ARCHIVED: How do I stop iTunes from erasing audio files from my iPod, iPhone, or iPad?

All audio files stored on an Apple iPod, iPhone, or iPad may be erased when the device is connected to a new or recently reformatted computer or hard drive. This is because the contents of the iPod, iPhone, or iPad correspond to audio files added to the iTunes music library on the first computer it is ever connected to. When the device is connected to a different computer running iTunes, all stored audio files may be changed to match the computer's music library. This happens if you set the music synchronization to update automatically, or reset iTunes to its default settings; iTunes is set to synchronize automatically by default.

To disable automatic synchronization and prevent the deletion of all music on your iPod, iPhone, or iPad:

Mac OS X

1. From the menubar, choose iTunes, then Preferences, and then Devices.
2. Check Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from syncing automatically.

   Note: To preserve the audio files on your device, make sure this box is checked before you plug in an iPod, iPhone, or iPad.

Windows

1. From the menubar, choose Edit, and then Preferences.
2. Select the Devices tab.
3. Check Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from syncing automatically.

   Note: To preserve the audio files on your device, make sure this box is checked before you plug in an iPod or iPhone.

Backing up audio files

To back up the audio files stored on your iPod or iPhone and restore them to a new or recently reformatted computer or hard drive, see Apple Support's How to use your iPod to move your music to a new computer.

Note: To back up audio files in the iTunes music library and the library itself, the Apple article instructs you to save the entire iTunes folder to the iPod. However, this will not work if the iPod is more than half full.

Two files in the iTunes folder store various attributes about the music files not stored in ID3 tags:

• iTunes Music Library.xml
• iTunes Music Library.itl

In Mac OS X, both files are located in <hard drive>/Users/<User's Home Folder>/Music/iTunes.

In Windows Vista, both files are located in <hard drive>:\Users\<user>\Music\iTunes.

In Windows XP, both files are located in <hard drive>:\Documents and Settings\<user>\My Documents\My Music\iTunes.

Audio files are stored inside of the iTunes folder, located in the iTunes Music folder.

Copy the iTunes folder that contains the two files and folder from a host computer or hard drive, and copy it back to the same location on a new or re-formatted computer or hard drive. This folder is created the first time iTunes is run on a computer. Be sure to overwrite the default version of this folder with the backup you made.

Note: Music is generally stored in the iTunes folder, but can actually be located anywhere on the computer. Make sure the music you want to save or move is actually in that directory before proceeding.