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How to locally sync an iPhone with OS X Mavericks? iCloud is NOT an option.

I read that OS X Mavericks will no longer allow me to use iTunes to sync my iPhone to a local system but makes iCloud mandatory? Is that correct?


iCloud is not a valid option for me since I have no control about my data there, I need to keep all my data (contacts, calendar...) on a system under my control and so far iTunes allowed me to do that which was one of the reasons I didn't even consider Android or Windows Phone.

OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Oct 20, 2013 8:54 AM

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3,162 replies

Oct 30, 2013 2:23 PM in response to handsOFFmydata

jonfromdaleville

Oct 30, 2013 4:33 PM (in response to handsOFFmydata)


Then why not restore your machine to a point before you updated to mavericks?



handsOFFmydata

Oct 30, 2013 4:40 PM ( in response to jonfromdaleville)


Will it restore the OSX 10.8.x as well? I've read conflicting reports on this ... like you must have a ditribution copy of OSX previous version to restore it after upgrade?!




Anyone?

The first hand knowledge on rolling back from OSX 10.9 to 10.8.x would be appreciated.

Oct 30, 2013 3:18 PM in response to jonfromdaleville

KiltedTim wrote:


YOU ae missing the point entirely. This is a TECHNICAL SUPPORT forum. Bits and bytes. Technology. It is NOT a discussion forum for you to air your views on how a company, or a country, may be behaving like a totalitarian regime.


I believe you are incorrect.

There's a moral AND technical dimension to what is being discussed here re 'How to locally sync an iPhone with OS X Mavericks? iCloud is NOT an option'.


iCloud is a server-based technology that can be subject to intrusion by others beside Apple and its employees, for Apple and users that is a moral and technical issue, the where of my data is subject to moral decision making.


If I complain, submit a statement to apple about this issue via their feedback process, that feedback remains invisible to everyone else. Therefore the Apple forums would seem to be the logical place to discuss the security issues of cloud storage, security is a technical issue but not exclusively so, how can you separate the legal/moral issues from the technical in this case?


I want a solution that gives me sole control over my data, namely the data associated with Reminders, Calendars, Notes and Contacts. So far the only one that appeals to me is the Mac Mini server option, but why should I have to go to the expense of doing that just because Apple has neutered a perfectly good technology - local sync? Now that's a moral and technical issue and it belongs in this discussion.


We know that the NSA gathers bulk data and then harvests material from this cache. We know that Apple has had to open their servers to the NSA. We now know that German law forbids openly storing/sharing business data. Apple's lack of insight about this begars belief and makes me wonder who IS actually running Apple these days and what their moral position is because that effects how my computer works and again, thats a moral AND technical issue.

Oct 30, 2013 3:55 PM in response to Gerrit7

I am new to this group and responding in the hope that more of a united front will get Apple's attention. I love my Mac but also use my PC. I would never entrust my Outlook contacts to the cloud, so the local sync capability is crucial for me. Android doesn't work because the sync corrupts my contacts. I've tried it with both HTC and Samsung phones. Windows phones require a cloud sync. ITunes performed the sync elegantly with no issues ever. I am bummed and like many of you hope for Apple to add the feature to Mavericks.

Oct 30, 2013 4:53 PM in response to jonfromdaleville

jonfromdaleville


http://support.apple.com/kb/ph11181?viewlocale=en_US


Check that article (it was for mountain lion, but should still apply)



Thank you ... 🙂


The "should" worries me a bit ... have too much experience to jump in without assessing the risks. There are other posts with comments that suggest the same TM restore approach, like this one: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5499416?answerId=23575143022#23575143022


Anyhow, need to think about it and talk to my partners about the approach … either roll back to OSX 10.8.x, or to keep OSX 10.9 and run OSX Server app on top.


Either way, I will share my decision and results here.


Matt Schultz


I found this, perhaps it'll help:


http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/93850/roll-back-from-os-x-mavericks-or- any-newer-os-to-mountain-lion


Thank you ... every bit of info helps ... 🙂

Oct 30, 2013 5:01 PM in response to drowningindata

We understand what you are saying, but this is a technical support forum where volunteers help others fix their devices. This is not a general discussion forum on everything Apple related. There are other sites that have forums for that purpose. The reason that we care so much is because threads like this "that turn into a complaint form" take away from the attention of people needing help. Please use the proper channels so we can focus on helping people instead of pointing out why this is not the place to post your concerns.


If you have an issue, please stick to posting relevant information so we can help you the best that we can. If you have a complaint, Apple provides a place to submit feedback (apple.com/feedback). If you want to complain, speculate or anything else than recieve technical assistance, then please find another forum dedicated to that.

Oct 30, 2013 5:46 PM in response to Matt Schultz

For those now stuck with mavericks you'll want to be a lot more vigilant with your firewall settings when it comes background processes connecting to icloud.


