Device linked to another iTunes library fix with no restore needed

Very weird experience but had a happy ending!
I Set up a new iPhone 6 on the device itself (iOS 8, connected to MY iTunes account and iCloud etc.).
I then ripped a CD to iTunes on my MacBook to put onto the iPhone (again with MY iTunes account). Connected the iPhone to the Mac and iTunes told me it was a new device and wanted to set it up. I was given 2 options, 'New Device' or 'Restore from backup' (i have 3 backups on my system, my old iPhone, father in-laws and my mothers). I chose 'New device' and clicked next. iTunes then threw an error (I didn't catch what it said), I clicked ok and it took me back to the 2 options again, I clicked cancel and unplugged my iPhone.
When I plugged it back in, iTunes took me to the iPhone's 'Summary' tab (device file space etc), i click manual organisation of music and videos and clicked sync and received the error that it was sync to another iTunes library (my father-in-law's iTunes Library!! - No restore took place on the phone, the iPhone hadn't been connected to any other computer or had any other iTunes account set up on it other than my own) and that I had to erase and restore the device!
Solution (for me) -
This annoyed me big time but I bit the bullet and took the following steps towards erasing my iPhone as requested:-
1. Backed up the iPhone to the Mac (not iCloud)
2. Clicked the 'Manual management of music/videos"
3. Click 'Sync' in the bottom right
4. Got the 'Wrong iTunes library' error
5. Followed the steps to erase the device
6. Screen flicked back to the device 'Summary' page instantly, device didn't erase or restore and the library was now recognised and I could drag the newly ripped music to the device!!!
It was a strange and annoying hiccup but I searched for an answer online and couldn't find one. So incase anybody else gets this weirdness I thought I'd share my experience.

What that means, is the iPod is synced to a specific itunes database file.
C:\Users\~username~\Music\iTunes\iTunes Library.itl
If you didn't make a copy of that file before you restored your PC, then it's gone.
You will have to start over with all your play lists, play counts, ratings, etc.

Similar Messages

I have replaced my laptop and installed iTunes. When I try to sync my iPad or iPhone it says they are already linked to another iTunes library. How do I get back to my original library.

I have replaced my laptop and installed iTunes. When iffy to sync my iPad or iPhone it says they are already linked to another iTunes library and will only let me transfer purchased items. How do I get back to my original library.

Check out the solution found here.
If you do a restore you will lose everything. Some things will be backed up in iCloud but not everything.

Device sync to another itunes library- how do I find that library

When I go to sync either my ipod or ipad it comes up with"this device is syncd to another itunes library"- but it was working a week ago, altho my computer has had a few restores. I don't want to lose all my apps and music and resync to this library but I have no idea what library the ipad and ipod are meant to be syncd to, this is our only computer???
Can someone help, guessing the answer could be quite simple, but when it comes to computers so am I.

What that means, is the iPod is synced to a specific itunes database file.
C:\Users\~username~\Music\iTunes\iTunes Library.itl
If you didn't make a copy of that file before you restored your PC, then it's gone.
You will have to start over with all your play lists, play counts, ratings, etc.

Can't download music b/c saying my ipod is linked to another itunes library

does anyone know how i can bypass this without having to completely delete all of my songs already on my ipod?

I am not stealing music. I do not own a computer *******. So whenever I want to upload music, I have to borrow a friend's computer to get it to itunes. Don't be so quick to judge.
I mean you could stop trying to steal music and then
you won't run into this problem.

Iphone already synced with another itunes library?!?

Hi Guys,
I hope somebody can help me..
I reacently needed to format my computer. And after the format my I was unable to backup or sync my ihone to itunes.
itunes tells me that my iphone is already synced to another itunes library, and to sync i need to erase everything...
I have tried everything, deauthorising and reauthorising, reinstalling itunes, I tried different computers, but the problem still persists.
I am quite frustrated right now, I contacted apple suport and they were not helpful...
Thanks.

You are trying to do the same thing as wj talks about in his user tip: https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3141

I upgraded my computer to Windows 7 and now I tunes is empty and when I try to sync my Iphone4 or IPod, it states they belong to another ITunes Library. How do I sync all my content, including Apps to my computer again or get my old Itunes library back?

