What will happen after reformat PC.

[ahbear82]

Hi, would just like to know if i reformat my PC, then reinstall Itune, what willl happen if i do a back up of my iphone 5 to the new install itune after reformat my pc, will my current apps like whatsapp, wechat, Clash of clan , contacts gets deleted?

Just to confirm, i will need to do a back up on the newly install itunes before i can sync with it in the future right?

 

[layzibum22]

Whether u format ur com or not doesn't matter.

When u do a backup of the iPhone on the computer, it would backup the data that is one the iPhone to the computer.

The formatting matters is if after u done the backup, than u go format your computer. Than backup is also formatted away.

This is assuming that your backup files is stored in the default volume as the where iTunes is installed. (Commonly known as the C Drive.

Backup and Syncing are 2 different things.

Backup is in case of inforeseen problem with your iPhone.

Syncing is getting getting both the computer and the iPhone to have the same content.

You can still sync without doing the backup. Unless of course iTunes prompts u to do. Than I recommend to follow and backup.

 

[WakaaWakaa]

Whether u format ur com or not doesn't matter.

When u do a backup of the iPhone on the computer, it would backup the data that is one the iPhone to the computer.

The formatting matters is if after u done the backup, than u go format your computer. Than backup is also formatted away.

This is assuming that your backup files is stored in the default volume as the where iTunes is installed. (Commonly known as the C Drive.

Backup and Syncing are 2 different things.

Backup is in case of inforeseen problem with your iPhone.

Syncing is getting getting both the computer and the iPhone to have the same content.

You can still sync without doing the backup. Unless of course iTunes prompts u to do. Than I recommend to follow and backup.

Since we are on this topic, I've always had a question. Let's say one day for some reason I am no longer using the computer containing the iTunes I used to sync/backup my phone, will they erase everything from my phone when I sync my phone to the new iTunes on the new computer? Since there would be nothing there for the moment.

Also, I'm not sure if this is still applicable or has changed, but I believe you are only allowed to give iTunes access to your phone for up to 5 different computers? So what happens if I get rid of my old computer containing the iTunes that I had used previously without first de-registering my phone from there? Does this mean now I am only left with 4? So what happens then if I use up all five and for some reason, am no longer able to use those computers anymore without first de-registering the phone from there? Does this mean I will not be able to sync my phone with anymore iTunes?

The reason I'm asking this is because the iTunes I have been my phone with is currently in a laptop which is pretty old and may die out anytime. Therefore, I'm hoping that in the event that this ever happens, I can sync my phone to another iTunes for backing up and not have everything erased from my phone with a new sync.

 

[chehjin]

Since we are on this topic, I've always had a question. Let's say one day for some reason I am no longer using the computer containing the iTunes I used to sync/backup my phone, will they erase everything from my phone when I sync my phone to the new iTunes on the new computer? Since there would be nothing there for the moment.

Also, I'm not sure if this is still applicable or has changed, but I believe you are only allowed to give iTunes access to your phone for up to 5 different computers? So what happens if I get rid of my old computer containing the iTunes that I had used previously without first de-registering my phone from there? Does this mean now I am only left with 4? So what happens then if I use up all five and for some reason, am no longer able to use those computers anymore without first de-registering the phone from there? Does this mean I will not be able to sync my phone with anymore iTunes?

The reason I'm asking this is because the iTunes I have been my phone with is currently in a laptop which is pretty old and may die out anytime. Therefore, I'm hoping that in the event that this ever happens, I can sync my phone to another iTunes for backing up and not have everything erased from my phone with a new sync.

1) When you sync your iPhone to a new computer, whatever is in your iPhone will be backed up there. All information is transferred there. They will determined by appleID, so if ur appleID valid there, no worries.

2) the 5 computers can be deactivated online without the actual machine. You can have 5 concurrent computers activated, not 5 for life.

3) If i'm you, I will copy out the current back up from the old machine and save it on the new machine. then you don't have to start from scratch.

 

[Mclairs83]

Before u format ur computer backup your iTunes library. Found in My Documents\iTunes

after formatting copy it back to the location where u use to put it.

If u format and forgot about ur library. Good luck. ur phone music, apps tat are stored inside will be wipe off. Because ur phone don't have the previous library u sync to.

 

[testing1234]

1) When you sync your iPhone to a new computer, whatever is in your iPhone will be backed up there. All information is transferred there. They will determined by appleID, so if ur appleID valid there, no worries.

2) the 5 computers can be deactivated online without the actual machine. You can have 5 concurrent computers activated, not 5 for life.

3) If i'm you, I will copy out the current back up from the old machine and save it on the new machine. then you don't have to start from scratch.

noob here. for the iphone backup, i think there are a lot of files and folders to transfer over right?

 

[chehjin]

noob here. for the iphone backup, i think there are a lot of files and folders to transfer over right?

the actual phone backup is 1 file only.

if many files, you are talking about the other apps and stuff.

the apps, if iTunes no more, means lost for life, if iTunes still have, can easily redownload.

anyway, if u used iTunes to organise the files, they will all be in the same location.

 

[WakaaWakaa]

1) When you sync your iPhone to a new computer, whatever is in your iPhone will be backed up there. All information is transferred there. They will determined by appleID, so if ur appleID valid there, no worries.

2) the 5 computers can be deactivated online without the actual machine. You can have 5 concurrent computers activated, not 5 for life.

3) If i'm you, I will copy out the current back up from the old machine and save it on the new machine. then you don't have to start from scratch.

