IMPORTANT UPDATE: As of iTunes 10, this method no longer seems to work. Please take a look at the new method if you are using iTunes 10 (Link)
Apple only allows you to sync your iPhone with one iTunes library at a time. When you attempt to sync your iPhone to another computer, you get the following message.
Note: “Computer 1″ represents your usual computer, “Computer 2″ represents the new computer you would like to sync your iPhone to.
On “Computer 2″, backup “iTunes Music Library.xml” and “iTunes Music Library” (Tunes Music Library on Windows) safely.
Download a Hex editor.
1. On Computer 1, open “iTunes Music Library.xml” with Notepad and search (Ctrl+F) for “<key>Library Persistent ID</key>”
2. Following “<key>Library Persistent ID</key>”, copy the code between <string> and </string>
In this example it is “8B6C633F7DACB74B”.
3. On computer 2, find that same code, and replace it with the code from computer 1.
4. Open “iTunes Music Library” (iTunes Library.itl on Windows) using your Hex Editor on computer 2.
5. In the Hex Editor, go to Edit > Replace.
6. In “Find”, insert code from computer 2. In “Replace With”, insert code from computer 1. There should be one match.
7. Save this file. Close it.
8. Start iTunes on computer 2, and plug in your iPhone.
9. Select “Manually manage music and videos”
10. You will no longer be alerted to erase your data.
[via Andrew Grant]




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Thank you for posting this, i just made it work for me. Than you again.
Would anyone know what I could do to retrieve my old code because I did the part on computer 2 where I replaced the old code with the new one in notepad, but then I had to go somewhere, and when I got back, I realized I still needed to type the old code in the hex editor, to be replaced with the new one, but now I don’t know the new one. Would anyone have any help of how to find the old code? Thanks I really appreciate anyone’s help!
Jason, this is why you need to back up the files first. I did the same as you but because I had the backup duplicate I was able to open this and find the old code. If you didn’t back up the files first, I’m sorry but I’m afraid that’s your fault. Either way, it’s not your fault that this tutorial doesn’t mention you will need it again after replacing it.
Just delete the entire Itunes folder.
Restart, and voila
I had tried this before, and it worked. Trying this a second time (between xp IBM) and mac mini, and i’ve changed all the library files, but i still get that message. basically, trying to allow to sync my music files from ibm and video files from mac mini…help?
Here Amy:
What hex editor would work on a Mac?
When I do a find and/or replace and search the .itl file it can not find the code. I made sure I was searching for the right one. I tried two different hex editors for the PC. The link to the above hex editor appears to be broken. anyone have any ideas? I made sure I was searching the entire file from the beginning of the document with out case sensitivity.
This is definitely a great idea in allowing the ability to sync to multiple computers I guess. But what I use is Mojo by Duesty.com, it enables you to copy music between iTunes libraries. What I love about it is that it can also copy music from other iTunes users that also use Mojo (as long as you’re their friend)
Mojo is closed…bummer need to find something that works on multiple computers (PC) that will allow you to use your iPhone 3-current ver. Someone…Anyone???
Jason
Had you followed the directions you would have backed up the file you were tampering with. And then you should be able to get the old code, if not, then next time follow directions
useful guide:)
Here is also a tutorial about DVD to iTunes:
http://www.convert-video-dvd.com/tutorial/import-dvd-to-itunes-for-ipod-iphone.html
if anyone has an iphone that they can sink to their itunes, if they could post their
1. iTunes Music Library.xml file
2. the itunesdb file from their iphone, i could figure out how to fix this if you have lost your existing iTunes Music Library.xml file due to computer crash or whatever reason.
this is what situation i’m in right now, my computer crashed so when i reinstalled windows, i lost my “iTunes Music Library.xml” file, but i am fairly familiar w/ the itunesdb where most of the library settings are stored on the iphone so if i have some working examples i can easily figure this out.
please help someone
you can use this program to get your itunesdb file from your iphone http://code.google.com/p/iphonebrowser/downloads/list
here’s the actual installer
I’m having the same problem finding computer 2’s Library Persistent ID string value via the Hex editor. I also tried 2 different Hex editors (on a Windows XP machine) in both Hex and Text/ASCII modes with no luck. Am I missing something?
Thanks.
