Transferring apps no longer on the App Store from my old iPhone to my new iPhone

By Kevin Russell, 3 September, 2020

Forum
iOS and iPadOS

Hello

I wonder if anyone can help with this issue.

I recently purchased an iPhone SE 2020 edition, to replace my iPhone 6S Plus.

I decided to use the option of transferring everything from my old iPhone to my new iPhone, which, I must say, worked beautifully, except for one very annoying thing.

I have some apps on my old iPhone, which are no longer available on the App Store, so I’m unable to download them on my new iPhone.

For instance, the Bossjock Studio app still works on my old iPhone, but my new phone will not let me download it as it’s no longer available on the App Store, even though the pointer to the app was transferred.

In the past, I would always use an encrypted iTunes backup to restore to a new phone, because it would transfer all my apps, meaning that if I was using a backlevel version of an app, it would be transferred to my new phone. My understanding is that now, the current version of iTunes doesn’t do this. It backs up any data relating to an app, but once an iTunes transfer is complete, the new device will then download the latest versions of all apps to the new phone. If an app has been removed from the App Store, you can no longer get it. Am I correct with this?

I think in general Apple software is excellent, but I do find this area very frustrating. I appreciate that the Bossjock Studio app is no longer being sold, but I bought it and it still works. I should still be able to transfer it to my new phone.

Does anybody have any thoughts as to how I could transfer the apps no longer on the App Store from the old phone to the new phone.

I’m very happy to purchase any third-party Windows or iOS software to accomplish this.

Many thanks for any thoughts or suggestions regarding this issue.

Options

Comments

By Tarja on Saturday, September 26, 2020 - 02:15

Go to app store > my account > purchases. Then type the app name to the search bar.

By Kevin Russell on Saturday, September 26, 2020 - 02:15

In reply to by Tarja

Hi Tarja, many thanks. I've tried that, but it doesn't find the app. I know that the app is no longer on the store, which is why it isn't finding it I guess.

By Roxann Pollard on Saturday, September 26, 2020 - 02:15

Hey Kevin, as far as I am aware, you are not able to transfer those apps because they are hno longer available. I have had to deal with the very same issue. Unfortunately, I don't think there is a work-around. I also think it's a frustrating situation with Apple Software. Even a third party software option wouldn't work, because those apps are no longer recognized in the Cloud. Sorry couldn't be of more help.

By Kevin Russell on Saturday, September 26, 2020 - 02:15

Many thanks Roxann. As you rightly say, extremely frustrating. Such a pity there isn't a way of extracting the app itself from my old phone.

By Roxann Pollard on Saturday, September 26, 2020 - 02:15

The app may transfer but it will most likely still be unavailable, due to it not being available in the App Store anymore. It's worth a shot, though.