Backing up Ipod/Iphone apps to the computer. A few questions.

Factual Questions
1

I feel like an old man when I post things like this, but I could use some help.

I want to back up all the apps on my Ipod Touch(latest version) to the computer. I have two computers that are “authorized” as being connected to my Ipod Touch. Anyway, here is what happens.

  1. I connect the Ipod touch.

  2. I choose it and go to “apps”.

  3. Everything is shaded out. I choose “sync apps” and it warns me. It says that it will get rid of any apps that are not on my Ipod. Something like that anyway. What is up with that?

I want every single app on my Ipod touch to be copied over to Itunes so I can see them there and know they are backed up. I do not care about saved games and so forth. I just don’t want to lose anything I paid money for if there is some kind of error.

Other questions:

  • If I do this and my Ipod breaks or get replaced, can I use Itunes to put my current apps on my new Ipod(or Iphone)? I mean, I bought them, so don’t I get them and can copy them over to a new Ipod(Iphone)?

  • If I do this, can I delete apps from my Ipod that I don’t need right now and drag them back over to it later when I want them again?
    Thanks!

2

Unfortunately, there is no way to have two computers connected to one iOS device. You can only sync it with one. That’s why it says it will erase all the apps when you try to sync it, because apparently there are no apps on the computer that you are trying to use. That sucks a bit, but them’s the breaks.

Fear not, though, for I bring you tidings of great joy: you do not need to back up your apps (or even your iTunes-bought music), because Apple does it for you! Any app that was bought on your account can be re-downloaded at no additional cost. Isn’t that awesome?

Merry Christmas!

3

When you sync your device, what you are doing is transferring all of the stuff from your computer to the device. That’s why it’s telling you it will erase anything on your device that isn’t already on your computer. What you want to do is transfer all the stuff from your device to your computer. So, open up iTunes with your iTouch connected. Go to the File menu, and select “Transfer Purchases from Mahaloth’s iPod” (or whatever it’s called). This should back up your apps onto your computer.

4

Thanks.

I hope this works. My original computer was wiped, the one I made the app purchases and synced with. I hope I can get this to work.

5

Doing it now. I think this is what I wanted. Now, you said that Apple will let me re-download any apps in the future. Would this also work on a new Ipod/Iphone?

I mean, when I get a new one in the future, will I be able to use it to quickly download and grab my fav. purchased apps?

6

As stated, on a new computer, using the same AppleID, the latest iTunes will let you re-download items you purchased before. (There is a menu item somewhere)

New iDevices can be synced to that computer as long as it uses the same AppleID - this will get all your stuff onto the new device.

7

Exactly. Everything is connected to your Apple ID, so as long as it’s the same, it will “know” which apps you’ve already bought, and will let you re-download them without paying twice.

8

Cool.

So you can have multiple devices with the same Apple ID? Does this mean that multiplayer games(ones played over the Wi-fi) can be downloaded once and put on both devices?