I figured out my problem. Apparently, the 2 free Hex editors I used (Hex Editor Nero & XVI32) have crappy search functionality. Ultra Edit saved the day.
If you use XVI32, you cannot paste in the HEX code you copied from your XML file into the Search Field — even with the HEX radio button selected. You have to MANUALLY enter it in and after that, Search will work.
Apparently, XVI32 wants the dubious “honor” of adding blank spaces in the Search Field after you type two characters.
I used UltraEdit (45-day trial) to figure that one out…
Sadly, even after I replaced the correct “Library Persistent ID” from PC 1 to PC 2 by overwriting the LID found on PC 2 in both the ITL and XML, I still get prompted to erase my 3GS. Maybe I should have done it before upgrading to iTunes 8.2.1.
If music and videos are the only things not getting backed up, then I’ll try Mojo or keep using Discover Lite or any of those WiFi iPhone file transfer programs…
Apple computers are user friendly? What a joke. Should be as simple as dragging and dropping, but Apple has set up a deliberate booby trap. This isn’t a company you should love folks. It’s your adversary.
Great information. My switch to Windows 7 from OS X brought me to this site from Google. Sucks not being able to do this by default. This is a real life saver, though!
Chris
http://faaipdeoiad.com
I do not have an xml file in my itunes, no xmls at all in the folder, can make a change to the exe file?
Howdy,
would anyone know if this 100% also applies to using one iPhone with two different user accounts in one Vista PC?
The data files to be modified are of course in their dedicated and different folders, but since it would be the same iTunes using the both libraries, does iTunes mind about two different Library Persistent ID’s? They cannot at least be used at the same time, as one user using iTunes locks iTunes from other users.
BR,
Janne
will this sync my jailbroken apps with a different pc if i enable this?
jailbroken apps installed via cydia, this is not the method for managing jailbroken apps
The “Library Persistent ID” is the same in the XML files on both of my computers. I have no idea why this is. Any suggestions?
I do not have the xml file in my directory\did this go away with the lastest version of itunes?
I can confirm this works. Now sync’ed on my work pc and home! yay!
I did have a problem because i didnt note the code on computer 2 so i didnt know what to search for in “iTunes Library.itl” But luckily UltraEdit backs up everything you save
By the way, technically you can still patch the file without knowing the code from computer 2 because its always in the same place in the file.
Which is:
00000030h: 00 00 00 07 XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX 00 00 00 27
Just replace the XX’s with the code from computer 1
I don’t have the old code. I deleted the filed by accident… what should I do ?
after I deleted the files, iTunes created new files with new codes.What can I do ?
I changed that code with a hex editor on computer 2 to the code on computer 1 and restarted and confirmed in notepad and hex editor that the librarty file did indeed have the computer 1 code, and started iTunes. the sync manually box continues to bring up the message to wipe my iphone. after closing itunes i see that the library file then has been re-written with the original computer 2 code. What’s going on here? Thanks!
I just tried this using the “Cygnus Hex Editor” which I downloaded from http://www.softcircuits.com/cygnus. It’s a 30 day trial for free. I had to manually type in my code from computer 1 into computer 2 as the search function would no find it. However, if anyone is having trouble finding where to find the code, it’s located on line 4, column 4. Simply start typing in your code from computer 1 and save the file.
i have the same problem, it seems to wipe it back to code i changed…
help, what am i doing wrong
Hi all,
There is one problem with this solution. If you use audiobooks or watch movies, your bookmark (where you last left off in the audiobook or movie)gets hosed. It’s basically deleted when you sync on either system.
Where do we send those cards and letters? Apple should allow folks to manage media on multiple systems.
I did this, but when I synced on the 2nd PC, it started deleting all my apps on my phone
Did I miss something ?
the hex editor can’t find the string to replace.. do i need a different editor?
I did this with UltraEdit and the string was changed, but I’m still prompted to erase the data to sync. What else is there that can be done to make this work?
Thanks!
