iTunes, 2 accounts or 1?

kickstand54 · kickstand54 #1 (**permalink**)

01-16-2012, 01:56 PM

I currently have an imac, iPad 2 and two new iPhones. I will most likely be purchasing the new iPad at launch and giving my wife the old one. My question relates to the most effective and logical method of handling the syncing and sharing of music and apps. Specifically, do you married folks work off one iTunes account or two? My wife wants her music and I want mine, but there is significant overlap in taste so we'd like to share. Same thing with apps.

Would you recommend we each have our own iTunes account or just share mine? My initial thought is to go with two accounts, but I'm worried this will be a pain with our growing number of devices. Any input from those in a similar situation would be immensely appreciated!

Raz0rEdge · Raz0rEdge #2 (**permalink**)

01-16-2012, 02:10 PM

Since there is no easy way of sharing apps between multiple accounts, it makes sense to just use a single iTunes account and then selectively sync the music/apps you want to the various devices..

I do this with my 2 iPhones and the iPad 2..

Slydude · Slydude #3 (**permalink**)

01-16-2012, 02:32 PM

Have to agree there. Two different accounts would be convenient in some ways but would require purchasing content (apps/songs/ movies) a second time.

RavingMac · RavingMac #4 (**permalink**)

01-16-2012, 03:35 PM

Happily married, 2 iPhones, 2 iPads, one iTunes account. All is well and we each keep the music and APPs we prefer on our individual devices.

kickstand54 · kickstand54 #5 (**permalink**)

01-16-2012, 03:43 PM

Thanks a lot folks. It sounds like one account is probably the way to go. Would there be any disadvantage to doing it this way? Or rather is there any advantage to having separate accounts?

Raz0rEdge · Raz0rEdge #6 (**permalink**)

01-16-2012, 03:59 PM

The only time it makes sense to have separate accounts is that you NEVER wish to have the same app/music on your individual devices and/or are totally happy spending twice the money to buy everything twice should you both happen to like something..

The only disadvantage of using a single account is that you have to, most likely, sync your devices manually and if you have a large library of music/apps that can be a chore..

Having separate accounts means that you can use auto syncing since you, presumably, purchased the stuff that you actually WANT on your devices..

Raz0rEdge #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 17, 2009 Location: MA Posts: 5,822 Mac Specs: 27" i7 iMac with 16GB RAM and 1TB HDD, iPhone 3G & 4, iPod Nano 16GB, iPod Shuffle, iPad 2 16GB WiFi	01-16-2012, 02:10 PM Since there is no easy way of sharing apps between multiple accounts, it makes sense to just use a single iTunes account and then selectively sync the music/apps you want to the various devices.. I do this with my 2 iPhones and the iPad 2.. -- Regards ...Ashwin Be sure to read the Community Guidelines \| The more information you provide, the better answers you get, remember GIGO.
	QUOTE Thanks

RavingMac #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 07, 2008 Location: In Denial Posts: 6,794 Mac Specs: 4GB Mac Mini 2012, 13" MBA, 15" MacBook Pro OSX 10.7, 32 GB iPhone 3GS, iPad2 64gb 3G	01-16-2012, 03:35 PM Happily married, 2 iPhones, 2 iPads, one iTunes account. All is well and we each keep the music and APPs we prefer on our individual devices. Of course, I know everything . . . I just can't remember it all at once.
	QUOTE Thanks

Raz0rEdge #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 17, 2009 Location: MA Posts: 5,822 Mac Specs: 27" i7 iMac with 16GB RAM and 1TB HDD, iPhone 3G & 4, iPod Nano 16GB, iPod Shuffle, iPad 2 16GB WiFi	01-16-2012, 03:59 PM The only time it makes sense to have separate accounts is that you NEVER wish to have the same app/music on your individual devices and/or are totally happy spending twice the money to buy everything twice should you both happen to like something.. The only disadvantage of using a single account is that you have to, most likely, sync your devices manually and if you have a large library of music/apps that can be a chore.. Having separate accounts means that you can use auto syncing since you, presumably, purchased the stuff that you actually WANT on your devices.. -- Regards ...Ashwin Be sure to read the Community Guidelines \| The more information you provide, the better answers you get, remember GIGO.
	QUOTE Thanks

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kickstand54 #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 09, 2011 Posts: 7 Mac Specs: 27" iMac 2.93GHZ QUAD-CORE i7 - 16GB RAM - 2TB HD - iPad 3rd Gen 64GB - iPhone 4s 32GB	01-16-2012, 01:56 PM I currently have an imac, iPad 2 and two new iPhones. I will most likely be purchasing the new iPad at launch and giving my wife the old one. My question relates to the most effective and logical method of handling the syncing and sharing of music and apps. Specifically, do you married folks work off one iTunes account or two? My wife wants her music and I want mine, but there is significant overlap in taste so we'd like to share. Same thing with apps. Would you recommend we each have our own iTunes account or just share mine? My initial thought is to go with two accounts, but I'm worried this will be a pain with our growing number of devices. Any input from those in a similar situation would be immensely appreciated!
	QUOTE Thanks

kickstand54 #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 09, 2011 Posts: 7 Mac Specs: 27" iMac 2.93GHZ QUAD-CORE i7 - 16GB RAM - 2TB HD - iPad 3rd Gen 64GB - iPhone 4s 32GB	01-16-2012, 03:43 PM Thanks a lot folks. It sounds like one account is probably the way to go. Would there be any disadvantage to doing it this way? Or rather is there any advantage to having separate accounts?
	QUOTE Thanks

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