Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

itunes "set up as new ipad" question

I've got an iPhone 4S that I've regularly plugged into my computer and synced it to my computer with iTunes. I've owned a new iPad for a while now and have never, yet, plugged it into my computer. Haven't really needed to. Still don't need to really...but thought I'd give it a try- mostly so I could transfer some Beatles material from my computer/iphone onto the iPad (no I don't want to stream via iCloud).

So, I'm plugged in and iTunes fired up and I'm at the "Set Up Your iPad" screen and I have two choices...either "Set up as a new iPad" or "Restore from backup of Robert's iPhone"...which do I pick and why?

I don't want to copy everything that's on my iPhone to my iPad...only sync some albums. Opinions please? Which choice should I select before I hit that "Continue" button???

iPad, iOS 5.1, 64GB 4G LTE

Posted on Sep 15, 2012 10:36 AM

Best reply

ozZySPL

Level 1

5 points

Posted on Jan 14, 2013 8:43 AM

Clicking "Set up as new ipad" will not erase it, it will only back it up to your computer. It scared me as well but I lost patience trying to find a way around it so I clicked it anyway and to my suprise it didn't get erased!

View in context

21 replies

Mar 2, 2014 5:42 AM in response to Robert Grandmaison

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!

I was having the same problem - Apple really should make it clear that "set up as new" just means that you are setting up the ipad as a new device on itunes and NOT setting up the ipad as new...

I got this the first time and kind of panicked a little and unplugged it (without ejecting it first - I forgot) and it screwed up my itunes and other things on my computer. After two weeks of researcing and fixing the OTHER errors that caused and reinstalling itunes, I tried it again and got hte same screen. This time, I found your advice and VOILA! It worked!!!

Now I can plug in my ipad and sync the info to my computer.

Thanks!!

Nov 20, 2014 1:02 PM in response to Robert Grandmaison

OK HELP PLEASE . .

Major ****-up, having come to this article far too late I have just tried to connect my sons iPad to the laptop and selected restore . . . from over 12 months ago :-( I have subsequently lost all his photo's this is the major issue, as no bck up has been done in over 12 months and its not registered on the CLoud . . does this mean they are all long lost now, or is there a glimmer of hope out there . .

PLEASE PLEASE HELP.

Feb 23, 2015 2:36 AM in response to ozZySPL

Thanks so much - I nearly had heart failure and your answer was simple and it works!! Phew!!! 🙂

Feb 23, 2015 5:13 PM in response to Robert Grandmaison

Thank you for this thread. I was confused with this question today when using iTunes 11. One of my co-workers needed to back up her iPad to my computer and, when I saw this message, I lied and, said don't worry about it, I'll take care of it and your iPad will be fine. In reality I was nervous I would mess up her iPad. I left the button alone🙂. I was reluctant when we ran out of time and, I backed up all of her pictures hassle free😊. I will take care of backing up her iPad when she returns and, be less afraid to click the set up as a new iPad button( A NEW iPad registered to computer with same data). 🙂

Loomis11

Level 1

0 points

Dec 10, 2015 4:20 AM in response to ozZySPL

Thank you so much! I just had the same issue with my iPad Air 2. It shut down at 0% last night and I plugged it in and thought it was charging. I woke and found it turning on and off. After reading this post it saved my day AND my iPad as well. Thank you!

MuthUma

Level 1

4 points

Sep 1, 2017 5:22 PM in response to ozZySPL

I have wasted almost half a day looking for solution. Should Apple modify the comment with the following message?

This action does not erase your iPad to factory default?

itunes "set up as new ipad" question