syncing iphone to new computer without losing contacts

Syncing to a new iTunes library or computer will erase your phone. Only if you back up manually before syncing, you can restore your device from that backup again. A manual backup does not include the sync process.

Do this:

Disable autosync in iTunes, connect your phone to your new computer and right click on it in the device list and choose backup. iTunes will backup your device without syncing.

Transfer your purchases the same way, choosing "transfer purchases" this time.

When you connect your phone for the first time, all media content will be erased. But you can restore your settings and app data from your manual backup afterwards.

Don't forget to set up at least one contact and event on your new computer to be able to merge calendars and contacts when you sync the iPhone for the first time.

Music is one way only, from the computer to your device, unless you bought the songs in itunes and transferred your purchases.

There is 3rd party software out there, but not supported by Apple, see this thread:http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2013615&tstart=0

About backups and what's saved:iTunes: About iOS backups

How to back up and restore:http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1414

How to download apps for free again:http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2519

Saving other data is also described here. How to back up your data and set up as a new device

You're welcome, good luck 🙂

Hey, i'm facing the same problem. But when i plugged in my iphone to my new PC there no respond at all and there isn't any prompt that ask me if i want to sync, neither can i find my device list on the left hand side! Help please!

Hey! I just wanted to say thanks! I'm not good with these things and I've been asking my husband to do it for months, since my desktop died. I wanted him to fix it where i could use itunes on his laptop but didn't want to lose all of my music. Following your instructions, I was able to do it myself! 😎

You're welcome, Wendy 🙂

Hey guys my brother have gifted me his new iPhone 4S when he was comes india and now the problem is that he have just give me only data cable and iPhone and handsfree and i cant connect this iPhone to my PC with iTunes even it doesnt detect in my pc so what can i do because unfortunatly we are not in any kinda contacts please help me i want to copy some songs and picture in my iPhone As Soon As possible......

@yrsiddhapura

if your device is not recognized in Windows, follow this article:

iOS: Device not recognized in iTunes for Windows

Please start your own post, this one deals with a different problem.

Ingo2711 wrote:

Syncing to a new iTunes library or computer will erase your phone. Only if you back up manually before syncing, you can restore your device from that backup again. A manual backup does not include the sync process.

Do this:

Disable autosync in iTunes, connect your phone to your new computer and right click on it in the device list and choose backup. iTunes will backup your device without syncing.

Transfer your purchases the same way, choosing "transfer purchases" this time.

When you connect your phone for the first time, all media content will be erased. But you can restore your settings and app data from your manual backup afterwards.

Don't forget to set up at least one contact and event on your new computer to be able to merge calendars and contacts when you sync the iPhone for the first time.

Music is one way only, from the computer to your device, unless you bought the songs in itunes and transferred your purchases.

There is 3rd party software out there, but not supported by Apple, see this thread:http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2013615&tstart=0

About backups and what's saved:iTunes: About iOS backups

How to back up and restore:http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1414

How to download apps for free again:http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2519

Saving other data is also described here. How to back up your data and set up as a new device

What do you mean when you say dont forget to set up at least one contact and event on your new computer ? How do you do this ? I dont really understand this part.

Many thanks

@Rubberscoob:

If you don't have an event listed in the calendar program on your computer or at least one contact in you Address Book, syncing with your computer will erase your contacts and events, if you have chosen to sync with those programs on your computer in the info pane in iTunes.

If i right click and back up iphone when i sync my phone i will lose my apps how can I transfer all my apps from my iphone to my new computer?

If I do the manual back up before the sync, would my texts and WhatsApp messages be saved?

Hey guys thanking you for supporting me and ya i have also get another and easy solution to connect iPhone 4S to windows 7 64 bit os.

First install 64Bit iTunes in your Computer and then install iTools 2011(Beta) or newer virsion and then simply connect your iphone to your computer

And its work greatly.....

download iTools Beta from here: http://www.softpedia.com/get/IPOD-TOOLS/Multimedia-IPOD-tools/iTools.shtml

or you can also google it.

Hi Ingo,

Earlier, you mentioned that when you connect your phone for the first time, all media content will be lost. Does that mean when I plug in my phone when I go to back up my phone to the new computer? Or does that mean the first time AFTER I have already backed up my phone? My computer crashed and I was not able to back everything up onto my external HD before it happened, so I'd like to back up my phone to my work computer in the mean time. I just want to make sure I don't lose everything before I've even backed it up to the new work computer.

Thanks,

Erin

@Erin,

follow this user tip:

Syncing to a "New" Computer or replacing a "crashed" Hard Drive

When you switch back to your computer, you'll have to repeat the process again.