To all:
I recently upgraded my computer from Windows XP to Windows 7. Now my Itunes library is no longer available? When I try to sync my IPod or Iphone 4 to ITunes, it states that the content on my devices belong to another Itunes Library and do I want to transfer purchases, erase etc?
How do I get my old Itunes Library back? Some of my music are from CD's I own and really don't want to start the years of building my Itunes library all over again?
How do I bring all the contents: contacts, music, apps etc from my Iphone4 back to Itunes?
Confused.

The ipod/iphone/ipad are not backup sotrage devices.
Certainly you did not upgrade your computer without making sure that your backup copy of your computer was up to date. Just use your backup copy of your computer to put everything back.

HT1386 i downloaded the new version of itunes. when i plug my phone into the computer to connect its saying my device is synced with another itunes library. how do i get my old itunes back? or how can i get my old itunes stuff to the new one?

I downloaded the new version of itunes and when i plug my phone into the computer and try and do something in itunes it wont let me because my device is synced to another itunes library. how do i get my old itunes back? or how can i sync my stuff into the new itunes with out deleting anything off my phone? HELP

Copy the iTunes folder from the old computer to your new one.

Cannot sync my iphone with itunes as it says it is already synced with another itunes library on the same computer.

On connecting my iphone 4S to itunes I am unable to add any music from my itunes library and get a message saying it is already synced with another itunes library on the same computer. As far as I am aware I only have one itunes library on the computer. Does anyone know how to fix this error please?
iPhone and iTunes software fully up to date.
Thanks!

iOS: Device not recognized in iTunes for OS X - Apple Support

The iPod is linked to another iTunes music library

My daughter just purchased an iTunes Shuffle with her birthday money. We imported several CDs into the iTunes Library and successfully loaded the iPod Shuffle with about 120 songs. We then turned off the computer. The next time we attached the iPod Shuffle to the USB port, iTunes opened up and gave the following message:
The iPod is linked to another iTunes music library. Do you want to change the link to this iTunes music library and replace all existing songs on this iPod with those from this library?
Wow, that's a confusing question. I answered "no" to it initially, and the message went away, leaving my library empty. I disconnected the iPod Shuffle and then reconnected it and got the same question. This time I answered "yes" and our library is still empty. I can see all the CDs we imported in the iTunes folder and the individual songs are there as well. But for some reason, the library is not displaying them. iTunes also doesn't show the icon for the iPod when it's connected. Any ideas on how to fix this situation?

We are using this iPod on only 1 PC with 1 user with WinXP. I have been able to "file/add folder to library" to retrieve my daughter's songs. I also 'restored' the iPod to factory settings and updated it with the latest software and I did the same for the iTunes software. Everything is updated now. When I click on the button to "autofill" her iPod, I can get a few of the 118 songs in our library to download, but then I get an error messages that states, "Attempting to copy to the disk failed. An unknown error occurred. (-69)" Any ideas on what's happening here? Another I noticed that's strange is when I try to autofill the iPod, my 3.5" floppy light starts blinking. Perhaps this iPod software thinks the floppy is the iPod???

Since reinstalling itunes i can no longer sync. Error message says already synced with another itunes library. I get a blank sync - no songs, photos ect as it comes up with this error whenever try to select what is to be synced. Help - lost everything

Since reinstalling itunes i can no longer sync. Error message says already synced with another itunes library. I get a blank sync - no songs, photos ect as it comes up with this error whenever try to select what is to be synced. Help - lost everything. Complete nightmare - Apple sort a fix NOW, but will take any help

Plawexki wrote:
... do you know if the contacts, photos, messages etc will be wiped?
Yes... Everything will be Wiped and Replaced with what is currently on Your Mac.
SYNCING with iTunes
See here > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1386
From Here > http://www.apple.com/support/iphone/syncing/
You may find this information of interest...
Have a read here...
https://discussions.apple.com/message/18409815?ac_cid=ha
And See Here...
How to Use Multiple iDevices with One Computer

I bought a new laptop and used Windows Easy Transfer cable and moved all files from one computer to another. I installed iTunes and found my iTunes music Library. However, when I plug in my iPod it says it is already synced with another iTunes Library.

I bought a new laptop and used Windows Easy Transfer cable and moved all files from one computer to another. I installed iTunes and found my iTunes music Library. However, when I plug in my iPod it says it is already synced with another iTunes Library.
I don't see anything in Help that shows when you already have transfered all the files over. Why would it want to erase and sync when I already have all the music folder copied over? I didn't have an issue when I had another technician copy from one laptop to another. Home sharing is also on but not being recognized.

