Sync iPhone contacts and calendars without iTunes

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Thu, Feb 21 2008 at 7:30AM PST • Contributed by: TF

I have a laptop and use an external hard drive for my iTunes library. This system works well for me, except sometimes I found myself frustrated that I couldn't update my contacts and calendars on my iPhone while I was on the go. When I'm away from the external hard drive, iTunes complains.

I recently discovered that if my iPhone is charging over USB, using the Sync system menu (chasing arrows in the upper right corner of the screen) on 10.5 syncs my iPhone to iCal and Address Book. This is great! Now I don't have to launch iTunes unless I want to sync media.

This hint might be generic for the iPod Touch or other iPods, but I haven't tested it.

[robg adds: I'm not sure if this is 10.5 only or not; if someone can test on 10.4, please comment.]

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Sync iPhone contacts and calendars without iTunes | 14 comments | Create New Account

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Sync iPhone contacts and calendars without iTunes
Authored by: JoolsG4 on Thu, Feb 21 2008 at 8:10AM PST

This seems to be the same as the previously posted hint here:

http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20070713114713165

Sync iPhone contacts and calendars without iTunes
Authored by: jenn228 on Thu, Feb 21 2008 at 8:11AM PST

This is fabulous! I don't often have to sync media to my iPhone, but I always want my calendar and phone numbers up to date for my business. Great hint.

---
jenn228

Sync iPhone contacts and calendars without iTunes
Authored by: stublock on Thu, Feb 21 2008 at 10:48AM PST

this seems to work with the iPod touch and 10.4.10 -thanks

What chasing arrows?
Authored by: jstoneburner on Thu, Feb 21 2008 at 12:40PM PST

I don't see a chasing arrows icon or know how to enable it. Someone clue me in?

What chasing arrows?
Authored by: stublock on Thu, Feb 21 2008 at 1:04PM PST

go to system preferences / dotMac - under sync tab enable "show status in menu bar" -- then you will see arrows on menu bar

What chasing arrows?
Authored by: michelle_eris on Thu, Feb 21 2008 at 1:16PM PST

Open iSync, open Prefs, check "Show status in menu bar."

Curiously, although you can sync the phone using the iSync menu, you can't do it from within iSync itself.

Requires a full dot-mac subscription...
Authored by: jstoneburner on Thu, Feb 21 2008 at 8:05PM PST

... otherwise the options in the preference pane are grayed out and sync doesn't do anything.

That's Ok, I can live with iTunes. Still, a good "hint".

Sync iPhone contacts and calendars without iTunes
Authored by: tricil on Thu, Feb 21 2008 at 1:43PM PST

I too use a laptop with an external iTunes library and find that it is possible to sync though iTunes regardless of if the library is connected or not.

Bookmarks & Contacts always sync first, then media.

In fact, despite the media not being there, it won't remove songs UNLESS you have a "smart playlist" synched (like Recently Added) for example. Then it will sync the playlists if a song "expires" from the list.

Adding songs to the iPhone is possible too because iTunes defaults to ~/Music/iTunes Music when the external is gone and then you can Consolidate Library when you're reconnected, so don't be afraid to use the iTunes store on your phone and add to the library.

Sync iPhone contacts and calendars without iTunes
Authored by: JaxMyers on Thu, Feb 21 2008 at 1:46PM PST

Okay, I disabled auto syncing in iTunes, went into iSync and enabled the menu bar item, quit iSync, added a new "test" even to today in iCal, and tried syncing from the menu bar. While the "chasing arrows" spun for a while, I don't think it did anything. The test item didn't show up in my calendar on my iPhone, and I got no sync notification on my iPhone.

Can somebody confirm whether or not this actually works?

Need dot-mac subscription
Authored by: jstoneburner on Thu, Feb 21 2008 at 8:07PM PST

Didn't work for me because I don't have dot-mac. All the options in the pref pane are grayed out. The sync menubar doesn't do anything for me.

Or have a missed something?

Need dot-mac subscription
Authored by: JaxMyers on Thu, Feb 21 2008 at 9:29PM PST

Same here. I don't see why you'd need to have .Mac to sync your iPhone though. The arrows spin but as far as I can tell, nothing happens.

Sync iPhone contacts and calendars without iTunes
Authored by: PubGuy on Wed, Feb 27 2008 at 7:53AM PST

For people having a problem with inconsitent results, I may have a solution -- it cleared-up my problems.

1) Close all open applications
2) Open iSync.
3) Go to Preferences and Reset Sync History.
4) Quit iSync.
5) Open iSync again -- this time you'll notice a message on the window about reconnecting to AddressBook and Calendar.
6) When iSync finishes (the message goes away), quit iSync.

Now, try your sync again. You can use either the circular arrows on the menu bar (that will sync AddressBook and iCal without loading iTunes), or you can bring up iTunes and sync there.

The process actaully updates files in your ~/Library/Application Support/SyncServices folder. Try it and see if it helps.

Sync iPhone contacts and calendars without iTunes
Authored by: thewildman on Sat, Feb 23 2008 at 2:06PM PST

Yes, this is the same as my previous hint. It does work. I use it daily!

http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20070713114713165

How to enable iSync in Menu Bar
Authored by: GanjaManja on Wed, Dec 31 2008 at 10:17AM PST

or:
double click the file
/System/Library/CoreServices/MenuExtras/Sync.menu

(apple-drag it off the menu to remove it)

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