IPhone + more than one computer.

Why is it that my friends can come over with their iPod nanos and drag and drop all of my music into their iPods perfectly fine, but when I go to their house I can't do the same with me iPhone? I payed more for my iPhone than they did for their iPods, should I not get that same functionality? Why is it only the iPhone that can't get music from other computers?
<Edited by Moderator>

Thanks for the info---I thought I was going crazy. Like many people, I have a Mac at work and a Mac at home, and I buy music on both computers with the same account. I've been pulling my hair out trying to get all my purchased music on my iPhone.
I got around the problem by dragging all the music to an iPod, then pulling it all from the iPod onto a single computer. You can do this with the Unix "find" command: if the iPod is set to manage files manually, then the Terminal command
*find /Volumes/XCOTTSIPOD/iPod_Control/Music -name "????.???" -exec cp {} ~/musicdump \;*
...will copy all the music files from my iPod to the "musicdump" folder in my home directory. The files all have meaningless names like QPRN.mp3, but dragging them into iTunes causes them to be imported, names and all. It won't cause problems if some of the files are already there: iTunes knows enough not to import a second copy.
Now that I may have offered some technical support, let me take a moment to gripe about this. There is absolutely no technical reason why this device must fail to connect to a computer or mandate the deletion of all its music to do so. 10 years ago, such a defect in an mp3 player would have been utterly unheard of, and certainly not something you'd engineer on purpose, because it would kill your business. Combine this with new HDMI encryption woes that increasingly make it harder to connect a laptop to a projector to watch a movie---because of the absurdly nonexistent threat of pirates stealing movies by +tapping electrical signals on the cable+. It seems that the content industry is inventing ever stranger reasons to make devices fail to work, because any successful transmission of bits may theoretically aid copyright infringement.
It scares me that there may have been a "heyday" of consumer electronics, where things worked better than the decades before, and would ultimately work better than new devices decades hence.

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HT1296 Can I sync my iPhone with more than one computer. I have an MacBook Pro that I want to use to sync my iPhone on the road. My phone is synced to my iMac at home. When I try to sync the iPhone to the computer it says it will erase all my apps.

How do I sync my iPhone to more than one computer, I have a iMac and a MacBook. Can I sync my phone to both computers?

Iphone will sync with one computer at a time.
Syncing to another will erase the curretn content.

Syncing iphone using more than one computer

Does anyone know how to get iphone to sync to more than one computer? I activated my wife's iphone from my computer (after having logged into her itunes account) but when I try to sync from her computer (logged into her account) nothing happens.

You can, but you can only sync one type of information with each computer. Here are the instructions I followed to sync my two computers. Hope they help.
How to Sync with Two Computers
You can sync your iPhone with only ONE media library. However, it is possible to sync the media library with one computer (like your home computer), and the contacts/calendar information with another computer (like your work computer). I have this working on two PCs with Windows XP. I have read posts of folks doing it with two Macs, and with one Mac and one PC.
This is not sanctioned by Apple, so I dont know if these steps are "correct". I only know that these are the steps I followed and worked for me. Your mileage may vary.
1. Select "Disable automatic syncing for all iPhones" under Edit / Preferences / iPhone in the iTunes menu.
2. Uncheck "Automatically sync when this iPhone is connected" in the Summary tab of iTunes.
3. Check "Only sync checked items" in the same tab.
4. On the computer you want to sync contacts and calendar, check the corresponding boxes in the Info tab. UNCHECK everything else in the MUSIC, PHOTOS, PODCASTS and VIDEO tabs.
5. Sync your iPhone with this computer FIRST.
6. On your other computer, follow the same steps above (1, 2 and 3). Then, UNCHECK everything in the INFO tab, and check everything else on the other tabs.
7. When you sync with this second computer, you may get a message that the iPhone has already been synced with another computer, and that the media library will be deleted. Fine. There should be NO media library on the iPhone since you unchecked all the media items on the first computer, right?
8. Sync. Then you can sync on both computers and each will sync what is checked and not overwrite the rest.

Can my iPhone 4 be synced to more than one computer?

I don't have access to the original computer that my iPhone 4 was synced too. I have a new iPhone 4s due to a contract upgrade, and want to transfer the information from my old phone to my new. However, when my boyfriend has tried to synch it with his computer, by choosing the backing up option in iTunes nothing actually happens. I really don't want to lose the information on my old phone. What can I do please?