Excatly the same happend for me:-(
I have a slightly different dilemma. At the time that I purchased this gadget (iPhone), I did not have a computer. Upon activation, I synced my phone with my mom’s computer (in La.) between visits, I attempted to sync. And, I got that message. Called Tech Support. And, I was on the phone with someone for 3 hrs. I did the backup. And, I was told to proceed with the sync. I was also told that I would still have access to everything purchased under my iTunes account. If I had any problems, just restore backup. Contrary to his advice, the backup file did not include my music. So, I lost my downloads. I now have a new labtop. And, I did another backup before going into the Apple store. The assistant in the store advise me to do another backup. Then, I would transfer my purchases. And, there was a possibilty that I would lose at most my pictures. As luck would have it, my battery died before leaving the store. And, I had to complete this at home. When I returned home, I noticed that I had lost my daughter’s Dora video. I was able to transfer my remaining purchases, excluding the ones previously lost. But, I got that message again. I have 250 songs, over 700 contacts, 250 pictures at risk. I need help ASAP. Does anyone have a solution outside of buying a 2nd iPhone ?
I did this on my old computer, but when I just tried this trick on my new computer, the Hex editor said the “pattern wasn’t found.” This makes no sense – as I copied the Library ID perfectly. Anyone have any ideas? Does iTunes9 disable this?
Listen, “Anon”, there’s no need to be a jerk about it, and if you’re going to be a jerk, then maybe don’t be anonymous. Following directions is what caused the mistake.
I did the same thing – thankfully DID have it backed up, but the instructions could use a clarification, ie. where it says “find that same code, and replace it with the code from computer 1″, it would be helpful to say that you’ll need to write that code down.
my itunes file is encypted when i try to open it in notepad how do i resolve this?
It sounds like Apple has caught on and this isn’t working so well right now. I don’t really care about syncing music and books, I only wanted to be able to sync my contacts, calendar and the other stuff I keep in Outlook. With the iphone, you need to go through itunes to sync Outlook, and what was once a simple sync process from desktop to palm to laptop is now, apparently, impossible.
Am i right about this? I don’t want to pay the extra for the MobileMe that Apple suggests as their solution.
This just worked fine for me, thanks for a great post.
For those who had issues. When searching for the pattern, make sure you are doing a value search, and not an ASCII or UNICODE search. It took me a while to realize why the HexEditor was not finding the code. I used Cygnus HexEditor, free version.
Did you ever find out if this solution no longer works? I just tried this solution with no luck. Google searches have not been fruitful. Apple really blows.
I think that “Anon’s” point is not to be a jerk or rude, but merely to point out that the directions clearly adise you (and it should not come as a suprise) to make a backup of key operating files before hacking them, in case of a screw up. I would hazard a guess that at least 80% of the problems people have when jailbreaking, hacking or editing carrier files is not following the directions explicitly, and then clogging the boards with complaints about how something doesn’t work. I don’t think I have done one thing with the iphone or software that didn’t work perfectly the first time, as long as I explicitly followed the directions exactly. And people, ALWAYS back up your file before messing with it!!!
Does anyone know what will happen if I sync my iPhone’s contacts and calendar with my work laptop (MS Outlook)? I have previously synced my laptop’s Outlook contacts/calendar with my home computer via a PDA, so will the new laptop/iPhone syncing duplicate my contacts/calendar items or recognize the items as “the same”? Thanks in advance for your help!
crpowers10
Lisa,
Did you get this to work? Or have yo decided to use MobileMe? I’m in a similar position and wondered what will happen if I sync my iPhone’s contacts and calendar with my work laptop (MS Outlook)? I have previously synced my laptop’s Outlook contacts/calendar with my home computer via a PDA, so will the new laptop/iPhone syncing duplicate my ~350 contacts/calendar items or recognize the items as “the same”? Thanks in advance for your help!
crpowers10
Just wanted to add another ‘Yay!’ comment. This worked perfectly for me (on iTunes 9 and iPhone 3GS 3.1.2). Thanks a bunch.
Hi,
quick questions. Could the same thing be achieved by simply copying the entire iTunes folder to the second computer?
Thx for the tip though!
What the heck.. this is not working anymore..
I did changed the code but still when it sync music with computer 2, all my songs gone and replaced with songs on computer 2.. stupid
Just wanted to say that this worked perfectly. I have an iPhone 3gS and iTunes 9.0.1.8 and everything worked exactly as stated. I used the free version of UltraEdit to replace the hex code in the itl file and it worked perfect on the first try
No, because the files that need to be altered are not in the itunes folder, they are in the music folder. Also, the XML file manages your music library, so unless the music files you have on computer 1 are identical to the files on computer 2(i.e. they are in the same folder name on the same drive name) it will not work correctly.
