Sync iPhone to new Mac without losing app folder layout

Question

Sync iPhone to new Mac without losing app folder layout

I got my new MBP today, because my Windows machine crashed and I lost everything.

So I had enough and bought a Mac.

I want to sync my iPhone with my MBP and not lose the folder layout of all my apps, I have nearly 200 apps so reorganising the apps is out of the question (unless it was a last ditch resort).

How can I sync my iPhone to my new Mac, bearing in mind I have no access to the files on my old PC.

I have already clicked 'Transfer Purchases' so have all the apps from my phone in iTunes on my Mac.

Thank you in advance,

Sam 🙂

iPhone 4S, iOS 5.1.1

Posted on Jul 24, 2012 3:29 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 24, 2012 4:05 PM in response to MaverickFlyboy

Does the folder layout for the home pages on your iPhone under the Apps tab for your iPhone sync preferences with iTunes match what is on your iPhone?

For future reference, follow the instructions included with this link for including your iTunes library with your computer's backup which would avoid this.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

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Answer 2

Jul 24, 2012 5:01 PM in response to Allan Sampson

Yes, but then if I tick 'Sync Apps' then it pops up with a dialogue saying 'Are you sure you want to sync apps? All existing apps and their data on the iPhone “Samuel G Ellis iPhone” will be replaced with apps from this iTunes library.' and with two options 'Cancel' or 'Sync Apps'

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Answer 3

Jul 24, 2012 5:11 PM in response to MaverickFlyboy

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

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Answer 4

Jul 24, 2012 5:14 PM in response to MaverickFlyboy

Since you didn't include your iTunes library with your computer's backup per the instructions included with the link provided, all iTunes content on your iPhone will be erased with the first sync, and the same for any photos on your iPhone that were transferred from your PC when selecting to transfer any photos from your Mac.

Before the sync, create a backup for your iPhone. Control-click on your iPhone under devices in the iTunes source list and select Back Up from the menu window provided.

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Answer 5

Jul 24, 2012 5:57 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

I followed the instructions but still I cannot tick sync apps because the same message comes up as I mentioned above.

Is there a way to keep the folder layout but sync apps?

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Answer 6

Jul 24, 2012 6:03 PM in response to MaverickFlyboy

All iTunes content on your iPhone will be erased first followed by being re-installed and there is nothing you can do to change this. Had you included your iTunes library with your PC's backup per the instructions included with the link I provided and restored your library on your Mac from that backup, this would not be a problem.

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Answer 7

Jul 24, 2012 6:03 PM in response to MaverickFlyboy

Connect the phone to your computer, right click on its name in iTunes and choose Back Up. Then right click again and choose Transfer Purchases. But if you don't have the iTunes Library.itl database file I don't think you can keep the folder layout. But I've never tried, as I always back up my computers.

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Answer 8

Jul 24, 2012 6:06 PM in response to Allan Sampson

My Windows manchine died on me and I could not get any data from it, so I couldn't have got the library file anyway

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Answer 9

Jul 24, 2012 6:06 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

I'll try this now, thank you.

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Answer 10

Jul 24, 2012 6:12 PM in response to MaverickFlyboy

That is why you maintain a backup of your iTunes library and other important data while your computer and computer's hard drive is working - too late after there is a complete hard drive failure.

A hard drive is a hard drive - they can and do crash with a Mac as well. I had one fail on me with a 6 month old Mac PowerBook, and I didn't maintain a backup at the time. I lost everything, and I have been maintaining at least one backup since that time.

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Answer 11

Jul 24, 2012 7:11 PM in response to MaverickFlyboy

Looks like tomorrow I'm going to be sorting my folders out.

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Answer 12

tinous98

Level 1

40 points

Nov 10, 2012 3:35 PM in response to MaverickFlyboy

here is a working solution around this problem

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2719830?start=0&tstart=0

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