How to transfer an app from iPhone to Mac?

[orbitalpunk]

I purchased an App in the app store and today discovered its no longer in the App Store. So how can I back up the app to my Mac so I can install in the future. itunes no longer saves that actual app when using "Transfer Purchases since ios9, I there another way?

Thanks

 

[Mrbobb]

I am on IOS 9.3.2. iTunes 12.5.1, and the procedure is, USB-plug in phone, File -> Device -> Transfer Purchases from YourPhone.

 

[orbitalpunk]

since iOS 9, iTunes does not transfer the actual app when using that command in iTunes. Only the app data like your saved game. Try it. Download a free app on your phone and use that command in iTunes on your Mac and then check the mobile applications folder under itunes on your Mac. Your app won't be there. Its part of that new "thinning" feature.

 

[KellyPrimo]

Yes, see a quote from Apple Support Community:

iOS 9 does not download the complete application to your iOS device any longer, it only downloads the components that are specific to the particular device it was downloaded on. If it did transfer to app into iTunes and it was downloaded on an iPhone, it would not have the necessary components to load it into an iPad. Because of this new behaviour which is meant to save space, newly purchased items will not be transferred to iTunes.

Many third party apps like iFunbox, iExplorer, AnyTrans have been blocked by Apple too.

 

[orbitalpunk]

yep, I tried so many and all said since I was past iOS 9 they couldn't transfer the app even tho their advertising says it can back up apps.

Luckily I was able to find the app. It seems the developer was forced to change the since it was too generic. I was able to discover the new name when looking at my iTunes history of purchases. So I found it on iTunes on my Mac and downloaded it and backed up the IPA file. So you love an app, copy that IPA file and keep it safe. You never know.

 

[KellyPrimo]

Great advise! Sure will keep it noted.

 

[Mrbobb]

Oh no! Apple concerns about our storage space, since when? Another control by Apple to force you to have the latest version even though I like how version x works and want to keep it.