Its not encrypted you must be doing something wrong. Make sure iTunes is closed while you are doing this
That can’t be right, and if it is that means this method should already work just fine for you, but unless you have already tried this hack before, that is not possible. The persistent IDs are generated according to the mac address of each computer
Is there any reason I would not want to do this? What are the possible negative results of doing this hack (assuming everything works)?
I tried this today, and when I connect I don’t get the “This Phone is synced to another computer” message, but when I tried to set it on “Manually manage music and videos” I got messages saying, “Are you sure you want to remove xx applications… This will delete these applications and their data from the iPhone.”
Also when I go through and try to unselect, “Sync (music, movies, etc)” I get the warning, “Are you sure you don’t want to sync X?” All X will be removed from your iPhone.”
I made sure the the ID is correct both in the iTunesmusiclibrary.xml and the iTunes Library file.
Anyone else having this problem? I’m running iPhone 3.1.2 and iTunes 9.0.2.
Yep, same issue here.
Likewise… I have a Zune that can easily sync between two computers. If Apple is constantly trying to dis Microsoft, they perhaps instead of just putting on a good show, they should actually listen to our needs and do something about this. Another great example is the inability to use iTunes to get your photos/video from the Camera Roll to your PC without crazy work-arounds… :-/
Does not work on iPhone 3GS and iTunes 9.0.0.70.
It will WIPE OUT ALL your iPhone apps if you left the “Sync Application” on, and will WIPE OUT ALL music on your iPhone unless you select to “Manually manage music and videos”.
Even if you manage the music and videos manually, I cannot figure out how to copy them into the PC using iTunes.
Where is the .itl file? I’ve searched for it and cannot find it.
Hi,
I’ve developed a proof of concept C code, that does your iPhone syncing with multiple iTunes/Macs.
Fell free to download it from:
happy sharing!
This works great between two Macs. I have a Macbook pro running Leopard 10.5.8 and a Hackintosh running Snow Leopard 10.6.2 and it worked flawlessly. My iPhone 3GS can connect to both without any problems. Thanks for the tip!
thanks for this. i had both those editors to search the file. (first two results in google for hex editors)
ultra edit worked fine thanks again
I couldn’t have said it more loquaciously myself my good man.
I wish MS went on to do more with Zune. I feel dirty having to use an apple product as much as I hate them, but they’re the best option out there for mp3 players / phones =/
Need your help! I accidentally chose to sync a jailbroken iPhone(3G running 3.0) for the very first time with Itunes(On windows XP) as an iPod touch(1st gen running 3.0) which was already synced to Itunes. Now I have lost all contacts and even after reinstalling itunes it still shows up as an ipod.How do I get itunes to recognize it as an iPhone?
Funny, that’s how I feel having to use a W*nd*ws app on my Mac because my work requires it.
Did everything correct. Does not work at all… I think this only works between Mac and Mac or PC and PC. I am trying PC to Mac. Did every step perfectly. Doesnt work
worked for me, however asked if I want to replace photos on my iphone, I said no and my photos where untouched and now I’m able to manually manage musinc on my work PC while on my home PC I’m happily syncing.
I can´t find the files on my Mac, please help
Hello,
Actually I changed my machine and thats not with me now.
So I can not have the IDs listed above and can not replace it with the IDs on latest machine.
Can anyone tell me, if I let the the iTune erase the content, weather it will erase my Purchased or Free Applications,
emails, Contacts?
I am very much worried about my Application and Contacts.
Please help me out.
I have the same problem. Did anyone help you?
HI..i cant found my iTunes Music Library.itl in my pc ( window 7 )
as my 2nd pc… any solution ?
Wow, works like a charm! Thank you so much for this valuable info. Now I am able to manage my iPhone from both of my computers – imagine that!
This worked great, http://ridiculousfish.com/hexfiend/
Hi
I can get into my Iphone
But what file would help me getting that magical code?
Any help is welcome
This iphone belongs to a non geek friend and he got many apps synced from one of his geek friends who is no more his friend..(heavens)… and Now when he wishes to sync to his comp. He risks losing stuff he cannot imagine to get back.
Tadaaa I step in and I am the geek….
So the mantle of geekdom is at stake with a iphone at hand.
