iTunes Leaks 'Automatic Download' Over-the-Air Updates in iOS 5 [Updated]

appupdates1
In the days leading to WWDC, Apple's iTunes seems to have leaked a new feature that must be coming in iOS 5. A MacRumors reader discovered (and we verified) that when asking iTunes to check your app library for updates, iTunes' update page reveals a new feature for iOS devices. (Thanks Marcelo) The following line has been added to the My App Updates screen:

Or if your device has Automatic Download enabled for apps, your updates will download to your device without having to sync.

Such a setting doesn't exist in iOS at present, which suggests that you will be able to automatically get app updates to your device. Presently, users must either sync or download the updates themselves manually through the App Store app.

It also suggests that there is an Automatic Download setting for other items besides apps. Apple has been rumored to be making a push into over-the-air updates as well as some sort of wireless syncing. Rumors of AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule updates have also hinted at such a feature.

WWDC kicks off on Monday with a keynote from Steve Jobs who will detail Mac OS X Lion, iOS 5 and iCloud.

Update: Apple has removed the extra wording from the Updates page in iTunes.

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1

iPhone SE 4 With Apple's Own 5G Modem 'Confirmed' to Launch in March

Tuesday November 19, 2024 12:12 pm PST by
Barclays analyst Tom O'Malley and his colleagues recently traveled to Asia to meet with various electronics manufacturers and suppliers. In a research note this week, outlining key takeaways from the trip, the analysts said they have "confirmed" that a fourth-generation iPhone SE with an Apple-designed 5G modem is slated to launch towards the end of the first quarter next year. In line with previo...
airtag purple

AirTag 2 Rumored to Launch Next Year With These New Features

Sunday November 17, 2024 5:18 am PST by
Apple released the AirTag in April 2021, so it is now three over and a half years old. While the AirTag has not received any hardware updates since then, a new version of the item tracking accessory is rumored to be in development. Below, we recap rumors about a second-generation AirTag. Timing Apple is aiming to release a new AirTag in mid-2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman....
Magic Mouse Next to Keyboard

No, Apple CEO Tim Cook Didn't Say He Prefers Logitech's MX Master 3 Over the Magic Mouse

Sunday November 17, 2024 3:03 pm PST by
While the Logitech MX Master 3 is a terrific mouse for the Mac, reports claiming that Apple CEO Tim Cook prefers that mouse over the Magic Mouse are false. The Wall Street Journal last month published an interview with Cook, in which he said he uses every Apple product every day. Soon after, The Verge's Wes Davis attempted to replicate using every Apple product in a single day. During that...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock

Apple Releases iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 With Security Fixes

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:10 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1, minor updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that debuted earlier in September. iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 come three weeks after the launch of iOS 18.1. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released iOS 17.7.2 for...
at t turbo indicator iphone 16 pro max v0 8hrh7w5f3w1e1

AT&T Turbo Indicator Showing Up in iPhone Status Bar for Subscribers

Wednesday November 20, 2024 3:42 am PST by
AT&T has begun displaying "Turbo" in the iPhone carrier label for customers subscribed to its premium network prioritization service, according to reports on Reddit. The new indicator seems to have started appearing after users updated to iOS 18.1.1, but that could be just coincidence. Image credit: Reddit user No_Highlight7476 The Turbo feature provides enhanced network performance through ...
iPhone 17 Slim Feature Single Camera 1 Redux

'iPhone 17 Air' Rumored to Surpass iPhone 6 as Thinnest iPhone Ever

Monday November 18, 2024 1:07 pm PST by
In a research note with Hong Kong-based investment bank Haitong today, obtained by MacRumors, Apple analyst Jeff Pu said he agrees with a recent rumor claiming that the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" will be around 6mm thick. "We agreed with the recent chatter of an 6mm thickness ultra-slim design of the iPhone 17 Slim model," he wrote. If that measurement proves to be accurate, there would be ...
bug security vulnerability issue fix larry

Make Sure to Update: iOS 18.1.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 Fix Actively Exploited Vulnerabilities

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:52 am PST by
The iOS 18.1.1, iPadOS 18.1.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 updates that Apple released today address JavaScriptCore and WebKit vulnerabilities that Apple says have been actively exploited on some devices. With the JavaScriptCore vulnerability, processing maliciously crafted web content could lead to arbitrary code execution. The WebKit vulnerability had the same issue with maliciously crafted...

Top Rated Comments

Eric5h5 Avatar
176 months ago
Who starts a sentence with "Or"?

Writers do.

--Eric
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ridley182 Avatar
176 months ago
Sounds like a nice feature, as long as it doesn't impact battery life in a negative way.

Monday seems so far away.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
skellener Avatar
176 months ago
The last thing I want is "automatic" updating with iOS. I lost some great apps to so called "updates". I was luckily able to downgrade back to older versions of the apps because I had a Time Machine back up. If Apple offered a way to go back to previous versions of apps, I wouldn't mind auto updating. But now I am always wary of ANY updates to my iOS apps. Sometimes the developers change things and they really suck. Sometimes, so does Apple >cough<...QuicktimeX...>cough<
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zorinlynx Avatar
176 months ago
Sounds like a feature I'll keep turned off.

App devs have been known to remove features in new versions (*cough* TWITTER) or introduce bugs of death. I like to carefully review apps before I update them, and keep a backup of the previous version just in case.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
locust76 Avatar
176 months ago
Interesting feature.

But what's so hard about pressing "update all" when you are on wifi? No computer needed.


It's actually more like this:

1. Unlock iPhone, put in passcode (if set up)
2. Open App Store
3. Wait
4. Tap on Updates
5. Wait
6. Tap on "Update All"
7. Enter iTunes Password
8. Get kicked out of the App Store
9. Confirm that you are over 17 and can use App XYZ
10. If you only have one iTunes account, stop here.
11. Go to settings
12. Tap Store
13. Enter your other iTunes ID
14. Go to 2

Automatic App Updates would be more like

1. Connect to Wi-Fi
2. Wait for apps to automatically update
3. Done
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
maflynn Avatar
176 months ago
I'm one of those control freaks and I like to be the one to determine if I want to update my apps. I'm hoping there be an option to disable this.

I've had my share of app updates that made the app worse, and unstable. I'd rather wait to see how others respond to a given update before taking the plunge
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)