How do I download .ipa files to iTunes/Mobile Applications during sync?

Question

I just reinstalled iTunes for the first time in about a year (was having Config.Msi permissioning issues on install) and synced it with my computer. In my iTunes directory, I have a "Mobile Applications" folder with the .ipas of my older apps. How do I get my iTunes to download the rest of my iPad apps into this directory?

Answer 1

Go to Account → Purchases → Apps and in the bottom should be a button with a cloud symbol that says Download All. It will start downloading all the apps silently, so don't spam the button.

If it finds an error, which happened to me with the "Find my Friends" app, click the X button in the top-left of the app and then click the Download All button again.

I left the computer on all night and it finished downloading every one of the apps.

Answer 2

Connect your iPad to iTunes, then select File → Devices → Transfer Purchases.