Cant sync/back up iPhone to new computer

Hi,
when I plug my iPhone 4 into a new computer in iTunes it pops up saying that "iTunes cannot read the contents of the iPhone "Matthew". Go to the Summary tab in iPhone preferences and click Restore to restore this iPhone to factory settings.
I read through a few older posts where people had similiar issues and some folks had suggested backing up the iPhone and then restoring it, however when I right click on the phone under devices on iTunes the only options it comes up with it 'Open in new window' and 'Eject iPhone'
I do not have my iPhone backed-up anywhere else, therefore if I restore to factory settings I am going to lose everything.
Any help would be fantastic, thank you.

Instead of backing up to the computer, can you do a backup to iCloud? Assuming you have room in iCloud for your backup, and room on your iPhone to do the iOS update over-the-air, this should work.
But someday you're going to have to face the music when you connect your iPhone to your Mac, so get your library back in shape as best as you can.

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WIFI sync iPad and iPhone with new computer?

Bought my iPad in the fall, but didn't sync with my iMac because it was old and performing miserably, and because I was waiting for the MacMini to get a refresh so I could use it as a Media Center. Well, now I have my shiny new MacMini, but when I go to my iPad settings to do a wifi sync, it says it will sync next time I'm near my friend's computer. This is strange, because the only time I've EVER hooked up to a computer was once, at his house, to charge up and copy a book I wanted. I did not do anything except drag the book to my iPad in the Devices list on the left (older version of iTunes). I've read on other boards that I have to right click on my iPad and "transfer purchases" but when I connect my iPad to the MacMini by USB, all it gives me is the "Welcome to your new iPad" screen, with the option to set up as a new iPad or restore from a backup. Right clicking merely asks me to eject or restore. The only backup listed is dated April 21, 2011, which is an old iPad that was stolen. I've been backing up this current iPad with iCloud and have never had a problem, but it would be nice to sync over wifi if i want to copy files or music, instead of relying on Dropbox all the time.
Simillarly, when I try to sync my iPhone, I get as far as the syncing options, but when I go to apply the changes, it warns me that my phone is synced with another computer and that I can proceed if I want to erase this phone and sync the contents with my current library. In both situations, I'm afraid to proceed because I don't want to lose vital work information that has been stored in various apps. Any words of advice here? I know my apps are backed up, but I don't want to be surprised by finding out that the apps were backed up, but not the data I entered into them. I previously followed a tutorial which claimed I could copy and edit a file from the original iMac and transfer it to the MacMini, forcing it to recognize my new compurer as the original library... so when I open iTunes on the new computer, it does load up the iPhone and recognize it over wifi, and I can fiddle with options without having to connect via USB... but I get halted by that warning, and the settings app on the phone itself still indicates my original library as the one it needs for wifi sync. I should also add that my original iMac indicates that I need a newer version of iTunes to connect with my iPhone's iOS, but it is also too old (it's Lion) to upgrade iTunes beyond it's current version. I feel like with all this amazing technology, the options for a person who buys a new computer but doesn't want to migrate the clustered mess of their old system... still shamefully limited... unless I'm missing something.

Hmm. That sounds easy enough... but how do I backup to the new computer when it doesn't give me the option? When I connect the iPad via USB, it asks me to:
• set up as a new IPad
• restore from a previous backup (where the only backup listed in the drop down menu is a stolen iPad with outdated information, dated April of 2011. It doesn't ask to restore from iCloud where this current iPad is backed up.)
If you're suggesting that I back up both devices to iCloud and then wipe them, then plug them into the new computer and restore from the iCloud backup, so that my new computer considers these new devices, that makes sense... except that I don't see an option to restore from iCloud. Does that option appear later? And is it absolutely certain that any app I have entered data into will restore that information as well, and not just the app? For example, if I have an index card app which I make essay notes in, will those notes definitely be backed up along with the app? Or just the app? I can't afford to lose all my work data.
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How to sync music from iPhone onto new computer

I had my iPhone synced to my old computer. I connected it to my new computer and it won't allow me to put any of my old music onto iTunes without deleting it all first. How can I keep my old music and put it onto my new iTunes?

