Adding a second IPad to my desktop

So what's the question?

Should be no problem. The computer's iTunes can support multiple IOS devices (iPads/iPods/iPhones) and multiple Apple IDs. Go here for more information. Don't forget to sign back in to your own ID when you're finished.

I see one issue off the bat. You need to transfer her purchases into the iTunes library before you update, restore - or do anything else. Don't let iTunes erase the iPad.

After you do these steps - then follow the steps listed below. Read them first and make sure you understand the process. If you follow these steps - it should work.

Do the steps in this order - do not connect the iPad until you turn off auto sync as described below.

I setup an account on my pc for her

I signon to the new accont and start iTunes.

I signon to apple using her apple id.

I authorize my pc for her iPad

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 laptop, start iTunes. Click on Edit. 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 laptop 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 new laptop, 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 Edit / 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.

If anything goes wrong, this will save you.

If you do not transfer her purchases, backup her iPad and restore from her backup - yes you will lose all of her app data. You can download the apps again - but the data will be gone.

What does using your own Microsoft account have to do with anything here? Am I missing something?

You are syncing her iPad to a new computer and you need to transfer, backup and restore from the backup.

You seem to have the basic idea but just read the steps in my first post again. If you follow thse steps - you should be fine. Philly's post about downloading apps again is a good backup plan if needed.

OH - you mean on the PC - sorry - I had no idea that is what you were talking about. Then you do not want to set up a separate user account for her even though you did indicate that is what you were going to so.

If you are going to use the same iTunes library with different Apple ID's - Philly is the expert on that so I will defer to his knowledge.

Ibmuser wrote:

She has the exact same taste in music as I do. I would prefer that I do not have to setup a separate Microsoft windows account so we will both have access to the same iTunes music library.

I completely missed your choice of words in your earlier messages. You will not use a Microsoft Windows account. You will use an Apple ID. I don't even know why you referred to a MS Windows account. Before I go any further, let's get that straightened out.

Edit...

Do you mean the user login for the computer?

Sorry about that. I'm in the habit of using the word "account" only when I'm talking about money transfer. Just to keep us in sync, I call that your "login" and the procedure below will work just fine with your login.

There are several solutions but let me suggest the safest one.

The following solution will cover all bases EXCEPT for those items that were not obtained from the iTunes Store. This would be music copied from CDs, photos taken by a digital camera, etc. The easiest way to handle those items is do everything else first and then load them the same way that they were originally loaded. If the original files are not available, there is a way to save them but get back to me BEFORE you perform the following steps.

1. Open iTunes while the iPad is NOT connected. Select the iTunes Store in the left-side pane. Then click on your Apple ID in the upper right corner. When the popup appears, enter the other ID.

2. Look at the menus at the top. Go to iTunes/Preferences/Devices and CHECK this box:

3. Connect the iPad and wait for it to be recognized. If you are asked if you want the software updated, decline at this time.

4. If the name is identical to the name of your iPad, change the name. Click on it to highlight it. My iTunes shows two devices because I sync wirelessly. Your display will show only the connected device. After you change the name, click anywhere else to remove the highlighting.

5. Right-click on its name in the pane on the left side. A menu will appear. Select "Transfer Purchases."

6. Right-click again and select "Back Up."

7. Right-click a third time and select "Sync." You will probably be asked again if you wish the software to be updated. This time, accept.

8. Disconnect the iPad.

9. Select the iTunes Store and change the Apple ID back to your ID.

10. Optional... Go back to iTunes/Preferences/Devices and uncheck the box.

Finally, don't forget that, if something goes wrong, you can always retrieve all iTunes purchases.