Is there an "order of operations" for iTunes?

[hsuthard]

I seem to waste so much time whenever I update my devices in iTunes. I'm wondering if there's a required or preferred order for the various steps I do each time I sync my iPhone/iTouch/iPad to iTunes on my iMac.

So, say I haven't synced for a while, and these are the things I need to do:

Update iPhone software
Transfer new apps from phone to iTunes
Update apps on iTunes
Add/Delete songs/movies/books/TV shows/photos
Re-arrange apps
Add/delete apps
Backup and sync

Is there an order you'd put these steps in to save me some time and frustration? Thanks!

 

[Mal]

It automatically does most of those steps for you. Definitely make backup your first step. Then I'd go ahead and do the upgrade, then the sync of everything else. You can go ahead and do the updates to your apps in iTunes first if you want, will save you an extra sync after that finishes (though I usually update from my iPod, saves me downloading updates for apps I don't have installed on my iPod anymore).

jW

 

[hsuthard]

How do I do a backup without a full sync?

I think iTunes automatically does a backup and full sync as part of the software update, right?

And then if I go and manage my content, it will require yet a third full sync. Today it took almost two hours to sync and update my phone. It's gotten so that I only sync my phone every few months as it just takes way too long.

 

[Mal]

iTunes doesn't automatically do a full backup every time, just some of the essentials. To do a full backup, right-click the iPhone's listing in the iTunes sidebar and choose Backup.

jW

 

[hsuthard]

iTunes doesn't automatically do a full backup every time, just some of the essentials. To do a full backup, right-click the iPhone's listing in the iTunes sidebar and choose Backup.

jW

Thank you! I can't believe I didn't know that before now!