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

Just to keep this entertaining thread going a little longer, (goes well with breakfast) I would say you are incorrect in saying this thread is for people who dont want to use icloud.

This thread is for people who CANNOT use icloud, i.e. "Icloud is not an option"  It has been taken over by whingeing sociopolitical liberals who CAN use icloud but dont WANT to use icloud.

SSL will be fixed as it has been with ios7, meanwhile dont use your macbook to sign into the bank in Starbux. Icloud is still safe.

Well, it may not be an option for others than technical reasons. But still it boils down to the fact that Apple changed the software which is not illegal. And in the free world you can do whatever you like as long as it is not illegal and you are ready to deal with the consequences.

But whoever misses that good ol' USB sync so dearly has alternatives:

• Switch to Windows if you think it is an alternative. As Outlook doesn't really support CalDav and CardDav used in iCloud the local sync will probably be around a little longer.
• Switch to Android... errr... no .... no an option
• Run a windows installation on your Mac either in BootCamp or as a VM. Use Outlook and iTunes there.
• Set up your own CalDav/CardDav server. There's plenty of those that are free and not too difficult to set up. Some were also mentioned in this thread. You just need a Mac or PC that is currently unemployed.
• That server could also be any Mac with OS X server. That is what works nicely for me. And you don't need a server admin degree for that. And you can run it on your normal Mac as well.
• Go back to ML. That may be a tedious process if you don't have a backup. But anyone who is so concerned about security should really have that.

Of course you can also continue complaining here. I just don't believe that it will help you. Maybe you should start doing something.

I’ve been working on this issue for more than a week. Perhaps it might help if I summarise my conclusions? Please feel free to agree with or challenge them as necessary, but please don’t use this to argue against the basic premise of this question. (As always don’t feed the trolls, just ignore them!).

I’m writing as a long term Mac, but short term iPhone user. I think I’m probably similar to many others who are unhappy about this issue. I’ve tried both Apple’s official OS X Server and Baikal as synching options to replace the USB plug and sync, removed by Apple in 10.9 (Mavericks).

1. OS X Server only costs 20 US, but unfortunately it has bugs. (Apparently you have to avoid setting up an OS X Server account(s) in Internet Accounts (System Preferences) because these don’t work for Contacts or Calendars.) Ironically the logo for Server depicts signals coming out of Cupertino (probably) and Caracas (home of the late Hugo Chavas!) ‘Half in California and half in Venezuela’ might well be a description of the state of the software.

As of today, using OS X Server, I can synch Contacts (but not Calendar) between my Mac (10.9.1) and my iPhone 4S (iOS 6.13). This took me a long time to set up, for lack of a simple, focused quickstart document for those who only want a limited service. (Apple assume different uses.) The server operation is essentially invisible and difficult to detect which also requires testing.

2. Baikal didn’t work for me and I’d recommend other people not to waste time on it until there is a really clear, well-written guide. The current information is too vague and assumption laden.

3. If OS X Server (or Baikal) had not worked for me, I was going to remove all my Contacts (about 4,500 items) to another (offline) application, and then start a new Contacts file just with the local telephone numbers that I needed for daily use on my iPhone and sync that over iCloud. (That could be an option for those who don’t want to put sensitive data in the Cloud.)

4. I originally set up an iCloud account (based on an Apple ID) to enable the Find My iPhone app. At the moment I don’t know how much of my stuff is on the iCloud servers. (Possibly all my contacts?)

I would like close my iCloud account completely and to remove everything there, but I’m concerned that if I delete the account the data will remain on iCloud and merely be deleted (temporarily) from my iPhone. If I go to my iPhone Settings/Mail, Contacts, Calendars, choose my inactive iCloud account and press ‘Delete Account’ it tells me “Deleting this account will remove its data from your iPhone”. This implies that the account owns my data, and (presumably) Apple owns the account. (If you think this view is alarmist, see David Pogue’s article in the Scientific American <http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/were-forced-to-use-cloud-services-but- at-what-cost/>.)

I’ve deleted my inactive iCloud account from my Mac System Preferences/Internet accounts but I don’t think that means much.

5. I will not be buying another iPhone. What would be the point? If the phone is no longer integrated with the computer in an easy, uncomplicated way, I might as well get some cheap generic smartphone, that is equally convenient for phoning/texting/GPS locating etc.

