing without the massive implication of deleting all my apps on my iPhone. If only to save time when I'm in a hurry and need to only sync my contacts.

What is Apple's rational that un-checking the Sync box should trigger deletion of all my iPhone apps?

 

[JamesMB]

On my iPhone 4: 15.2gb used for apps

It's strange that iTunes did not re-sync that huge USA.ipa (NavFree app) file the next time I synced.

I guess it's syncing something elsewhere (in addition to that IPA file) about the app. If not, it's not really do its job at syncing, right? (i.e., if it does not detect or at least complain that I deleted the applications big IPA file on my laptop)

Am I thinking about that correctly?
What is the purpose of those IPA files?

It would be so much simpler if I could just turn off and on app syncing without the massive implication of deleting all my apps on my iPhone. If only to save time when I'm in a hurry and need to only sync my contacts.

The .ipa is the actual, file, and wouldn't be used unless you deleted the app from your phone and need to replace it. The "apps" showing in iTunes, are only in the library file.

What is Apple's rational that un-checking the Sync box should trigger deletion of all my iPhone apps?

This is just a guess, but I imagine it has something to do with copyright.

BTW, deleting those .ipa files is gonna prove to be a nightmare for you.

 

[MareLuce]

For a strategy to not make deleting the IPA files a nightmare for me, I was thinking about doing this:

1) Authorize iTunes on my home computer that has a ton of storage.
Then, iTunes-Sync my iPhone to my home computer. Everything, always.

2) To my work laptop with the tiny hard drive, iTunes-Sync only my contacts and calendar to my work laptop with the tiny hard drive

Then, when I upgrade to iPhone 5, I'll use my home computer for the initial sync.

I wonder if anyone else is doing something like that...

 

[JamesMB]

For a strategy to not make deleting the IPA files a nightmare for me, I was thinking about doing this:

1) Authorize iTunes on my home computer that has a ton of storage.
Then, iTunes-Sync my iPhone to my home computer. Everything, always.

2) To my work laptop with the tiny hard drive, iTunes-Sync only my contacts and calendar to my work laptop with the tiny hard drive

Then, when I upgrade to iPhone 5, I'll use my home computer for the initial sync.

I wonder if anyone else is doing something like that...

I would definitely recommend option 1.
If you choose option #2, sooner or later, you would still have to migrate your library to your home computer for the iPhone 5...Might as well get it over with. Option one is by far your best option, and a total solution.
It is pretty simple to move your library, and I can help if you need it.
If you want to move your library, I can give you 3 simple options.

 

[heisenberg123]

For a strategy to not make deleting the IPA files a nightmare for me, I was thinking about doing this:

1) Authorize iTunes on my home computer that has a ton of storage.
Then, iTunes-Sync my iPhone to my home computer. Everything, always.

2) To my work laptop with the tiny hard drive, iTunes-Sync only my contacts and calendar to my work laptop with the tiny hard drive

Then, when I upgrade to iPhone 5, I'll use my home computer for the initial sync.

I wonder if anyone else is doing something like that...

people with tiny hard drives in their laptops i guess, why dont you just sync everything with the desktop

PS just curious what size hard drive do you actually have in that laptop

 

[MareLuce]

Option one is by far your best option, and a total solution.

The iPhone capability that is most important to my productivity, after making phone calls, is to
a) View my contact and calendar info on my iPhone (vs only on my laptop)
b) Sync my contact and calendar info with changes I make during the day between my laptop and my iPhone to Outlook 2010.

To accomplish that as well as having a total backup of my iPhone with high integrity, I thought both 1) and 2) would be necessary.

I do value reliable backups. I rotate 2TB backup drives of my home system through my safe deposit box several times/year for off-site backup in event of fire, theft, natural disaster, etc..

If both my laptop and home PC are authorized in iTunes, and if, on my home PC, I have all the iTunes boxes checked to sync, shouldn't that work as my most trusted iPhone backup?

people with tiny hard drives in their laptops i guess, why dont you just sync everything with the desktop

Because when I travel, I only have my laptop and iPhone. My home PC is too heavy to carry with me.

I do want to sync everything with my home PC so that I have a complete backup. But 99% of the time, I'm using the contact and calendar info on either my iPhone or my laptop. Not my home PC.

PS just curious what size hard drive do you actually have in that laptop

128gb.

On that drive I've deleted everything but work files, iTunes / my iPhone backup, and Quicken. I even deleted my remaining album on my laptop, One Eskimo.

I needed to trade in my favorite 15" heavy laptop with more than enough storage for my current 11.5" lightweight for the same reason I needed to switch to an iPhone from a Blackberry --

I OD'd on pressing Blackberry keys, and last year needed to have my thumb joint replaced. First symptom beyond pain when texting was closing a zip-loc back started to feel like a lightning bolt was hitting my thumb joint. I never knew what bone-hitting-bone pain felt like... Surgery went fine, recovery and PT were painful (picture the thumb cast coming off, then moving clothespins of varying resistance from one dowel to another with thumb and forefinger...) But now it works perfectly and I can even squeeze toenail clippers hard enough with that thumb as of last month.

So now I tap instead of press, and I don't pick up my laptop using only my thumbs and fingertips. Surgeon said if laptop weighs 1lb, picking it up with thumb and finger tips puts 10lbs of pressure on your thumb joint, vs only 3lbs if you put more of it into your hand web before picking it up.

Overall I like the experience of using an iPhone much better. It's more fun, more personal. Of course better apps.

But using iTunes makes me feel like I'm wearing handcuffs. I don't trust it. I would never use it as the place where I keep my music. It seems like it could easily all go poof.

