iTunes uninstalls my apps against my wishes

[Ward]

I have a 3GS and the latest version of iTunes for Windows. I'm running Windows 7.

I have quite a few apps, but only a few are actually installed on the iPhone. Occasionally, I download and install a previously purchased app from AppStore when I'm away from my computer - usually because I need it for a specific reason.

But when I come to sync my iPhone with my computer, it sometimes removes that app (along with all the settings) forcing me to redownload or sync again with the app checked in the app listing.

Bug?

It's very annoying.

[Europa]

A box in iTunes doesn't open saying something along the lines of, "purchases were found on your iPhone that are not in your iTunes library, do you want to transfer them"? If you hit no, it will remove it.

[Ward]

No, you're misunderstanding the problem.

The application already exists on my computer/iTunes. I've installed it and used it in the past. But for the sake of keeping my iPhone clean, I've removed it. Later, when I needed it, I downloaded it again onto my iPhone via mobile AppStore, but when I sync with my computer again, it removes that app.

This must be a bug - it should detect that I've decided that I want this app to occupy space on my device and check the relevant box, not remove it without so much as a popup.

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

I've also had that happen a couple of times and haven't found a good solution for it yet.

[Londonrockz568]

Did you make sure the boxes next to the Applications name is checked under the applications tab??

[Europa]

I've also had that happen a couple of times and haven't found a good solution for it yet.
Even with the box checked next to the app? If so, I wonder if it has anything to do with the app being updated since it was deleted and then reinstalled on the phone.

[Ward]

I'll explain again.

I've got Newsstand installed. I've synced with my iTunes. Newsstand is present on my iPhone and on my iTunes.

I then decide I don't need Newsstand all the time, so I uncheck it in the Apps tab and sync. Newsstand is no longer installed on my iPhone, but it remains on my iTunes. (In fact, it matters not whether I uncheck the app in iTunes, or press and hold the icon and tap the X. Both methods result in the same thing after a sync)

At some later date, whilst I'm away from home, I decide that I need Newsstand so I use AppStore on the iPhone to download and install it again, with all the "You have already purchased this app.." popup. I set the app up with the feeds I want, etc.

Later that day, I get home and sync with iTunes, only to find that Newsstand is removed with no message or popup of any kind.

Do you get it now?

iTunes does this intermittently with any of the apps I have.

[Europa]

I've never encountered this problem, and I download, delete, and later reinstall apps quite a bit. I do it a little different though. When I decide I don't want an app, I delete it on the phone and then delete the icon in iTunes. When I want the app again, I download it on the phone and then it's added back into the library in iTunes on the next sync. My only suggestion would be to start deleting them in iTunes as well.

[MileHighRob]

Ward, I do exactly what you describe and have yet to encounter any apps just disappearing all together. My iTunes holds basically every app I've every downloaded, installed and tried although on the phone I only keep those that I frequently use. I'm not sure why it's happening to you but I do use the same method you've described without issues.

[Ward]

It doesn't happen very often. I posted about it t0 get an idea of how common it is and whether there was a simple fix.

I'm tempted to wipe all my apps, reflash the phone and set it up as new, but I don't think it'll help. I've wiped and set up the 3GS as a new phone twice now since I got it about a month after release.

I also recall that it happened on the 3G which I had for a year before selling it to a friend - so this implies it's hardware independent. I strongly suspect iTunes is occasionally failing to recognise that application X was reinstalled and that it should update it's list accordingly.

[Londonrockz568]

Try updating itunes, or reinstalling it.

[Ward]

I think I'll probably just live with it for now.

I plan to clean reinstall Windows 7 when it comes out, which should be in about a month or so. Plus, 3.1 should be out too.

[Londonrockz568]

Rofl, im guessing thats why. I dont think iTunes has windows 7 support yet...i could be wrong.

[newton100]

I am running Windows 7, have the latest iPhone software, and have installed iTunes 9. I used to have problems with syncing but (SO FAR) things are working as they are supposed to.

[Ward]

It's happened to me again since I updated iTunes to v9 and my iPhone 3GS to 3.1.

No fix at all. I just have to be aware that any app that I've previously uninstalled, that I install again over wifi, can be deleted at the next sync without warning.

[SmartAlx]

Yeah, I've noticed this too. It really sucks. See my sig.