how to set up icloud for family and one itunes account

Question

Level 1

0 points

how to set up icloud for family and one itunes account

I just got a new disk drive in my MACbook (now upgraded to Mountain Lion) so starting from scratch with itunes. With 4 IOS devices in the family and only one itunes account, I would like to figure out how to backup every device to itunes. I was able to save old itunes data on a jump drive, but did not have a Time Machine backup so I am literally starting from scratch and want to do it right.

I need to get data from IOS devices to itunes(via ICLOUD?) before I hook up device to "new" disk drive on MAC.

I am scared I will loose the data on the devices when I hook them up to the new Mac. Any help would be appreciated...

Can we each have separate Icloud IDs and still have one Apple ID we use for Itunes account?

iPhone 4, OS X Mountain Lion

Posted on Aug 18, 2012 7:15 AM

Reply

Answer 1

pvonk

Level 6

13,851 points

Aug 18, 2012 8:00 AM in response to pam9995

"Can we each have separate Icloud IDs and still have one Apple ID we use for Itunes account?"

Yes, that's the suggested way of doing it.

As for starting from scratch - you need to decide which Apple ID to use for the mac. If each member of the family uses the mac, then set up a seperate account for each and use the Apple ID (the one used for iCloud) to sign into icloud. Use the common ID for itunes purchases. I'd suggest first syncing devices to icloud to get whatever data is important (contacts, events, ...) saved. When on the mac you connect to an iCloud account, the data (just synced from a device) will come down to the mac (for that account).

Tell us what "data" you want to get to the new Mac?

Reply

Answer 2

pam9995 Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 18, 2012 8:15 AM in response to pvonk

Most important info on Iphones and Itouches are contacts, calendars, PHOTOS, and reminders?

I will set up my Iphone for Icloud and save those items above to it. So my iphone will be the first device I will try this with.

Then should I hook up my phone to Itunes and will it erase everything on my phone?

How do I used Itunes to put the contacts, calendar, etc back on my phone?

Reply