Thaenor
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Q: 5 devices you can use to sync with iPhone

If I'm not mistaken, only 5 diferent computers can sync with the same iPhone.

 

I have a MBA(Mavericks) and an iPhone 4s. The MBA was the first and only machine I have used to sync the device.

 

Due to some unrelated issues, I had to restore a Time Machine backup to an earlier version on my MBA (Mountain Lion).

I have plugged my iPhone for "the first time" on Mountain Lion'ed MBA and seemenly I have used yet another of the devices I can sync the iPhone with even though it's the same physical device (only different software).

 

What happens when I run out of syncable devices? Can I "recover" the one I just "used"?

MacBook Air, iOS 7.1.1

Posted on Apr 24, 2014 3:52 PM

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Thaenor

Q: 5 devices you can use to sync with iPhone

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  • by picas,Helpful

    picas picas Apr 24, 2014 5:10 PM in response to Thaenor
    Level 4 (2,617 points)
    Apr 24, 2014 5:10 PM in response to Thaenor

    Your Apple ID can have up to 10 devices and computers (combined) associated with it, with a maximum of 5 computers at any time.

     

    You can manage your devices in iTunes:

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4627?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

     

    I'm not sure what the problem is, as far as I can see, you only have 2 devices.

  • by Michael Allbritton,Helpful

    Michael Allbritton Michael Allbritton Apr 24, 2014 9:01 PM in response to Thaenor
    Level 6 (16,832 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Apr 24, 2014 9:01 PM in response to Thaenor

    Thaenor wrote:

     

    If I'm not mistaken, only 5 diferent computers can sync with the same iPhone.

    No, this isn't correct.

     

    Up to 5 computers can be authorized to an Apple ID for protected content and apps. Up to 10 devices (computers and iOS devices) can be associated with an Apple ID. An iPhone can only be synced to one iTunes library at a time.

     

    Since you restored your MBA to a point earlier in time your iPhone now sees it as a "new" computer (even though it isn't) and wants to wipe the content and replace it with content that is currently in the library. Now that you've done this there really isn't any way around the iPhone seeing your MBA as "new." You're just going to have to bite the bullet and let iTunes erase the content and resync.

  • by Thaenor,

    Thaenor Thaenor Apr 25, 2014 1:53 AM in response to Michael Allbritton
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 25, 2014 1:53 AM in response to Michael Allbritton

    I see. What bothers me is that, in a distant future, I may run out of sync'able devices because of this.

     

    Just curious, What happens when I run out of syncable devices?

  • by Michael Allbritton,

    Michael Allbritton Michael Allbritton Apr 25, 2014 1:59 AM in response to Thaenor
    Level 6 (16,832 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Apr 25, 2014 1:59 AM in response to Thaenor

    Actually, you can have an unlimited number of "syncable" devices associated with a single iTunes library. Because syncing, meaning connecting a device to a computer via USB/Thunderbolt, doesn't necessarily require the device to also be associated to an Apple ID.

     

    But, once you reach the 10 device limit the next device you try to associate will not be allowed.

  • by Thaenor,

    Thaenor Thaenor Apr 25, 2014 5:54 AM in response to Michael Allbritton
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 25, 2014 5:54 AM in response to Michael Allbritton

    But the moment I plugged my iphone on my MBA I got a warning on iTunes requesting me to authenticate with my Apple ID, otherwise my app data would've been erased (I don't remember the exact wording of the warning but quite honestly it almost sounded like a threat).

     

    I see both the MBA as the iPhone as long term products. Meaning I hope to have little need to change laptop/phone in next few years... hence my possible distant future concern in these matters.

  • by Michael Allbritton,

    Michael Allbritton Michael Allbritton Apr 25, 2014 6:14 AM in response to Thaenor
    Level 6 (16,832 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Apr 25, 2014 6:14 AM in response to Thaenor

    Thaenor wrote:

     

    But the moment I plugged my iphone on my MBA I got a warning on iTunes requesting me to authenticate with my Apple ID, otherwise my app data would've been erased (I don't remember the exact wording of the warning but quite honestly it almost sounded like a threat).

    Heh. Yeah, that generally kind of is a threat, isn't it? At any rate, if you've got an apps on the iPhone then, yes, the device will need to be associated with the Apple ID.

     

    If you're just one person then it is unlikely you'll hit the 10 device limit as long as you deauthorize and unassociate (is that a word) old devices as you replace them. If you're a family, though, that is another matter. You could hit the 10 device limit very quickly.