How to Connect to iTunes

This wikiHow teaches you how to connect your iPhone or iPad to iTunes on a Windows or macOS computer. Decide which computer you want to use to manage your iTunes library. It should be a computer that has plenty of storage, has access to a...
Part 1 of 2:

Installing and Updating iTunes

  1. How to Connect to iTunes Picture 1How to Connect to iTunes Picture 1
    Decide which computer you want to use to manage your iTunes library. It should be a computer that has plenty of storage, has access to a strong Wi-Fi network, and is available frequently for your use.
  2. How to Connect to iTunes Picture 2How to Connect to iTunes Picture 2
    Install iTunes (if you're using a PC). If you have a Mac (or if you've already installed iTunes on your PC), skip to the next step.
    1. Click the Start
      How to Connect to iTunes Picture 3How to Connect to iTunes Picture 3
      menu and select Microsoft Store.
    2. Click Search at the top-right corner and type itunes.
    3. Click iTunes in the search results.
    4. Click Install and follow the on-screen instructions.
  3. How to Connect to iTunes Picture 4How to Connect to iTunes Picture 4
    Open iTunes. If you're using a PC, you'll find it in the Start
    How to Connect to iTunes Picture 5How to Connect to iTunes Picture 5
    menu. If you have a Mac, click the music note icon on the Dock (which is usually at the bottom of screen).
    1. If it's your first time using iTunes, follow the on-screen instructions to set up the app.
    2. To learn more about navigating iTunes and using its advanced features, check out How to Use iTunes.
  4. How to Connect to iTunes Picture 6How to Connect to iTunes Picture 6
    Update to the latest version. The steps vary depending on your setup:[1]
    1. If you're using a Mac, your iTunes updates are bundled with regular macOS updates.[2] To check for macOS updates, click the
      How to Connect to iTunes Picture 7How to Connect to iTunes Picture 7
      menu, select System Preferences, and then click Software Update.
    2. If you installed iTunes through the Microsoft Store, updates will install automatically.
    3. If you're using Windows and downloaded iTunes from Apple, click the Help menu in iTunes, select Check for Updates, and then follow the on-screen instructions.
  5. How to Connect to iTunes Picture 8How to Connect to iTunes Picture 8
    Sign into iTunes with your Apple ID. If you've purchased anything from the iTunes store (apps, books, movies, etc.), signing in on your computer will give you access to those items. Here's how to sign in:[3]
    1. Click the Account menu at the top.
    2. Click Sign In…
    3. Enter your Apple ID username and password.
    4. Click Sign In.
Part 2 of 2:

Syncing to iTunes

  1. How to Connect to iTunes Picture 9How to Connect to iTunes Picture 9
    Set your automatic syncing preferences. Before connecting the device to the computer, check the following:
    1. Click the Edit menu at the top-left corner and select Preferences.
    2. Click the Devices tab.
    3. If you want your iPhone or iPad to sync automatically when you connect it to iTunes, remove the check mark from "Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from syncing automatically," and then click OK.
    4. If you don't want the device to sync automatically, place a check mark in the "Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from syncing automatically," and then click OK. This options is recommended if you're connecting to iTunes on a computer that isn't yours (or isn't your primary computer).
  2. How to Connect to iTunes Picture 10How to Connect to iTunes Picture 10
    Connect the iPhone or iPad to the computer with a USB cable. Use the cable that came with your phone or tablet (or one that's compatible). Once connected, you'll see a button with a phone or tablet icon near the top-left corner of iTunes. This is called the "Device" button.[4]
    1. If you're using a brand new iPhone or iPad, see How to Connect a New Device to iTunes to learn more connecting the new device.
  3. How to Connect to iTunes Picture 11How to Connect to iTunes Picture 11
    Click the Device button. It's near the top-left corner of iTunes (the small button with an iPhone inside).
    1. If you see a message that says your device is already synced with another iTunes library, take caution. If you click Erase and Sync, the type of content you're syncing (such as Music or Photos) will be replaced with content from this computer.
  4. How to Connect to iTunes Picture 12How to Connect to iTunes Picture 12
    Click a type of content you want to sync. You'll see several categories (e.g., Music, Movies) in the left column under "Settings." Click one of these categories now to view its syncing options.
  5. How to Connect to iTunes Picture 13How to Connect to iTunes Picture 13
    Set your syncing options for the category. The options will vary by category, but you'll always have to check the box next to "Sync" near the top of the main panel.
    1. You can specify certain types of data to sync per category. For example, under Music, you can choose to sync your entire library or to select specific playlists.
  6. How to Connect to iTunes Picture 14How to Connect to iTunes Picture 14
    Click Apply. It's at the bottom-right corner. If iTunes is set to sync automatically, the selected items will now sync. If not, you'll have to sync manually.
  7. How to Connect to iTunes Picture 15How to Connect to iTunes Picture 15
    Repeat these steps to sync other types of content. Click Apply when you're finished editing each category.
  8. How to Connect to iTunes Picture 16How to Connect to iTunes Picture 16
    Click Sync to sync. The selected data will now sync.
  9. How to Connect to iTunes Picture 17How to Connect to iTunes Picture 17
    Click Done. This button is at the bottom-right corner.
  10. How to Connect to iTunes Picture 18How to Connect to iTunes Picture 18
    Set up wireless syncing (optional). If you don't want to have to use a USB cable to sync to iTunes in the future, you can opt to enable Wi-Fi syncing. Here's how:[5]
    1. Make sure the phone/tablet and computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
    2. Click the Device button in iTunes if you haven't yet done so.
    3. Click Summary in the left panel (under "Settings").
    4. Check the box next to "Sync with this (device type) over Wi-Fi."
    5. Click Apply.
4.5 ★ | 2 Vote