Backing Up Apps So I can Sync On A New Computer?

I've read the FAQ and several discussion threads and it's still not totally clear to me, so I thought I'd ask other people. I apologize in advance if this question has been answered before - it could just be a really obvious answer, hence no one asking it.
Basically, I have an iPad linked to my iTunes on my Windows PC ("Old PC"). I'm getting a new laptop soon (though I don't know whether I'll be getting a PC or Mac yet), and I'm giving my Old PC to someone else. Before I give it away, I WILL deauthorize my iTunes account, so that's not an issue. I also plan on wiping the entire Old PC of my files (music, etc.), uninstalling iTunes, etc.
My question is...I have all these apps I got through the App Store and downloaded to my iTunes Library. Do I just drag the folder of all the downloaded apps onto my external hard drive, and then place them on the New Laptop? Will iTunes recognize the app files like that?
I'm sorry if this is a stupid question! I just want to get it all straight before I do anything, rather than doing something that causes a major inconvenience down the line. Thanks for any assistance!

3rd party apps are stored in a Mobile Applications folder located in the iTunes folder. The iTunes folder is located in your Music folder.
Copy the iTunes folder and place the iTunes folder on your external drive.
With iTunes quit in your new computer, place the iTunes folder in your Music folder. You will also need to authorize your new computer with your iTunes account with iTunes.

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Why did i lose my apps and data after syncing to another new computer? i clicked transfer but only transfered part of the apps?

Okay basically i had 166 apps in my ipod...
After i bought new laptop and wanted to sync into it, it said to transfer apps from ipod touch to laptop, i did, but it only transferred part of it and said the remaining was not able to be transfered...
i had encountered this problem when i transfered the apps in my old pc to my old laptop, now that i wan to transfer apps from my old laptop to my new one, i thought i knew what to do..
i knew the problem was with the fact that the other apps was bought with another apple id thus not able to transfer as it is not yet authorised... while it was syncing, i authorised the older apple id that the apps was not synced yet... after i did, i realised i was left with the apps bought with my new apple id only...
then i realised i lost all my data on my older apps, like the privacy photo app which had memories of my photos stored in it.. tap tap 4 all my songs in it... and 70 other apps..
What happened? this did not happen in my previous attempt during my transfer of apps from old pc to old laptop... so why?
its really really sad... all my data was lost, i got back the apps though.. but data in it all LOST...
what to do? can i still retrieve it back?

- Try redownling the apps by:
Downloading past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store
The computer has to be authorized and signed into the account that originaly purchased them.
- When all the apps are ih the iTunes library, try restoring from backup if you have the backup that would contain all the app date. I would turn off autosyncing (go to iTunes>Prefernces>Device and check the box titled Prevent iPods...automatically" to prevent overwritting the previous backup.

All my songs and apps disappeared while syncing to my new computer. how do i get them back???

I lost all my songs(two years worth) and apps when I was syncing to my new computer. How do I get them back without paying again???

Did you fail to copy everything from your old computer or your ipod before syncing?
If so:
Downloading past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store

I synced with a new computer. Lost apps, reinstalled, had docu in an office2HD app when reinstalled, but will not cut and paste?

I synced with a new computer, lost apps. Reinstalled and office2HD had all docs still in, but now I can not get the cut and paste feature to work? Also had problems with Gmail account and deleted and created new, so not sure I can download the app a 3rd time?

Two ways.
- You can sync with the new computer by following these instructions
Sync Your iOS Device with a New Computer Without Losing Data - How-To Geek
All the apps have to be in the iTunes library so the app data will have a place to go.
- Or just restore from iCloud backup. That will also pull down the apps from iCloud. Your apps data will also be restored.

How do I get the sync of my 3GS on my computer to transfer everything (files, apps, etc.) to my new iphone4? And then how do I move the sync to a newer computer so I can sync the new phone with the new computer?

How do I get the sync of my 3GS on my computer to transfer everything (files, apps, etc.) to my new iphone4? And then how do I move the sync to a newer computer so I can sync the new phone with the new computer?
My 3GS is dying and it's synced to an older computer. I have tons of datafiles as well as apps, music, text messages, etc. that I need to get moved to the new iphone4 I'm getting. Then I need to move the sync to a newer computer so that I can sync the new phone and new computer.
I understand how to get my apps to transfer to a new pc. That's not the issue. It's getting ALL the data from the 3GS to the 4 and then to a new computer.
Thanks.

