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

Has anyone figured out a better workaround than what I am about to describe, in response to Apple's removal, in its new Mavericks operating system, of the iDevice-to-Maverick Mac-via-USB-cable-sync option? I am by no means a computer expert so I tried to figure out a fix that only requires basic computer knowledge. This does work but it is very convoluted and requires the use of two Macs. Here is what I've done:

I have an iPhone 4S which I have historically synced via a USB cable to my 2009 MacPro (Mac OS X Lion 10.7.5) through iTunes (currently v. 11.1.4). I recently (in late Dec. 2013) bought a new MacBook Pro Retina (Mac OS X Mavericks 10.9.2) to eventually replace that aging MacPro. However, as this conversation has throughly discussed, I discovered that I, too, cannot sync CONTACTS or CALENDAR with my iPhone using the USB cable through iTunes. Instead I would need to store my private and confidential CONTACTS and CALENDAR on "The Cloud." I am a journalist. I will not store these things on anyone else's computer, server or whatever. So, I needed to figure out a solution.

I am still able to sync my iPhone with my old MacPro so, with AppleCare's excellent assistance, I set up my network for SHARING between my old and new Macs, and I connected my iPhone's USB sync cable to the old MacPro.

For this to keep current I need to keep track of which of my devices I've most recently updated in ADDRESS BOOK/CONTACTS and/or the CALENDAR but by doing so and then promptly doing an ARCHIVE EXPORT from that program on one computer and doing an IMPORT into that program on the other computer, I can update both. Then I do a USB cable sync to my iPhone and all three end up with a current CALENDAR and ADDRESS BOOK/CONTACTS.

This is definitely not efficient and it requires the use of a pre-Mavericks computer but it does work, is easy for anyone to do without having to install any third party software and will continue to work as long as my old MacPro (which I can no longer replace as planned) keeps working. Hopefully before then Apple will have returned to their senses and have given us back our cable sync option.

Message was edited by: AutoMatters

Just installed 5.0.111 Expert Edition. Looks nice, but not sure how far I'll go with it at this stage.

This is the sort of positive news for which I've stayed subscribed to this thread. 

Will stick with 10.8.5 until beta testing is completed, but hoping to hear more good reports. 

I need to figure out a testing regime before I commit to it though.

There is an email helpline and knowledgebase but unless I've missed it no support forum, which is what I'd have liked to see.

Sorry I replayed to wrong post I should have replayed to this post:

Drew Reece

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

05-Mar-2014 01:28 (in response to jayv.)

You'll need to sign up …

http://www.sync-mac.com/subscribe_syncmate5.html

I like this but it dose not have Notes.  I have emailed them I hope they can add Notes as this app works well.

gumsie wrote:

 

I need to figure out a testing regime before I commit to it though.

 

There is an email helpline and knowledgebase but unless I've missed it no support forum, which is what I'd have liked to see.

I stand corrected, the Eltima support Forum is here.

TopSteve wrote:

 

 

I like this but it dose not have Notes.  I have emailed them I hope they can add Notes as this app works well.

They have a plugin for Syncmate4 so 5 might not be long, the plugin may even be the same.

jayv. wrote:

 

"The most important thing about the new version is that from now on users can sync their Contacts and Calendars without third party apps and cloud storages.

Syncmate is a third party app, that paragraph is total nonsense.

Take it up with them, it's their quote

I will, but maybe you should stop repeating it as if it were true?

Do remember that it is the same person who wanted someone else to try out the beta software for them!

Cheers

Pete

I will, but maybe you should stop repeating it as if it were true?

I never claimed it was true. I said:

Haven't tried it yet as I am not home but it sounds promising, anyone willing to give it a shot and investigate further?

Sounds like you have given it a shot and/or investigated further. So it can not do as promised or you're just hung up on semantics?

It does not do what it claims to do

sync their Contacts and Calendars without third party apps and cloud storages.

Don't worry Pete, as soon as I'm home I will be testing out the software. I mentioned the find because the OP asked "How to locally sync an iPhone with OS X Mavericks? iCloud is NOT an option." I know it's hard to remember what this post was originally all about after the 196 pages of nonsense piled on top of it but I do believe I was right on topic, no?

Csound1 wrote:

 

It does not do what it claims to do

 

 

sync their Contacts and Calendars without third party apps and cloud storages.

 

Strange, yet earlier I read someone say "Contacts sync works like a charm, no any issue, life is getting better!" Guess they're dreaming it?