The short answer is no. You can't sync to more than one computer at a time.
The longer answer is contained in one of the many many threads about this exact same subject that are already posted in these forums.
Look to the right under More Like This for a start.

Is it possible to ''sync'' more than one computer in your iphone?

is it possible to ''sync'' more than one computer in your iphone

mikaeliphone wrote:
is it possible to ''sync'' more than one computer in your iphone
The iPhone is Designed to Sync with Only One Computer...
iPhone User Guide
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/iphone_user_guide.pdf

Can i sync my iphone and ipod's to more than one computer?

Can i sync my iphone 4 and ipod's (we have #) to more than one compute? so we call all share the music.
Also can you inport music from an ipod to itunes? (music has already been deleted from the library)

Switching the computer will erase your device and replace the content of it with the content of the new iTunes library. But you can share your music by using Home Sharing. iTunes: Understanding Home Sharing
Purchased music can be copied back by using "transfer purchases" from the iTunes menu or, if not purchased from iTunes, by using 3rd party software http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2013615&tstart=0

IPhone 4 sync to more than one computer

I have iPhone 4 that I want to sync iTunes library to more than one computer (1 iMac and 1 PC). PC was previously synced with old device. I want to sync iTunes library currently on iPhone and override data on PC. How do I do this? I do NOT want iTunes library currently on PC and override iPhone.

You do not do this.
Iphone will, and always has, only sync pics and itunes content to ONE computer. IF you sync to another it will erase the current content, then replace with content from the new computer.
This is by design and as intended.
Sorry.

Can I load my Itune on more than one computer?

Can I have ITunes installed on more than one computer, and sync with I-Phone and IPAD2? How do I keep the files the same on both computers?

you can authorize up to five computers you control for your iTunes store account.
you can use home sharing to keep the libraries on them in sync.
by design, iPhone and iPad can sync with only one library at a time.
however, you could consider Managing content manually on iPhone, iPad, and iPod.
also see Using iPad or iPod with multiple computers.

How can I use my iPod nano on more than one computer?

How can I use my iPod nano on more than one computer?

Hi, China6450.
Thank you for visiting Apple Support Communities.
I would recommend setting up Manually manage music. This will only allow music to be synced from the computer to the iPod nano. Here are some helpful articles that will walk you through the process.
Managing content manually on iPhone, iPad, and iPod
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1535
Using iPhone, iPad, or iPod with multiple computers
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1202
Cheers,
Jason H.

How can I synchronize safely from more than one computer?

First, I have set up my iPod to work with two computers: my primary computer, which is my desktop at home. Later, I also "authorized" my laptop (as a secondary source) to also be able sync to my iPod.
My question is that when I go to synchronize some podcasts I just downloaded to my secondary computer (my laptop), I get the following prompt: "Are you sure you want to sync podcasts? All existing podcsts on the iPod '<my iPod's name>' will be replaced with podcasts from your iTunes library."
From this message, since my iPod is plugged into my laptop, I assume it's referring to my iTunes library on my laptop (which only has the few podcasts I just downloaded). And it sounds like it's going to delete the podcasts that are already on my iPod.
I definitely don't want it to "replace" the ones I already have sync'd from my home computer; +_I just want to add the ones I have downloaded to my laptop._+ How can I make it so I can safely add the new ones without disturbing those I already have sync'd and want to keep? I'm a bit confused about how syncing works when you have more than one computer to sync to the iPod.

You cannot do what you want.
The ipod touch can sync with ONE computer/library at a time.
When you sync to a different computer/library, the ipod touch will first delete the current itunes content form the iphone, then it will sync the content from the new computer.
This is the way it is designed.

Syncing with more than one computer?

Does anyone know if it is possible to sync the iPhone with more than one computer? With the PDA that I used to use I would sync with my secretary's computer also so that we could both update my calendar and conatacts.

You can sync (info - not music/movies) with multiple Macs - not sure about PCs...

Using more than one computer...

I've been trying to wrap my head around syncing using more than one computer and want to see if I have it right.
Obviously the easiest arrangement is to have one computer and one iphone (and if you want, one mobileme acct) and keep them in sync in all departments.
Most people have more complicated lives.
When there is more than one computer involved the basic idea is that all media and apps can only come from one computer. That is the computer/itunes program associated with the iphone.
When it comes to a second computer, one can still sync contacts, calendars, (notes? bookmarks?) but no media/apps.
That is to say, you can't download a podcast or song on the second computer and get it onto your iphone without erasing your iphone media library.
Is that the basic idea? A distinction between media/software and data?
One grey area: Can voice memos be moved from an iphone onto a second computer without losing media?
Thanks,
D.

