Software Ops has had a number of customers who have lost all the applications and their application data when they have updated to iPhone OS 3.0. This is very troubling and puzzling to us because iTunes will make an automatic backup of all your apps and their date when you sync. But there seems to be a catch....

Here is a link to the details of how iTunes does app backups: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1766
Everybody should read this in detail.

If you scroll down a bit you will see this section and bullet items:

Creating a Backup
Backups can be created in the following ways:

• If you have configured your iPhone or iPod touch to automatically sync with iTunes on a specific computer, iTunes will back up the iPhone or iPod touch after you connect it to that computer and sync with iTunes. iTunes will not automatically back up an iPhone or iPod touch that is not configured to sync with that computer. iTunes only makes one backup each time you connect, even if you sync multiple times before disconnecting.
• If you do not have your iPhone or iPod touch sync automatically when connected, iTunes will create a backup when you choose to sync.

This is very clear and succinct. It will do a backup if you actually do a sync, either automatically or if you do it manually. Note: A backup will occur only once the first time an iPhone is connected to iTunes even if you sync multiple times. A quick check will prove that a backup does occur, here is how you do it.

The first step in a sync is the backup step. Watch iTunes and make sure it is doing the backup. Below is a screen shot from my Mac during the backup stage. If while syncing, you do not see this stage of the process call Apple support and have them figure out why this is not happening. It should be happening, by their documentation. Apple Support: 800-275-2273




I said there was a catch, well I’m not sure there is a catch as long you configure to auto sync or click the sync button. But check the following setting to make sure things are syncing.

1) In iTunes preferences, select Devices and make sure that Disable automatic syncing for iPhones and iPods is unchecked. Also notice that there should be a list of devices that have been backuped and the date. If not then try doing a manual sync. If there is still no backup showing then call Apple Support: 800-275-2273.



2) Make sure “Open iTunes when this iPod/iPhone is attached” is checked. If it is not checked, then make sure you click the Sync button once in a while and confirm that back up is working.



Also, if memory serves me, before iTunes will do an iPhone OS update, it will first do a backup. Make sure you see that happen before you continue with the OS update.