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How to sync iPhone to (new) computer and keep everything on the phone saved?

I want to put music onto my iphone (the music is on my laptop, and on itunes).

When I connect my iphone to my laptop it asks me to set it up as a new iPhone.

I cannot risk losing any of my data on the phone (eg. contacts, messages, notes, apps, etc).

The phone is connected to my icloud account, and everything is checked to be saved on icloud.

On the computer there is no option to restore from the icloud account.

Do I restore from the icloud account via my phone (and then will it sync the music onto my phone via computer?)? Or set it up as a new iphone via my laptop?

The end result I need to have is for the phone to remain the same (apps, information, contacts, etc.), except with my music (that is on my laptop) playable in the music app.

Thanks so much in advance for any help that could be given!

iPhone 4S, iOS 5.1.1

Posted on Sep 15, 2012 7:50 PM

Reply
4 replies

Sep 15, 2012 8:19 PM in response to Mitchell Ribbons

If you haven't synced you phone with iTunes before the first thing iTunes will do is delete all iTunes media (apps, music, podcasts, etc.) from the phone, then replace it with the media in the iTunes library you are syncing with. Establishing syncing for the first time without losing your data has to be done carefully. This guide will give you the process for doing so: https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3141. There is a related guide here as well: https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3991. However, as covered in these guides, only music purchased from iTunes can be transferred from your phone to your iTunes library. Transferring music from other sources from your phone requires 3rd party software such as Touch Copy.


Other options:

If all your music is purchased from iTunes, it can be download directly to your phone for free without syncing (see http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2519). Another option to get your music without syncing is to subscribe to iTunes Match (see http://www.apple.com/itunes/itunes-match/). This will scan your iTunes library, match songs already in the iTunes store and upload any songs in your library not in the iTunes store, then make your entire music library (up to 25,000 songs) available to download from iCloud directly to your phone. (With iOS 6 due out next week on the 19th, iTunes Match songs can also be streamed to your phone without downloading and taking up space on your phone.)

Oct 29, 2012 4:06 PM in response to randers4

You can manually move some of your files and information to a new Mac or PC, but the easiest way to start using your iPhone or iPad with a new computer is to get an app like iPhone Transfer.

Be sure that you use one of these tools and follow the steps outlined below how to sync iPhone files to your new computer.


I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.


<Edited by Host>

May 23, 2014 9:21 PM in response to Mitchell Ribbons

Sometimes people make things so complicated.


A. Copy your iTunes folder from your old computer to the desktop of the new computer.


B. Rename the iTunes folder on your new computer to something like "EmptyITunes". Its usually

resident in "yourAccount/Music".


C. Move the "EmptyITunes folder to the desktop of the new computer


D. Move the iTunes folder on the desktop (from the old computer) to the same place

where the "EmptyITunes" folder was.


E. Launch iTunes. You're done.


F. Plugin your iPhone, it will sync as if its the old computer, since of course, the files are the same.


Once you are comfortable, deauthorize the old computer and delete the "EmptyITunes" Folder


Always backup every hour with Time Machine.


Thanks,

James

How to sync iPhone to (new) computer and keep everything on the phone saved?

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