Before You Set Up Your iTunes Sync (iPhone 4)

There are a few things you need before you can start using iTunes to sync. We cover the prerequisites and answer a few common questions about the reasons to use iTunes. We also help you understand what happens if you own another Apple device, such as an iPad or iPod, and start syncing with your iPhone.

Prerequisites

There are just a few things you need to do before you sync your iPhone with iTunes.

TIP: If you followed all the steps in topic 1: "Getting Started," chances are you’ve already completed the steps listed below and the initial sync of your contacts, calendar, bookmarks, notes, and email accounts to your iPhone. If so, you may want to skip ahead to the "Apps: Sync and Manage Them" section later in this topic.

1. Make sure you’ve installed version 9.2 or higher of iTunes on your computer. For help with installing or updating iTunes, see topic 30: "iTunes User Guide."

2. Create an iTunes account (Apple ID); see the "Create iTunes Account" section in topic 30.

3. Get the white sync cable that came with your iPhone. One end plugs into the bottom of your iPhone near the Home button and the other plugs into the USB port on your computer.

Can I Sync iTunes with an iPod or iPad and My iPhone?

Yes! As long as you are syncing to the same computer, you can sync several Apple devices (Apple says up to five, but we’ve heard of people syncing more) to the same iTunes account on a single computer.

CAUTION: You can’t sync the same iPhone, iPad, or iPod to two different computers. If you attempt to do this, you’ll see a message like: "Would you like to wipe this device (iPhone, iPad, iPod) and resync the new library?" If you answer Yes, any music and videos on the device will be erased.

There Are Other Sync Options (MobileMe and Exchange/Google)—Should I Use iTunes?

There are other ways to synchronize your personal information and email, such as Exchange/Google and MobileMe, which we cover in topic 4: "Other Sync Methods." Keep in mind, however, that even if you choose one of these, you’ll still need to use iTunes to

■ Backup and restore your iPhone

■ Update the iPhone operating system software

■ Sync and manage your applications (apps)

■ Sync your music library and playlists

■ Sync movies, TV shows, podcasts, and iTunes U content

■ Sync books

■ Sync photos

Wireless Sync versus iTunes Desktop Sync

Ideally, your personal information (contacts, calendar, and notes) are all synced wirelessly and automatically to your iPhone. With a wireless sync, you don’t need to plug your iPhone into your computer to do the sync, everything happens over the airwaves. Depending on your environment, you may or may not be able to use a wireless sync for all your information. For example, if you use Google, then for a full wireless sync of calendar and contacts, you need to use the Exchange sync option (not iTunes sync).

Table 3-1 summarizes the synchronization options. What you choose to use for synchronization should be driven by where you currently store your email, contacts, and calendar—your environment and whether or not you want to have a wireless sync.

NOTE: As you can see, with some environments, you can wirelessly sync your contacts and calendars to your iPhone.

Table 3-1. Synchronization Options for Your Personal Information