AndyD

Q: Remove iCloud syncing, revert to iTunes syncing?

How do I disable the iCloud syncing of Contacts and Calendar and just get that info back on my iMac so I can sync to my iDevices manually when I want to?

 

I decided to start using iCloud to sync my devices and now I am in a mess.

 

My wife and I each have an iPhone and iPad but we share an iMac she mainly uses the iMac for email and web. We only have one share contact list with all our info in it (address book) and one calendar and one iTunes store account.

 

I wanted to sync my MacBook Air with the contacts and calendar so I set up iCloud syncing on the iMac.

 

For some reason about a month ago when I finally got around to moving to iCloud I set the MacBook Air up with a subset of my calendar and contact list and I use my wife’s account.

 

Long story shortened, I am now in a mess and I would just like to go back to keeping my contacts and calendars on my iMac (not worry about the MacBook Air as I just use it for travel and don’t really need the contact and calendar on it).

 

Also, I can no longer sync my contacts to my first gen iPod Touch.

 

After all the discussion on why... My original question...

 

How do I disable the iCloud syncing of Contacts and Calendar and just get that info back on my iMac so I can sync to my iDevices manually when I want to?

 

Thanks,

 

Andy

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on May 13, 2012 9:02 AM

Close

Q: Remove iCloud syncing, revert to iTunes syncing?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by timborama,

    timborama timborama Jun 27, 2012 8:18 AM in response to AndyD
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Jun 27, 2012 8:18 AM in response to AndyD

    Did you get this resolved?  I have the same situation.

  • by AndyD,

    AndyD AndyD Jun 27, 2012 9:23 AM in response to timborama
    Level 1 (99 points)
    Jun 27, 2012 9:23 AM in response to timborama

    I did get this resolved.  Not sure if this is the best way, but it worked for me.

     

    When I first started using iCloud I only set-up my iMac and Macbook.

     

    I still had the information on my iDevices (iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch) from my last sync with iTunes.

     

    1. Make sure you have a good backup of your Mac (I do a clone backup).

     

     

    2. Open the iCloud Preference in System Preferences and uncheck all things you do not wish to sync (I had only checked Mail & Notes, Contacts and Calendars when I set-up iCloud).  In my case I unchecked Contacts and Calendars.

     

    3. Click ok to the warnings about losing data (because the was secure on my iDevices)

     

     

    4. Reinstate your Calendars and Contacts from a backup. (They may not be 100% up t date with your current info on your iDevice)

     

    5. Plug your iDevice in and go to iTunes and select the option to replace all Calendar and Contact data on the Mac with the data on your iDevice.

     

    6. Let the Sync complete and the data will now be on your Mac and you should be able to use your Mac as the center of your “Digital Hub” for Calendar and Contacts instead of iCloud.

     

    It has been over a month since I did this, but I think it is all there.

     

    You might want to check this out with others or perhaps a “Genius” at the Apple Store, but the process is mostly there.

     

    I believe the key is to have the data still on an iDevice, or somewhere else that you can sync back to your mac.

     

    I wish Apple would publish and official way to do this.

     

    Let me know if this helps

     

    Andy D

  • by timborama,

    timborama timborama Jun 27, 2012 9:31 AM in response to AndyD
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Jun 27, 2012 9:31 AM in response to AndyD

    Thanks for the info.  Apple really needs the Bookmarks "app" on iCloud.com like they had on MobileMe (or at least a "reset" or over-ride option.

  • by norman from akron,

    norman from akron norman from akron Oct 15, 2012 2:39 PM in response to AndyD
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 15, 2012 2:39 PM in response to AndyD

    My iPhone Contacts no longer sync with my laptop Address Book.  Sounds like I may have a similar problem as you had. I have a few Qs, if I may.  Under #2 you write, "...uncheck all things you do not wish to sync."  Apparently you mean, "do not wish to sync with iCloud" but I want to confirm, because I want everything to sync.  Is there anything I would want my iCloud to continue to sync, if I were to uncheck my Contacts so that iTunes could do the sync?  (Did I say this correctly?)

    My best.

    ~Norman

  • by norman from akron,

    norman from akron norman from akron Oct 23, 2012 6:31 PM in response to AndyD
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 23, 2012 6:31 PM in response to AndyD

    Andy,

    I have reviewed your message again, and I think I understand better.  May I confirm?

    The process you describe is one where you continue to use iTunes to sync your Mac with your iPhone.  The process you described is where you ensured you did not loose any contacts or appointments in the process.  Yes?

    ~Norman

  • by AndyD,

    AndyD AndyD Oct 23, 2012 7:09 PM in response to norman from akron
    Level 1 (99 points)
    Oct 23, 2012 7:09 PM in response to norman from akron

    Norman from Akron,

     

    Yep, the process I described is the process I used and I did not lose anything.  The one cavet is to make sure that all you info is in the iDevice you re using as your mew master data.

     

    IHTH

     

    Andy