How to Fix iTunes Not Syncing to iPhone/iPad/iPod

Although Apple has always been releasing iTunes to fix bugs on syncing iPhone music/playlists, and iTunes not playing music issues, there are still some iTunes issues you may meet when syncing songs, playlists, photos, or some other types of data from computer to iPhone or iPad after iOS update, especially when you are one of new iPhone users.

In this post, for fixing “iPhone not syncing with iTunes” problems, we offer some basic tips, which would be helpful for solving some iTunes sync problems. This guide works with all iPhone models (including iPhone 12), and all versions of iTunes, including iTunes 12.10.8.5 for Mac/12.10.0.7 for Windows.

Top 6 Methods to Fix iPhone/iPad/iPod Not Syncing with iTunes

Here are some troubleshooting tricks to fix iPhone/iPad/iPod not syncing with iTunes issue:

Method 1: Quit and Re-open iTunes while your device is connected

Method 2: Check and Try a Different USB cable or Sync with Wi-Fi

If your USB cable is broken, the iTunes sync session would fail to start. Check your USB cable and try a different USB cable and resync.

If you’re on a Wi-Fi network, you can sync your device without connecting it to your computer. Click the phone icon > Tap Summary > Check the option “Sync with this iPhone over Wi-Fi”. While, If your wifi network is not available, uncheck this option and choose the next method.

Method 3: Re-authorize this computer on iTunes

In some cases, iTunes may “forget” that your music is authorized. So you can refresh the authorization and authorize again: Click Account > Authorizations > Choose “Authorize This Computer” > Then enter your Apple ID and password. 

Method 4: Turn off iCloud Music Library and Resync

If iCloud Music Library on your iPhone/other iDevices is on, iTunes may fail to sync. Go to Setting on iPhone > Tap Music > Turn off iCloud Music Library/Sync Library.

Next, back to iTunes, Click phone icon > Choose Music > Tap “Sync Music” & “Entire music library”, then apply the music settings and recheck whether your sync session is successful.

Method 5: Update to the latest iTunes and iOS version

• Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check for iOS updates.
• Go to Apple > System Preferences > Software Update to check the latest iTunes version for Mac.
• Open iTunes > Help > Check for Updates on Windows.

Method 6: Use an iTunes Repair Tool to Fix iTunes Not Syncing to iPhone/iPad/iPod

Here is an iTunes repair tool named AnyFix – iOS System Recovery for you if you have tried the above-mentioned methods but exactly did not help you. AnyFix provides you with one-stop solution to immediately fix various iOS/iPadOS/tvOS/iTunes issues. Better yet, it gives a solution to repair at least 200 iTunes errors with no data loss. 

AnyFix has the opportunity to help you fix iTunes Not Syncing to iPhone/iPad/iPod. You can follow the steps to solve your issues:

Step 1: Download the latest version of AnyFix and install it. Connect your iPhone to the computer and then tap on iTunes Repair.

Step 2: Tap on iTunes Sync/CDB Errors and Fix Now.

Step 3: Tap on Fix Now after completing the analyzing process. Then, tap on Yes to give AnyFix permission.

Step 4: Tap on Open iTunes to check if the problem is resolved after completing the repairing process. If not, you can choose Deep Repair mode to fix the issue. 

Bonus Tip: Use iTunes Alternative to Sync iPhone with iTunes

If you always prefer an easy and quick way to sync iTunes data to your iDevices, then you cannot miss AnyTrans. Let you transfer data between iTunes and iPhone without effort. Here are some main features of AnyTrans you may interested in:

1. Transfer all media or selected files from the iTunes library to the iPhone and it will not erase any existing data on your device.
2. Import all data or selected files from iPhone to iTunes, including playlists, music, movies, home videos, TV shows, and podcasts.
3. Also, you can sync your iPhone/iPad/iPod with a computer and vice versa.

The Bottom Line