wifi sync not working after ios6 update

iPhone 5 and iPad 3 (each running iOS 6.1) were not wifi sync'ing with iTunes 11 on Mountain Lion 10.8.2. After I disabled ipv6 (which I am not using) my iOS devices started started wifi sync'ing again.

In Teminal, I typed this command:

networksetup -setv6off Ethernet

I just discovered I also had this problem on iTunes 11.0.1.12 (win 7) after updating my 4S to 6.1 (with a little CyEnhancement) a few days ago.

The first clue to 6.1 having a part in this was that the wi-fi sync was still working perfectly on my iPad 1 with 5.1.1 (also CyEnhanced).

After updating the 4S to 6.1, I had noticed that it was refusing to establish any new Bluetooth pairings - but quickly realised that there was a very easy workaround to this: reboot phone in safe mode, establish the pairing, then restart phone normally - pairing works normally.

So I tried this approach as soon as I saw that the 4S also wasn't playing nice with iTunes and read some of these posts. I'm pleased to say: problem solved.

It kinda makes me think that the source of this glitch might be somewhere than Apple 😉.

good luck to all - I hope this helps.

Restarting Apple mobile device worked for me.

Disabling IPV6 on my Windows 8 Laptop, where I run iTunes, did it for me. Once I did that I have been able to connect and sync multiple times with no problems.

For any of you who have have "fixed" this issue, would you please reply one week after your "fix" and let us know if syncing is still working? I have directed Apple to this thread in hope of getting a true and permanent resolution and I wonder if all of these "fixes" will make it appear that the issue is mere user error.

After trying everything on the last 26 pages of this topic, all of which fail within a week, I've now turned off IPV6.

I'll let you guys know if its still working in a week. It's fine for now....

Two questions:

1) I have already encountered other software that malfunctions if IP V6 is NOT enabled. How do you plan to address this?

2) Is the AppleMobiledevice service still chewing up an entire CPU for each IOS device configured for Wi-Fi sync or has that also been addressed?

@rdrushton --

I had issues wifi syncing my iphone 5 to iTunes (iTunes would not recognize phone) and resolved it as follows:

On your device (for me, iphone 5), go to Settings => General => Cellular => scroll down to "Use Cellular Data for:"

Make sure iTunes is set to "off".

My issue seemed to be the wifi sync and cellular sync were competing/conflicting with each other as (on rare occasion) my iphone would show up in iTunes, but mostly no. Also it worked after turning the phone off then on, it would appear but only the one time only having to repeat the process.

After turning iTunes sync over cellular to "off", it's worked like a charm and my phone shows up every time when I start up iTunes. Sometimes the simplest solution is the answer.

Can't see how that would work on my wifi-only iPad ;)

I can only speak to what worked for me for my iphone 5. You're right -- after 26 pages you'd think a solution would be found or Apple would address the problem. If they don't, looks like you iPadders will need a very long cord!

HKB-D Ken, I tried your solution withing minutes of when you originally posted it (as I've tried so many things suggested in this forum), but it didn't make any noticeable difference to my sync issues. I imagine others have tried your suggestion, has it worked for anyone else?

I hesitate on the IPV6 workaround, because I don't want to cause new issues trying to fix this unimportant issues (my temporary fix is easy enough to implement). But I thank those who are trying it! Let's see if this workaround keeps working longterm.

Thought I would check in since after 2 Months I was sure it would be fixed. Oh how wrong can I be.

Still the only thing that works is restarting apple mobile device service. What a pain.

"On your device (for me, iphone 5), go to Settings => General => Cellular => scroll down to "Use Cellular Data for:"

Make sure iTunes is set to "off"."

Mine has never been set to ON and wifi has never worked reliably.

I betcha it'll be a temporary fix because mine has always been off and the WiFi sync doesn't stay connected as designed. So good luck!

KGB-D Ken wrote:

@rdrushton --

I had issues wifi syncing my iphone 5 to iTunes (iTunes would not recognize phone) and resolved it as follows:

On your device (for me, iphone 5), go to Settings => General => Cellular => scroll down to "Use Cellular Data for:"

Make sure iTunes is set to "off".

My issue seemed to be the wifi sync and cellular sync were competing/conflicting with each other as (on rare occasion) my iphone would show up in iTunes, but mostly no. Also it worked after turning the phone off then on, it would appear but only the one time only having to repeat the process.

After turning iTunes sync over cellular to "off", it's worked like a charm and my phone shows up every time when I start up iTunes. Sometimes the simplest solution is the answer.

I can confirm the IPV6 fix lasted for a few hours and now it doesn't work again!!