How can I sync an iPhone without losing contact data?

[That-Is-Bull]

I did a clean Leopard install recently, so iPhones that were synced with this Mac before aren't recognized. My mom wants her iPhone updated because the software (2.1 I think) has been doing strange things and is very slow. But when I try to sync it, iTunes says it's going to erase everything and replace it with my library.

Basically I need a way to sync her iPhone without losing all of her contacts. I've tried three third-party iPhone file management applications, but the first one was a demo that would only transfer up to ten contacts, the second one wanted over a gig of space to install, and the third one won't download.

Is there some way to save her contacts before updating? They were all already deleted once when I updated it to 2.0 (and iTunes didn't back it up for some reason), I don't want that to happen again.

 

[-aggie-]

Use the Funambol app (it's free). All you lose is any pics or ringtones associated with the contacts. All other information used is transferred online. I use it as a backup in case I ever run into a problem like you have.

 

[qnc]

there is also Mobical
Mobical.net
You just have to use a syncML client (there is on free on app store).

sync her contacts with mobical
then you can sync her phone to the computer.
once you sync phone and computer, resync with mobical to get contacts back

Once contacts are synced back by mobical then you can sync with itunes to save contacts on computer.

It saves pictures also.

 

[-aggie-]

there is also Mobical
Mobical.net
You just have to use a syncML client (there is on free on app store).

sync her contacts with mobical
then you can sync her phone to the computer.
once you sync phone and computer, resync with mobical to get contacts back

Once contacts are synced back by mobical then you can sync with itunes to save contacts on computer.

It saves pictures also.

That's a lot more steps than Funambol. What does it get you that Funambol doesn't? Is Mobical.net free? Also, what pics does it save?

 

[qnc]

Mobical.net is free. (sorry did not mention that)

The process I was giving him/her was to get contacts to computer if they wanted. went a little over board.

When I did a sync switching phones on vacation away from my computer I synced to Mobical.

when I synced to the new iphone my contact pictures were there also. I did not expect that but it happened. I checked the website but the pictures did not show up.

so I did it again with a fresh firmware upgrade. and it did it again.

I have been using them since 1.1.1 firmware with the syncje client and now with the appstore app.

 

[-aggie-]

Mobical.net is free. (sorry did not mention that)

The process I was giving him/her was to get contacts to computer if they wanted. went a little over board.

When I did a sync switching phones on vacation away from my computer I synced to Mobical.

when I synced to the new iphone my contact pictures were there also. I did not expect that but it happened. I checked the website but the pictures did not show up.

so I did it again with a fresh firmware upgrade. and it did it again.

I have been using them since 1.1.1 firmware with the syncje client and now with the appstore app.

Since, I've yet to use it (and hope I never have to), Funambol may also do the pics. One reason I went with Funambol was that they clearly state that they don't use your info or other contact info for spam. One of the other major ones that was out there did. Anyway, a FYI to make sure they have the same statement. I'll look into mobical to have another backup.

 

[qnc]

Since, I've yet to use it (and hope I never have to), Funambol may also do the pics. One reason I went with Funambol was that they clearly state that they don't use your info or other contact info for spam. One of the other major ones that was out there did. Anyway, a FYI to make sure they have the same statement. I'll look into mobical to have another backup.

Thanks I'll check it out. I currently have not had my information (to my knowledge) used for spam. I don't even get a "hey you have not logged in for a while email".

I will definately check that out. I would in the future like to run my own personal site to do this. That way no worries.