Thanks much, that's very helpful for step one (getting old phone onto new phone). Very clear.
However, I still have the problem of moving to the new computer. How do I move the sync to the new computer after the new phone is set up?

I HAD AN IPHONE AND DOWNLODED MANY PAID AND FREE APPS.MY IPHONE AND LAPTOP ARE NOT WORKING NOW.HOW DO I DOWNLOAD THE APPS INTO MY NEW LAPTOP SO THAT I CAN SYNC WITH MY NEW IPAD

I HAD AN IPHONE AND I DOWNLOADED MANY PAID AND FREE APPS FROM ITUNES STORE.NOW MY IPHONE AND LAPTOP ARE NOT WORKING.HOW DO I GET THESE APPS INTO MY NEW LAPTOP SO THAT I CAN SYNC WITH MY NEW IPAD

How to redownload purchased apps from the App Store

I just decommissioned my windows pc for a mac power book. How can I get my ipad to sync with the new computer without erasing all the apps and data on the ipad?

I just decomissioned my windows pc in favor of a new (to me) MacBook Pro. When I attempt to sync my iPad I get a warning that I will erase all content on the ipad in order to sync with the new computer. How do avoid erasing all the data on the iPad, and get the iPad and the new Mac/iTunes to be friends?

Best option is to use Windows Migration Assistant as Ralph noted.
Here's a better (updated) link to Windows Migration Assistant for Lion -> http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4796
Or if you only want iTunes (Migration Assistant let's you choose) copy the entire /Music/iTunes/ folder from your PC to /Music/ on the Mac.
FYI: A MacBook is not a PowerBook. PowerBooks were discontinued in 2005.

I no longer have access to the computer to which my iPod touch is synced. Can I de-sync it without accessing said computer and set up a sync with my new computer without losing all my purchases?

I no longer have access to the computer to which my iPod touch is synced. Can I de-sync it without accessing said computer and set up a sync with my new computer without losing all my purchases?

You can transfer Itunes purchases by:
iTunes Store: Transferring purchases from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to a computer
You can transfer other stuff with the info provided in this previous discussion:
Best iPod to PC
You can also redownload apps at no additional cost:
How to redownload purchased apps from the App Store
Once you get the stuff in the iTunes library of you new computer let iTunes erase your iPod and replace its contents with what is now in your iTunes library.

My computer died how do I sync to a new computer with out it deleting my music. Every thing is on my Ipod still just can get it out.

Wow my computer has died all my music, pics and vids are on my Ipod touch. But it is synced to the dead computer. In order to sync with the new computer it is going to delete all my stuff on my Ipod. Is there a way arround this so can restore my library to my new computer.

- Transfer iTunes purchased items by:
iTunes Store: Transferring purchases from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to a computer
- For other items you need a third-party program like one of thos discussed here:
Copy music from Ipod to new computer...: Apple Support Communities
The good ones are paid. And to do more than music, like synced photos, usually cost. There is also:
TouchCopy
Phoneview
iPhone Explorer
- After you transfer all the stuff, connect the iPod to the computer and right click on the iPod under Devices in iTunes an select Back Up.
- Restore the iPod from that backup.

I bought an iphone 4. I have a MacBook Core Duo running 10.4. My husband has a Core Duo 2 running 10.5.8. Is there a way to move my ical and address book info. to his computer so I can sync with my new iphone?

I bought an iphone 4. I have a MacBook Core Duo running 10.4. My husband has a Core Duo 2 running 10.5.8. Is there a way to move my ical and address book info. to his computer so I can sync with my new iphone without upgrading software.

Hello hbell,
is there any reason that you do not want
to upgrade to v10.5.? Suggest you call
1-800-275-2273 Apple Support. Automated call
yet if you call back you can get in touch with an
Apple Software Specialist. They may be able to ship
you Leopard so that you can synch your new iPhone
to you own computer. Have the serial numbers of your
Mac and iPhone written down and ready for them.
As far as transferring data to your husbands MacBook
so that you can sync your iPhone on it I am really not
sure. Seems like a lot of trouble to get your data onto
your iPhone.
Good Luck,
A

Can I preserve my applications if I want to sync to a new computer?

I don't have my computer that I used to sync my iphone with. Howver, I want to preserve my apps, contacts, and other information... I don't mind if I loose my music. How can I do this if I want to sync to a new computer?

