Only sync via wifi when plugged to mains?

Question

Level 1

11 points

Only sync via wifi when plugged to mains?

I recently upgraded to a new EC mac from SL, and found I can no longer set itunes to sync automatically whenever I'm in range over wifi.

When did they decide this was a good idea? You might as well just plug in the cable!

If I can sync by clicking over wifi when not plugged to mains and sync by cable automatically why not automatically over wifi?

OK, some people will be downloading books and music and all sorts, but most of us just want to keep diaries up to date.

It's the whole point of having a mac and an iphone - no?

Does anyone know a workaround?

Tom

AND WHY DOES THE CURSOR KEEP JUMPING UP TO THE LINE ABOVE WHERE YOU ARE TYPING ON THIS FORUM? It is maddening and unique to this website. Does it in all sections on chrome.

Posted on Aug 31, 2016 10:10 AM

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Answer 1

TomBliss Author

Level 1

11 points

Jan 6, 2017 1:13 AM in response to Michael Black

Err - I'm curious to know why, without me doing anything, my iphone has now decided to go back to syncing automatically whenever I go near my mac - without me having to connect the phone and the mac with a cable.

This is what is used to do, then it mysteriously stopped, and now it has equally mysteriously started again.

I'm happy about this, as it is what I understand to be the norm, but it is strange when Michael Black is so certain that it can't be done.

Can anyone shed any light please.

Tom

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Answer 2

ckuan

Level 10

120,932 points

Aug 31, 2016 10:17 AM in response to TomBliss

Wi-Fi uses battery power and if iPhone sleeps, Wi-Fi is switched off to conserve battery.

That's why you connect to a main (Wi-Fi will then be kept alive) for syncing.

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Answer 3

Aug 31, 2016 10:40 AM in response to TomBliss

Automatic iTunes wifi synchronizing has never worked when the iPhone or iPad is running on battery power. See Sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iTunes using Wi-Fi - Apple Support Automatic wifi sync has always only ever worked when the computer is on and iTunes open, and the iDevice is on the same wifi network and plugged in. The simple reason is that the wifi radio is powered off when the device is running in battery and goes into screen sleep mode. So an automatic sync is likely to get interrupted and data possibly corrupted.

You can manually force a wifi sync when on battery power, but it has never supported aotuomatic sync over wifi when on battery power.

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Answer 4

TomBliss Author

Level 1

11 points

Aug 31, 2016 11:28 AM in response to Michael Black

Err - yes indeed, the Mac has always had to be on mains power, but the message on my phone was that the iPhone had to be plugged in now. And this was confirmed by the girl at Apple.

you never had to ug the phone into the mains before. It defeats the whole point.

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Answer 5

Aug 31, 2016 11:55 AM in response to TomBliss

You or they are mistaken. I've been using wifi sync since it was first introduced. And automatic sync over wifi has never been supported with any iphone, iPad or iPod touch unless the device was plugged in. As I said, the wifi radio is powered off when the iDevice is running on battery and enters sleep mode, and idevices have always behaved that way.

The only way to have iTunes wifi sync work automatically has been when the iDevice is plugged in, thus keeping the wifi radio active.

It's the exact same reason why automatic iCloud backups only occur when the iDevice is plugged in.

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