sync calendar/contacts with iCloud versus iTunes

I paniced when I got that message as I can't use a 'cloud' to store my data. However there is a way out if you have a home NAS network storage device. I have a Synology NAS but a lot of other NAS providers have equivelent offerings, check your manuals and the support forums.

I have added 'Synology Calendar' and 'Synology Contacts' which are CalDAV and CardDav services to my pre-existing Synology NAS. iOS devices can easily sync to these without problem. MS Outlook (in our case ver2010!) can't sync to this 'out of the box' but there are a couple of freeware helper addins that will allow two-way syncing to any Cal/Card DAV server. I use 'caldavsynchronizer.org' and for me it works perfectly.

I hope this helps to offer an additional alternative path for anyone searching for a solution to Apple's latest attempt at shooting themselves in the foot! :)

Hello Lucia555,

We understand you received a message indicating support for syncing contacts and calendars will be removed in a future version of iTunes. We also understand it seems to still be syncing.

The latest version of iTunes for Windows is version 12.11.3, which you can read about in Apple security updates. If you haven't already, please Update to the latest version of iTunes to see if you continue to receive the same message.

If you continue to receive this message, you can Sync app info from your PC to devices with iTunes.

You can also sync information wirelessly with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch using iCloud or Microsoft Exchange. Any items you sync with these applications can also be synced with iTunes.

If you choose to use iCloud, please see how to Set up and use iCloud for Windows.

If you're unable to set up or use iCloud for Windows, we'd also recommend reviewing what to do If you can't download or install iCloud for Windows.

If you see duplicate contacts or have questions about iCloud features that work differently between your Apple devices and Outlook, please see how to Get help using Outlook with iCloud for Windows.

Cheers!

I've used Companion Link for Outlook for some time with my Android phone and tablet. I persevered with it as the bugs were ironed out and I'm now very happy with it. So I tried it with my old iPhone6 (iOS 12) and after a bit of a struggle with getting the settings right it now works just as well as with the Android stuff to synchronise Contacts and Calendar. I use the USB connection and you must keep iTunes on the PC to keep the USB driver if you want to sync with USB . I'll be happy to dispense with iTunes and will not have to go to the Cloud.

Companion Link has its own Calendar and Contacts functions so you have to lose your Apple Calendar and Contacts. You can get back to sync'ing Outlook Notes/Memos on your iPhone. (these have not been sync'd by iTunes for ages)

For transferring books and music, I use WALTR2.

You pay a bit for both of these Applications but I figure that they are both worth it.

There is another working solution called CopyTrans Contacts. Automatically transfers contacts and calendars from and to Outlook via USB cable: https://www.copytrans.net/support/transfer-outlook-contacts-to-iphone/

CompanionLink has been working well for me with to do a two-way between PC Outlook and my iPhone. I’m still working on how to use it to also do a two-way sync with my iPad. My first attempt resulted in a lot of duplicates.

My understanding is that syncing would be from the application on your computer to the corresponding apps on your phone; contacts, calendar, and reminders for tasks. It shouldn't be too dissimilar to syncing over Wi-Fi. That said I'm struggling to prove it. It seems the current version of iCloud for Windows is only available through the Microsoft Store and will require Outlook 2016 or later for mail, contacts, and calendars. I use Office365/Exchange where everything has synced smoothly through the cloud for years.

tt2

I have been using CompanionLink/DejaOffice since APPLE stopped synching NOTES years ago. It's the best and their support is excellent as well. The only problem is that the phone app on your iPhone is synched with the CONTACTS from iTunes synch. If APPLE removes this function, the only way to get around this is to enter a new contact manually. If anyone knows another method, please let me know.

I contacted CopyTrans support. Here was their reply when I asked if their product would work:

Thank you for reaching out to us.

For now CopyTrans Contacts can sync contacts and calendars to Outlook, both

directions, via USB. We also take care of the duplicates pretty well, so it is

a working solution.

Once Apple discontinues integration and sync of

Outlook, we will double check our software and inform customers accordingly.

Hi.  robertsig

Do you know METT-TC method?

let me talk our issue by METT-TC method

##Mission- 1) sync  PC built in Outlook calendar & contacts   => iPhone Native calendar & contacts

           2) iphone backup

##Enemy-  after Itunes update 12.11.3.17,  "Support for syncing contacts and calendars has been deprecated and will be

removed in a future version of iTunes."

##terrain-maybe apple prefer icloud sync than maintain itunes sync

##troops – 1) Companionlink9 is for  sync  PC built in Outlook calendar & contacts  => iPhone Native calendar & contacts

           2) Itunes is for  Iphone backup without calendar & contacts

##time available – now

##civil consideration- a little

Nice a good day!

BEWARE: Feedback on the iCloud sync solution. Hours later, including 4+ hours of working with Apple support, here is my report. While helpful, the first guy was not well versed in iCloud. Second call: insisted on talking to someone who knew iCloud.

I had to reinstall iCloud for Windows. Selected the sync to Outlook option. iCloud contacts and calendar folders were added to Outlook. It seemed to work fine for the calendar. Deleted all my contacts from Outlook and "lost" 100 of my contacts when uploading to iCloud. I only discovered this when I searched the uploaded contacts and just happened to select two that had disappeared (luck was with me there)!

Downloaded the iCloud contacts to my iPhone and still had my Outlook contacts on my iPad. There is a feature that shows the count on each - found the 100 contact difference.

Thankfully, I had a recent backup of my Outlook.pst file. After trying a number of things, I used my backup .pst file to get my contacts back into Outlook. I was able to delete the extra Calendar folder and have not been able to delete the empty contacts folder.

PLEASE DO NOT DELETE ITUNES SYNC WITH OUTLOOK!

jimbob5941 wrote:

Is there another way you could post a downlevel version of iTunes?

The further information area of Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates has direct links to older builds of iTunes along with advice on reverting to an older version. Links to the most recent builds are now at the bottom of the page.

tt2

iCloud for Windows should be able to sync your PC and iPhone contacts and calendars with each other, it is not a case of you being pushed solely to Apple's iCloud calendar and contacts.

tt2

Yes. I use companionlink for many years to one way synch my contacts which reside in my ACT database w outlook and then my iPhone. It works great!

I also sync a phone and ipad.. You might try a program called iMazing.. I started using that several years ago when they took away the ability to sideload ebooks with itunes.. it duplicates a lot of the functionality but there is a bit of a learning curve when it comes to the interface..