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will itunes erase my iphone if I set it up as new?

I've had my iphone for a while and am just now connecting it to itunes to load music. I've got SMS, apps and photos on it already. When I connect to iTunes, it asks if I want to set up as new or restore from backuo (no backups).



If I set it up as new will iTunes erase the apps, SMS, and photos?

iPhone 4, Windows Vista

Posted on Jul 9, 2012 8:06 PM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Jul 10, 2012 2:21 PM

diesel vdub


I'm sorry you think it's a silly question. I did read the guide and it doesn't say how to set it up as a new device without deleting everything. Next time you find a "silly" question maybe you can just move on so it doesn't offend you instead of judging without helping.




To everyone else

Thanks for your advice and links, unfortunately nothing seems to answer my question.


Here's my situation:

1) Bought a new iPhone from Verizon last month

2) The iphone activated without me having to connect to iTunes

3) In the interim, I took photos, downloaded apps, texted friends, etc

4) I wanted to load music, so I plugged it into iTunes

5) iTunes wants me to set up as a new phone or restore from backup, but the only backup file is from an iPod I have

6) iTunes doesn't give me the choice of backing up my iPhone (when I right-click on the device all I get is "eject" and "restore from backup")


I also tried checking "Prevent iPads, iPhones, and iPods from syncing automatically" in iTunes


I just want to put music on my phone but can't seem to get past iTunes wanting to set it up and I'm afraid it'll delete everything if I do.


iPhone 4

iOS 5.1

iTunes 10.6.3.25


Any suggestions???



Thanks!

55 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Jul 10, 2012 2:21 PM in response to diesel vdub

diesel vdub


I'm sorry you think it's a silly question. I did read the guide and it doesn't say how to set it up as a new device without deleting everything. Next time you find a "silly" question maybe you can just move on so it doesn't offend you instead of judging without helping.




To everyone else

Thanks for your advice and links, unfortunately nothing seems to answer my question.


Here's my situation:

1) Bought a new iPhone from Verizon last month

2) The iphone activated without me having to connect to iTunes

3) In the interim, I took photos, downloaded apps, texted friends, etc

4) I wanted to load music, so I plugged it into iTunes

5) iTunes wants me to set up as a new phone or restore from backup, but the only backup file is from an iPod I have

6) iTunes doesn't give me the choice of backing up my iPhone (when I right-click on the device all I get is "eject" and "restore from backup")


I also tried checking "Prevent iPads, iPhones, and iPods from syncing automatically" in iTunes


I just want to put music on my phone but can't seem to get past iTunes wanting to set it up and I'm afraid it'll delete everything if I do.


iPhone 4

iOS 5.1

iTunes 10.6.3.25


Any suggestions???



Thanks!

Sep 6, 2016 10:10 AM in response to guyff

Set up as a new device won't change any data on the iPhone, it is simply the alternate choice to restoring from a backup, which you won't want to do on a new computer. If your phone has never been synced with another library then set up as a new iPhone is all you need to do. If it has been synced with another library in the past then either copy that library to the current computer or see Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.


tt2

Jan 27, 2017 3:42 PM in response to Donitello

Yes, that part will work fine. Here is what your relative should have done before giving you the phone: What to do before selling or giving away your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support. It may still be connected to Find My iPhone with their Apple ID, which could trip you up in future, and obviously you won't want to mix up each others personal information so make sure you have signed out of any services connected to their Apple ID and other services like Facebook. You should wipe their personal data as explained in the article. Ideally wipe the whole phone, but that might not be so easy if you've already started using it. As I've suggested earlier the set up as new device option in iTunes configures iTunes, not the device.


tt2

Jul 10, 2012 8:25 PM in response to ElenaRaq

Apparently, after hours of research, it seems that my problem may be a bug in iTunes that asks users to set up their iPhone even if it's already been set up before. Supposedly, clicking on "Set up as new phone" will only ask me to change the phone's name and not actually delete the content.


http://www.fettesps.com/how-to-fix-itunes-set-up-your-iphone-error/


Going to try this tomorrow after copying all of my photos and contact info from the phone.


Thanks for the help.

Jul 29, 2012 11:12 PM in response to ElenaRaq

Thank you ElenaRaq. I also have the same problem now with my wifes iPhone. She has been using it for 3 weeks and just yesterday i tried to connect it to iTunes. But i Tunes was asking me to set up as a new phone or restore from last backup (which is my iPhone backup)


How was your process, have you been successful without deleting all your content when you choose "Set up as a new iPhone" ?

will itunes erase my iphone if I set it up as new?

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