The best way to manage multiple iPhones

Question

Level 1

12 points

The best way to manage multiple iPhones

Hi,

We currently own three iPhones, my wife’s, my daughter’s and mine and we are all using basically the same apple ID which is good for purchased apps since I have to buy it once and they automatically show on all devices, the issue is with free and personal apps, all of my daughter’s games end up in the other two phones which is annoying.

What would be the best way to manage all three iPhones butstill be able to share purchased apps without adding unwanted apps?

Do I need to create three different accounts?

What would you guys recommend?

Thanks a lot!

Posted on Dec 12, 2011 1:47 PM

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Answer 1

pvonk

Level 6

13,857 points

Dec 12, 2011 1:51 PM in response to fs_tigre

If you sync each phone with the same iTunes (using one ID) then you can choose which of the inventory of apps in iTunes you want to put on each iphone. Just do manual sync of apps (look in the iTunes iphone device, under apps - there you can check off the ones you want on the currently attached iphone).

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Answer 2

KPilukas

Level 1

0 points

Dec 12, 2011 2:09 PM in response to pvonk

We have now 5 devices, two adults and 3 kids, including a new work iPhone. To manually select apps from scratch per device/per sync is really tedious.

Can't one save the "last checked" selections per device, so when Device B is connected the profile pulls up Device B's selections, and I could then evaluate if there are any minimal modifications to be made?

On the same note, are each device's personal phone items (settings, speed dials, etc) automatically saved separately per device?

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Answer 3

mej16489

Level 1

4 points

Dec 12, 2011 3:30 PM in response to fs_tigre

Use separate computer accounts when you logon to the computer where you are running iTunes. Each user account will be able to configure their sync settings independantly of each another.

1 Computer

n Computer user accounts

1 Apple ID

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Answer 4

pvonk

Level 6

13,857 points

Dec 12, 2011 3:39 PM in response to KPilukas

Once you choose the apps to sync FOR THAT SPECIFIC PHONE CURRENTLY CONNECTED TO ITUNES, you won't have to re-select. It's automatic after that, unless you want to tweak the list. Everything is saved per device.

However, if your are interested in using iCloud, be sure to use different iCloud accounts, otherwise everyone will be syncing (over the air) the same data on all iphones.

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Answer 5

fs_tigre Author

Level 1

12 points

Dec 12, 2011 4:17 PM in response to pvonk

First of all thank you all for your help.

Ok, so this means that once you select the apps for each phone they will remember what apps were previously selected and only those will be synced?

Thanks

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