iOS/iTunes sync question

[Wordsmithmac]

I just got a 2010 Mac mini this week but I had an iPad 1 already, I used to sync it on my windows laptop. I created a iCloud account already on there but when I try to sync my iPad on my new Mac it says on the data on my iPad will be erased and when I log into iTunes on the Mac none of my previous apps for the iPad are there.

So my question is how do I transfer all the stuff from my windows iTunes to my Mac iTunes so I can synch and not lose anything.

Also my apple ID is different than my iCloud ID, is that a problem when trying to sync if so can I merge them?

My Mac mini is running snow leopard, I'm waiting for apple to send me my redeem code for lion do no over the air sync for me yet.

 

[gentlefury]

I just got a 2010 Mac mini this week but I had an iPad 1 already, I used to sync it on my windows laptop. I created a iCloud account already on there but when I try to sync my iPad on my new Mac it says on the data on my iPad will be erased and when I log into iTunes on the Mac none of my previous apps for the iPad are there.

So my question is how do I transfer all the stuff from my windows iTunes to my Mac iTunes so I can synch and not lose anything.

Also my apple ID is different than my iCloud ID, is that a problem when trying to sync if so can I merge them?

My Mac mini is running snow leopard, I'm waiting for apple to send me my redeem code for lion do no over the air sync for me yet.

This is the problem with the iOS / iTunes dependancy model. If you didn't start your phone fresh on a computer you are pretty much screwed and will lose everything if you try to sync. Better off just forgetting iTunes sync exists and use iCloud. If you need to restore you can restore from iCloud. You can still sync photos with iPhoto by plugging in or turning on photo stream.

Only other option is to transplant your windows backup onto the mac.

I wonder if they're ever going to let you download your iCloud backup to your iTunes to set up a new computer.

 

[apunkrockmonk]

Literally all you have to do is copy the iTunes folder from windows into the appropriate place on your mac (~/Music/iTunes).

Assuming you had iTunes set to organize your files, otherwise you'll have to consolidate your library first. Either way it's a very easy process.

 

[Wordsmithmac]

This is the problem with the iOS / iTunes dependancy model. If you didn't start your phone fresh on a computer you are pretty much screwed and will lose everything if you try to sync. Better off just forgetting iTunes sync exists and use iCloud. If you need to restore you can restore from iCloud. You can still sync photos with iPhoto by plugging in or turning on photo stream.

Only other option is to transplant your windows backup onto the mac.

I wonder if they're ever going to let you download your iCloud backup to your iTunes to set up a new computer.

What about my apps? I have several apps on my windows iTunes I didn't keep on my iPad since I wasn't using them and I have apps on my iPad I use. I'm more concerned about app transfer.

So basically your saying backup everything to iCloud like the apps and my email and pics then on my mini let iTunes wipe the iPad when it syncs then download my stuff from iCloud?

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Literally all you have to do is copy the iTunes folder from windows into the appropriate place on your mac (~/Music/iTunes).

Assuming you had iTunes set to organize your files, otherwise you'll have to consolidate your library first. Either way it's a very easy process.

I'll look into this

 

[gentlefury]

What about my apps? I have several apps on my windows iTunes I didn't keep on my iPad since I wasn't using them and I have apps on my iPad I use. I'm more concerned about app transfer.

So basically your saying backup everything to iCloud like the apps and my email and pics then on my mini let iTunes wipe the iPad when it syncs then download my stuff from iCloud?

You could actually do that...thats a good idea. If you restore to new iPad, you will be presented with the option to restore from iCloud. You could restore your iPad from iCloud then plug it in and it should put everything on your iTunes.

I would do a full backup on the old computer first tho, to be safe!

That should actually work. I updated my iPhone using my Macbook air (not my normal sync machine) and it wiped all my apps and ringtones and such, but left everything else intact. I used my phone for a week, then I plugged it into my mac pro that had my previous backup profile. It ended up merging the two...so it uploaded any new apps and downloaded any missing apps.

 

[MaxBurn]

You must move both your LIBRARY and your MEDIA folders to the new machine. You can hold shift and open itunes on the new machine, then point it to the library folder you copied, in theory everything should be as you left it then.

I think the media folder is fairly dependent on path, important to keep same drive letter / folder structure.

Before you move it you should deauthorize the old comptuer too.

 

[gentlefury]

You must move both your LIBRARY and your MEDIA folders to the new machine. You can hold shift and open itunes on the new machine, then point it to the library folder you copied, in theory everything should be as you left it then.

I think the media folder is fairly dependent on path, important to keep same drive letter / folder structure.

Before you move it you should deauthorize the old comptuer too.

Yes, if this is still possible it is best to do this.

 

[schrodl]

So my question is how do I transfer all the stuff from my windows iTunes to my Mac iTunes so I can synch and not lose anything

I just transferred my iTunes between two windows computers. Hopefully the Mac works the same. You need an external storage device. I copied my entire iTunes directory to an external hard drive /users/username/documents/iTunes or something like that. Copy the directory to the correct directory on your new computer. In iTunes, backup and transfer purchases using the right click before you sync. When you check the sync apps, music and others iTunes will warn you that all apps will be overwritten when you sync.

When you sync the first time, you have to stop the sync after the step two backup. When you go back to iTunes it will show your iphone or iPad correct configuration. All your apps, music, pictures and stuff must be showing in iTunes before you do a full sync.