How to download IPA files on Windows and macOS

IPA are iOS application files. If you have an old iTunes backup folder, you will probably find a lot of IPA files in it. These IPA files are in fact backup copies of the apps installed on your iPhone or iPad. An IPA file serves two purposes, if an app is downloaded from the App Store you will still have a copy of that app that can be installed on your device. So if you restore your iPhone, you won’t have to download those apps from the App Store anymore, just download them from your device’s hard drive. However, until iOS 9, iTunes no longer saves IPA files to optimize the size of backup files on the device. When you make purchases or sales of your iPhone or iPad, the apps will no longer come with that device. However, there is still a way to download IPA files to your Mac or PC.

iTunes will not transfer application files to your computer when your phone is backed up. But Apple still allows you to download apps from the iTunes Store. When you download apps from iTunes on your computer, you’re essentially downloading IPA files. This file can be transferred or installed right on your device.

Download the IPA file

First, you open iTunes. Click inside the search bar in the top right. Switch the search tab from “In Library” to “Store”.

Search for the app you want to download the IPA file for. Results will be downloaded from the App Store. You’ll see apps for both iPad and iPhone, as well as iMessage apps. Click on the app you want to download the IPA file for. You can click “Get” from the search results or go to the app’s page and click “Get” there.

Sign in to your Apple ID when prompted. You should use the same Apple ID that your iPhone is registered with. iTunes will start downloading the files. You can see the download progress by clicking the little arrow button next to the iTunes status bar. When the download is completed, on the page of the application “Get” will be changed to “Downloaded”. However, iTunes won’t tell you when it’s finished downloading.

Locate the IPA file on your computer

On a Windows computer, scroll to the following location in File Explorer, you will find the IPA file here. These files will be named after the application you downloaded.

C:UsersUserNameMusiciTunesiTunes MediaMobile Applications

On a Mac, scroll to the following location to find the IPA files.

~/Music/iTunes/Mobile Applications/

That’s all you need to do. If these IPA files are downloaded and stored right on the desktop, you can move them elsewhere. Remember that an IPA file is not the same as an IPSW file. File IPA is just an application. If you lose it, not a big deal. However, IPSW files on the other hand are a backup of your iPhone or iPad. You certainly won’t want to lose these files.

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