how does apple define sync vs overwrite vs merge

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how does apple define sync vs overwrite vs merge

I have a new Macbook Pro, and an iPhone 4 that contains my contacts saved from the last computer i had, a crashed PC. I dont want to send my contacts to the cloud, but want to download them into my macbook pro and be able to have the two devices update each other when connected. I just created a backup for my phone on my new macbook using itunes,my itunes account id, and a usb cable, but I expected the contacts to move over in that action, and they did not. All my software is up to date, but I can't figure out if my macbook contacts, which is almost blank, will overwrite my phone if I just perform a usb sync again.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2), iphone 4 software updated 12/12

Posted on Jan 17, 2013 8:20 PM

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Answer 1

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randers4

Level 9

63,519 points

Jan 17, 2013 8:52 PM in response to im1class

First back up the contacts on your phone using an app like My Contacts Backup. (Don't rely on the device backup to back up your contacts.)

After backing up your contacts, be sure you have at least one contact in Contacts on your Mac, then go to the Info tab of your iTunes sync settings, check Sync Contacts, then tap Apply at the bottom to sync your phone. You should get a Merge or Replace prompt for contacts; choose Merge. (Merge will merge the contact on your phone with those on your Mac. After syncing the combined contacts should appear on both.)

If you don't get a Merge prompt, but instead syncing overwrites the contacts on your phone with the contacts from your Mac, open the My Contacts Backup email and tap the attachment to re-import the contacts back to your phone. Then reset the SyncServices folder on your Mac as explained here: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1627 and then sync your phone again. It should work properly this time.

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