Syncing with new Computer/iTunes Library - Fresh Restore

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Syncing with new Computer/iTunes Library - Fresh Restore

I just got a replacement iPhone and just completed the restore. Now I wanted to take the opportunity since I had not been using iTunes on my newly rebuilt computer to sync over some music. Right now my library contains only songs bought from iTunes. When I sync I get the message that my iPHone was syncing with my previous computers library, and asks if i want to erase and sync with this library. Naturally the term erase makes me nervous, but my main concern is, what do i stand to lose?

I am mainly worried about application data that I was able to retain via doing the backup and restore to the new phone. Am I going to lose that application data? I have all of the purchased apps and songs already in this iTunes library so I shouldn't lose anything there right? Any guidance is appreciated.

p.s. I looked at a bunch of threads about syncing to a new library but didn't see anything regarding application data.

iPhone 6, iOS 8.4

Posted on Aug 8, 2015 10:35 AM

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Answer 1

elcpu

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Aug 8, 2015 10:49 AM in response to raithz

I am not clear based on your description, perhaps you can elaborate more but here is what I suspect. Yes if you sync now to your newly rebuilt computer you will sync with whatever is on the "new" computer. I would go to iTunes, Preferences (from the menu above), Devices, and check Prevent iPods.... from syncing automatically. Then I would go to the Music tab and just sync the Music you want manually.

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Answer 2

Aug 8, 2015 10:56 AM in response to raithz

If you sync with a new computer all iTunes content will be replaced with the contents of the new computer. This means songs (both iTunes and other sources) and apps. So you should copy all of your music and apps to the new computer before connecting the iPhone. See: How to move your iTunes library to a new computer - Apple Support

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Answer 3

raithz Author

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Aug 8, 2015 11:06 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

I have the apps themselves, and all of the songs, its the game saves and application data like documents i have created with the apps and saved on my iphone, the book database created with one of the apps, etc. All the stuff that would be stored in a backup, I think.

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Answer 4

Aug 8, 2015 11:08 AM in response to raithz

Yes, the app data would be part of the backup. So if you restore the backup it will create placeholders for the apps that had been on the phone, and if you then restore the apps you should be complete.

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Answer 5

raithz Author

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Aug 8, 2015 11:17 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

So since I have already done the restore from the backup on the new phone, i can do the sync and select "Erase and Sync" when it tells me that it used to sync with another library and the end result will be the same as I see it now? Except I will also be able to add more songs etc since i am now syncing with the new library? I won't lose the application data for the apps.. it will just remove the apps/songs and then re-add them, leaving all the application data in place.

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Answer 6

Aug 8, 2015 11:17 AM in response to raithz

If the songs are in the iTunes library on the new computer, then yes. If they exist only on the phone and they are not iTunes purchases they will be removed.

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Answer 7

raithz Author

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Aug 8, 2015 11:21 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

Yeah that makes sense....

If I have apps in the new library that are not present on the phone, will it add them? or will it only add the apps that I had previously? I am asking because I have over 1000 apps in my library.. but only 378 of those on the iPhone right now, which is the way I would prefer to keep it if possible.

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Answer 8

Aug 8, 2015 11:33 AM in response to raithz

First, on the new computer go to iTunes Preferences, Devices tab, and check the box to not sync automatically. Then connect the phone and go to the Apps item in the lefthand list. Deselect the apps you don't want on the phone if they aren't already. This will prevent them from loading.

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