Syncing an iPhone and iPad to the same iTunes account?

**WorknMan** · 12-23-2010, 02:48 PM

So my parents have an iPad, and my stepmom is getting an iPhone4 for Christmas. Does anybody know how app-syncing works? Like, will the iPhone apps that were bought for use on the iPad sync up automatically with the iPhone4? Or do you have to buy them again?

**javierdlopez** · 12-23-2010, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by WorknMan

So my parents have an iPad, and my stepmom is getting an iPhone4 for Christmas. Does anybody know how app-syncing works? Like, will the iPhone apps that were bought for use on the iPad sync up automatically with the iPhone4? Or do you have to buy them again?

Any Ipad specific apps wouldn't be compatible with the iphone, but any app that is "universal" would be good. My wife and daughter share an iTunes account, sharing apps as a result.

**WorknMan** · 12-23-2010, 02:55 PM

Well, I'm not talking about iPad specific apps; there are several iPhone apps currently installed on the iPad, where iPad specific versions were not available. Are those 'universal' just by the fact that they're iPhone apps, or do they have to be designated as universal by the developer?

**alexjlopez** · 12-23-2010, 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by WorknMan

Well, I'm not talking about iPad specific apps; there are several iPhone apps currently installed on the iPad, where iPad specific versions were not available. Are those 'universal' just by the fact that they're iPhone apps, or do they have to be designated as universal by the developer?

Universal apps are the ones that run in iPhone mode on iPhones/Touch and in iPad (high res) mode on iPad. Non-universal iPhone apps will still run on an iPad, but in iPhone mode (shrunk on the screen with an option to blow up to 2X--not as crisp as a native iPad app).

**alexjlopez** · 12-23-2010, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by WorknMan

So my parents have an iPad, and my stepmom is getting an iPhone4 for Christmas. Does anybody know how app-syncing works? Like, will the iPhone apps that were bought for use on the iPad sync up automatically with the iPhone4? Or do you have to buy them again?

It's not automatic--each device has it's own profile, so you have to set it up with the apps you want included from your account manually. I have an iPad and two iPod Touch's (mine and my wife's) linked to one iTunes account on one PC in the house (I won't pollute more than one PC with iTunes if I can help it).

And as Javier points out, you can share apps as long as the devices are tied to the same account, but only if the app is supported by both devices on a case by case basis.

**WorknMan** · 12-23-2010, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by alexjlopez

It's not automatic--each device has it's own profile, so you have to set it up with the apps you want included from your account manually. I have an iPad and two iPod Touch's (mine and my wife's) linked to one iTunes account on one PC in the house (I won't pollute more than one PC with iTunes if I can help it).

And as Javier points out, you can share apps as long as the devices are tied to the same account, but only if the app is supported by both devices on a case by case basis.

Ok, let me be more specific with my question... once they get the iPhone unboxed and plug the fucking thing in, exactly what happens? Does it just automatically do 'the right thing'?

**alexjlopez** · 12-23-2010, 04:53 PM

iTunes will detect the device and you are then free to add any apps or music associated with your iTunes account. Like I said, it's not automatic.

If that's "the right thing", then yes hehe.