Changing desktop computer for syncing iPad

Establishing a link to iCloud.com doesn't have anything to do with iTunes on the Mac. He can backup to iCloud right on the iPad and doesn't need iTunes for that. If you want him to be able to sync with iTunes on your Mac, he should probably have his own iTunes library on the Mac or set up another user account on the Mac for him to use his own iTunes library.

this should help with creating a new iTunes library. I would opt for his own user account on the Mac which you could maintain for him.

How to use multiple iPhone, iPad, or iPod devices with one computer - Apple Support

The iPad will not be erased if it is setup properly with iTunes. He will have to transfer all content into iTunes from the iPad before he can sync with iTunes.

Redownload or transfer your iTunes Store purchases from an iPhone, iPad or iPod to a computer - Apple Support

I suggest this on the assumption that all of his iPad content came from iTunes, the App Store or the iBooks Store and none of what is on his iPad was non iTunes content. If he has photos on his iPad that were synced from the old computer, he will lose those unless he/you transfer them back to your computer using a WiFi Transafer app, or something like this.

https://www.wideanglesoftware.com/touchcopy/

Using an application like TouchCopy would probably be the easiest way to go, but the full version will cost you $30.00.

Before you do anything, post back with questions and maybe others will chime in with other suggestions.

Some of the steps in here have changed just a little bit, but take a look at this as well.

Syncing to a "New" Computer or replacing a "crashed" Hard Drive

Fastdude wrote:

"He will have to transfer all content into iTunes from the iPad before he can sync with iTunes."

I thought iTunes automatically and immediately starts to sync when an iPad/iPhone is connected? Will iTunes allow me to transfer content before syncing?

You will have to transfer the content into iTunes or when you sync, iTunes will replace the content on his iPad with the contents in his new empty iTunes library. Since it will be a brand new iTunes library on your Mac, the library will be devoid of all content so that will erase the device. You will get a message stating that will happen if you try to sync without transferring the content.

The good news is that it is very easy to transfer content that was purchased or downloaded in the iStores on the iPad into a new iTunes library. I would suggest turning off auto sync before you even hook his iPad up to the Mac. This is also very easy to do. When you set up his own user account or his own iTunes library, launch iTunes (don't connect the iPad) and go to iTunes>Preferences>Devices. Click on the box at the bottom of the window that says Prevent iPods, iPhones and iPads from syncing automatically. Then click OK and you can quit iTunes.

When you turn off auto sync, you will have to launch iTunes now when you connect the iPad, because it doesn't start up on its own when you disable auto sync. I have had iOS devices for years and have never used auto sync. I want to control the sync myself in case I want to make changes which I quite often do.

Now connect the iPad to your Mac, launch iTunes and follow these instructions.

Redownload or transfer your iTunes Store purchases from an iPhone, iPad or iPod to a computer - Apple Support

If you somehow make a mistake or of all of the content isn't transferred, remember that you can download purchased content again as long as you use the same Apple ID that was used to make the purchase. That is also explained in the support article.

After you transfer the content, the next thing to do would be to make a backup. This is very easy to do as well.

How to back up your devices using iCloud or iTunes - Apple Support

Once you you have backed up, you should be good to go. If you want to turn auto syncing back on again, just follow the steps that I posted above but remove the check mark from the box next to Prevent iPods, iPhones ...etc.

I have an ipad 2 with over 200 songs on it, my new roommate just purchased a new computer. He has his ITunes account linked with the new computer but I want to be able to put my music on. How can I go about transferring the songs from my ipad to the iTunes on our new pc. I have already authorized the computer.

Create a new user account as described in the link that I posted above, then transfer the songs into your own iTunes library - again following the instructions in the link that I provided. You will have to authorize the computer again for your content/Apple ID.