I suspect you only migrated the media folder instead of the complete working library. Either review the transfer process and copy over the entire iTunes folder from your old profile's music folder or see Recovering your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.
tt2

How can I sync my iPad 2 with my new MacBook Pro when it is already synced with my old MacBook? I am getting a message on the new MacBook Pro that says I am not allowed to sync the iPad 2 because it is synced to another iTunes library.

How can I sync my iPad 2 with my new MacBook Pro when it is already synced with my old MacBook? I am getting a message on the new MacBook Pro that says I am not allowed to sync the iPad 2 because it is synced to another iTunes library.

1) ensure iTunes is authorized for your iTunes store account(s)
2) connect your device and right-click or control-click it in the iTunes Source list, then choose transfer purchases from the shortcut menu that appears.
3) sync the device
iTunes will wipe the iPad but, since you transferred your purchases in the previous step, your content will be in your library and you can re-populate the iPad with it.
above works for purchases from the iTunes store. for everything else, check out this post by Zevoneer.
also, there are PhoneView and iRip.

HT204088 How how can I synch my ipod + iphone music to my new computer? I get the same error "my ipod or iphone is synched with another itunes library.An Ipod can be synched with only one itunes library at a time. What would I like to do Erase and Synch

How can I synch my ipod & iphone music (purchased from itunes on my old laptop) to my new laptop? I keep getting the same message on my itunes on my new laptop: " The ipod/Iphone is synched with another itunes library. An ipod/iphone can be synched with only one itunes library at a time. What would you like to do - Erase and Synch or Transfer Purchases?" What do I do?
A couple of other items:
1) I am guessing Apple does not keep a history of all my music purchases? As I did not have my entire library backed-up anywhere, and relying on the music I have on my ipod and my iphone as my only source of itunes music....I have lost over 500 songs!!!
2) I used to have an Apple account under another account name, and since have switched to a new account name. Is there anyway to find the history of purchases from my old Apple account name and transfer these over to my new account name and onto my new laptop?
I hope someone can help, I am having a very difficult time trying to obtain answers. Angie

The iphone/ipod is NOT a storage/backup device. Not maintaining a backup copy is a big mistake.
You can transfer itunes purchases from your iphone/ipod to your computer:
Authorize your computer for all accounts and then click File>Transfer Purchases

New computer-keep getting iphone synched with another itunes library

So here's the situation.
I got a new computer the other day and put Itunes on it. I hooked my iphone up to it and authorized my new computer. Seemed like everything was fine, that was until I went into devices and clicked on music. I then went to synch music and then hit apply and get the whole "the device is synched with another itunes/library, do you want to erase the iphone and synch with this itunes library.
I still have my old computer (Which is in pieces on the floor) and realized today that I didn't deauthorize it. Am I in trouble here?

As far as your iPhone is concerned, it is a new iTunes Library. Let it go thru it's steps (including making a backup and restoring from the backup) and all should be fine.
You can authorize up to 5 computers, so you are fine if you're under this limit. When you do reach it, you can deauthorise all computers (even without having access to them), then authorize the one you are using. So you are not in trouble here, either.
Learn how to authorize or deauthorize your computer with your Apple ID.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1420

"The iphone is synced with another iTunes Library. Do you want to erase this iPhone and sync with this iTune's library?" error message.

I have an iPhone 3GS and have never added any music to the device as I had an iPod. The iPhone and iPod are hooked up to the same computer and same iTunes account. My iPod recently broke and now I am trying to add some of my music to the iPhone but I get a message that says: The iphone is synced with another iTunes Library. Do you want to erase this iPhone and sync with this iTune's library?
I have never had the iPhone hooked up to another iTunes account. I don't want to accept and say yes and lose all the info on my iPhone.
Any tips or recomme

I'm having the same problem after upgrading my iPhone 3Gs to iOS 5 (and upgrading iTunes to 10.5). I noticed after doing this the ring tone I was using for incoming calls was no longer on the phone. Before the upgrade I was syncing ringtones with iTunes without problems. My contacts and apps still still sync as before, but when I try to enable syncing for ring tones in iTunes, I get the message reported at the beginning of this thread. Any risk of losing anything if I go ahead and enable ring tone syncing? The message is definitely misleading.

Device linked to another iTunes library fix with no restore needed

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for