How to Connect Your iPhone to iTunes on Your Computer

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Connect to iTunes on your computer

Written by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: December 20, 2024

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• Installing and Updating iTunes
|
• Syncing
|
• Q&A

|Show more |Show less

This wikiHow teaches you how to connect your iPhone or iPad to iTunes on a Windows or macOS computer.

How do you connect to iTunes?

Install iTunes from your app store if you haven’t already, then open the app and update to the latest version, if necessary. Sign in with your Apple ID, then connect your Apple device to your computer with a USB cable. Click “Device” on your computer, find the media you want to sync, then click “Apply” and “Sync.”

Steps

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Installing and Updating iTunes

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1. 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. 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.

   • Click the Start
     
     menu and select Microsoft Store.
   • Click Search at the top-right corner and type itunes.
   • Click iTunes in the search results.
   • Click Install and follow the on-screen instructions.
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3. 3
   Open iTunes. If you're using a PC, you'll find it in the Start

   

   menu. If you have a Mac, click the music note icon on the Dock (which is usually at the bottom of screen).

   • If it's your first time using iTunes, follow the on-screen instructions to set up the app.
   • To learn more about navigating iTunes and using its advanced features, check out How to Use iTunes.
4. 4
   Update to the latest version. The steps vary depending on your setup:

   • If you're using a Mac, your iTunes updates are bundled with regular macOS updates. To check for macOS updates, click the
     
     menu, select System Preferences, and then click Software Update.
   • If you installed iTunes through the Microsoft Store, updates will install automatically.
   • 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. 5
   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:

   • Click the Account menu at the top.
   • Click Sign In…
   • Enter your Apple ID username and password.
   • Click Sign In.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Syncing

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1. 1
   Set your automatic syncing preferences. Before connecting the device to the computer, check the following:

   • Click the Edit menu at the top-left corner and select Preferences.
   • Click the Devices tab.
   • 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.
   • 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 option is recommended if you're connecting to iTunes on a computer that isn't yours (or isn't your primary computer).
2. 2
   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.

   • If you're using a brand new iPhone or iPad, see How to Connect a New Device to iTunes to learn more about connecting the new device.
3. 3
   Click the Device button. It's near the top-left corner of iTunes (the small button with an iPhone inside).

   • 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. 4
   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. 5
   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.

   • 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. 6
   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. 7
   Repeat these steps to sync other types of content. Click Apply when you're finished editing each category.
8. 8
   Click Sync to sync. The selected data will now sync.
9. 9
   Click Done. This button is at the bottom-right corner.
10. 10
    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:

    • Make sure the phone/tablet and computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
    • Click the Device button in iTunes if you haven't yet done so.
    • Click Summary in the left panel (under "Settings").
    • Check the box next to "Sync with this (device type) over Wi-Fi."
    • Click Apply.
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  How do I reset my forgotten password for my iPad?

  

  Community Answer

  You have to either bring it into Apple or try to connect to iTunes and provide the iPad info.

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• Question

  How do I connect an iPad to iTunes?

  

  Community Answer

  Go to the Music app. Then sign in. It is essentially the same as how you connect with your iPhone, if you have one.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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• Question

  How do I find out the Apple ID on my iPhone?

  

  Community Answer

  From the home screen, go to the App Store, choose Featured, and scroll to the bottom of the screen. Alternately, go to Settings, scroll down until you find iCloud, and tap it.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
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