How to manually add music to iPhone?

Question

How to manually add music to iPhone?

My iphone is normally synced with my imac.
I'm now on the road, trying to manually add music from my macbook...

Seems I can't drag music as with the ipod.
Also if I select in the Summary "manually add music" it asks whether I am sure I want to wipe my whole iphone and sync with this computer!

I simply want to add a few songs and podcasts to my existing iphone library.
Can someone pls give me step by step instructions?

Thanks...

17" iMac Intel, Mac OS X (10.6)

Posted on Nov 18, 2009 6:37 PM

Reply

Answer 1

roaminggnome

Level 10

106,365 points

Nov 18, 2009 6:44 PM in response to HappySwitcher

You cannot do this.

Iphone will sync/manually manage with ONE computer at a time.

You cannot add content from a second computer.

Also, anytime you switch between sync and manually manage, it will erase the contents and start over, even from the same computer.

Reply

Answer 2

Nov 18, 2009 6:45 PM in response to roaminggnome

Well that explains it then!

At least I'm not crazy... (not about this, anyway...)

Thanks

Reply

Answer 3

roaminggnome

Level 10

106,365 points

Nov 18, 2009 6:47 PM in response to HappySwitcher

Sorry it wasn't the answer you were looking for.

Reply

Answer 4

Nov 19, 2009 12:46 AM in response to roaminggnome

Is there a way to add the music files to the iphone some other way?

It really seems crazy that I can only add music to it from one computer...

Reply

Answer 5

Nov 19, 2009 1:16 AM in response to HappySwitcher

To prevent a sync when plugging in the iPod/iPhone - hold down the 'option' and the 'command' keys when plugging in the iPod/iPhone - key the keys down until the iPod/iPhone is listed under the Devices list in iTunes - this will prevent a sync from taking place and you will be able to change your settings.

MJ

Reply

Answer 6

Nov 19, 2009 1:24 AM in response to Mike Johnson12

Not sure I follow.
The issue is that I want to manually drag music to an iphone.
When I plug it in, it does not automatically sync.
But WHATEVER option I select on this computer, I get a warning that continuing will WIPE THE CONTENTS of my iphone...

All I want to do is add to it...
Not a complete sync.

Reply

Answer 7

Nov 19, 2009 1:33 AM in response to HappySwitcher

At some point you will need to set your iPhone to 'manually manage' and let iTunes do what it needs to do.

MJ

Reply

Answer 8

Nov 19, 2009 1:48 AM in response to Mike Johnson12

You're saying I need to let it wipe my phone?
Um... no thanks!

The computer I have with me is empty... I'm downloading music / podcasts to it and simply want to add those to my very-full iphone that I am traveling with for the next 7 months.

I just can't believe I can't add to it like I can to an ipod!
Seems rather... wrong!

Reply

Answer 9

Nov 19, 2009 2:05 AM in response to HappySwitcher

Go here and buy this program Phone View - http://www.ecamm.com

It will allow you to see the contents and extract by drag/drop to your computer HD - Then you can add this stuff back in to your empty iTunes. Not sure if that helps.

FYI - my iPhone has been set to Sync per my selections - not manually - to confirm what you have said that changing to 'manually manage' will wipe - NOT - at least all it did to my iPhone is change the setting to 'manaual manage' and I can now access all items from the various lists instead of being grayed out.

MJ

Reply

Answer 10

roaminggnome

Level 10

106,365 points

Nov 19, 2009 8:48 AM in response to HappySwitcher

No matter how you cut it, you can have itunes content from ONLY ONE computer at a time on your iphone.

This is by design and is the way it is.

Reply