For example, even if you still don't have an icloud account, calendaragent in calendaragent.framework is already making plenty of outgoing connections to icloud servers.


Can't find it now but a similar address book agent is also making outgoing connections to icloud servers.


If you place a shred of value in the privacy of the people (friends, family and business contacts) and their personal information in your address book then the best thing would be to block any outgoing connections to icloud in your firewall preferences.


If this situation is not corrected we might face the prospect of having to remove all contacts from the native address book app and find a safer 3rd party application. Same goes for calendar.


Those apps are half useless now that they don't locally sync anyway.



Oct 30, 2013 7:22 PM in response to Retiredthailand

I said this up thread and while it's similar to iCloud, I simply could not get Outlook for Mac 2011 to sync with iCloud. Wife wants to use Outlook. So, solution for me was to set up an exchange online acct. Costs $4 per month and wife is happy. I know it's not local syncing, but like it or not, an exchange set-up works like a charm. For us, iCloud simply did not work.

Oct 30, 2013 7:23 PM in response to Retiredthailand

I said this up thread and while it's similar to iCloud, I simply could not get Outlook for Mac 2011 to sync with iCloud. Wife wants to use Outlook. So, solution for me was to set up an exchange online acct. Costs $4 per month and wife is happy. I know it's not local syncing, but like it or not, an exchange set-up works like a charm. For us, iCloud simply did not work.

Oct 31, 2013 4:30 AM in response to insol

As noted by RobertCalliau the only solution is a server "somewhere." Some chose OSX server (has cal and card DAV built in), I mentioned the open source Darwin server:

http://www.ronregev.com/misc/pim_server_tutorial/


AND I found another very light weight solution here:

http://radicale.org/


While this does not address USB sync directly, it is a necessary step because sync services have been removed from Maverick. One might complain and gnash teeth about Apple taking it out or even hope they bring it back (not likely IMO). However that is not immediate nor (arguably) productive. So I would suggest the server solution is NECESSARY -- certainly is today or until Apple put sync services back or someone creates an do-it-all app.


Any of the above will work fine on a OSX server, laptop, or desktop (even for local connection), thus providing the necessary "server" locally. Connecting a client to it via WiFi or ethernet is obviously trivial and can be accomplished without additional network gear via internet sharing or a bluetooth PAN between the needed peers/clients. For a USB solution one must add another step and that is to "reverse tether." This is available. A simple google will turn up lots of docs for pretty much any client, but here are a couple of links:


Android

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2287494


PC/Windows

Way too many links to list


<Edited By Host>

Oct 31, 2013 4:05 AM in response to Gerrit7

Hi all,


a wonderfull and interesting discussion bringing out all the tricks and treats behind the scene.


I am personally very unhappy and angry because I lost all my data starting from 2000 on my iCal because even after hours of apple support (money lost and time) and days spending in the internet the cloud (money/time) it does not work. I meanwhile have 4 different and substancially reduced calendars on 3 devices and the iCloud. I call this data loss. It harms my business. I pay for a working device or software and not for try outs. 😠


So I woulkd like to look at all this mess from different points of view:


1) technically - does not work - see above

2) usability - if you travel a lot and you have no net in many areas or pay a lot, what shall you do? Manually enter each entry, because whilst on the phone I work with my MBP and on the way I use my iPad or iPhone for entering dates. For me there is no reason to force someone in the cloud, especially if there is a working sync service.

3) security - talk about the known leaks and usage of our data without letting us know and without asking.

4) business - you pay a lot for a working software and hardware. If this you payed for ruins your data it is normally a recourse or even legal issue. Apple does like all the other big companies to avoid taxes and escaping any recourse. I had this concerning some tax issues with apple. Asking them for a legal bill they answered: we are a US company and the law of Germany does not apply. Ridiculous. I finally won the case, but imagine this behavior, this general thinking and mindset. - reference to snozdop above - keep dreaming 😁


So finally you pay but get no support, even if you loose your data. Bringing them to court means you have to have a lot of money.

5) future - the more they force you in the cloud, the more they make. Today 5 gig are free. What will be in the future? Look at the buy more space button. Here you can see where all this will lead, to bloodsucking and captivity.


Finally, if it would work and security would be garanteed (not trusting the words, inspection is the solution) I would walk this way if there are no alternatives, but apple fails in all aspects. What are the values meanwhile: profit without service?! Other brands have fallen due to smaller issues. Thsi will damage the brand.


Freedom means you are having a choice. I feel like in prison at the moment. This is not my choice. I search for alternatives and looking at ubuntu or modzilla there is hope.


Brendt

How to locally sync an iPhone with OS X Mavericks? iCloud is NOT an option.

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