Thanks for the information. But when I attempt to sync, they will show a warning to say that iTunes will erase my data on the phone and sync with the current iTunes. That is the reason I'm hesitant on doing so all this while.

 

[chehjin]

Thanks for the information. But when I attempt to sync, they will show a warning to say that iTunes will erase my data on the phone and sync with the current iTunes. That is the reason I'm hesitant on doing so all this while.

there are certain things you have to do before you start the sync. You get this message cos computer assume you are starting a new sync.

anyway, for your case, easiest way is transfer iTunes library data over to new computer. That is much easier to do then reverse back up from your iPhone plus u keep all ur movies and mp3 data (i forgot to mention these 2 things will not be able to reverse sync from iPhone as part of copyright policy)

 

[ahbear82]

Thanks for the information. But when I attempt to sync, they will show a warning to say that iTunes will erase my data on the phone and sync with the current iTunes. That is the reason I'm hesitant on doing so all this while.

Last time i also face this problem, can i do a "back up" on the new itunes before i do any "sync" to prevent this warning message?

 

[ahbear82]

another question, is the "Library files" and the "Back files" store in the same location?

 

[ahbear82]

\Users\username\My Music\iTunes


just want to double check, is this the folder (as above) that i need to copy and store in my external HDD before i reformatt my PC ? Is there any other folder which i need to save?

 

[ahbear82]

Before u format ur computer backup your iTunes library. Found in My Documents\iTunes

after formatting copy it back to the location where u use to put it.

If u format and forgot about ur library. Good luck. ur phone music, apps tat are stored inside will be wipe off. Because ur phone don't have the previous library u sync to.

i don't think the back up folder is found in Documents\itunes, which OS are u refering to? i do a search and thats what i get, as below:

Operating system Location Mac OS ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/
To find the ~/Library folder on OS X Lion v10.7 or later, hold the Option key and choose Go > Library.
Windows 8 \Users\(username)\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\
To find the AppData folder, click the magnifying class in the upper-right corner, type %appdata%, and press Return.
Windows Vista or Windows 7 \Users\(username)\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\
To find the AppData folder, click Start, type %appdata% in the search bar, and press Return.
Windows XP \Documents and Settings\(username)\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\
To find the Application Data folder, choose Start > Run. Type %appdata% and click OK.

 

[Mclairs83]

i don't think the back up folder is found in Documents\itunes, which OS are u refering to? i do a search and thats what i get, as below:

Operating system Location Mac OS ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/
To find the ~/Library folder on OS X Lion v10.7 or later, hold the Option key and choose Go > Library.
Windows 8 \Users\(username)\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\
To find the AppData folder, click the magnifying class in the upper-right corner, type %appdata%, and press Return.
Windows Vista or Windows 7 \Users\(username)\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\
To find the AppData folder, click Start, type %appdata% in the search bar, and press Return.
Windows XP \Documents and Settings\(username)\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\
To find the Application Data folder, choose Start > Run. Type %appdata% and click OK.

why u need the backup of ur iphone for? If u don't have ur iTunes library of ur current phone. When u reformat, ur phone will be sync with the new empty library.

The most important is your iTunes Library. Ur backup will happen after ur iPhone is connected to your correct iTunes Library.

 

[porcu]

Another question since all on this topic. For games, if I backup ipad Mini then sync to iPhone, vice versa will the latest game backup be restored to a devices?

 

[chehjin]

why u need the backup of ur iphone for? If u don't have ur iTunes library of ur current phone. When u reformat, ur phone will be sync with the new empty library.

The most important is your iTunes Library. Ur backup will happen after ur iPhone is connected to your correct iTunes Library.

Another question since all on this topic. For games, if I backup ipad Mini then sync to iPhone, vice versa will the latest game backup be restored to a devices?

this backup will contain all data of your phone including, app data, phone settings, ams, blah blah.

if u have library only without this file, your phone will be like you reformat and install apps again kind.

if u wan ur old app data, like games data back, u need the phone back up file.

 

[Mclairs83]

this backup will contain all data of your phone including, app data, phone settings, ams, blah blah.

if u have library only without this file, your phone will be like you reformat and install apps again kind.

if u wan ur old app data, like games data back, u need the phone back up file.

i understand that.

but TS is intending to backup just the "backup" of the iPhone instead of the library. which doesn't make any sense to me.

U backup, after reformat, which library are you going to sync? Your PC will tell u that, the iPhone is sync to another library, clicking on the sync button will wipe off apps and music and sync to the empty library.

Anyway if TS wants to do that, by all means. I have been doing this practice for years and helping my friends reformat pc and they don't have a single complaint on their iPhone syncing with their newly reformatted pc with backup of their iTunes library.

 

[ahbear82]

i understand that.

but TS is intending to backup just the "backup" of the iPhone instead of the library. which doesn't make any sense to me.

U backup, after reformat, which library are you going to sync? Your PC will tell u that, the iPhone is sync to another library, clicking on the sync button will wipe off apps and music and sync to the empty library.

Anyway if TS wants to do that, by all means. I have been doing this practice for years and helping my friends reformat pc and they don't have a single complaint on their iPhone syncing with their newly reformatted pc with backup of their iTunes library.

I have reformatt my PC and reinstall my Itune using my back up. Infact, for situation like mine, all you need to do before you reformat you PC is to backup those files in these 2 location:

\Users\(username)\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\ (to back up your back up)

\Users\username\My Music\iTunes (to back up your library music, but u must make sure that your music will auto add inside the itune folder by ticking the "Automatically Add to iTunes' option.)

 

[whitebb]

How to automatically add to itunes?

Do in itunes or in the folder?