 

[Mlrollin91]

This worked! Thanks again!

If the apps don't take up much room on my iPhone, why are those *.ipa application files on my PC so huge?

Glad to hear it worked. I do this often with movies and stuff that I don't actually watch on my computer but my iPhone and iPad. I just backup the file on an external drive just incase I ever need it again.

 

[heisenberg123]

The iPhone capability that is most important to my productivity, after making phone calls, is to
a) View my contact and calendar info on my iPhone (vs only on my laptop)
b) Sync my contact and calendar info with changes I make during the day between my laptop and my iPhone to Outlook 2010.

To accomplish that as well as having a total backup of my iPhone with high integrity, I thought both 1) and 2) would be necessary.

I do value reliable backups. I rotate 2TB backup drives of my home system through my safe deposit box several times/year for off-site backup in event of fire, theft, natural disaster, etc..

If both my laptop and home PC are authorized in iTunes, and if, on my home PC, I have all the iTunes boxes checked to sync, shouldn't that work as my most trusted iPhone backup?

Because when I travel, I only have my laptop and iPhone. My home PC is too heavy to carry with me.

I do want to sync everything with my home PC so that I have a complete backup. But 99% of the time, I'm using the contact and calendar info on either my iPhone or my laptop. Not my home PC.

128gb.

On that drive I've deleted everything but work files, iTunes / my iPhone backup, and Quicken. I even deleted my remaining album on my laptop, One Eskimo.

I needed to trade in my favorite 15" heavy laptop with more than enough storage for my current 11.5" lightweight for the same reason I needed to switch to an iPhone from a Blackberry --

I OD'd on pressing Blackberry keys, and last year needed to have my thumb joint replaced. First symptom beyond pain when texting was closing a zip-loc back started to feel like a lightning bolt was hitting my thumb joint. I never knew what bone-hitting-bone pain felt like... Surgery went fine, recovery and PT were painful (picture the thumb cast coming off, then moving clothespins of varying resistance from one dowel to another with thumb and forefinger...) But now it works perfectly and I can even squeeze toenail clippers hard enough with that thumb as of last month.

So now I tap instead of press, and I don't pick up my laptop using only my thumbs and fingertips. Surgeon said if laptop weighs 1lb, picking it up with thumb and finger tips puts 10lbs of pressure on your thumb joint, vs only 3lbs if you put more of it into your hand web before picking it up.

Overall I like the experience of using an iPhone much better. It's more fun, more personal. Of course better apps.

But using iTunes makes me feel like I'm wearing handcuffs. I don't trust it. I would never use it as the place where I keep my music. It seems like it could easily all go poof.

not to tell someone how to spend there money but for about $70 you could probably get a 500GB notebook harddrive they are very easy to swap out then you can have lots of space for when you travel

 

[Sedrick]

not to tell someone how to spend there money but for about $70 you could probably get a 500GB notebook harddrive they are very easy to swap out then you can have lots of space for when you travel

That or a a 500GB USB drive for the same money.

 

[heisenberg123]

That or a a 500GB USB drive for the same money.

your right i think i even see 1TB external drives for $99 at costco

 

[Gatorbob62]

Contacts

Kind of on a side note, you can sync your contacts and calendar with Google and you don't have to worry about what's on your computer: update or add a contact on your phone and it immediately updates your Google contacts and vice versa. Syncing with your work Outlook can be a pain though.

 

[TheShu]

Worked for me!

What worked for me was to setup my device for wifi sync first. Make sure under the edit menu and preferences / devices (this is important) that you have it set to prevent automatic sync. Right click on the device in the left pane of itunes and reset all warnings. Have the cable disconnected but the device still visible via wifi. Uncheck sync apps, then ok the warning about removing the apps from the device. Then click "summary" and uncheck sync over wifi then apply in the lower right.

Now reconnect via cable turn wifi sync back on and sync your device via wifi or cable doesn't matter which. Now disconnect the cable, goto apps in iTunes and delete all apps. Ok the warning about removing the apps from the device. Goto summary and uncheck sync via wifi and click apply in the lower right. Then you can reconnect with your usb cable and turn on sync via wifi again.

At this point a popup will tell you that there are apps that you need to transfer to iTunes or they will be removed from your device. Check don't show this again and then click don't transfer. Now you can go into edit and preferences under General and uncheck apps altogether if you want the iTunes apps folder to go away as well.


I did this with both my iPhone and iPad2 and I still have my apps on them.

Good Luck.

 

[motoleo]

My laptop hard drive is filling up with apps I've installed on my iPhone.

How can I stop syncing apps from my from my iPhone to my laptop without deleting them on my iPhone?

When I try to uncheck the box on the "Apps" tab, iTunes tells me it's going to delete the apps on my iPhone. I don't want to do that. I simply want to stop syncing them.

However, I definitely DO need to sync my contacts.

I had this exact same problem. You should be able to delete the apps without plugging in your phone. Just select all the Apps, delete and move to recycle bin. Then, make sure to uncheck all the Sync apps checkboxes. You may have to look around, I think there's about 3 different ones.

Now, when you want JUST your phone apps to be synced to iTunes, plug in your device, right click and Transfer Purchases.

 

[Rachel22]

iTunes help ia always a good start point

I checked under 'sync' and found instructions on how to install only what you check. Just make sure you uncheck the auto sync option and check the stop auto sync in another menu. It's possible after all

 

[MareLuce]

I've always had auto-sync un-checked. Learned that early on.

And I have made a 750gb TB 2.5" WD drive fit so I should be set on space for a while. I used a rotozip to file down the 4 hd screws. This shaved off ~2mm to make it fit in my Thinkpad 220.