How to Sync an iPhone to a New Computer Without Data Loss

Transferring all the iPhone files and backups from the old computer to the new one is undoubtedly the most easiest technique to synchronize your iPhone to your new computer without losing data. The iPhone data is saved in multiple locations, considering that we will help you find all the files and where they should be stored in Mac OS X and Windows.

Quick Overview of the Guide:

• If you are just syncing the folder and not at all bothered with its content, then  you need to copy /MobileSync/Backup/ directory and paste it in the new computer.
• If you are trying to sync your entire music and video folder, then you have to transfer  the complete iTunes folder
• The easiest way to transfer all your files is through local network but using USB drive, DVD and hard drive  is also handy.

Primarily, this guide is meant for iPhone users. However, it will work fine with iPad and iPod touch as well.

How to Sync an iPhone with a New Mac by Copying Sync Date

• You need to quit iTunes and disconnect iPhone from Both Macs
• Copy iTunes directory from old computer to new one, which is stored in Home folder and located at ~/Music/iTunes
• Copy all the backups from the old computer to the new one from the user library directory located at ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/
• Also copy iTunes Preferences files in order to ensure everything is in order from  ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.iTunes.plist
• Connect your iPhone to new Mac and launch iTunes. Verify that everything is in sequence and authorize the new computer

If you want to sync from an old PC/Mac to new PC/Mac, then you need to use sharing between Mac and Windows. You should copy iTunes and backup folders from your old computer and place it in appropriate place in the new computer.

 How to Sync iPhone with a new Windows PC

All the instructions furnished above works magic even when syncing iPhone with a new Windows PC but the files and folders exists in different locations. If you are a windows 7 user, then you have to copy all the following directories and their contents from your old PC to new Pc:

C:UsersUSERNAMEMusiciTunes

C:UsersUSERNAMEAppDataRoamingApple ComputerMobileSync

C:UsersUSERNAMEAppDataRoamingApple ComputerPreferences

Replace “USERNAME” with the users account name, obviously. Older versions of Windows have iPhone backups located at the following location instead:

C:Documents and SettingsUSERApplication DataApple ComputerMobileSyncBackup

Connect your iPhone to new PC and launch iTunes. Verify that everything is in order and authorize the new computer

Why this Stuff is Essential?

This is necessary because the data from your computer is intended to be transferred to iPhone instead of transferring from iPhone to the computer with iTunes. This guide is better for iCloud users as they can synchronize all the data to their new machines with the help of Wi-Fi sync. However, they still have to copy all the directories to the new one.

It is already mentioned that this guide is meant to quickly sync a new iPhone, which you can accomplish by copying backup. Yet, you have to copy everything in order to preserve all iTunes content, music, and preferences.

via OSXDaily