How do I shift my iPad sync to a new computer? Will I lose data or apps?

The best way to is bring over your iTunes library when you port other files from your old computer to your new.

Launch iTunes. From the menu bar click Store > Authorize This Computer

You should be able to sync your iPad and iPhone without losing any data.

Moving the iTunes library will help move music and apps to the new computer. It won't move the photos and assorted data files (if you have any of those). You should also copy your iPhoto or Aperture databases to the new computer.

Remember that you do have to authorize the new computer as Carolyn has said and then if you follow these steps you should be in pretty good shape.

Very Important ....

1. Authorize the computer.

2. Turn off auto sync in iTunes

3. Transfer purchases

I changed anything relevant in the original thread so that the instructions for iTunes will work for a Mac. Your profile says Mac - so that's why I made the changes. The text in italics is from the other thread - non italics are my words.

The following was copied from this thread. This is essentially what you want to accomplish.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2431472

1) Without connecting your iPad to your new computer, start iTunes. Click on iTunes. Click on Preferences. Click on Devices. Check the box next to "Prevent your iPod etc. from automatically syncing." Click OK.

2) Now connect your iPad to your computer and start iTunes.

3) When iTunes starts, right click on your iPad under Devices in the left column. Select Transfer purchases etc.

4) After it finishes transferring all your apps to your computer, right click on your iPad and select Backup your iPad.

5) After it finishes backing up your iPad, right click on your iPad and select Restore etc.

6) After it finishes restoring, left click on your iPad , then click on the Apps tab on top, and check the box next to Sync Apps, then click on Apply below.

If everything on your iPad looks good after the sync, go back and click on iTunes / Preferences / Devices and UN-check the box next to Prevent your iPod etc. The only other thing you may want to check is if your contacts, bookmarks, etc. are syncing correctly now. If not, go to the Info tab after connecting and make sure you indicate which features you want to sync with what sources.

Read this thread and the support links as well. There are apps that you can purchase that will allow you to transfer photos from the iPad to your computer. Look at Photo Transfer App in the App store and you can search for others as well.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2739253

This support site will help you with transferring iTunes music to your new computer.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527

One final note - you may want to leave auto sync turned off - but that is totally up to you. I never did use auto sync.

Message was edited by: Demo