mark4apple

Q: imac as mail backup

I have recently got a new iMac in the past i used my mac book pro to back-up my iPads and iPhone now i have the iMac want to use it to the fullest as you do so the problem is i don't know how to chang things around that much so could use some help when i go to sink the iMac can't as the iPad and iPhone is all ready in the mac book pro

iMac with Retina 5K display, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Feb 20, 2016 10:53 PM

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Q: imac as mail backup

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  • by judysings,

    judysings judysings Feb 22, 2016 7:43 AM in response to mark4apple
    Community Specialists
    Feb 22, 2016 7:43 AM in response to mark4apple

    Greetings mark4apple,

     

    Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities!

     

    From your question, I gather that you have been syncing your iPads and iPhone to your MacBook Pro, but now that you have a new iMac you would like to use for syncing and backing up. It seems that the problem you may be facing is that when you connect your devices to the iMac, you receive an alert that all of the content will be erased and replaced.

     

    If my assessment is correct, I do have some steps that will help you get your content moved to the iMac so that you can sync and back up your devices to it. 

     

    First, I suggest moving your entire iTunes library from your MacBook Pro to your new iMac. The following article has step by step instructions on this process. Please note that Part 4 is listed as optional; go ahead and complete that step as well to ensure that your content is in iTunes and plays as expected. 

     

    How to move your iTunes library to a new computer - Apple Support

     

    Once your iTunes library has been moved to your iMac, I would like to take it one step further to ensure all of your downloaded content in in iTunes. I would like you to follow the instructions in the next article to download all of your past purchases. All of these purchases may be included in the library already, but this step will ensure that all available content is in your library. 

     

    Download your past purchases - Apple Support

     

    Once the iTunes library on your iMac is complete, you can connect your iOS devices to the computer and sync with iTunes. An iOS device can only sync to one iTunes library at a time, so you will receive a message that all content will be erased and replaced with the content on your iMac. This is exactly what will happen, but because we made sure all of your content is in the iTunes library, you will not lose any iTunes content on your devices; it will be erased and replaced with the same content from your iMac. 

     

    After the sync, you may need to rearrange your applications on your devices to put them in the position and page of your preference, but this is only a one time task when syncing with a new computer. 

     

    I am including an overview of syncing in the next article as information you can refer to if needed. 

     

    Sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iTunes using USB - Apple Support

     

    Have a great day!