iPad Questions - Syncing Apps

[marty1990]

Okay, I'm a little confused. I haven't used an 'app' based portable Apple device since my 2nd generation iPod Touch. Now, I dunno if things have changed in regards to syncing, but am confused on what I have to do with app syncing.

I downloaded all of my apps (paid for and free) straight to my iPad. I then wanted music, so when I hooked it up to my Mac, I said no to automatic Sync. I synced across my music, but it did songs I didn't want - it was then I discovered the manual check thing, so I can pick and choose what songs I want on my iPad manually - brilliant.

Anyway, whilst browsing the iPad whilst it was plugged in, I clicked on the app tab, and saw a check box for 'sync apps'. I clicked it, but the bar at the bottom saying what was on my iPad removed all of my apps. I didn't like this so left it unchecked. I then figured I needed a copy of the apps on my MacBook to check the sync apps box, but once I started downloading the apps, some were huge - i.e. Infinity Blade and I just couldn't be bothered having them on my computer. I then paused all the apps that were downloading, quit iTunes and reopened it and the downloads had stopped. I then deleted the apps that had downloaded from iTunes, since i had them on my iPad anyway.

So, after that long winded explanation; how does app syncing work? And would me deleting them from iTunes/cancelling the downloads/enabling and disabling sync have messed up my apps on my iPad? Do I need to re-download them?

Anyway, love my iPad so far. Got my portfolio all set up and am now ready for university!

Also, my iPad's speakers sound better than my 13" MacBook Pro.

 

[marty1990]

Anyone?

Sorry for the bump, but am still new to this and am unsure on certain things.

Also I have a weird issue with one of my songs. I purchased two songs via iTunes on my computer at the time I was syncing my music. I sent them across and all seemed well, until I attempted to play the latest song. In the artist... er... section with all the albums of that particular artist I have a full album and then the two newly purchased songs. All the songs play bar the newest, last song in the list. I click it and it doesn't do anything. I then scroll down slightly so the song isn't right at the bottom and it will then let me select it. The same happens when I spin it into portrait mode, so it's not a problem with the screen.

Anyone hand any insight as to what the problem might be?

Many thanks.

 

[Macman45]

Personally, I do keep my apps on my Mac..Why? sometimes apps get pulled, and they then vanish from your "Purchased" tab so you can't recover them.

I usually sync via wifi these days, only connecting when IOS is updated. You seem to be pretty familiar with the way iTunes works (or doesn't depending on your view) So I'd say your good to go...If it was me though, I would download those apps...Just do it when you aren't using your Mac. You don't need any IOS device to do it either, just download them all from the Purchased tab in the iTunes store....Same applies to purchased music. Hope that helps.

 

[marty1990]

So do I need to sync the downloaded apps between my iPad and MacBook? Or do I leave app syncing unchecked?

 

[Macman45]

So do I need to sync the downloaded apps between my iPad and MacBook? Or do I leave app syncing unchecked?

You can simply select the apps you want on your IOS device by ticking the boxes on the screen when it's connected. A tick next to the app puts it on, removing the tick takes it off your device but NOT off your Mac. That way you have your library but not all apps have to be on the device all the time...I have in the region of 170+ apps....Not all are on my phone or my iPad, but they are all safely stored on my iMac. Hope that helps a little. Some more info here:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1977?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US


The article is old, but it does show the screenshot of what I'm getting at.