Iphone 2g 3.1.2 JB and I have the tools to peep pull push name it and am at it
mail me at almerchant@gmail.com
Anyone know what to do if I don’t have access to the old computer? (it crashed). So I can’t access the library persistent id?
Here is an app for Mac OSX that does this automatically.
Download here: iSyncMoreLibs.blogspot.com
its Donateware
Hi J20, Thanks for the tip! Replacing the key via the ‘replace function’ didn’t do the trick for me so i followed your string and keyed in the ID manually and it worked! Thanks again!!
Didn’t work for me…The file has the old code, but it still doesn’t recognize the phone. Odd that this works great for some but not others.
Works great! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Was real easy to :). iTunes 9.0.3.15..
Anyone try this on itunes 9.1 that was release for iPad?
Does this process help to download “APPLICATIONS” as well from 2 different comps ???
Same problem here. Anybody solved this problem yet?
just did this today. works fine on windows, both machines had itunes 9.1+ on them. as mentioned above I had to use UltraEdit as XVI32 didn’t couldn’t find the search string.
Regarding syncing contacts and calendar.
Why dont you all use a googlemail email account and all your contacts and calendars are synced live and stored on googles servers. Then you can change phones or have even multiple iphones all with the same address book. If you lose your iphone you can just read off your contacts by logging into googlemail. also if you add a contact or calendar entry on iphone it instantly syncs with server so its a permanant entry. When u buy new iphone or wipe existing one just log into exchange account with google user and password and hey presto all your contacts are in address book and calendar entries on iphone instantly. Never lose contacts again
I would have been very helpful to know that on my windows box both “iTunes Music Library.xml” and “iTunes Library.itl” are located in this folder:
C:\Documents and Settings\u1j329\My Documents\My Music\iTunes
BUT on my macintosh, “iTunes Music Library.xml” and “iTunes Music Library” are the files I’m looking for.
It would also have been helpful to note that a hex editor search feature requires one to search in “HEX” (not text, binary, float, etc.)
other than that, this eventually got me where I wanted to go, THANKS!
OMGG I LOVE YOU
YOU justtt savedd my lifee
i was soo frustratedd tryin to sync stuff from my other ocmputerr
it was just sooo sloww noww i amm soo happy
Hey after countless tries I finally got it working! If you can’t get both computers to sync, then do a clean install with both computers and start again. I had 9.2 installed on my laptop and my desktop was using 9.1 and when I tried this it didn’t work. So my advice is that try and get both computers using the same version, preferably both pre 9.2 and the same version in order to get this to work
ctrl+z
Thank you for your post.
I recently purchased iPhone4. I followed your direction carefully. However, it failed to work. Tried again and again, but I still get that massage box says erase data. Please help…. Thank you for your help.
You must not have followed the instructions correctly because I just did this all for my iPhone 4 and it works perfectly.
Thanks for the instructions.
I just attempted this where my computer 1 is windows and my computer 2 is mac. It doesn’t seem to be working for me at all and I went over the steps multiple times.
Help please
Same here, whenever I boot up itunes 10 again it replaces the hex code in the library (not the xml)
not working. did it 10 times – at least.
itunes 10 – osx 10.64. iphone 4 402. iMac i7 and MBP 2010
Not working for me either. Please help!
iTunes 10; Comp 1: Mac OSX 10.6.4 Comp2: Windows 7; iPhone 4 4.0.2
probably patched in iTunes 10?
Me again. I just found a way to make it work on ITUNES 10.
Even though this involves loosing your library on your second computer (you wont if your files are in the exact same place on both comps). But I only use itunes to copy music to my iphone on the second comp, so I dont even really need this library there.
SIMPLY COPY OVER THE WHOLE ITUNES FOLDER! xD
Thats it..piece of cake. Probably they’ve built in another check in itunes 10.. to lazy to figure out, though. ^^
Thank you JEAN!!!
Copying both files (xml and itl) really did the job, after I tried so many times.
Thanks.
On Mac I’ve noticed an invisible file called Sentinel which contains the “new” library persistent ID. This is created automatically and is overriding the persistent ID that I have edited in the iTunes Music Library.xml and the iTunes Library file. This file can be deleted from the terminal, but when I edit it with HexEdit the changes are always reverted by MacOS.
However, If I throw out all of the iTunes Library files from /users/yourname/Music/iTunes, a brand new library persistent ID is created.
