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If Wireless Syncing DOES NOT Work For You...

G

GraphicsGeek

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Sep 19, 2008
533
0
Ive seen multiple threads since the release of iOS 5 about wireless syncing not working so I'm hopefully going to help everyone out with this one thread...

- Wirelss syncing must be enabled on the summary page for your iOS device in iTunes. It's the second check box under the Restore and a update buttons.

- The checkbox to open iTunes when the device is connected MUST be checked on the summary page as well. It's the first check box under the Restore and Update buttons.

- Your iOS device MUST be connected to a power source to AUTOMATICALLY sync when your on your home network. Yes, you can start a wireless sync manually without being plugged into power by going to Settings > General > iTunes Wifi Sync and tap the Sync Now button.

- You MUST have iTunes 10.5 installed and open for all of this to happen.

- You MUST be on your home network. You can not wirelessly sync to your home library from work.

If you've done everything above then it should start syncing within seconds of plugging in your device. You should see the spinning arrows in the top left corner. If it still does not work, restart your comp and iDevice. If it still doesn't work, then you have other problems.

Hopefully this helps most people. These seem to be the outcome of most of the "my iDevice doesn't wirelessly sync" threads that keep popping up.
 
I was going to rage at this thread because my WiFi sync has never worked but I opened up my iTunes just now and sure enough it recognized my device. Funny thing is I had the same settings for WiFi sync going since iTunes 10.5 came out and it just now decided to work. :confused:
 
"- The checkbox to open iTunes when the device is connected MUST be checked on the summary page as well."

This checkbox is grayed out on my iTunes so I'm unable to check and I'm unable to sync by WiFi. Any idea why it's grayed out?
 
Last edited:
Ashwood11 said:
"- The checkbox to open iTunes when the device is connected MUST be checked on the summary page as well."

This checkbox is grayed out on my iTunes so I'm unable to check and I'm unable to sync by WiFi. Any idea why it's grayed out?
Click to expand...

Mine too is grayed out but i can still sync wirelessly. Never had a problem before.
 
Ashwood11 said:
"- The checkbox to open iTunes when the device is connected MUST be checked on the summary page as well."

This checkbox is grayed out on my iTunes so I'm unable to check and I'm unable to sync by WiFi. Any idea why it's grayed out?
Click to expand...

Not sure why he said it needs to be checked. But I don't have it checked also and Wi-Fi sync works fine for me
 
I'm on a Mac running OSX Leopard.

I'm wondering if my problem is in the settings for sharing in either iTunes Preferences or in System Preferences or both.
 
Last edited:
Check box for wireless syncing in options is NOT there...MacBook 10.5.8, iTunes 10.5, IOS 5 on iPad 2.
 
Ok hey guys, I figured id post in here so i don't clutter up the forums, and sorry for thread jacking. My iTunes sync works when it is connected. But I was jailbroken on 4.3.3 before and had tetherme, my network was named "wireless network" and now that my iPhone 4 is on ios5, it says it needs to be connected to that network to wirelessly sync... anyway to reset this?
 
I too am on Leopard 10.5.8 and the box for wireless sync is not on my iTunes summary page ....

Wireless sync does not work for me unless the dock cable is connected.. which is rather stupid....
 
GraphicsGeek said:
Ive seen multiple threads since the release of iOS 5 about wireless syncing not working so I'm hopefully going to help everyone out with this one thread...

- Wirelss syncing must be enabled on the summary page for your iOS device in iTunes. It's the second check box under the Restore and a update buttons.

- The checkbox to open iTunes when the device is connected MUST be checked on the summary page as well. It's the first check box under the Restore and Update buttons.

- Your iOS device MUST be connected to a power source to AUTOMATICALLY sync when your on your home network. Yes, you can start a wireless sync manually without being plugged into power by going to Settings > General > iTunes Wifi Sync and tap the Sync Now button.

- You MUST have iTunes 10.5 installed and open for all of this to happen.

- You MUST be on your home network. You can not wirelessly sync to your home library from work.

If you've done everything above then it should start syncing within seconds of plugging in your device. You should see the spinning arrows in the top left corner. If it still does not work, restart your comp and iDevice. If it still doesn't work, then you have other problems.

Hopefully this helps most people. These seem to be the outcome of most of the "my iDevice doesn't wirelessly sync" threads that keep popping up.
Click to expand...

I was just about to create a topic on this. I was hoping it would somehow sync back to your laptop with iTunes opened. Thanks for clearing it up. :)
 
sedril said:
I too am on Leopard 10.5.8 and the box for wireless sync is not on my iTunes summary page ....

Wireless sync does not work for me unless the dock cable is connected.. which is rather stupid....
Click to expand...

Same. I'd like to try this out...
 
Mine doesn't work but I am on my university's huge wireless network, so I'm not really surprised they can't seem to find each other.
 
Ok for those that dont have the "Sync this device over Wifi" check box, is it there when your iDevice is plugged in? If so, check the box and hit Apply. I'm not sure why it wouldn't be there. Make sure you've updated OSX/Windows and iTunes. Also make sure iTunes is open and on the same network as your iDevice. It probably won't work on large campus networks.

Oh and make sure you are on your iDevices summary page by making sure its selected in the left column.
 
Might want to add a disclaimer about the network itself. Devices are not allowed to "see" nor "talk" to each other on my U's network. Devices such as wireless printers are useless here, and services like Wireless Syncing and even Logmein are blocked off.
 
GraphicsGeek said:
Hopefully this helps most people. These seem to be the outcome of most of the "my iDevice doesn't wirelessly sync" threads that keep popping up.
Click to expand...
While this is certainly helpful, there seems to be multiple problems preventing people from using wi-fi sync, and you've only scratched the surface:

  • Some people have the bonjour installation cruft issue, as mentioned here as problem #1: http://cnx.com/?p=1612

  • Some people think they can make their system run faster by disabling "unnecessary" services, like bonjour, and then they complain that wi-fi sync doesn't work.
My wi-fi sync is horribly intermittent, and my problem isn't either of the above, nor anything you're mentioned.
 
JoeShades said:
if you lose your internet connection even just for a few seconds wifi sync will stop working, you have to restart ITUNES
Click to expand...

That's not true. Last night i left my my mbp open and when out with my iphone and iPad, when i came back home itunes automatically recognize my devices... I didn't even need to relaunch itunes!
 
GraphicsGeek said:
Ok for those that dont have the "Sync this device over Wifi" check box, is it there when your iDevice is plugged in? If so, check the box and hit Apply. I'm not sure why it wouldn't be there. Make sure you've updated OSX/Windows and iTunes. Also make sure iTunes is open and on the same network as your iDevice. It probably won't work on large campus networks.

Oh and make sure you are on your iDevices summary page by making sure its selected in the left column.
Click to expand...

Nope, not there even while plugged in. Ive checked for updates on everything, its all up to date (aside from still using 10.5.8)
 
Any idea why it syncs everything every time?

I mean, I have a number of podcasts that I haven't yet watched or listened to, but it still copies them over every time I try and sync. On top of that, it shows podcasts as copied over but when I try and play them, they are greyed out.

PLUS the sync fails before completion almost every time I attempt it.

I've resorted to plugging in via the USB cable again.
 
big samm said:
That's not true. Last night i left my my mbp open and when out with my iphone and iPad, when i came back home itunes automatically recognize my devices... I didn't even need to relaunch itunes!
Click to expand...

no i mean if the internet goes down even for a moment,whether you are home or not. i have been having that problem and didn't realize it because it is only for a second or two and everything works fine when it comes back on except wifi sync
 
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