- Option #1: The iTunes Sync Process
- Option #2: The iCloud Backup Method
- Option #3: The Wireless iTunes Sync Process
- How to Set Up and Use the Wireless iTunes Sync Process
Like this article? We recommend
Like this article? We recommend
Like this article? We recommend
How to Set Up and Use the Wireless iTunes Sync Process
The following steps outline how to set up and use the iTunes Wireless Sync process between your primary computer (running iTunes version 10.5 or later) and your iPhone or iPad.
Set Up the Wireless iTunes Sync Process
This setup process to use the Wireless iTunes Sync process needs to be done only once, unless you later turn off this feature and then turn it back on later. Follow these steps:
- Launch the iTunes software on your primary computer.
- To set up Wireless iTunes Sync, connect your iPhone or iPad to your primary computer using the supplied USB cable.
- From the left side of the iTunes screen on your computer, under the Devices heading, click on the name of your iOS device.
- Click on the Summary tab that's displayed near the top-center of the iTunes screen.
- As you're looking at the Summary screen, scroll down to the Options heading. It's displayed in the main area of the iTunes screen.
- Using the mouse, add a checkmark to the 'Sync with this iPhone Over Wi-Fi' or 'Sync with this iPad Over Wi-Fi' option.
- Click on the Apply icon that's displayed near the bottom-right corner of the screen.
- You can now disconnect your iPhone or iPad from your primary computer. The Wireless iTunes Sync process is set up.
Perform a Wireless iTunes Sync Between Your Primary Computer and iOS Device
Once the Wireless iTunes Sync process is set up, follow these steps to manually initiate a wireless backup between your iPhone (or iPad) and your primary computer:
- Launch iTunes on your primary computer.
- Make sure your primary computer is connected to the Web via a Wi-Fi connection and connected to your home or office's wireless network.
- Turn on your iPhone or iPad. From the Settings app, turn on the Wi-Fi option and connect to your home or office's wireless network. (If your iOS device and computer are not connected to the same network, this feature will not work, even if both computers have access to the Internet.)
- On the left side of the iTunes screen on your computer, your iPhone or iPad will be listed under the Devices heading (even though the device is not connected to your computer via a USB cable). Click the iOS device's listing.
- Tap the Summary heading on the computer's iTunes screen. It's displayed near the top-center of the screen.
- Click the Sync icon that's displayed in the lower-right corner of the iTunes Summary screen to initiate a Wireless iTunes Sync between your primary computer and your iPhone or iPad.
If you add a check mark to the check box of the Open iTunes When This iPhone (iPad) Is Connected option that's displayed under the Options menu of iTunes when you're looking at the Summary screen, a wireless backup (sync) will be created automatically whenever a wireless connection between your primary computer and iPhone (or iPad) is established. You will not need to perform steps 4, 5, or 6.
When the iTunes Sync process is completed, you can turn off Wi-Fi or transport your iOS device outside of the wireless network's signal radius. Because you're using a Wi-Fi Internet connection, the Wireless iTunes Sync process does not impact your monthly 3G wireless data allocation from your wireless service provider.
Pick a Backup Method For Your iOS Device and Stick to It
Once you select which backup method you want to use with your iOS device, get into the habit of backing up your device at least once per day if you're a heavy iPhone or iPad user who can't afford to have your important data lost if something goes wrong.
If you're an iCloud user, you can set up your Contacts and Calendar apps, for example, to constantly remain synchronized with your iCloud account in real time. If you turn on these features at any time, you can access your most current contacts or scheduling data from your primary computer or any iOS device that's linked to the same iCloud account.
You can also access your Contacts and Calendar data from any computer or mobile device that's connected to the Web by pointing the web browser to http://http://www.iCloud.com/contacts%20 or http://http://www.iCloud.com/calendar, and then signing into your iCloud account when prompted. Online-based versions of the Contacts and Calendar apps become accessible that contain your most current data.