Having recently migrated from an old machine to a new desktop, I had almost everything setup just the way I like it. Only, I couldn’t figure out how to transfer all the (free, haven’t paid for a single one yet!) apps from my iPod touch (2G) to the new iTunes install.
The default syncing that happens when you first plug-in the iPod didn’t work. When I tried to sync just the applications, iTunes politely threatened to erase and replace all the apps on the iPod touch with the non-existent ones on my computer. A quick search of Apple’s support site turned up the answer: File > Transfer Purchases from iPod. Alternatively, you can right-click on iPod in the iTunes Device list and select “Transfer Purchases” to achieve the same result.
The “reverse” transfer works for apps and other files purchased from the iTunes Store to any computer (up to 5) that is authorized for your iTunes Store account. Oh, and all of this (obviously) applies to iPhones as well.
You can also go to the ‘Advanced’ menu and authorize your computer with your Apple ID. Then iTunes will recognize that you are the owner of both iTunes libraries and the iPod.
I have a problem with this. Every time I tried to transfer my apps to Itunes. It always appeared “Some purchases….couldn’t be transferred because you’re not authorized them in this computer”.
Then I authorized it. But It also had “This computer had been authorized,Include this one. you authorized out of your available 5″.
I can’t understand. What can I do?
Send me a email if possible.
thanks – this was helpful! one-stop answer to my question. for those who are also having problems with the ’some purchases cannot be transferred’ thing – my ipod touch was a hand-me-down from my dad and some apps had been purchased with his apple.com log in, so as long as you can authorize both accounts on your computer, you can download apps from both accounts. hope this helps any with similar problems!
@Jerry: I’ve had similar issues in the past, but more sporadic than consistent. Usually if you just say OK, nothing catastrophic will happen (unless you actually need/have more than 5 computers on which to authorize)
Best bet = head to an Apple store and meet with an “Apple Genius”. I actually asked a friend of mine (before posting this reply) who works at Apple (although as a “Creative,” not a “Genius”) and he said has experienced something similar as well.
Best of luck, and if you find anything out, please leave another comment to help other readers!
Glad I found this post. I changed computers but when I tried to authorize the computer, the apps didn’t transfer to my library. I thought I was going to be stuck purchasing and updating my apps through my ipod for the rest of eternity. Thanks!
Thank you so much for this post! About 5 seconds of google-fu led me here and your post was clear and easy and exactly what I needed. Thanks again!
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how to transfer?
Thank you so much for this! I have been having this problem for sometime but now I know what to do! Thanks!
Thank.You.So.Much.
I just did what it sayed to do ( right click on the iPod thing on iTunes and clicked transfer purchases it went right away
Thanks a lot, it worked perfectly!!!
I had the same problem as jerry but i think i figured it out. If on the origninal computer, your itunes library is bieng shared (like for me it was me and my sisters accounts on one library) when you move to another computer, i had to authirize the computer with BOTH accounts (i had to authirize both my account and my sisters on my new computer)
Cheers man, your a lifesaver. ive had this problem for ages and i needed help. YOU ROCK!!!
You’re a lifesaver!!
Thankyou so much for this post!
goood if you guys are saying hes a life saver? think about those is haiti. the rescuers are lifesavers not something that has to do with an ipod touch hahahaha
all i did was go into applications in the library category, then i went to file: transfer purchases from (your ipods name)’s ipod. and it started taking my apps from my itouch into itunes. very simple and easy.
this only transfered my songs not any of my apps
please help
same jimmy false alarm