How to Wirelessly Sync Your iPhone or iPad to a Windows PC - MacRumors
Skip to Content

How to Wirelessly Sync Your iPhone or iPad to a Windows PC

by

When you connect your iPhone or iPad to a Windows PC, you'll be able to sync to it albums, songs, playlists, movies, TV shows, podcasts, books, audiobooks, photos and videos, contacts and calendars. This article shows you how.

windows icloud hero pc iphone
You can sync your iPhone or ‌iPad‌ to a Windows PC by physically connecting them, but did you know that you can sync your Apple device by having them connected over same Wi-Fi network? The only real difference to the operation is that syncing over Wi-Fi is slower than syncing over a cable.

Note that if you connect an iPhone or ‌iPad‌ to your Windows PC while the device is syncing over Wi-Fi, the syncing process will continue over the cable. But if you disconnect the device's cable from the computer while syncing, syncing will stop, even if Wi-Fi syncing is on.

To enable syncing over Wi-Fi, you'll first need to connect your iPhone or ‌iPad‌ to your Windows PC using a cable.

If your iPhone or ‌iPad‌ came with a Lightning to USB Cable and your computer has a USB-C port, you'll need to connect the USB end of the cable to a USB-C to USB Adapter (sold separately), or use a USB-C to Lightning Cable (sold separately).

Apple Prefer Lightning Over USB C Feature
If your iPhone or ‌iPad‌ came with a USB-C to Lightning Cable and your computer has a USB port, you'll need to use a Lightning to USB Cable (sold separately).

If your iPhone or ‌iPad‌ came with a USB-C Charge Cable and your computer has a USB port, use a USB-C to USB Adapter and a USB-A cable.

How to Enable iPhone and iPad Wi-Fi Syncing

  1. If you haven't go iTunes on your computer already, go to the Microsoft Store to download and install the latest version of iTunes for Windows.
  2. Connect your iPhone or ‌iPad‌ to your computer using a compatible USB charging cable (see above).
  3. Launch the iTunes app on your PC.
    itunes windows

  4. Click the iPhone button near the top-left of the iTunes window.
  5. Click Summary in the sidebar.
  6. Select the checkbox for Sync with this [device] over Wi-Fi.
  7. Click Apply.

When you disconnect your iPhone or ‌iPad‌ from your computer, the icon for your device will remain in iTunes unless you click the Eject button. If you click Eject, the icon for the device is removed, but Wi-Fi syncing remains turned on.

You can now sync your device wirelessly by connecting it to a charger and plugging it into an electrical outlet. Syncing will begin automatically. Alternately, click the icon for your device in the iTunes app, then click the Sync button.

Tag: Windows

Popular Stories

Apple TV Sans Remote Feature

New Apple TV 4K Leaked

Friday September 25, 2026 8:16 am PDT by
MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris has uncovered an image file from Apple for an unreleased Apple TV 4K, suggesting that a new model will finally be released soon. The image is specifically for an "Apple TV 4K (4th generation)" model. Apple TV 4K (4th generation) image (on a gradient) The image reveals that the Apple TV will have the same external design as the current model, with all of its...
m5 pro macbook pro launch day

Amazon Just Knocked $900 Off Apple's Latest 16-Inch MacBook Pro

Sunday September 27, 2026 8:30 am PDT by
Amazon has introduced a major discount on the 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Max chip, 32-Core GPU, 36GB RAM, and 2TB SSD, now available for $3,499.00, down from $4,399.00. This is a massive $900 markdown on the high-end MacBook Pro, and it's joining a few other MacBook Pro discounts on Amazon this week. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a...
iPhone Duo Open