If you sync to a computer without media, it will wipe all media off the phone. It's easier to stick to one computer. If you want to sync other things, calendars etc it's better to do it via WiFi or Data.

How to use ipod w/ more than one computer

I am new to ipod. I set it up on my laptop, and have all uploaded my cds to my ipod from there. I do nat have internet at home, so tried using my parents computer. How do you use the ipod with another computer that doesn't have all your songs on it? When I go to sync it, it ask if i want to delete all my ipod songa and replace with the ones on the other computer. I am trying to get album artwork. What am I not doing right?

If you want to connect and use an iPod on more than one computer or with more than one library you need to change the update preference in the iPod Summary tab to "Manually manage music and videos" and click Apply. The content of iTunes and the iPod are not syncronised in this mode so the two can be different. You can directly access the content of the iPod and play it through iTunes and you can drag and drop whatever you want to the iPod from either library. Even when manually managing an iPhone, you can only add content from one iTunes library.
Using iPod with Multiple computers
Managing content manually on iPod and iPhone
Syncing Music to iPod
Something else to be aware of when using an iPod in manual mode is that the "Do Not Disconnect" message will remain on the display until you physically eject the device: Safely Disconnect IPod
You can use a keyboard command to prevent your iPod auto-syncing with iTunes. While connecting the iPod to the computer on Windows hold down the Shift + Ctrl keys together. This will stop the iPod from auto-syncing with iTunes and the iPod will appear in the source list. Wait until you are sure the iPod has mounted, and that it will not auto sync and then you can let the keys go. This may take between 20 to 30 seconds depending on your computer: iTunes - Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows
When your iPod appears in the iTunes source list change the update setting to manual, that way you can continue to use your iPod without the risk of accidentally erasing it.

Sync Apps on more than one computer

How do I have my ITunes apps available to me on more than one computer? I have all my ITunes purchases currently stored on my PC but I now also have a MacBook Pro and would like all my apps available to me on this so that I can sync my Iphone with which ever machine I choose.
thanks

Iphone will sync to only one computer at a time. If you sync to another it will erase the itunes content from the iphone first, then replace with itunes content from the new computer.
Unlike music, you can re-download apps:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2519

Apple won't let me sync with more than one computer

How crazy is it that Apple will not let you sync with more than one computer! I have three computers! One in the kitchen one in my room and one at my parents house. These are all my computers, but if I try to sync my iphone5! with my computer at my parents house itunes says it will erase all my data! I have legally purchased all my music, so I have bought the rights! which means I can have the same songs on mutiply computers.
I've seen posts like this before, so I know Im not the only one who knows that this is unexceptable! Apple knows too! So heres how we gonna do this, **** itunes and **** apple, they can suck it! I'm sick of Apple and how they try to control everything you do, with their limited youtube video capacity because they "dont allow flash".
All Apple care about is taking your money, otherwise they would listen to what their customers are saying. These posts are on an apple site after all.
Thats my opinion, vote this up if you feel the same way.
Thanks

I understand what you mean. If you would have a little more technical background to what is happening when you sync and iOS device, you would understand that the reason for syncing with only one computer is not to control you but is rather to manage the syncing.
For exemple, how would you manage to backup a device on multiple computer while some songs or apps are on your iOS device but not on the computer? Copying them back to the computer would only result in what you don't want, keeping different iTunes library on different computer.
The very best solutions for you is either;
Make one of your iTunes library the master with ALL your media files and use this one for syncing your device. You can easily manage all your music using automated playlist (like one for all the music with an older date you would decide).
Pay for iTunes match and ALL your song (even those you haven't bought from iTunes) to be available in the cloud for you to stream directly to your iPhone. This however have a monthly fee.
I agree that on one thing Apple is controlling; it's by not allowing you to extract songs from an iPod. Giving home sharing now, that would solely restrict you from illegally copying music to others. But again, you must understand that this limitation isn't to be powerfreak, it have been required to secure the music industries and make iTunes Store possible in the first place.
And make shure you active Home Sharing as it will give you full access (stream and copy over wi-fi from any computer and iOS devices) in between your iTunes libraries.

IPhone + more than one computer.

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