Install iTunes on the new computer and Authorize it in the iTunes store to the same account you have on the iPhone.
On the new computer create at least one contact in the Contacts app supported by iTunes for the OS you are using. Do the same for Calendar if that is important to you.
Connect the iPhone but DO NOT SYNC YET.
Go to the iTunes File menu and choose Transfer Purchases... This will copy your purchased music, videos and apps to iTunes on the new computer.
Go to the Summary tab and set up the applications to sync to, then sync the phone.

Sync with a new computer - any way to keep app data?

I recently purchased a new computer and imported my itunes library from the old one, but when I attach the iphone (3GS), it doesn't recognise it as the same library and appears to be warning me that all the data in my apps will be deleted. While quite of few of the data ones have backup options, I don't particularly want to lose the data from games where I have unlocked levels... Is there any way to sync the iphone to the "new" library and keep the data within the apps?

By design, the iphone will sync itunes content with one computer at a time. Any attempt to sync such content with a second computer will result in ALL itunes content being first erased from your phone & then replaced with the content from the second computer. This is a design feature and cannot be overridden. Because you replaced your computer, your phone will be wiped of itunes content, but since you restored your library to your new computer, this will not be a problem. App data is stored in two places, on your phone & in your phone's backup. If you restore your phone from backup on your new computer, you will preserve your app data. Follow these instructions in the order specified:
1. Disable auto sync when an ipod/iphone is connected under preferences, in itunes.
2. Make sure you have one contact & one event in whatever programs you use for that purpose on your computer(address Book & ical). The entries can be fake, doesn't matter, the important point is that these programs not be empty.
3. Connect your phone, itunes running, do not sync at this point.
4. Store>Authorize this computer.
5. File>Transfer Purchases(To make sure all purchased content on your phone will be in your itunes library).
6. Right click in the device pane & select reset warnings.
7. Right click again and select backup.
8. Right click again & select restore from backup, select the backup you just made. When prompted to create another backup, decline.
9. This MUST be followed by a sync to restore your itunes content, which you select from the various tabs, You'll get a popup regarding your contacts & calendars asking to merge or replace, select merge.
You should be good to go with all of your app data restored to your phone & you're now syncing to your new computer.

Sync with a new computer without losing my paid apps

How do i sync with a new computer without losing my apps? My old computer is dead.

Copy everything from your backup copy of your old comuter to your new one.
You can transfer itunes purchases. File>Transfer Purchases

I am having a weird problem with my phone every since it was updated this last time. I can sync movies from my computer to my iphone but any movies I buy with my phone I can not sync to the computer. But I redownload it to the computer and can then sync.

I for the first time since buying my iphone and ipods for almost three years am concedering getting rid of them as I am getting tired of this problem. I can sync anything from my computer to the iphone. I can not sync movies bought on the iphone to my computer. I have tried everything and spent days trying to trouble shoot. I literally have bought hundreds of movies off Itunes but will not buy any thing else until I can figure this problem out. I have uninstalled Itunes reinstalled, troubles shooted using the itunes trouble shooter and reset my phone and nothing works.
When I try to sync from my phone to the computer it says it can not be done because the iphone is not hooked up to the computer. I have only had these problesm since the new update not before. I have bought new cables twice to see if it helped and has not. Both my kids have Ipods, I have a Iphone and was planning on buying two Ipads for the kids for Christmas but not if I can fix this.

You are correct. Syncing should transfer any purchased media, including videos, from your device to your iTunes library provided your computer is authorized for the Apple ID used to make these purchases. You mentioned that you have uninstalled iTunes before, but if you didn't follow this guide exactly, uninstalling iTunes and all of its components in the order specified, it may not have been successful so you should try again: Windows XP or Windows Vista/7.

I have forgotten my appleID password and the email it is linked to is deactivated, security questions aren't working. This is on my iPhone and iTunes acs so I can't sync with my new computer. How do I merge AppleID accounts and shut down the old one?

I have forgotten my appleID password and the email it is linked to is deactivated, security questions aren't working. This is on my iPhone and iTunes acs so I can't sync with my new computer. How do I merge AppleID accounts and shut down the old one (when I have no password and the security questions aren't working?)

You cannot merge Apple ID accounts, that has never been supported.
You can contact the Apple ID Security folks per the listing in http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5699 and they can help reset security questions and get the account working.

Backing Up Apps So I can Sync On A New Computer?

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