HT203977: How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

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fz62007
Level 1 (5 points)
iPhone

Q: itunes sees my device as new

When I connect my iPad to iTunes, iTunes thinks the iPad is new and says "Welcome to your new iPad".  It gives the option to restore from backup or set up as new.  I do not want to backup or load as new.  All I want to do is sync it and back it up. 

Posted on Jul 10, 2016 6:57 PM

by Johann.B,Solvedanswer
Johann.B Johann.B
Community Specialists
A:

Hello fz62007,

 

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities. 

 

I see that when you connect your iPad to iTunes, iTunes thinks the iPad is new, and gives you the option to restore from a backup or set up as new. You would only like to sync this iPad and perform a backup. I know how important it is to make sure that your iPad is set up and synced how you would like it. I have something that I'd like you to try. 

 

If you choose set up as new, it will then take you to a screen that will allow you to sync your iPad with iTunes. Please see the following article: 

Sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iTunes on your computer using USB

 

And this resource will help you make a backup of your iPad's important data:

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch​

 

Cheers! 

Posted on Jul 11, 2016 8:49 AM

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fz62007

Q: itunes sees my device as new

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  • by Johann.B,Solvedanswer

    Johann.B Johann.B Jul 11, 2016 8:49 AM in response to fz62007
    Community Specialists
    Jul 11, 2016 8:49 AM in response to fz62007

    Hello fz62007,

     

    Thank you for using Apple Support Communities. 

     

    I see that when you connect your iPad to iTunes, iTunes thinks the iPad is new, and gives you the option to restore from a backup or set up as new. You would only like to sync this iPad and perform a backup. I know how important it is to make sure that your iPad is set up and synced how you would like it. I have something that I'd like you to try. 

     

    If you choose set up as new, it will then take you to a screen that will allow you to sync your iPad with iTunes. Please see the following article: 

    Sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iTunes on your computer using USB

     

    And this resource will help you make a backup of your iPad's important data:

    How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch​

     

    Cheers! 

  • by ras5280,

    ras5280 ras5280 Jul 12, 2016 8:07 AM in response to Johann.B
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPad
    Jul 12, 2016 8:07 AM in response to Johann.B

    I had the same problem as fz62007 yesterday after I connected my mother-in-law's iPad to my PC and launched iTunes.  Wanted to do a one-time iTunes backup of her iPad onto my computer.  As soon as I launched iTunes and connected cable, I was immediately prompted with the option to setup as new or restore from a backup.  HAD to choose one of the other, or Cancel.  Since this was my mother-in-law's iPad that is actively being used, and I didn't want to change anything on it, I selected Cancel to exit iTunes.  Like the OP, I neither wanted to setup as new or restore, I just wanted to perform a single backup for her.  Am actually surprised that Johann's reply is flagged as a Solution since the link provided ("Sync your iPhone, iPad, or ...") took me to an article that made NO mention of being prompted to setup as new or restore, which was fz62007's question.  Instead, the article assumed that I would immediately see the device icon.  Here's an excerpt from the article ... "Connect your device to your computer using the included USB cable. Your connected device appears as an icon in the upper-left corner of the iTunes window."  So what's going on here?