GARYFANK
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: How Do You Change Over-The-Air Settings On An iPhone 6S Plus

Trying to sync contacts between my iPhone 6S Plus ver.9.2.1 and iMac ver.10.10.5. OS X Yosemite, utilizing iTunes ver.12.3.2.35

 

In iTunes, I navigate down to INFO under SETTINGS for my iPhone 6S Plus.

 

In the body of the screen, just below the Apple icon there is an area that is titled SYNC CONTACTS. Within that area it states the following, "Your contacts are being synced with your iPhone over the air from iCloud. Over-the-air sync settings can be changed on your iPhone". I have explored the iPhone SETTINGS with a fine-tooth comb, looking for a menu that will allow changes to the settings for over-the-air syncing. I have not found any such settings.

 

For testing purposes, I have added new contacts in the iMac and the iPhone. I perform a sync, but neither of these trial contacts show up within the iMac or iPhone. At this point, syncing contacts seems to be hopeless!?

 

I trust that there is a Mac enthusiast out there that will respond and have a solution to my difficulty. In addition to solving this situation, I'd really appreciate a quick clarification on how iPhones and iMacs sync contacts. When SYNC is selected in iTunes while in INFO, are contacts synced in a bidirection method? Do iPhone added contacts get transferred to the iMac, and during the same sync do iMac added contacts get transferred to the iPhone? If not bidirectional, which device should I be entering new contacts on? I'm somewhat confused as to the direction of the sync (when it works).

 

Thank you in advance for your review of my question(s). I'm not new to Apple/Mac, but I still consider myself a rookie. This is my first post to the Apple Support Community, and I look forward to working with and being a part of the community.

 

Gary

iPhone 6s Plus, iOS 9.2.1

Posted on Mar 16, 2016 1:54 AM

by judysings,Solvedanswer
judysings judysings
Community Specialists
A:

Hi GaryFank,

Thanks for your reply and kind comments.  I sing country music, acoustic guitar ballads, John Denver, Anne Murray, etc.

If you have iCloud enabled on your iMac and your iPhone, then you should not need to use the USB cable to sync your devices.  Try this test:  Sit in front of your computer with your iPhone in hand.  Open the Contacts application on your computer and on your iPhone.  Add a new contact to your iPhone.  In a few minutes (depends on the speed of your Wi-Fi or cellular connection), it should appear in the Contacts app on your iMac.  

Now do the opposite.  Enter a new address in the Contact's app on your iMac.  In a few minutes, it should automatically update on your iPhone.  Please reply if this is not happening for you.

iPhone User Guide - Contacts

 

Have a great day!

Posted on Mar 20, 2016 9:41 PM

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GARYFANK

Q: How Do You Change Over-The-Air Settings On An iPhone 6S Plus

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  • Helpful answers

  • by judysings,

    judysings judysings Mar 17, 2016 9:33 AM in response to GARYFANK
    Community Specialists
    Mar 17, 2016 9:33 AM in response to GARYFANK

    Hi GARYFANK,

    I understand you are trying to sync your contacts between your iPhone 6S Plus and your iMac.  The most common way to keep data synchronized between your iPhone and your Mac is to have iCloud set up on both.  It sounds like you might have iCloud set up on your iPhone, that is why you are seeing the "Over-the-air" message.  However, you may not have your Mac set up for iCloud.  

    iCloud: What is iCloud?

    Get help using iCloud Contacts, Calendars, or Reminders

    • On your iPhone, tap Settings > iCloud. Check your Apple ID and make sure that you turn on what you want to update (Contacts, Calendars, or Reminders).
       
    • On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Preferences > iCloud. Check your Apple ID and make sure that you select what you want to update (Contacts, Calendars, or Reminders). 

     

    If you choose to sync your information using iTunes and a USB cable, then the synchronization is one way -- from the computer to the iPhone.

    Sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iTunes using USB

     

    Hope that helps ...

  • by GARYFANK,

    GARYFANK GARYFANK Mar 18, 2016 2:23 AM in response to judysings
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 18, 2016 2:23 AM in response to judysings

    Hi Judy! What do you sing?

     

    THANK YOU for your comment to my post. Your answers & directions were right on target. I read ALL of the links you provided to me, and I feel like I'm on a "cloud" now.

     

    I checked my iPhone settings and its iCloud services are on. The iCloud was on & setup correctly. The iMac also had iCloud services on.

     

    I was eager to test the one-way synchronization from iMac to iPhone. I created 5 new contacts (real ones that I needed on my phone) in CONTACTS on my iMac. After I was finished loading the contacts I closed the app, and plugged in the USB cable. iTunes opened, and my device was quick to show up as well. I navigated down to INFO, and under SYNC CONTACTS there was still the "Over-the-air" message. I don't know how you feel about it, but I find that message quite ambiguous! Regardless of what it says or means, my sync worked from iMac to iPhone.

     

    So I need to pose another question to you judysings. I see iPhone users entering new contacts on the fly into their iPhones everyday. How are they getting their new contacts into their iMacs? I'm sure that they would want these new contacts in their desktop and/or

    laptop.

     

    Thank you again for helping me out!

     

    Gary

  • by judysings,Solvedanswer

    judysings judysings Mar 20, 2016 9:41 PM in response to GARYFANK
    Community Specialists
    Mar 20, 2016 9:41 PM in response to GARYFANK

    Hi GaryFank,

    Thanks for your reply and kind comments.  I sing country music, acoustic guitar ballads, John Denver, Anne Murray, etc.

    If you have iCloud enabled on your iMac and your iPhone, then you should not need to use the USB cable to sync your devices.  Try this test:  Sit in front of your computer with your iPhone in hand.  Open the Contacts application on your computer and on your iPhone.  Add a new contact to your iPhone.  In a few minutes (depends on the speed of your Wi-Fi or cellular connection), it should appear in the Contacts app on your iMac.  

    Now do the opposite.  Enter a new address in the Contact's app on your iMac.  In a few minutes, it should automatically update on your iPhone.  Please reply if this is not happening for you.

    iPhone User Guide - Contacts

     

    Have a great day!

  • by GARYFANK,Helpful

    GARYFANK GARYFANK Mar 20, 2016 9:40 PM in response to judysings
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 20, 2016 9:40 PM in response to judysings

    Hi Judy!

     

    I just want to say a BIG THANK YOU! You put me in the right direction with the proper links for education, and you gave me your personal input/directions as icing on the cake! Well done judysings!!!

     

    The Wi-Fi test worked like a charm, it was instant both ways. Now I know how "iPhone Jockeys" sync their phones day in and day out! I think I can now work at an Apple Genius Bar! LOL

     

    Thank you again Judy! Keep on singing, but don't stop rendering support in our community-you're good at it!

     

    Take care,

     

    Gary

  • by judysings,

    judysings judysings Mar 22, 2016 9:32 AM in response to GARYFANK
    Community Specialists
    Mar 22, 2016 9:32 AM in response to GARYFANK

    Thanks, Gary -

    Glad everything is working for you now.  You just made my day!

    All the best to you,