iTunes WiFi Sync only works when connected to computer

Question

iTunes WiFi Sync only works when connected to computer

Maybe I'm not understanding iTunes WiFi Sync correctly, but I assumed that it worked as long as my iPhone was plugged into any power outlet and was connected to WiFi and my MacBook Pro was turned on. All these conditions are met, but iPhone is claiming that it can't find my MacBook Pro and it will continue the sync when my MacBook Pro is available. I've tried soft resetting and hard resetting the iPhone and restaring and shutting down and restarting the MacBook Pro but to no avail. Am I misunderstanding iTunes WiFi Sync? Do I have to connect the iPhone directly to the MacBook Pro for it to work? If not, what else can I try?

iPhone 4, iOS 5

Posted on Oct 13, 2011 8:03 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 13, 2011 8:09 AM in response to Aaron Hathaway

The first thing is that you need to have itunes open. If you turn on homesharing it lets you watch the movies and videos and play the music in your itunes library. No you do not have to have it plugged directly into your MacBook. My phone says it will automaticly sync with itunes when they r both connected to wi-fi and when my phone is charging. But you can sync your phne even if it isnt charging. Hope this helps

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Answer 2

Oct 13, 2011 8:10 AM in response to Aaron Hathaway

The first thing is that you need to have itunes open. If you turn on homesharing it lets you watch the movies and videos and play the music in your itunes library. No you do not have to have it plugged directly into your MacBook. My phone says it will automaticly sync with itunes when they r both connected to wi-fi and when my phone is charging. But you can sync your phne even if it isnt charging. Hope this helps

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Answer 3

Oct 13, 2011 8:20 AM in response to Punisher1895

I always leave iTunes open, so it's always open whenever I get the message that the phone will resume the sync when the MacBook Pro is available. Do I need to have Home Sharing on in order for WiFi Sync to work? If not, then I need other suggestions on how to get it to work without it connected to my MacBook Pro.

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Answer 4

Oct 16, 2011 10:28 AM in response to Aaron Hathaway

You have to do one last action with the iPhone connected to the computer via cable. With the iPhone connected, check "Sync with this iPhone over Wi-fi" under options ont he summary section of the iPhone in iTunes. Apply the change in iTunes. Now you should be good to WiFi Sync.

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Answer 5

mollib

Level 2

491 points

Oct 16, 2011 10:31 AM in response to Aaron Hathaway

Did you turn Wi-Fi sync on in iTunes? Plug your phone into the computer, open iTunes, browse to your phone, and under Options on the main screen for your phone, you'll find the option "Sync with this iPhone over Wi-Fi." Once you check that, you should be good to go!

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Answer 6

snotes

Level 1

4 points

Mar 18, 2012 8:08 AM in response to mollib

You might also check to see if your devices show up in iTunes even when they are not physically connected.

Both my iPad and iPhone show up even when they are not connected and I can sync through wifi; if I click the eject button ( <| ) to remove them from iTunes, then I can no longer sync through wifi.

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