iTunes

How to only transfer Activity and Health app data to a new iPhone

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Transitioning to a new iPhone is made simple by iCloud backups, iTunes, and a few clicks or taps. Apple ensures it is easy to move from a fully loaded and setup device to a completely fresh iPhone with the same information, using their backup options. Most laypeople, almost always choose to restore new iPhones from their backups; however, more technically inclined concerned people tend to start with a fresh iPhone and do not restore from backup to prevent carrying over any unwanted information.

Earlier this week Christian highlighted two methods for upgrading to a new device and retaining your Activity and Health data. Method #1: use a third-party app to import your Health data, but it lacks Activity logs. Method #2: backing up your old device to iCloud or iTunes and restoring from backup, as I've described above.

But, what if you want both your Activity and Health data, but a fresh setup too? Step inside to learn how to install both, yet only, your previous device's Activity and Health data on your new iPhone.

iTunes 12.3 is out with support for iOS 9, El Capitan, two-factor Apple ID authentication and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 16, 2015

Following release of the free iOS 9 software update with new features and core OS enhancements for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, Apple on Wednesday also issued a matching update to iTunes for Mac and Windows PCs.

The new iTunes 12.3 introduces OS X El Capitan-friendly design while enabling support for Apple IDs protected with two-factor authentication and syncing with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices with iOS 9.

How to update to iOS 9

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated June 13, 2018

iOS 9 is now officially out, and it brings with it a whole slew of new features. If you own an eligible iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you can download an install iOS 9 right now.

In many cases, especially with the latest iPads, iOS 9 can make you feel like you have a brand new device. In this post, we'll show you which devices are eligible to be updated, as well as how to update.

Snag a $100 iTunes gift card for only $75 (US only)

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated February 1, 2018

The folks over at eBay are selling US-only instant $100 iTunes gift cards for 25% off, which makes for a killer deal.

True, $100 is a lot of money, but if you're planning on buying an expensive app in the near future, this deal could save you some major coin.

Say you were in the market for Final Cut Pro X, an app that's $299.99 on the Mac App Store. You could buy three $100 gift cards for only $225. That means you're essentially getting FCP X for $75 below its retail price, a significant savings.

Or perhaps you're in the market for Logic Pro X, Apple's professional DAW. That app runs at $199.99, but with this deal, it could be yours for $50 off.

Review: WALTR for Mac converts & transfers any video to iPhone and iPad, no iTunes required

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 7, 2015

Getting DivX and MKV movies, FLAC audio files or audiobooks onto your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad is an incredibly cumbersome multi-step procedure, one that involves third-party apps like Handbrake to transcode “foreign” media files into iOS-friendly formats before importing them into iTunes for syncing with your iOS gadgets.

I've tried many, many apps which promise to get the job done before deciding to settle on WALTR by young European startup Softorino.

Now, I'm not exaggerating when I say that WALTR is an absolutely incredible piece of software. This nifty program literally takes the pain away from transferring media to iOS devices without worrying about file types.

Its lightning fast algorithm is hands down the best I've ever seen, on any platform, ever. I've been happily using WALTR for months now and couldn't be happier with it. And trust me when I say that you should be using WALTR, too, especially if you aren't jailbroken and want the simplest solution possible for transferring media to your device without going through iTunes.

Six reasons breaking up iTunes into highly focused, lightweight apps totally makes sense

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 24, 2015

Most people will agree that iTunes for Mac and Windows is a hot mess. Indeed, the app has long been ripe for a thorough change from top to bottom and inside out, if not a complete reboot.

The reasoning is simple: after more than fourteen years of adding one layer of code atop another and cramming every little feature it could possibly think of into iTunes, Apple has made the app bloated and painfully frustrating to use.

At some point during its development, iTunes has become inundated with various user interface inconsistencies. The most recent version with poorly implemented Apple Music has only made things worse.

Now, some have suggested that Apple break up this resource hog of an app into highly focused apps, each dedicated to managing and syncing their own media type. As someone who belongs to that camp, I've put together an opinion piece listing six solid arguments why breaking up iTunes into smaller apps might just make sense.

Apple Music Festival running September 19-28 in London with Pharrell Williams and other headliners

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 18, 2015

The iTunes Music Festival, an annual 30-day event hosted and organized by Apple, is back this year in a bit changed form. Taking advantage of the buzz surrounding Apple Music, the event is now called Apple Music Festival and will run 10 consecutive nights at London’s Roundhouse, starting on September 19.

“Apple hosted the iTunes Festival in London for eight years, and now in honor of the launch of Apple Music, has renamed the event the Apple Music Festival,” explains the iPhone maker.

According to Apple, some of the headline acts include Pharrell Williams, One Direction, Florence + The Machine and Disclosure.

Apple releases iTunes 12.2 with Beats 1 and Apple Music fixes and enhancements

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 13, 2015

In addition to releasing the iOS 8.4.1 software update for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad with Apple Music fixes and enhancements, and the OS X Yosemite 10.10.5 software update with a crucial patch for the dangerous DYLD exploit and more, Apple today also posted a new version of iTunes with a bunch of fixes and improvements.

Among other things, iTunes 12.2 for Mac and Windows contains improvements for Beats 1, Apple Music and Connect features while fixing a few issues with the software.

Why are iTunes Store music links now redirecting to Apple Music?

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 7, 2015

It appears that Apple has changed the way iTunes Store music links work. Instead of opening the corresponding artist, song or album pages in the iTunes Store application on the iPhone, iPod touch or iPad (or the iTunes Store section within desktop iTunes), these links now redirect to the Apple Music section in the stock Music app or within desktop iTunes, as first reported by Kirk McElhearn.

Dr. Dre’s new album to premiere on Apple Music this Thursday

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Dr. Dre's highly anticipated Compton will premiere on Apple Music this week, says Zane Lowe. The popular DJ and Beats 1 Radio host announced on Twitter this afternoon that the album will stream uncensored and exclusively this Thursday from 6pm to 9pm PDT.

This will be Dre's first new album in more than 15 years, succeeding Chronic 2001, which went sextuple platinum. He announced the record on his Beats 1 show "The Pharmacy" late last week, saying that the music was inspired by the new movie Straight Outta Compton.

Apple now creating music videos and other original content in-house for Apple Music and iTunes

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 6, 2017

An Apple job listing seeking a seasoned Los Angeles, California-based Original Content Video Producer was discovered Monday, our best indication yet that the company is now creating original video content for both Apple Music and iTunes.

A proven track record in producing branded video content and content series for social platforms is required and the ideal candidate will work from Apple-owned Culver City campus, which belonged to Beats before the company was acquired last year by Apple for $3 billion.

Pitchfork recently said that Apple has actually been making music videos for select artists in-house.

Apple pushes iTunes 12.2.1 update fixing iTunes Match and Beats 1 issues

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 13, 2015

Apple on Monday issued a bug-fix update to iTunes for Mac and Windows. iTunes 12.2.1, available through the Software Update mechanism or standalone via iTunes.com/download, fixes a pair of issues with iTunes Match, Apple's $25 per year song identification service. In addition, it contains minor bug fixes and improvements for Beats 1, Apple's free of charge 24/7 global Internet radio broadcasting in more than a hundred countries.