How to

How to sync an iPhone with multiple iTunes libraries

Joe Rossignol ∙ Updated May 12, 2017

Apple does not allow an iPhone to be synced with multiple iTunes libraries, presumably because users would simply share songs with each other and lower already declining music sales on the iTunes Store. When you sync an iPhone with another Mac or PC, a warning pops up on iTunes that an iPhone can only be synced with one library at a time.

If you proceed to sync your iPhone with the secondary computer, the contents of that iTunes library will automatically replace whatever media you had on your device in the first place. On a side note, that doesn't include things like contacts, calendars or settings. Those are safe, but any songs or videos are not. Fortunately, there is a solution for how to use an iPhone with more than one iTunes library. The method is explained in detail ahead… 

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How to set up Parental Control on iTunes

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated December 21, 2018

If you have a kid, you know the internet can be a wild place for them to hang around. I've experienced first hand when my two year old daughter was casually watching cartoons on YouTube and ended up watching a guy shout in Russian while shooting an assault rifle.

iTunes, to a lesser extend, can be a similar place. Apps, books, movies, TV shows and podcasts can contain material that could be shocking to a younger audience. Thankfully, there is some simple things you can do to set up iTunes parental control. In this post we're going to show you how.

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How to set up an iTunes and App Store allowance

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated May 12, 2017

I recently found out there is a feature in iTunes that allows you to set up an allowance for someone to have access to a pre-determined amount of money to spend each month in the iTunes Store, App Store, or iBooks Store.

A perfect illustration of this feature would be the case where parents would be able to set up an allowance for their kids. This way, kids have access to a credit they can spend each month, either on apps, movies, musics, books, etc.

In this post, I will show you how to set up an iTunes allowance so you can send a monthly iTunes Store credit to anyone...

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iOS 7: The ultimate Music app guide

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

The Music app is a stock application that comes preinstalled on all iOS devices. It's the primary way for playing music on the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. With iOS 7.0, a new feature was baked into the stock Music app called iTunes Radio. iTunes Radio is an ad-supported service that allows users to browse more than 250 curated stations. Users can also create and build their own stations, which feature Pandora-like customization over time.

The stock Music app has endured significant changes over the past few years. The Music app was once exclusively relegated to the iPod touch, with iPhone models offering an "iPod" app as a means to play music and watch videos. Eventually, with the advent of iOS 5, the iPod app was broken-up into separate Music and Video apps for the iPhone line, unifying the stock Music app presence across all iOS hardware.

While there are many ways to play music via third-party apps on iOS, the stock Music app is the only music application that's closely integrated with iTunes and allows you to use the iTunes Match iCloud-hosting service. There may be benefits to other apps like Spotify, but no app is as tightly intertwined with the rest of iOS as the stock Music app. With that in mind, please take a look inside, as we break down the many facets of this ever-growing and ever-changing stock application.

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Activation Error: how running an old iOS 7 beta version will get you in trouble

Sébastien Page ∙ October 6, 2013

This is a typical illustration of why only developers should install a beta version of a software. In this case, I'm specifically talking about iOS 7 beta, which has been wildly popular among non developers since Apple first made it available in June.

Of course, we've tried to warn everyone that unless you're a developer, you shouldn't really mess with iOS 7 beta. Since yesterday, those that didn't take this warning seriously might have gotten themselves into trouble.

iOS 7 beta 6 was set to expire on October 6, and people who haven't updated to the GM or public release by then found out the hard way that a developer release should really be only for developers.

Many people were greeted today with a message on their iOS device saying "Activation Error - This device is not registered as part of the iPhone Developer Program," rendering the device unusable. Activation Required...

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How to install MAME ROMs on a non-jailbroken device with Gridlee

Mike Schnier ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

As we reported on Saturday, Gridlee is a freeware arcade game from 1982 which was re-released on the iTunes App Store by David Loureiro. This would have been unremarkable, if Gridlee was a straight port from the source code and if it wasn't actually powered by an up-to-date and fully featured version of MAME4iOS Reloaded.

This means if you have a program capable of tunneling into the iOS file-system through USB, you can once again have a working version of MAME on a non-jailbroken device, complete with your own ROM images. As I can't think of anyone who would legitimately want to play Gridlee on an iPad, this was likely an intentional attempt to sneak the emulator back into the App Store, so we're guessing Apple won't be hosting the file for too long. Grab it while you can...

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How to downgrade iOS 6 to iOS 5.1.1 on A4 devices

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

Have an iPhone 4, iPod touch, or below running iOS 6, and would like to downgrade back to iOS 5.1.1? Doing so is easy is you have your SHSH blobs saved for iOS 5.1.1 and can follow the steps inside. Unlike the beta period of iOS 6, you must have your SHSH blobs for iOS 5.1.1 save for you device now, because Apple has stopped signing iOS 5.1.1.

To downgrade, you will need the latest public version of RedSn0w. We will use the SHSH Stitching feature to combine the appropriate IPSW file for 5.1.1 and your corresponding SHSH blob for the device you wish to downgrade. It may sound a bit confusing, but it's extremely easy if you follow along carefully.

Take a look inside for the full walkthrough and video how-to.

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How to install iPhoto on your first generation iPad

Oliver Haslam ∙ Updated November 12, 2019

When Apple announced iPhoto for iOS at the press event for the new iPad, the company chose not to make the app compatible for the first generation device, leaving many customers out in the cold.

It is of course true that many original iPad owners may be looking to upgrade this year, but for those are still happy with their two-year-old devices, there is light at the end of the tunnel, with a relatively simple little hack allowing iPhoto to be installed on their devices. As is always the case though, there is a downside to proceedings.

For those that just want to forge ahead regardless, here's what you'll need to do...

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Having Problems With Your Jailbreak? Try These Tips

Jeff Benjamin ∙ January 21, 2012

Lots of happy people have successfully jailbroken their iPhone 4S and iPad 2 over the last 24 hours or so, but some are still having problems pulling off a successful jailbreak on both Mac and Windows.

We understand the frustration that some of you have been experiencing, and we really want to help you. True, the Windows Command Line Utility isn't exactly the easiest tool to jailbreak with, but it can be done, and has been done successfully by many of our viewers and readers.

That being said, there are still quite a few that seem to be having issues, so if that describes you, step inside, and let's discuss some things that might help...

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How to Downgrade iOS 5.0.1 to iOS 4.3.3 For Untethered Jailbreak

Jeff Benjamin ∙ December 8, 2011

If you absolutely must have an untethered jailbreak at this very moment, there is always the option of downgrading back to iOS 4.3.3.

Assuming you saved your SHSH blobs for the last firmware susceptible to an untethered jailbreak, you can follow this video tutorial and downgrade to iOS 4.3.3 in about 10-15 minutes. Inside we show you how, step-by-step...

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How to Transfer Media From iOS to a Computer Without Using iTunes

Cody Lee ∙ December 8, 2011

When Apple originally launched iTunes it revolutionized device-to-computer media sync software. But after years of leaving the app largely unchanged, users have started calling for a revamp. In this day in age, iTunes feels antiquated.

Luckily, there are a couple of ways around using iTunes to transfer media from your iOS device to your computer, and vice versa. Using file transfer software, you can move virtually anything from your iDevice to your Windows PC or Mac and back again.

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