Your i-device was not designed for unique storage of your media. It is not a backup device and media transfer was planned with you maintaining a master copy of your media on a computer which is itself independently backed up against loss. To use a device with a new computer you transfer the content from the old computer (or its backup) directly to the new computer, not the device to the new computer. Media syncing is one way, computer to device, updating the device content to the content on the computer, not updating or restoring content on a computer. The exception is iTunes Store purchases which can be transferred to a computer.
iTunes Store: Transferring purchases from your iOS device or iPod to a computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1848 - only purchases from iTunes Store
For transferring other items from an i-device to a computer you will have to use third party commercial software. See this document by turingtest2: Recovering your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device - https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3991

Syncing apps from iPhone to new computer

I have a new computer and want to sync my phone and all it's apps to my new computer. How do I do this without loosing all of my apps?

Hi ...
What if that doesn't help?
I have a new computer cause the other one crashed, and I've tried this but didn't succeed. It seems to be working and when iTunes ask if I want to use the new properties and I press ok, nothing has been done, and there's no programs in my iTunes program libary?
It want me to update an empty iTunes libary even if I try to import buying from my iPhone.
Unfortunately the answer is not very helpful to me.
Happy Easter.

How do I sync photos FROM iphone on new computer?

My macbook was stolen so I bought a new one. But I have photos on my iphone which will be deleted when I sync it with the new computer. I don't have Mobile Me setup yet and iphoto won't import the pictures from the iphone.
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Thx;
[email protected]

If the photos on your iPhone were not TAKEN by the iPhone (i.e. they were synced from a computer with iTunes or another program), they cannot be recovered.

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When I tried to back up my phone on itunes, on a new computer, somehow I lost all of my photos, apps, everything. I have no clue how to retrieve them or if I accidentally deleted them when I restored the phone. Can anyone help me?

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Sync my ipod to a new computer without losing songs currently on ipod

I had my itunes and ipod set up on a computer. Then I got a new computer and I had to reinstall itunes on that computer. But, I cant sync my iPod to my new computer because it will erase all the songs that are on it from my old computer, and replace them with the songs in my new library. I have been adding songs manually and that worked for a little but now my iPod is full and I can't take any songs off because my iPod isn't synced to my new itunes. Is there any way I can sync my ipod to my new itunes without losing all my old songs?

Put the songs currently on your iPod back into iTunes.
If you are using iTunes version 7 or later, then you can transfer purchased iTunes store music from the iPod to an authorized computer by using the "file/transfer purchases from iPod" menu. Note that the maximum of 5 authorized computers applies here.
For all other non purchased music (your own CDs etc) try this method which works on some Windows PCs.
Enable your iPod for disk use.
See: iPod Disk Use.
Open iTunes and select edit/preferences/advanced/general. Put a check mark in the box marked "copy files to iTunes music folder when adding to library" and also "keep iTunes music folder organized", then click 'ok'.
Connect the iPod whilst holding down the shift/ctrl keys to prevent any auto sync, and if you see the dialogue window asking if you want to sync to this itunes library, click 'no'.
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The music files should transfer to your iTunes.
If this doesn't work (and it may not because officially it's not supposed to), check out the instructions/suggestions here.
Music from iPod to computer (using option 2). This a manual method using "hidden folders" and although it works, it can be messy.
Much easier ways are to use one of the many 3rd party programs that copy music from the iPod to the computer.
One of the most recommended is Yamipod. This is a free program that transfers music and playlists etc from iPod back to the computer. However, it does not transfer playcounts/ratings etc.
Another free program is Pod Player.
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I can't sync my iPhone and back up my data with my computer because iTunes says to enter the passcode into my iPhone to unlock it, but I am unable to unlock and enter in my passcode on my iPhone because the screen is shattered. I have my replacement iPhone with me and I'm not going to activate it until I can sync/get the data from my broken iPhone. I have the envelope to send my broken iPhone back to the Verizon store or whatever so that's not a problem. I just can't sync my old iPhone with my computer.
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No I haven't synced my iPhone with the computer I'm currently using. The computer that I normally sync my iPhone with is being repaired.
I read a nearly identical question to mine (in which you answered) and I found my the answer. Thanks!
Now I have a few more questions: If I mail my broken iPhone to Asurion, will I be able to get my data off of my iPhone once Asurion has it? And what will happen to my old iPhone and the data on it if I activate my replacement iPhone? Will my broken iPhone just become de-activated and will the data be erased or lost or something? Could I still sync it (with the computer ir originally synced with) and back up the data?
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Next, at home I copied CDs onto itunes which I sync'd onto my iphone. Am I right that I will lose all these songs now when I update my software?
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I have no way to back up songs that were not purchased on itunes?
How do I sync my iphone purchases into itunes correctly (since it isn't working now)
Will I lose content from my iphone, if it doesn't show up on itunes before I update my software to 5.0?
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iOS 6.1.3 Software Update
iOS: How to update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
Since your updating from iOS 4 to iOS 6, you will most likely lose your songs, but if songs were purchased from iTunes, you can try this:
Downloading past purchases from App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store
You can redownload from iTunes on your iTouch, if running iOS 5 or better.