It’s really bizarre behavior. When iTunes is launched and no library files are present, it must be saving the ID somewhere else in the system. This location somehow checks for Sentinel’s contents and uses that as the iTunes library ID. There 8 plists that get updated in the Library/Preferences folder with the simple act of launching and quitting iTunes when no library is present.
Just use MediaMonkey to sync your music. It works on multiple computers but you have to have iTunes installed also for the driver.
I had an i phone synced to my computer. Later my hard drive was completely corrupted, and I had to delete all my files and reenstall everything on the hardrive, when I reenstalled itunes to the computer it thought I was trying to sync my iphone to more than one computer, so if I follow this method than computer 1 will be computer 2, what should I do?
Farking awesome! This method worked for me! Just about as simple as it can get.
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I just tried this on itunes 10.1 and it did not work.
When clicking on “manage music and videos manually” con computer 2 and applying the change, iTunes prompts if I want to erase the content of the iphone.
so, did you use phoneAble first then copy the itunes directory? And which directory are you referring to. I assume the one in users?
Hi I’ve changed the LPF string in the .xml file and tried to change the .itl file using UltraEdit but the system will only let me save a new .BAK version of the .itl file, not the original file itself, so my iTunes remains unaltered. Does anyone have a solution to saving the changed .itl file?
I have an IPHONE 4 and just tried this on itunes 10 and it did not work.
When clicking on “manage music and videos manually” I still get the dreaded error message about erasing this IPHONE.
Suggestions welcome!
They’re obviously on to us! I have an iPhone 4 and the latest version of iTunes. I made all of the changes in both itunes music library.xml and itunes library.itl using HxD for Windows. I saved the files with the persistent id from computer 1 and restarted the computer. I then verified the computer 1 string was in place in both files on computer 2. I then started iTunes and was prompted with THE MESSAGE.
I closed iTunes and rechecked both files. The computer 1 string had been overwritten by the original computer 2 string. D’oh! It must be stored somewhere else and instructed to restore it if different than expected. Why do they care so much! I just want to use my iPhone at work and home. What a criminal I must be!
This is an interesting thread. I would like to be able to set this functionality up as well for my children, who live with their mom. They have the new iTouch 4. I am hosting their iTunes account on my PC.
If they wanted a particular app, I could purchase it for them, sync my iDevice with my iTunes, find the app file (registered to me) and email it to them – they could drop it into their iTunes account back home, to sync with their devices – Also technically, belonging to me and registered to me.
This way, I can control how much money I am spending on apps for them. ( Otherwise, I’m sure they would just download everything they could if I allowed them to use my iTunes password ).
Can some propose another workable solution for my problem? Thanks,
I also found this tutorial
http://www.sync-iphone.com/transfer-iphone-to-itunes/sync-iphone-with-multiple-computers.html
very helpful
It shows a different method, but it allows to sync an iPhone with both a Mac and a PC
GOT IT TO WORK! here is my long story
I have a jailbroken iPhone 4 and after receiving a virus on my laptop I had to reinstall windows 7. THEN CAME iTUNES. WORST PROGRAM EVER.
I tried the fix on this page, but it didn’t work due to what I suspect is my current version of iTunes. I would edit the files, but the edit through Ultra Edit to the iTunes Library.itl would not take. It would give me a error relating to backing up the file. Also when I started iTunes a file named iT.tmp would be created which appeared to be the editless original .xml file. After some research here is my fix.
-uninstalled itunes
-found + installed old version of itunes (http://www.oldapps.com/itunes.php?old_itunes=15)
-(if the old version doesn’t detect your iphone don’t worry)
-make sure you either uninstall quicktime or find a standalone old ver of itunes or you may run into errors when install or starting itunes
-i applied the same fix to .xml file of the new itunes and then deleted all text in the .itl file. when you start itunes the old .itl file will be found to be corrupt and itunes will produce a new one using ur edited .xml file.
-i made sure the changes took and then updated my itunes to the most recent version.
-worked!
I am not a professional and do not trust this. This worked for me, but don’t complain if this does not work.
This Tutorial is helpful but the sequence of the directions SUCK ASS!
Please use common sense when posting an article like this!
Lets keep it simple.
