Manage and download apps (.ipa) without iTunes

iMazing's Manage Apps tool lets you download, install, and back up iOS apps directly from your Mac or PC, whether you're managing a family of devices or a fleet. Build a local app library, install apps across multiple iPhones and iPads, archive .ipa files, and restore apps from your library instead of waiting on the App Store after a backup or transfer.

Here's how to manage and download apps (.ipa) without iTunes

Access Manage Apps

On the Device Screen, click Manage Apps in the Quick Actions panel.

The Manage Apps window opens with two tabs:

• Device: apps currently installed on your connected device.
• Library: your local app library, including downloaded .ipa files and apps previously installed on any of your devices.

Browse your app library

When you open Manage Apps, iMazing scans the connected device to build the library. It reads the list of apps currently installed on the device, as well as apps that were previously installed.

Select the Library tab to browse your local app library.

The library lists three categories of apps:

• Apps currently installed on the device (checkmark in the Installed column).
• • A green checkmark means the library version matches the device version.
  • A grey checkmark means they differ.
• Apps previously installed on the device but no longer present (download icon in the Download column). Click the icon to download the app.
• Apps already downloaded to your computer (trash can icon in the Download column). These can be reinstalled on any compatible device without re-downloading.

Click any column header to sort the library by name, installed status, size, or download status.

Download apps from the App Store

In the Library tab, click Add from App Store. A search sheet appears. Type the name of the app you want to download.

iMazing prompts you for your Apple Account password. If you plan to download apps frequently, enable Remember Password to save credentials securely to the macOS Keychain or Windows Credentials.

If two-factor authentication is enabled on your Apple Account, enter the six-digit code sent to one of your trusted devices or phone numbers.

Add existing .ipa files to the library

If you have .ipa files already stored on your computer (for example, from a previous iTunes library), you can import them directly into iMazing.

Import .ipa files via the toolbar

In the Library tab, click the down-arrow button in the iMazing toolbar and select Import .ipa to Library. Locate the .ipa file and click Choose.

Import .ipa files by drag and drop

Drag one or more .ipa files directly into the Library tab. iMazing adds them to the library immediately.

Add apps from purchase history

In the Library tab, click Add from Purchase History. iMazing retrieves the list of apps purchased with your Apple Account in the past 90 days and adds them to the library for downloading.

Install apps to a device

In the Library tab, select one or more apps. Click Install in the bottom-right corner.

iMazing installs the selected apps to the connected device.

Uninstall apps from a device

Select the Device tab. Select one or more apps installed on the device. Click Uninstall in the iMazing footer.

iMazing displays the total storage space that will be freed before proceeding.

Delete apps from the library

Right-click a downloaded app in the Library tab and select Delete from Library. iMazing asks for confirmation before deleting the file from your computer.

Check for updates and download them

Update apps from the library

In the Library tab, click the three-dot button and select Check for Updates.

iMazing locates available updates for all apps in the library and displays them in the updates window.

Select the apps you want to update, or select all, and click Download. You can choose whether to keep the previously downloaded versions.

Update apps from the device

In the Device tab, click Check for Updates. iMazing locates available updates for apps installed on the connected device.

By default, iMazing downloads and installs updates without saving a copy to the library. To keep a local copy, enable the Keep downloaded updates option before downloading.

Install apps from the library when restoring a backup

When restoring a backup or using the Transfer to Another Device wizard, iMazing offers the option Install apps from local library if available. Enable this option to install apps from your local library instead of re-downloading them from the App Store on the target device.

Two conditions must be met for this to work:

• The version in your library is equal to or newer than the version in the backup.
• The Apple Account of the downloaded app matches the Apple Account used for the backup.

Download previous app versions

In the Library tab, right-click any app and select Show Available Versions. iMazing displays the app's full version history. Select any version to download it to the library.

Export your app list to CSV

In the Library or Device tab, right-click any app and select Export List to CSV. iMazing generates a .csv file with detailed information for each app. Open it in Excel, Numbers, or any spreadsheet application.

Export .ipa files from the library

You can export .ipa files from the library to use with backup tools or mobile device management workflows.

In the Library tab, select one or more apps. Right-click the selection (or click the three-dot button) and select Export .IPA.