iTunes 10.4 on Mac OS X 10.6.8 does not start automatically when iPad or iPhone is plugged

I've had the same issue the past couple of days. Devices automatically sync if iTunes is already open, but, if iTunes is not open, plugging in the device (iPad/iPhone/iPod Classic) doesn't automatically open the application.

Open Tunes when this [idevice] is connected is checked.

Prevent [idevices] from syncing automatically is unchecked.

Same issue too. I synch via a USB port on an external HD, and it has always worked until the recent update. Now it will synch if I plug in and then open iTunes. Oddly, it automatically opens iPhoto every time (as before).

But ... The problem goes away if I reach behind my iMac and plug drrectly into one of the computer's USB ports.

So, something changed with the update to 10.6.8, apparently.

I am also having the same problem with devices and iTunes startup. My setup is the same as yours, and I also have 10.6.8 as my OSX version.

Devices will sync, but I need to startup iTunes myself for the devices (iPhone, iPad2) to be recognized.

My iPhoto automatically starts up with the iPhone connection, as before the 10.6.8 update.

I sync the iPad2 via the USB on the iMac (like Carlos A. is suggesting), but it will not startup iTunes 10 for me. I typically use a USB hub for the iPhone, and have never had an issue until recently after the 10.6.8 update.

Ok, here's what seems to have worked....but will need to monitor to see if this stays "stable".

1) As suggested by King_Penguin in another Discussion thread [apple support > iPad > Using iPad > Discussions] (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3253397?answerId=15911962022#15911962022), I turned off iPhoto startup on the iPhone. Then ejected iPhone from USB.

2) Reconnected iPhone via USB. iTunes did not start up. Started up iTunes manually. Went to Summary page for iPhone, unchecked the "open iTunes" option, selected APPLY button. Let iTunes run its application process.

3) Then checked the "open iTunes" option. Selected APPLY button. Got a dialog box asking if I wanted "iTunes Helper" to be installed; selected YES. Let iTunes run its application process. Ejected iPhone. Closed out iTunes. Reconnected iPhone via USB. AND iTunes STARTED UP AUTOMATICALLY (yay!). Let iTunes do some backup and sync'ing. Ejected iPhone. Closed out iTunes.

4) Connected iPad via USB (on computer). AND iTunes STARTED UP AUTOMATICALLY (yay!).

I don't know for sure that the iPhoto "automatic launch" was causing the interference, but it seems like the "uncheck/check" the "open iTunes" option seemed to re-set the problem that I encountered. I don't want to say for sure that this issue is fixed, but it appears to be under control for the moment.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and assistance. Maybe this info will help someone else out now that it's in the forums/discussions.

Chelly,

Thanks so much! This worked perfectly! thanks for your support 🙂, and no thanks to you, Apple, for not posting this solution yourself 😠.

Thank you so much, It worked like magic

See discussion at the link. iTunes Helper was not launching as a login item. Needed to discard the bad iTunes Helper entry in the login item panel and re-add it. Now all is working properly.

iTunesHelper dissapear after LION and iTunes 10.4 update

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3191240?start=15&tstart=0