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Level 1

9 points

backup vs. syncing contacts

I want to ensure my iPhone 4S contacts are backed up on my mac using iTunes, but do not want them to over-write the contacts in my Outlook for Mac (and I don't want the Outlook contacts to sync to the iPhone contacts; I need to maintain each contact list as separate and distinct.)

When I first connected the iPhone to the mac with iTunes, it automatically ran a backup. I just wanted to make sure I knew where the contacts backup was stored on the mac, but couldn't find the file (researching this forum indicated it would be in a folder which doesn't exist on my mac...) So first question is, where should that backup be located?

I'm also confused about the difference between the backup and syncing. To ensure neither the iPhone contacts nor the Outlooks contacts over-wrote the other, for now I have iTunes set to not sync the iPhone. And in iTunes (version 11.0.1), under the "info" page for the iPhone, I do NOT have the "Sync Contacts" box checked. I've seen some posts here say that if I select that box, it should give me an option to WHERE I'd like to sync the contacts to: Outlook, other mail program, etc. But I don't see that option in this new version of iTunes.

So second question is, what's the best way to ensure I keep a current backup copy of the iPhone contacts, without impacting the Outlook contacts?

(I don't use iCloud)

Thanks...

iMac (21.5-inch Mid 2011), Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on Jan 9, 2013 1:15 PM

21 replies

Steve711 Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 10, 2013 10:48 AM in response to KiltedTim

I will definitely create some entries in the Mac's Address Book before attempting a sync. But you're pretty sure there's no risk that once I do the sync, it won't try to sync with Outlook instead of the Address Book? I was wondering if maybe it won't give me the option to select which program to sync to until I actually execute the sync itself...

KiltedTim

Level 10

195,783 points

Jan 10, 2013 10:50 AM in response to Steve711

Unless you've done something to set Outlook up to sync with the address book on your Mac (in which case, you should already see all of your Outlook contacts in Address Book), then the two can not interact.

Steve711 Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 10, 2013 12:33 PM in response to KiltedTim

Thanks, it worked as you said. iPhone contacts are now in the Address Book, and the few entries I made there did merge into the iPhone contacts. Very relieved...

I did find this in that article http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1386:

"The first time you sync the Info tab with your iOS device, you are asked if you want to merge data, replace data on the service, or replace the data on your computer from the following applications:

Mac: Address Book, iCal, Microsoft Entourage, or Microsoft Outlook 2011"

Since this was the first sync from the info tab, I had expected it to ask me about merging/replacing, and possible from what application. But it didn't prompt me at all, just copied the whole iPhone contacts list to the Mac Address Book (and left my Outlook contacts list alone). I just wish Apple would make the process a little more direct and clear...

Sk8Dreams

Level 3

900 points

Jan 10, 2013 1:37 PM in response to Steve711

Apple & IBM - clear as mud 🙂

Jul 7, 2015 12:26 AM in response to razmee209

razmee209 wrote:

IOS how to back up http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1766

IOS syncing with itunes http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1386

both links shows you how to do a backup and sync your iPhone contacts but also provides details of what is backup and synced.

support.apple.com is really helpful for us! To backup and sync our iPhone contacts need another thing to help like iTunes and iClould, You can sync them in iTunes by opening the info tab when your iPhone is selected and checking the box that says Sync Address Book Contacts.When the dialog comes up about whether you replace contacts or if it's synced with another account, click Info and it will extract contacts from the iPhone and copy them into your Address Book so that both have the same contacts list. There are lots of ways to backup and sync contacts from iPhone.

Jul 7, 2015 8:55 AM in response to KiltedTim

May i get a reply to my question or it's too much to ask?iPhone 6 plus won't sync to itunes !!!

backup vs. syncing contacts