Apple iTunes

WiFi Synchronization

This sections is a summary of useful information found on different Internet articles.

Basics

The basics .
One of the worst things about syncing your iOS device was that you were constantly having to plug in your device to you computer. Not anymore. Now, if your computer and iOS device are both on the same Wi-Fi network, you can sync all your applications, books, movies, tv shows, music, podcast, audiobooks, ringtones and photos without plugging any wires in.

Well, I lied when I said you didn’t have to connect your device by wire again, because in order to enable wireless syncing you have to connect your device via wire one last time. Plug in your device and go to the source list in iTunes, then scroll down to the summary pane. Your iOS device can’t sync with iTunes when iTunes isn’t running, so you’ll need to check two boxes in the options section.

• Open iTunes when this <device> is connected [Optional]
• Sync with this <device> over Wi-Fi [Mandatory]

Once both are checked, simply press the sync button to save your changes.

There are two ways to get your device to sync now,

• Gg to the Settings app on your device and tapping General > iTunes Wi-Fi Sync then Sync Now, which will simply start syncing right away.
• Automatically sync whenever you plug your device in to charge.
  For instance, when I go to bed, I plug my iPhone and iPad in on my nightstand, when I do that it automatically sync with my iTunes, I don’t even have to think about it. It’s pretty much a simple setup that you only have to do once for each of your devices and then just forget about it and let it do all the work.

If you open up iTunes while your device is wireless connected, you can still change the settings and select media to sync. To get to the connected devices, click the devices button on the upper right hand side of the iTunes. If you have more than one device connected, they will all show up in the little devices pane. Select the one you’d like to go to and you can select or de-select media to sync, as well as change options that will all wirelessly sync to your device.

Troubleshooting

Troubleshoot an iOS device
It would seem that even though the device is set up to sync with iTunes correctly, sometimes it just feels like being a jerk and not syncing. I’m a fan of Apple products, but it’s no secret that syncing with iTunes can be a little buggy.

First if you simply need help understanding how to sync with iTunes or how to set it up you can check the part Basics.

The fixes are what I have found through hours of reading articles and forums, as well as speaking to people through twitter and other online resources to find out what has the highest chances of working. These instructions may work for you, however nothing is guaranteed as it’s pretty much trial and error. Try each solution, then attempt to sync, if it doesn’t work, go to the next solution and so on. I will put them in order of easiest and quickest methods, down to the more drastic.

Device not found

• If syncing over Wi-Fi, make sure both your computer and iOS device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
• Restart your iOS device, restart computer and restart your wireless router if your device syncs over Wi-Fi.
• Plug in your iPad, iPhone or iPod into iTunes.
  • Uncheck Sync with this <device> over Wi-Fi.
  • Click Apply.
  • Check Sync with this <device> over Wi-Fi.
  • Click Apply. It also may help to disable Home Sharing and then re-enable it.
• Uninstalling iTunes and then re-installing it may work. If you take this route make sure to do a backup first.
• If you just want your iOS device to sync and don’t care if it syncs over Wi-Fi or by plugging it in with the cable, then just deselect Sync with this <device> over Wi-Fi.

Remember that with the new iTunes (11) the devices tab has moved from the left side to the top right hand side of iTunes. If none of the above made iTunes recognize or connect to your device you could always restore your device (wipe everything off it then restore it with a backup). I have heard many people fix most syncing issues with this method. However make sure you have made a backup if you take this route, so that you can restore all your settings and apps ect, when you’re done restoring.

If you want to bring back the left side-panel that shows all the devices connected, Music, Movies ect. Then go to the menu bar in iTunes -> View -> Show Sidebar.