by R. Fawkes

Created on: August 30, 2010

Syncing applications from iTunes to an iPod isn't always equally simple as Apple makes you believe it is.  In the event that you possess more than one iPod Nano or iPod Touch in the family, it can be yet more tricky to distribute apps, games, and other iTunes store products.  In addition, you might run into snags in adding applications you downloaded on your iPod by means of a wireless connection to the iTunes library on your PC.  This is the precise trouble I ran into today, and I would like to illustrate how I fixed it.

The difficulty: I recently purchased Assassin's Creed: Altair's Chronicles, a game app, with my iTunes account on the PC.  I purchased the app as usual and just as I was about to sync it, I received a notification sign that popped up on the software telling me that in adding the game to the iPod Touch, I would eliminate all remaining apps that weren't already in the library.  I had numerous apps on my iTouch that I had downloaded from the ipod touch Application Store (not using my computer), but had not synced them to the PC itunes library.  This presented a problem.

The solution: After messing around with the software I gave in and called consumer support.  After going through quite a few minutes setting up a case ID for it (I was connected to a native English salesperson, by the way, so at least my encounter was a enjoyable one), I at last figured out on my own what my problem was.  It had to do with syncing the purchases from the iPod Touch to the iPod library on my computer.

This is how anyone can transfer apps, songs purchased from iTunes, movies, and more from an iPod Touch onto the iTunes software on the computer:

1. Insert in your iPod and launch iTunes.  From time to time this will take place automatically as quickly as the iPod is plugged in.

2. Select your ipod device and click File -> Transfer purchases from (your) iPod.  You will notice every one of the account's products currently on the iPod are being added to the iTunes games library.  You can also right click on the ipod device name and choose "Transfer purchases" to accomplish the identical thing.

3. Press on your iPod name on the left side.  You will be shown to your Summary section in the full-size window.  Beside to the Summary tab you'll find the Applications tab.  Click on this and select "Sync applications."

4. A warning will pop up alerting you that all games not in the itunes library at this point will be replaced.  If you press OK, you will still be presented with the opportunity to pick which apps you want to apply to your ipod touch before it syncs, thus if you by chance push it, all is not gone.

5. If each of the games are showing up in the pane of the Applications tab, you are good to go.  Make certain of everything you wish to keep or add to the itouch is checked, otherwise it will be replaced.  As soon as it is added into the itunes library, though, it will keep it there, so you need not have to fret about losing it.  

These measures prevented me from making a great mistake and deleting my hard-earned, paid-for applications and purchases.  Bear in mind to keep to these methods anytime you download applications from the button on the iPod prior to syncing from the PC.

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