Yes, you can sync 2 Mac computers and an iPhone to a single user MobileMe account? Yes, it’s possible and extremely simple – just follow this tutorial!
The trick is pulling all of the information (contacts, mail accounts, Safari bookmarks, etc.) from the MobileMe cloud and overwriting the data on your 2nd Mac. In fact, it’s the exact same syncing process for any Mac that’s never been synced to MobileMe – Which I already wrote a tutorial about. However, I’ll give you all the details here too.
To limit confusion, I’ll be talking about the 3 machines synced with my MobileMe account:
- iMac
- iPhone
- Hackintosh (a 9” Dell netbook running OSX 10.5.7)
I’ve already setup MobileMe on my iMac and iPhone and it’s been working great for over a year. For this example, I’m adding the Hackintosh (device #3) to my MobileMe account. The Hackintosh has never been synced to any MobileMe account… Here goes…
Start with the Mac you’re adding to MobileMe (the Mac that has NOT been synced with Mobile Me yet). In my case, it’s the Hackintosh. Now follow along:
System Preferences
1. In the Dock, click on System Preferences
2. then click the MobileMe icon
MobileMe SignIn
Enter your MobileMe member name and password & click Sign In
Mobile Me Account Information
You should see your MobileMe account information (date of renewal, free space, account type, etc). Click on Sync tab at the top
Advanced Settings
Click Advanced in the bottom right corner
New Mac
Click the new Mac you’d like to sync (the Hackintosh in my example)
Mobile Me Data
Click Reset Sync Data (don’t worry, it doesn’t sync yet)
Push MobileMe Data
Click the Left arrow (under the computer icon). Now the orange arrow should be moving from MobileMe to the computer. THIS IS CRITICAL because you want the data from MobileMe to be sent to your Mac. Make double sure it’s correct! (if the orange arrow is moving towards the MobileMe icon, you could risk losing your data on MobileMe – and that doesn’t sound like fun.
Replace Mac Data
If you’re sure the orange arrow is moving from right to left (MobileMe to the mac), then click Replace
Are You Sure?
You should see this warning “Are you sure you want to replace data on this computer with data from MobileMe?” Click OK if you’re sure.
Sync, Sync Baby
The sync should start immediately. You’ll see the animated dashes next to the data that MobileMe is downloading to your computer.
Finished Sync
When the sync has finished, open Address Book. Everyone who’s saved in your MobileMe account should now be saved on your Mac.
Mail Passwords
Now open up Mail. You’ll have to enter your email passwords.
Almost Done!
You’ve just synced a 2nd Mac to MobileMe! … Sorta…
Have a Heart Attack
Go back to Mac #1 (the iMac for me) and open Mail. You may notice all of your email accounts have disappeared! I had a heart attack too. No worries – the accounts are still there, but they’ve been set to “inactive”. Why? I don’t know. But here’s how to make them active again.
More Preferences
(Mac #1 – iMac) Go to Mail, then Preferences.
Enable Mail Accounts
(Mac #1 – iMac)
1. Click “Accounts” at the top.
2. Click on your email account on the left.
3. Click the check box next to “Enable this account”.
Save!
(Mac #1 – iMac) Close the preferences window. Click “save”.
Party Like it’s 1999
Do a backflip, pat yourself on the back, smoke a cigar or celebrate in your own way because you’ve just synced 2 Macs & an iPhone to your MobileMe account. Nice job.
You might be able to sync more than 2 computers. I don’t know if Apple allows more than 2 computers – if you can get 3 to sync, please let me know!
This post was written by...
Tony Stocco is a total Apple fanboy - addicted to his iPad, iPhone, iMac, MacBook Pro, Hackintosh and iPod Shuffle... And anxiously waiting to see the new iPhone 5.