iTunes WiFi sync issue

[Simon]

I'm trying to get my iPhone 4S to sync with iTunes over WiFi.  The instructions seem quite simple:

1. Connect your iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad to your computer.

2. In iTunes, select your device (below Devices), and then click Summary.

3. Select "Sync with this iOS device over Wi-Fi."

4. Disconnect your device from your computer.

After you disconnect, your device continues to appear in the iTunes window (below Devices), unless you click the Eject button . If you click the Eject button, your device is removed from the iTunes window, but Wi-Fi syncing remains turned on. Your device reappears in the iTunes window the next time you open iTunes.

I've done this, but my device does not continue to appear in the iTunes window when I disconnect it from the computer.  I know the phone is connected to my WiFi, as I use it all the time for the web, and emails, etc, so that can't be the problem.  What could I be doing wrong? 

[psp83]

Have you tried closing iTunes and then re opening?

iTunes should pick your phone up after a few secs..

Also try going into Settings > General > iTunes Wi-Fi Sync and syncing your phone over wifi when iTunes is open.

[Simon]

No luck with that, Paul.  For the first time, though, going into Settings > General > iTunes Wi-Fi Sync, allowed me to 'Sync Now', rather than the button being greyed out, but nothing happened, and it didn't appear in iTunes.  That, however, was when not connected to a power supply.  I then connected to a power supply, tried Settings > General > iTunes Wi-Fi Sync again, but the 'Sync Now' button is greyed out once more, and won't do anything.

[psp83]

Try rebooting the iPhone & PC ?

Also in iTunes, I have "Share my library on my local network" ticked.. I know I had to tick this to get the remote iPhone app to work with iTunes so I don't know if helps Wi-Fi syncing.. Worth a try though.. iTunes > Edit > Preferences > Sharing.

[Simon]

Tried rebooting, and ticking the "Share my library on my local network" box, but still the phone disappears from iTunes as soon as I disconnect it from the computer.  Actually, the "Sync with this iOS device over Wi-Fi" box was ticked all along, and it's never worked, so I tried unticking and reticking, but still no luck.

[Lance]

Try resetting the iPhone by holding down the home and power buttons until the phone restarts. It doesn't lose any settings or programmes.

I had to do this at the weekend to resolve an issue with the 'music' controls either on the lock screen or from a headphones remote not working.

[Simon]

I'll try that, Lance, but the thing is, this has never worked, not even on the 3GS with iOS5, so I suspect it's not an issue with the phone.  Does it need to be connected to a proper iPhone power adapter?  I'm trying it plugged into an iPod dock, which also charges, so it's definitely powered.  The key seems to be that it's not staying in iTunes when disconnecting from the computer.

[Lance]

I wonder if iTunes is a little messed up? Mine is quite happy to sync when in my B&W Zeppelin dock.

[Simon]

iTunes is a little messed up, because, when I add artwork, using the Get Info window, it doesn't appear in the window, but does on the phone.  Is there a repair option, or, if I uninstall and reinstall, will it retain all of my files and settings?

[Steve]

Here's Apple support suggestions,doesn't really say anymore although perhaps worth disabling any security software just in case that's blocking it.


http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4062

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3125



With regard Album art I'm still using this http://www.blisshq.com/index3.html to find and embed, seems to do the job for me. I've have the odd issue displaying artwork which I know is there, I solve that by clicking on an individual song >get info , click on artwork and then ok. This seems to allow it to display in the album field.

[psp83]

That was my next suggestion.. Check to see if windows firewall was enabled and not blocking it.

In my firewall the following is allowed :

Bonjour Port 5353
Bonjour Service
iTunes

[Steve]

I did wonder whether the ability or inability to 'see' the shared library on the iPhone would check for any security/firewall problems.

[Steve]

Your not alone on Windows.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3377367?start=15&tstart=0


"I had this issue of not syncing over wi-fi & i have fixed this. Below were my devices,
1. Windows XP Laptop
2.ipad 2 with ios5.

Below are the steps to ensure wi-fi sync works.

1. Connect your iPhone/iPad with USB cable to Computer where itunes installed.
2. Click on the "device" icon in itunes, & in "Summary" Page, ensure you have enabled the option "Sync Over Wifi My Ipad / iphone"
3. Disconnect the Cable,

You should be still able to see your ipad in itunes, if not, follow the below steps

4. Enable Upnp in your computer.
5. This link, will tell you, how to enable upnp in windows machine. --> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/941206
6. Restart your Computer
7. Ensure SSDP service is running in Automatic mode.
8. You should also ensure upnp is supported in your ADSL or Wi-Fi router.
9. IN your router, under LAN settings (Advanced), there will be option of Upnp, enable this. Even if it is enabled, disable & enable it. Restart the router once.
9a. The Upnp & SSDP would take 10 minutes to discover the device. Have Patience at times .
Open iTunes & Power on your ipad, you should be able to see the ipad in itunes now. if not,

10. Close your itunes & power off ipad.
11. Restart the service called "Apple Mobile Device",

Open iTunes & Power on your ipad, you should be able to see the ipad in itunes now, if not.

12. Disable Firewall & IPS in your Network Connections. Disable built-in Firewall & IPS in Virus Softwares. Ensure TCP ports 123 and 3689, as well as UDP ports 123 and 5353 are allowed. Refer to this link for more inputs --> http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4062.

13. Close your itunes & power off ipad.
14. Restart the service called "Apple Mobile Device",

Open iTunes & Power on your ipad.

This should be working now for sure shot. . I bet."


That's one long winded possible solution.

[Simon]

Bloody hell!  Is it worth it, I wonder?  I did wonder if the router might be blocking it, but as the phone connects fine, I assumed it would be OK.  I guess I could manually allow it and see if that makes a difference. 

[Steve]

Certainly any devices/services that rely on UPNP are not always immediately available.

[Simon]

Not sure I can remember how to do it on the 2700.  I'm sure all will become clear when I look at it. 

[Lance]

The 2700 doesn't have UPNP but I think its more likely the firewall on the PC - might just be worth temporarily disabling it.

[Steve]

 As Lance said You can't use UPNP on the 2700, so whether you have to port forward to get this to work I don't know. Perhaps some 2700 users can tell us whether they've had any issues with iTunes and 'home sharing' of music libraries or iPhone WiFi sync.

http://portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/BT/BT2700HGV/iTunes.htm

[Simon]

I don't use Windows Firewall, but I guess the F-Secure one might need a permission.  It's usually pretty good, though, at automatically whitelisting, and I wouldn't have thought iTunes would be seen as a potential threat.  It hasn't produced a permission popup either, which is the usual thing it does when unsure. 

[Simon]

In fact, if iTunes was being blocked, I wouldn't be able to access the Store through it, would I?  Or is that different?

[Simon]

Steve, you mentioned Home Sharing.  Does that need to be switched on in iTunes?  I tried it with and without, and it still didn't sync either way. 

[Steve]

Home Sharing is just another local network activity where the iTunes PC needs to be able to find the iPhone or vice versa. I use it occasionally at home as I can play anything from my main music library on the iPhone whereas the music copied to the iPhone is fairly selective.

[Simon]

Thanks. 

[Steve]

I use it more on the laptops as it saves wasting HDD space on replicating music.

[Steve]

You got me trying to get this work   Finally realised that I was connected to one of the neighbours OpenZone after trying that last night after reading the WiFi thread. Silly b*gger . It did work after that stupid mistake.