What to do if Wi-Fi syncing with iPhone or iPad does not work

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

If iTunes doesn't see a device connected to your computer wirelessly, follow these steps.

Make sure you are properly connecting your iPhone or iPad over Wi-Fi

If you have not activated the wireless data transfer method in the iTunes settings, then there can be no question of synchronizing your iPhone or iPad with your computer. Check yourself.

1. Connect your device to your computer via USB.
2. Open iTunes. If prompted, enter your Apple ID and password to sign in to your account.
3. Click on the icon of your mobile device in the iTunes window and select "Browse" in the sidebar.
4. Make sure the "Sync with this [device] over Wi-Fi" checkbox is checked on the right side of the window. If it is not, then check it.
5. Click on the "Apply" (or "Finish") button.
6. Disconnect the USB cable and make sure your computer and mobile device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

If everything is configured correctly, then after these steps you can start syncing between devices using the "Sync" button in iTunes.

If communication does not work, try one of the solutions below.

What to do if iPhone or iPad won't sync with Windows computer

The problem may be caused by a bug in the service that powers iTunes. Try restarting this service.

1. Close iTunes and disconnect the device if connected via USB.
2. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete to launch the Task Manager.
3. Go to the Services tab and find Apple Mobile Device Service or something similar in the list that appears.
4. Right-click on the found item and select "Restart".
5. Reopen iTunes and try syncing your devices.

What to do if iPhone or iPad won't sync with Mac

The problem may be caused by a bug in the process that makes iTunes work. Try restarting it.

1. Open the System Monitor utility. It's in Finder → Applications → Utilities.
2. On the CPU tab, look for a process with a name like AppleMobileDeviceHelper or iTunes Helper.
3. Select the found element with the left mouse button, then click on the cross in the upper left corner of the window and select "Finish".
4. Open iTunes and try syncing your devices.

What to do if all else fails

1. Restart your router and reconnect your computer and mobile device to the network.
2. Try running a wireless sync using your iPhone or iPad. To do this, open the section "Settings" → "General" → "Synchronization with iTunes via Wi-Fi" and click on the appeared computer name.
3. Update iOS and iTunes to the latest versions.
4. Turn off data transmission over the cellular network and leave only Wi-Fi turned on, then try to sync again.
5. Restart your computer and mobile device, then try syncing them again.
6. If the computer does not recognize the iOS device even via a USB connection, read this manual.