iPhone Duo Reportedly Facing Production Problems Ahead of Launch

Tuesday September 29, 2026 6:16 am PDT by
The iPhone Duo is reportedly facing production difficulties ahead of its October launch, with early output expected to be limited. A person said to be close to Foxconn's supply chain told China's Jiemian News that final assembly yields for Apple's first foldable iPhone were only slightly above 60% as of September 17. The source said that, under Apple's current quality standards, it could...
Latest Stories
DoorDash Unveils AI Food Ordering Through Apple's Messages App
DoorDash Unveils AI Food Ordering Through Apple's Messages App
52 minutes ago
Amazon Takes Up to $150 Off Select M5 MacBook Air Models
Amazon Takes Up to $150 Off Select M5 MacBook Air Models
1 hour ago
Apple Still Plans to Release a New Full-Sized HomePod
Apple Still Plans to Release a New Full-Sized HomePod
2 hours ago
Apple Working to Expand HomeKit
Apple Working to Expand HomeKit
4 hours ago
Apple Smart Home Hub to Feature iMac G4-Style Design
Apple Smart Home Hub to Feature iMac G4-Style Design
4 hours ago
Three New Apple Smart Home Products Coming on October 13
Three New Apple Smart Home Products Coming on October 13
4 hours ago
Apple Pay Now Available in India With Axis Bank Cards
Apple Pay Now Available in India With Axis Bank Cards
15 hours ago
OpenAI Launches Always-On 'Dots' Agents to Rival Meta's Muse
OpenAI Launches Always-On 'Dots' Agents to Rival Meta's Muse
17 hours ago
AirPods 5 Teardown: Batteries Removable, Case Still Tough
AirPods 5 Teardown: Batteries Removable, Case Still Tough
18 hours ago
iPhone 18 Pro Owners Complain of Speaker Crackling or Popping
iPhone 18 Pro Owners Complain of Speaker Crackling or Popping
19 hours ago
You Can 'Get Ready' for iPhone Duo Pre-Orders on October 12
You Can 'Get Ready' for iPhone Duo Pre-Orders on October 12
19 hours ago
Apple Pay Reportedly Launching in India Today
Apple Pay Reportedly Launching in India Today
19 hours ago
Apple Releases New AirPods Beta Firmware
Apple Releases New AirPods Beta Firmware
21 hours ago
Apple Shares New Guide for Using iOS 27 Parental Controls
Apple Shares New Guide for Using iOS 27 Parental Controls
21 hours ago
Apple Creator Studio and Final Cut Camera Get New Features
Apple Creator Studio and Final Cut Camera Get New Features
22 hours ago
Apple Explains Why It Removed ICE Tracking Apps Last Year
Apple Explains Why It Removed ICE Tracking Apps Last Year
22 hours ago
Amazon Expands $779.99 Apple Watch Ultra 4 Deal to More Models
Amazon Expands $779.99 Apple Watch Ultra 4 Deal to More Models
22 hours ago
Switch Siri AI for ChatGPT on Your Mac
Switch Siri AI for ChatGPT on Your Mac
22 hours ago
Apple Says Emergency SOS via Satellite Now Available in Norway
Apple Says Emergency SOS via Satellite Now Available in Norway
22 hours ago
AppleCare Guide: Is it Worth Paying For?
AppleCare Guide: Is it Worth Paying For?
23 hours ago
Apple Reportedly Planned to Replace 5,000 Support Employees With AI
Apple Reportedly Planned to Replace 5,000 Support Employees With AI
23 hours ago
Apple Planning to Launch Products Faster and More Often
Apple Planning to Launch Products Faster and More Often
23 hours ago
Amazon Discounting New Mac Mini and Mac Studio Alongside Early Prime Day Deals on Monitors
Amazon Discounting New Mac Mini and Mac Studio Alongside Early Prime Day Deals on Monitors
1 day ago
New Apple TV 4K Hinted at in Support Document
New Apple TV 4K Hinted at in Support Document
1 day ago
iPhone Duo Reportedly Facing Production Problems Ahead of Launch
iPhone Duo Reportedly Facing Production Problems Ahead of Launch
1 day ago
Here's Why iPhone Apps Were Crashing
Here's Why iPhone Apps Were Crashing
1 day ago
iPhone Duo Gets a Virtual Walkman App Ahead of Launch
iPhone Duo Gets a Virtual Walkman App Ahead of Launch
1 day ago
iPhone Duo StandBy Leak Reveals Five Unannounced Faces
iPhone Duo StandBy Leak Reveals Five Unannounced Faces
2 days ago
Apple Releases watchOS 27.0.1 for Additional Models
Apple Releases watchOS 27.0.1 for Additional Models
2 days ago
iPhone 18 Pro First Impressions: What Do You Think So Far?
iPhone 18 Pro First Impressions: What Do You Think So Far?
2 days ago