Why won't my iTunes sync to my iPhone?

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Why won't my iTunes sync to my iPhone?

Recently my iTunes won't sync to my iPhone 4 and I really don't know why. Usually it will do it straight away and I know when it's syncing but it just keeps coming up with these error messages: "iTunes could not connect to the iPhone *** because the device timed out." and this message will appear most times or the other messages which I can't remember right now what they said. Any help as to what I can do would be amazing! All I want to do is sync my music to my phone but I obviously can't do that unless it syncs! ARGH! Help me please!!

Thank you so much!

Lauren

iPhone 4, iOS 7.0.4

Posted on Jan 6, 2014 6:35 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Lawrence Finch

Level 10

203,194 points

Jan 6, 2014 6:39 AM in response to laurenh321

Try connecting to a different USB port. If you are using a USB hub try a port directly on the computer. If your computer is a desktop or tower case try a port on the back rather than the front.

Also try rebooting your phone (Apple calls it a "reset") by holding the HOME and SLEEP buttons at the same time until an Apple logo appears.

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Answer 2

laurenh321 Author

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Jan 6, 2014 6:45 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

I've tried every USB port on my laptop and it doesn't make any difference. But won't resetting/rebooting my iPhone wipe everything off my phone?

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Answer 3

Jan 6, 2014 6:50 AM in response to laurenh321

No, it won't wipe anything off the phone. Any more than rebooting Windows wipes everything off your computer.

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Answer 4

laurenh321 Author

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Jan 6, 2014 6:58 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

I've rebooted it but it's still not working:(

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Answer 5

Jan 6, 2014 7:20 AM in response to laurenh321

Other troubleshooting steps include:

Reboot the computer
Temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall on your computer
Disconnect all other USB devices except keyboard and mouse
Reinstall iTunes (see: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1923 for Windows; for Mac just download from http://apple.com/itunes and run the installer)

Retry syncing after each step.

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Answer 6

laurenh321 Author

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Jan 6, 2014 7:23 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

I've rebooted my laptop. If I uninstall iTunes will that get rid of all my music?

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Answer 7

Jan 6, 2014 7:54 AM in response to laurenh321

No. Uninstalling iTunes only removes the program. Your iTunes library will remain on your computer, and will be recognized by iTunes once you reinstall it.

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Answer 8

laurenh321 Author

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Jan 6, 2014 8:54 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

I've done EVERYTHING on that list and it still won't sync. Any other advice?

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Answer 9

Jan 6, 2014 8:59 AM in response to laurenh321

Make an appointment at a Genius Bar, and take your phone and computer in and see if they can figure out the problem.

BTW, have you tried a different cable, and tried cleaning the connector on the bottom of the phone? Use a magnifying glass and a wood toothpick or dry toothbrush.

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Answer 10

laurenh321 Author

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Jan 6, 2014 9:28 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

I don't have another cable to use so shall I buy a new one and then try that and if that doesn't work I could ring up apple?

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Answer 11

Jan 6, 2014 2:40 PM in response to laurenh321

You can call Apple, but if you don't have AppleCare they will charge you for the call. Visiting an Apple store is free.

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Answer 12

Jul 12, 2014 7:52 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

I have same problem with new iPhone 4S, using the Apple cable that came with it. I had some pocket lint in the port and think I got it all out very carefully with tweezers, but that could have first been blocking connectivity and now be causing it through damage to a pin (but doubt it).

Then I tried the reset idea (Sleep + Home) at first it did not seem to do anything but after I held it for a while longer it did show the Apple logo that other describe as the proof of reboot. Then the little phone icon showed up on my iTunes GUI.

(FYI, if you hold the Home + Sleep then let go of sleep, it will take a "Picture" of your phone display and put it in with your other photos. Cool!)

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