Sunday, March 18, 2012

How to sync an iPad, IPhone, and/or iTunes library

Searches
"sync ipad with another computer without erasing"
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"can't sync without erasing"
"transferring itunes library"
"sync itunes library"
"move itunes library"
"sync to a new computer"
"transferring between ipads"
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"transferring between iphones"
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A recent puzzle to solve was how to tackle both syncing a new iPad with data from an old iPad (all app's and their settings/files) and then pair that iPad with a different computer. Old forum posts and how-to articles involve copying the entire iTunes library manually between computers, copy pasting presistent IDs, and iOS file transfer applications. Most of the literature I found was dated 2008-2010.

Allow me to calm your nerves and say that as of March 2012, this process is much more automated and painless.

The initial situation was the following, and most of you will fall under some part of what I needed to accomplish.

A. Old computer with full iTunes library
B. New computer which needs the iTunes library
C. Old iPad with various settings, apps, and files
D. New iPad which needs all data from the old iPad and will be synced with the NEW computer

Transferring an iTunes library between two computers has been made much easier thanks to Apple a few years ago finally answering user's demands that this process be automated. Ignoring the more recent option of iCloud, Home Share was added to iTunes and fully automates (most) of the process. When it first was introduced it only transferred purchased files (music, movies, apps). Keep this in mind if you have any files that were not purchased from the iTunes store in your library and double check if they got transferred later.

On the old computer open iTunes then
Find the Advanced menu
Select "Turn on home share"
Type in your iTunes account password

It should tell you that home sharing is active. DO NOT CLICK DONE. This actually turns home sharing off.

Now open up iTunes on the new computer
If you haven't already, authorize the new iTunes with your iTunes account by selecting "Authorize this Computer" under the Store menu. With both computers on the same network, and authorized for the same itunes account, you should see the other computer listed in the left panel. Click the home share icon, and at the bottom left you will see a drop down menu for what to show. Select "only items not on this computer", highlight everything listed above, and click import. Depending on how big your library is this may take awhile.

Transferring data between iOS devices is just as easy. Plug in your old iPhone, iPad, or iPod and sync it with the same computer it usually has been used with. During sync iTunes backs up all information from the device.

Once that's complete plug in your new iOS device and right click on it in the left panel of iTunes. Whether there is information on it, or it's the first time you're plugging it in there may be some steps before you're able to do this.

In the right click menu there is a "restore from backup" option. Select it.
Choose the latest backup from your old iOS device.

Now the somewhat scary part, syncing your iOS device with a new computer. Most of the confusion comes from the way Apple has worded a message prompt when you plug an iOS device into a new computer. Your options are do nothing or "Erase and sync with this computer." This message is very misleading under one situation, and if you've followed the steps so far, you're in it.

Both computers have the same iTunes account and the iOS device have the same iTunes account and data. So what really happens when you choose "Erase and sync"? iTunes will make a new backup on the new computer and then pair that iOS device with the new computer. After a short sync, the iOS device will not have lost any information, and will be happy to sync with the new computer.

Links to watch and sources
http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/7533/how-to-synchronize-iphone-with-new-mac-without-losing-data
http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/8318/how-can-i-transfer-iphone-ipad-data-to-a-new-computer
http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=2137
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3819?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US