iOS 8 WiFi sync is broken

Sounds like we are talking about wifi backup here instead of wifi sync!! Or do I ,misunderstand something??

Normally, a backup is the first step in any sync, via WiFi or USB.

You can backup to iCloud, and restore from iCloud, but that backup doesn't include everything, just "the most important data."

When you sync, you're syncing with iTunes on a Mac. So using public WiFi, you'd have to have a MacBook with you. Someone could try to intercept the backup, but I'm not sure what they could do with the stream. Also, you can encrypt the local backup on your MacBook. I don't know if that encryption happens only after the backup is on the Mac.

I wouldn't rush to reinstall everything. Just to check, when you sync with USB make sure the summary tab has the boxes are checked for Sync over Wifi and Automatically Sync when connected. While there check and see if your phone is backing up to iCloud (if that's what you do). That will at least let you know your network is working. After you sync with USB just quit iTunes - don't remove the USB cable until after. There are times when I lose a connection to my devices and sometimes it is just a matter of turning wifi off and on. Sometimes I have to restart the computer.

Quitting iTunes instead of just unplugging from USB had no effect for me. iTunes still lost my iPhone 6 immediately. My iPad is still showing.

I had success for a week or more after iOS 8.1, and am now back to the same old problems. My iPhone 6 was on a different WiFi network for a while, but is now back on my home network. Shutting down my iPhone and restarting it did not immediately bring it back, but a few minutes later it showed up in the iTunes list.

Here is one more idea. I have had wifi issues with my MBP for quite awhile. Normally just turn off and back on or restart. Seems that these issues were also causing iTunes to not recognize my devices even when wifi was working (albeit kind of slow). Here's the tip that seems to have resolved it all for now.

In Finder menu, select Go and the Computer. Open your HD, open Library, open Preferences. Find the file "com.apple.Bluetooth.plist" and drag on to the desktop to make a copy in case anything goes wrong. Now drag the file in Preferences to the Trash. Restart.

The problem should be resolved. You may have to re-pair any bluetooth devices you are using, but this fixed my wifi issues. If any other problem come up with Bluetooth (other than just pairing) you can just move the plist file to where it was in Library.

Hi All. I am new to iOS and experience the same problem; the iTunes WiFi sync is so very temperamental.

Do the experienced folk on here know if this issue will be elevated to the Apple iOS developers to enable a fix in the next update?

Cheers

A

There is nothing to elevate. My WiFi has always worked fine, and most other user's also. 99.99% of WiFi problems are in the router or interference from other routers. I realize this is a very long thread, but try reading some of it for ideas. Or see: iOS: Troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks and connections - Apple Support for some troubleshooting steps.

This thread is not about general problems with WiFi, it's only about syncing iPhones and iPads using WiFi (instead of a USB cord). Those are entirely separate, and as far as I've ever experienced, general WiFi performance is unaffected. This problem may be related to certain routers, though.

The problem has been reported to Apple, and at least a partial fix came with iOS 8.1. Some people are having at least temporary recurrences of their devices disappearing from the iTunes Device list after iOS 8.1. I expect Apple has heard about those too.

For example, my iPhone and my iPad have been on the list and they can sync for several days now. But now, my iPhone has dropped off the list.

Hi Yes I agree with you everyone seems to blame iPhone or iPad Yet sometimes the Router maybe at fault Not many check Router for a firm ware upgrade on line Router that the I S P provide are sometimes not very good Changed mine for a top range Netgear I now get wifi at the top of 30 foot garden. We have 2 iphone & 3 iPads and don't have any problems with ios8 Cheers Brian

You are correct; I thought I was responding to a different thread. My apologies.

If anyone is still having sync issues and problems with iTunes discovering device, I really suggest the tip I gave earlier about deleting the Bluetooth plist file. Although it appears unrelated, this fixed ALL of my WiFi issues and device discovery issues. I have not had any problem since.

A lot of problems with OS X are related to a corrupted or bad plist file in preferences. Those files are probably there from previous versions. In almost every case it just takes a deletion and the file will recreate itself. I do recommend making a backup or copy to another folder or desktop before arbitrarily deleting anything.

OK, but are you sure a computer restart didn't fix the problem?

I'm using Yosemite on a new retina iMac and today I had to restart the iMac, and then my iPhone showed up in iTunes and stayed.

The problem with any fixes for this WiFi sync issue is that it may take several days to know if the WiFi sync is actually fixed. We shouldn't have to do anything to have WiFi sync just work, week after week.

If you read many of the previous post you will find that a computer restart is only temporary. A few hours to a day later you will have the same problem. You can restart your computer all the time or try some of the tips offered. Why would it take days to know if it is fixed? If it keeps working, at some point you have to decide whether it is... or isn't.

Just for the record everyone, wifi sync is still broken with 8.1.

"Everyone?" I guess you didn't read the thread carefully.