Keep App Icon layout when syncing across multiple computers

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Keep App Icon layout when syncing across multiple computers

Hi All - I sync my iPhone 4 between my work and home computer. I've transferred all the purchases and authorized both computers so I don't lose any apps when syncing.

My issue is the actual layout and folders that I have created for all of my apps. When I try to sync on the different computer it does not save any of the layouts or folders that I have created (consolidated to 3 screens) and all my apps are spread out arbitrarily over 5 different screens. Is there ANY way to keep the same layout when syncing across multiple devices. I tediously reproduced the layout on my work computer when I synced which seemed to work but when I try to resync on my home computer it looks like I have to redo everything - very tedious...

Thanks in advance!!

iPhone 4, iOS 4

Posted on Jan 13, 2011 6:26 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 26, 2011 6:08 PM in response to Baobei!

i am having the same exact issue and it is driving me absolutely mad trying to figure it out.

Anyone have a solution?

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Answer 2

KiltedTim

Level 10

195,195 points

Jan 26, 2011 6:43 PM in response to Baobei!

The iPhone is meant to be synced to 1 and only 1 computer.

The "fix" is to sync to 1 computer at a time.

Besides, you don't want your music stored on your work computer anyway. Legally, it has to belong to the company if it's on that machine. The IT department may not care, either because they are lazy or ignorant of the legalities, but that's still the way the law works in the U.S.

Honestly, I can't think of a need to sync to multiple machines anyway. If you have Exchange, you can set it up to sync e-mail, contacts and calendar to the phone. You can still plug the phone into your work PC regardless of whether it syncs or not. That's exactly what I do.

I can't believe you couldn't manage to load up enough audio and video to get you through a couple of days away from your home machine if it came down to that.

Sorry to babble on. That's what happens when i work too much and get tired.

Anyway... to fix your problem... a man said to his doctor, 'Doctor, it hurts when I do this'. To which the doctor replied, 'Then don't do that!'.

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Answer 3

Jan 27, 2011 5:48 PM in response to KiltedTim

Hmmm, honesly KiltedTim, that really isn't a helpful response. The legalities of who owns the content downloaded on a workplace network are not Apple's concern - that is for the employee and the employer to decide. Besides, what if you OWN the company whose computer you are syncing your iPhone on? What if your iPhone BELONGS to the company and you're allowed personal use? Or suppose your household (like mine) has more than one computer. When the wife is using the main one, I'll be using the lappy - but I prefer the main one. So how hard is it to enable users to sync between any computer you have authorised your Apple ID on?

When it comes to Apps... not hard at all. Messing with your icons is a usability issue that would be SO EASY TO FIX. When syncing your apps, take the iPhone's icon configuration as the "source of truth" and then tack any extra apps on the end for the user to move about.

It's not about "having enough audio and video", it's about being able to do things as they occur to you and not having to wait until you have access to the synced computer. Perfect example; I'm at work right now and I want to install an app on my phone that I want to use right now for something work-related. To retain my icon configuration, I have to wait until I get home, wait until the main computer is free, install the app, come back to work ON MONDAY in order to use the app! How is having to do this not rediculous?

Note: I have no wireless access at work and I'm not prepared to waste my internet quota on downloading the app. You can't download apps bigger than 20MB over 3G anyway.

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Answer 4

akakus

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Mar 14, 2011 2:16 AM in response to Baobei!

This is something which bothers me as well...

KiltedTim I don't live in US so I don't care about law there - additionaly I use my own laptop at workplace (I own it and I am bringing it back home), I travel with it to my family, etc. etc. So I use it more than my rig which is at home all the time. Ok I could use only my laptop to sync apps. But what if I dont wan't to bring it home everyday? Then I would like to be able to sync my apps at home on my other computer (I agree I don't need to sync music / videos on my other place) because I have found new interesting application I want to install. **** I shouldn't be reasoning myself why I would like to keep apps synchronized to 2 computers (of course both authorized and my own).

And now it is really annoying to do so - folders are not being remembered correctly. Which I can't understand because before ticking "sync apps" window you see your proper layout on the screenshots. WHY it can't be taken to computer and use again? Are we missing something?

You shouldn't be defending company if users are complaining about feature you dont want to use - when IT IS really drawback and annoyance.

Currently apart from clumsy messaging support (lack of reports, lack of disabling Unicode when using special characters) this is major drawback for me as a new iPhone user.

Message was edited by: akakus

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Answer 5

Wakane

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Apr 17, 2011 10:17 PM in response to Baobei!

I'm also having this issue. 😟 Is this one of those many "just suck it up!" issue that we seem to be getting more and more from apple? 😟 ?

They can do it technically, and enough valid reasons to do so, but even the latest iTunes 10.2.1.1 still does not handle this.

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Answer 6

erikg19

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Nov 14, 2012 11:41 PM in response to KiltedTim

I can't believe I wasted a minute of my life reading your babble. Do you have a fix for this or not?

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Answer 7

KiltedTim

Level 10

195,195 points

Nov 15, 2012 4:21 AM in response to erikg19

There is no fix. This is the way it's designed to work. If you don't like it, go buy something else.

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Answer 8

weilun

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Nov 15, 2012 5:01 AM in response to Baobei!

that's funny,,,,admin deleted posts

probably TIm Cook can handle this.

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Answer 9

Nov 15, 2012 1:00 PM in response to weilun

Here is a work around. Click sync Apps and hit apply and the slide the unlock bar immediately when your iphone shows sync in progress. Then cancel sync, quit itunes and restart it. You will see itunes icon layout is same as your iphone layout.

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Answer 10

KiltedTim

Level 10

195,195 points

Nov 15, 2012 1:05 PM in response to Geoff1234567

That's a good way to really screw up your phone...

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Answer 11

Nov 15, 2012 1:08 PM in response to KiltedTim

It worked for everyone who tried it and I have pasted this info on more than 10 other web sites and ALL are saying thank you. No one has had one single problem.

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Answer 12

KiltedTim

Level 10

195,195 points

Nov 15, 2012 1:31 PM in response to Geoff1234567

No one has had one single problem, eh... sure... go ahead and believe that...

If it works for you and makes you happy, then I'm glad for you. Why don't you give the good people here your address so that they can come and thank you personally when they screw up their phones following your advice?

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Answer 13

Nov 15, 2012 1:35 PM in response to KiltedTim

Like I said,

It worked for everyone who tried it and I have pasted this info on more than 10 other web sites and ALL are saying thank you. No one has had one single problem.

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Answer 14

Nov 15, 2012 1:38 PM in response to KiltedTim

What would you suggest for somone who has an old desktop computer that is breaking down and they have bought a new computer and want to transfer their setup to the new computer?

No copyright broken and a real legitmate need. Think about it cafrefully and I am sure you will be able to understand this even if you are kilted...

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Answer 15

KiltedTim

Level 10

195,195 points

Nov 15, 2012 1:47 PM in response to Geoff1234567

Depends on the computer and the OS, I suppose... Of course, they could always just back up to iCloud, move their music and other media from the old machine to the new one, then plug it in... But I suppose that makes too much sense for some people to bother.

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