This week, we'll show you how to figure out what to do if your iOS devices won't backup in iTunes. We'll also show you how to prevent your children from installing or deleting apps, making in-app purchases, and log out of your own App Store account on your iOS devices.
Have you ever synced your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad and received this error message from itunes?
To fix this, go to System Preferences on your Mac and open Date & Time. Now locate the Time Zone tab and select it. Note your current time zone and change it to the time zone before or after the one currently selected.
Now, the next time you try to sync or perform a backup separately, your iOS device will perform the backup. Afterwards, simply reverse the above procedure to set the time zone back to normal. It may be necessary to repeat this process each time you do a backup.
Compatibility: iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.
Sometimes, even the simple solution to restoring working backups in iTunes doesn't work. In that case, the ultimate fix is to perform a restore on your iOS device. The biggest drawback about this is that you'll loose all the saved settings, apps and their data, and you'll potentially be forced to start setting up your iOS device all over again, so use this tip as a last resort in restoring your iOS device to working order again. Here are the instructions for performing a restore in iTunes:
Connect your iOS device to your computer and launch iTunes if it doesn't do so automatically. Allow it to perform a sync, and once it is completed click on your iOS device's icon in the left most pane in the iTunes window.
You'll see something like this:
Locate the Restore button on the summary tab and click it. You will be prompted by iTunes to start the restore. Once it is completed, you'll have factory fresh firmware loaded onto your iOS device. Eventually, iTunes may prompt you to complete the restore using the most recent backup. If you do so, you'll be able to restore some of your old apps, data, and settings.
Compatibility: iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.
If you want to restrict access to your iTunes account on your favorite iOS device, it's easy. Launch the App Store app on your device, tap the Featured tab, scroll to the bottom and locate a button that says, "Apple ID: yourid@mac.com." Tap that button and then tap Sign Out. You'll be logged out of the App Store until you download another app in which case you will have to log in again to complete the download.
Compatibility: iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.
If you want to prevent your children from installing or deleting apps, launch the Settings App, then tap General > Restrictions. If restrictions are currently disabled you'll see a button that allows you to enable them tap it to turn them on. Create a four-digit pin code if prompted.
Toggle all installing, deleting, and in-app purchases to off.
Compatibility: iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.
Follow this articles author, David W. Martin on Twitter.