Replace the ID in the TEXT (.xml) file and DELETE the binary file (.itl). Open iTunes without connecting your iPhone and then close it. This will regenerate the binary file.
Now connect your iPhone and you are good. Reset Sync on your new computer and do a backup. This will copy everything from your iPhone to your new computer.
Tested and working on 3 JB iPhones (3.1.2 – 4.0.1) using iTunes 8.1.2 and 9.1
Lets keep it simple.
Replace the ID in the TEXT (.xml) file and DELETE the binary file (.itl). Open iTunes without connecting your iPhone and then close it. This will regenerate the binary file.
Now connect your iPhone and you are good. Reset Sync on your new computer and do a backup. This will copy everything from your iPhone to your new computer.
Tested and working on 3 JB iPhones (3.1.2 – 4.0.1) using iTunes 8.1.2 and 9.1. Never use the latest version of iTunes as apple plugs in any backdoors fairly quickly.
Can you PLEASE give us a STEP BY STEP for us computer iliterate people
Thanks
Thanks John, never thouth about Undo…
Any other suggestions? Maybe update this post by Andrew to say to save that last ID?
Deleted .itl file (actually renamed it, just in case)
Then came back to site found this post (jan 22,2011)
MZuber said…
Lets keep it simple.
Replace the ID in the TEXT (.xml) file and DELETE the binary file (.itl). Open iTunes without connecting your iPhone and then close it. This will regenerate the binary file.
Now connect your iPhone and you are good. Reset Sync on your new computer and do a backup. This will copy everything from your iPhone to your new computer.
Tested and working on 3 JB iPhones (3.1.2 – 4.0.1) using iTunes 8.1.2 and 9.1. Never use the latest version of iTunes as apple plugs in any backdoors fairly quickly.
Can u please explain this STEP BY STEP for us computer ilitterate people
Thanks
I am not usually very good at this kind of stuff, but I did it, and it worked. PC main computer that we have been using for years to store all of our music, and a macbook. It is great, now I can buy music and alter play lists, and sync my phone to my laptop rather then doing everything on the main PC.
Only bad thing is that when I plug in my phone to either the PC or Mac, it wants to re sync everything, for example it doesn’t remember your settings for what to sync like music and which playlists. So it may re sync all of itunes. But this is fine with me, since now I can use my macbook…
If anyone has this same issue and knows how to fix it please let me know…..
I no longer have access to the original computer where my iTunes Library was installed. Is there a way to sync my iPhone on my second computer without wiping out all my music files?
To use this on newer versions of iTunes (10.?), I first installed a older version (9.?) on Computer 2, performed these steps and then performed the upgrade to the newer version. It now works perfectly.
I did step one then instead of messing with the hex editor just deleted the file on the new computer and used a flash drive to port over the one from the original. Had to tweak some settings to point it to the new location of the music etc. but in the end I didn’t have to format the iphone. Just easier for those of us that don’t want to mess with step two.
I tried two different Hex editors: HxD and Hex Workshop 6.5 and could not find the either string in the itunes library file. Is it possible this is no longer valid? Maybe Apple has changed the way they track the libraries?
Can someone post the steps for the iTunes version 10? Thank you.
it is very good …. but i have a problem …………. by formating my PC … i can’t get ID of the library which is on my iphone ….. so i want a way please to get the old ID from iphone itself or by programme …. thanks in advance
can’t find itunes music library with the HEX programme (on computer 2). Anyone can help please?
what about all the apps? last time i sync my iPhone to the iTunes on laptop, it was havoc! lost all the nice folders i created on my iTunes in pc!! help pls..
Doesn’t work with the latest version of iTunes. Any help for those of us that are on the latest version of iTunes?
This is really frustrating…following the instructions in step 3, I replaced the ID code on my second computer. then i get to step 6 and find I need that code. WTF why tell people to delete it when they are going to need it in the next step?
I just set to manually manage music on computer 1, apply, then copied iTunes folder to computer 2 and it didnt ask to erase. Just had to clean music library cause it had all songs from computer 1 that doesnt exist on computer 2.
I also have a sync problem. I’ve jailbroken my phone and tried the changing persistent ID method but came find out Apple fixed that bug in the latest version of iTunes. I downloaded version 9.2 and now it tells me the iPhone cannot be used because it requires iTunes 10.1. Any ideas on how to get this sync’d without loosing my data?