I have an iPhone and when I got it, I had a Toshiba laptop. Now I have a MacBook Pro, but when I try to wi-fi sync my iphone and new computer, it doesn't work because on my iphone it is still trying to sync with my old computer. How I can fix this?

I have an iPhone and when I got it, I had a Toshiba laptop. Now I have a MacBook Pro, but when I try to wi-fi sync my iphone and new computer, it doesn't work because on my iphone it is still trying to sync with my old computer. How I can fix this?

Move the content from the old computer to the new computer.
Sync the iPhone via cable to the new computer and enable Wi-Fi syncing.
It should now be possible to sync via Wi-Fi to the new computer.

Im trying to add music to my iphone on a different computer. If I sync my phone to the new computer will it delete my old music?!

Im trying to add music to my iphone on a different computer. If I sync my phone to the new computer will it delete my old music?!

Yes, it will. Try using TouchCopy (http://www.wideanglesoftware.com/touchcopy/index.php) (automatic transfer), or iExplorer (manual transfer of files).

Hard drive crashed, how do I set up itunes sync from iphone with new computer?

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hard drive crashed, how do I set up itunes sync from iphone with new computer?

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You can use iTunes Match to make your iTunes library available on another computer, to either play or download the music to it. But iTunes Match doesn't have anything to do with pictures and other data, and it doesn't sync your iPhone with your computer.
If you are changing computers and have previously syncing your phone with another computer, you should copy the entire iTunes folder (not just the music) from your old computer to your new one using one of the methods explained here: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4527. That will allow you to sync your phone with your new computer just as you did with your old one.

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Yes, if you choose the Erase and Sync option (or restore your iPod) you will be allowed to sync your iPod with the new computer.
If you would like to save the content that's currently on your iPod, see this older thread from another forum member Zevoneer discussing the different ways to copy the content on an iPod back to your PC.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2417169?start=0&tstart=0
B-rock

Syncing an ipad to a new computer

Hi, I have an ipad with heaps of content on it, and it is currently synced with my old computer which is a PC. I recently got an older MacBook Pro and I want to have it synced with this MAC. As I try to sync it says only to erase and sync(which I definitely do not want) or to transfer purchases which seems to do nothing. Do I have to unsync it from my PC or something like that. Or somehow to back it up or something which I have little to no idea about. Nor do I know much about iTunes altogether.

Hi gunnerjj5,
For this you have two options: move your syncing completely to the new machine, or sync with multiple computers.
If you want to sync only with the new computer, first you'll want to move your content to that computer:
iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4527
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http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1202
Cheers!
- Ari

Cant sync/back up iPhone to new computer

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