Syncing contacts... double list and/or lost contacts

Question

Level 1

6 points

Syncing contacts... double list and/or lost contacts

When I got my new iPhone recently, I thought I followed instructions correctly when syncing my contacts from my Macbook. However, I have a double list of all contacts --- or HAD a double list until tonight. After syncing tonight I noticed that several contacts are completely missing (including my own kids!). I don't know how many others I may have lost, but how can I keep that from happening in the future? Is it possible to retrieve lost info? I lost it on my Macbook as well!!

Macbook, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Dec 31, 2009 9:34 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Dec 31, 2009 11:37 PM in response to gleter

1. Are you using Mobile Me?
2. Did you setup Time Machine Backups on your Mac?
3. Do you have a backup file for your iPhone? (iTunes>preferences>devices tab>device backups)

Reply

Answer 2

gleter Author

Level 1

6 points

Jan 1, 2010 10:18 AM in response to gleter

1. I have MobileMe, but I'm not sure what you mean by "use" it.
2. No
3. Yes, I think I have backup on iTunes.
I am really new to the iPhone, am relatively new to Macs in general, and just don't always know what I am supposed to do with the things that I have.

Thanks for any help you can give!

Reply

Answer 3

Jan 1, 2010 11:40 AM in response to gleter

What would be helpful in the setup instructions for Mobile Me but are not.

If you are syncing over the air with Mobile Me then DO NOT sync via the cable with Address Book (Outlook or Windows Contacts on PC). This causes duplicates. You are telling the iPhone to bring what is in those programs to the iPhone (one copy). Then you are syncing from the cloud (Mobile Me copy two).

The iPhone will do exactly as you tell it to do.

The easiest way to remove duplicates.

1. On the info tab in iTunes uncheck sync contact and sync calendars.
2. On the iPhone>settings>mail contacts calendars>ME account>slide to off contacts and calendars.
3. Log into Me.com and look at contacts and calendars and make sure there are no duplicates.
4. On the iPhone>settings>mail contacts calendars>ME account> slide to on contacts and calendars. When prompted choose to Replace with info from Me.com

Reply

Answer 4

gleter Author

Level 1

6 points

Jan 1, 2010 1:52 PM in response to iphone3Gguy

Thanks so much for this info! I think I understand your instructions about syncing except for one thing: I'm still not sure HOW to sync using MobileMe and NOT with the cable. Can you give that info to me, step by step, from the beginning. I'm still learning the elementary steps, I'm afraid... Your instructions about removing the duplicates were great, but I need the initial steps, too. Thanks for any more help you can give!

Reply

Answer 5

Jan 1, 2010 2:49 PM in response to gleter

I'm still not sure HOW to sync using MobileMe and NOT with the cable.

Already answered. The following was copied from the previous post.

1. On the info tab in iTunes uncheck sync contact and sync calendars.

Under the Info tab for your iPhone sync preferences with iTunes, deselect sync contacts, and the same for calendars if you are also syncing calendars over the air with your MobileMe account in addition to syncing contacts over the air with your iPhone. Select Apply.

Reply

Answer 6

Jan 1, 2010 8:28 PM in response to gleter

gleter

http://www.apple.com/mobileme/setup/iphone_ipod.html

Reply