Why does iTunes insist on destroying my data?

Uh, okay, after I filter out the persecution stuff, it seems you tried to sync your phone with a different library from the one to which it had been previously synced, or at least the phone thinks so. Is that the case (should be a simple, short yes/no answer)?

By the way it isn't Apple's data but neither is it yours, you just bought a license to enjoy the media, you didn't buy ownership.

Yes, it is as it says, an iPhone can only be synced with one iTunes library at a time. If you plug the phone into a different computer it will offer to completely re-sync the phone with that library (unless you copy your original library to that computer). You can try managing it with multiple computers but keeping everything up to date may be complicated.

Using iPhone, iPad, or iPod with multiple computers: Managing content manually on iPhone, iPad, and iPod - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1202 - You can manage your iPhone, iPad, or iPod with multiple computers as long as you have set the device to "Manually manage music." - E.g., adding music from a second computer to an i-device. Additional information about switching sync mode - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4435531 and manually adding in iTunes 11 https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4597408

sean shubin wrote:

It seems it should be a criminal act for apple to erase my data without my consent.

How is anything being erased "without your consent"?

Didn't iTunes ask you specifically, "Do you want to erase this iPhone and sync with this iTunes library?"

???

You really don't provide any information (except that your tin foil hat needs to be serviced).

As Limnos asked, do you have your iPhone sync'd with a different iTunes library/computer?

iTunes specifically told you, ""The iPhone "Sean's iPhone" is synced with another iTunes library on "SEAN-PC". Do you want to erase this iPhone and sync with this iTunes library? An iPhone can be synced with only one iTunes library at a time."

Did I miss it? You know, the bit where you tell us (we both asked) if you are syncing to a different library?

It seems there should be 2 options:

1) erase the phone and sync with the Itunes Library as master

2) erase the Itunes library and sync with the Iphone as master

But, Apple just gives us #1. Why is that?

2) erase the Itunes library and sync with the Iphone as master

But, Apple just gives us #1. Why is that?

We don't know the official reason why, but one possible scenario: people would make a bunch of blank libraries, invite all the friends around and have them sync their devices to a library, then merge it all together in a single library, thereby pirating a bunch of media. The media companies would be very unhappy and no longer allow Apple to sell media on the iTunes Store.

Apple could easily engineer their solution to prevent that, while also allowing for a clean solution for someone who truly lost their itunes library and needs to recreate it using their device.

Can an Apple employee reading this thread please reply and provide context?

Apple never posts to these forums other than the ones you see basically just posting links to help articles. This is a user to user forum

Apple has posted a solution against losing your library: ... "always back up your iTunes library" (http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2519). If you don't have a backup then whose fault is that? Actually if you have lost media purchased from the iTunes Store there is a good possibility you can download it again. That's more than you'll get if you lose a CD you purchased in a store.