6. I’ll continue to use my new MacBook Pro Retina. In any case, Apple would probably not agree to take it back and refund my money, and I don’t see any good alternative machines on offer from other companies.

In the long term (10 years?) Apple may well have faded from the picture. If the company is going to turn into an (albeit cool, well-designed) version of Microsoft, I can’t see it continuing to be sufficiently innovative to maintain its position. Think different? That was a while ago.

mightymartin wrote:

 

• That server could also be any Mac with OS X server. That is what works nicely for me. And you don't need a server admin degree for that. And you can run it on your normal Mac as well.

MM, could you please describe the actual sync process itself as far as Calendars and Contacts are concerned?

mightymartin wrote:

 

• Go back to ML. That may be a tedious process if you don't have a backup. But anyone who is so concerned about security should really have that.

While going back to Mountain Lion would bring the USB sync back, it should not be an option for the security minded. Yes it will keep you safe from the current SSL bug but let's not forget about the long list of security issues that were fixed in Mavericks that a pre-Mavericks user would be exposed to. Once Apple fixes the SSL issue Mavericks will definitely be the safest and most secure OS X again.

mightymartin wrote:

 

<snip>

• Set up your own CalDav/CardDav server. There's plenty of those that are free and not too difficult to set up. Some were also mentioned in this thread. You just need a Mac or PC that is currently unemployed.

<snip>

You don't need an unemployed Mac. The server software will run quite happily on the Mac you use on a day to day basis, and the small amount of activity required for syncing Calendar and Contacts will be barely noticeable. If you are worried about it slowing down other uses, you can simply turn it on when you want to sync and off again when you don't. I am running Baïkal continuously on the MacBook Pro that I use for ordinary business and home purposes on a day to day basis, with no discernable impact on the other things I do.

I am not so certain that your assessment is accurate.   Given the issue/situation especially concerning the apparent ease upon which it can be manipulated, I would deem OS X 10.9 Mavericks the focus of the vast majority of "ill will" attacts wise not Mountain Lion.   And the proverbial "laundry list" that is presently effected within Mavericks is quite extensive as well in case you are not aware.   Coupled with the fact that it is becoming more and more evident that OS X 10.9 was ill concieved from the get go, is litttered with issues and generally runs poorly, I will hedge my bets and safely return to OS X 10.8.5.

gpsplace4u wrote:

 

I am not so certain that your assessment is accurate.

Or I, of yours

iNSAloud? No, thanks. Is time for CopyTrans (http://www.copytrans.net/#copytrans-contacts). Good bye iTunes.

Not to say you are wrong as there are some good points in your post but it's not that simple.

What people need to be able to rely on is support for both old and new software/hardware. New because continuous improvement is good and support for the old because migration is not instant. New software isn't as safe as people like to think it is because it's not yet had widespread exposure documented to threats.On the other hand it does often patch a multitude of holes.

Mind you I'd suggest that the major institutions, Banks, Government, Hospitals etc that harbour all of your private records and financial data do not run on the latest and greatest. They'd take the, Mavericks will definitely be the safest and most secure OS X again, with a pinch of salt. If it was they'd be running it at the first opportunity as it is adoption would probably come about not too long before support for it actually ends, especially in the Apple world as they change so quickly.

Was looking and smiling, clicked download and saw Install_CopyTrans_Suite.exe

gpsplace4u wrote:

 

OS X 10.9 ... is litttered with issues and generally runs poorly

My 2012 Mini begs to differ. No issues...runs great.

Barney-15E wrote:

 

gpsplace4u wrote:

 

OS X 10.9 ... is litttered with issues and generally runs poorly

My 2012 Mini begs to differ. No issues...runs great.

Agreed, best OS X yet imo. Sure a few glitches here and there but nothing serious enough to keep me away from Mavericks. Very happy with it. The USB sync was a miss but OS X server has been filling that gap for months now without issues.

Barney-15E wrote:

 

gpsplace4u wrote:

 

OS X 10.9 ... is litttered with issues and generally runs poorly

My 2012 Mini begs to differ. No issues...runs great.

As does my 2010 mini.

They already fixed the problem there's an update.