How to Sync iPhone over Wi-Fi without Cable [Data Transfer]

Many users don't want to use a USB cable when syncing their iPhone. Wireless syncing provides flexibility whether you're adding new media like music and movies to your iPhone. However, syncing your iPhone over Wi-Fi without a cable isn't as simple as flipping a switch.

In this guide, we'll show you how to enable Wi-Fi syncing and cover some alternative ways to transfer data to your iPhone without cables or data loss.

Can You Sync iPhone without a Cable via Wi-Fi

While you can sync iPhone over Wi-Fi without cable, it's not completely wireless out of the box. To enable wireless syncing, you must first establish a connection between your iPhone and your computer using a USB data cable. After the initial setup, you can disconnect the cable and use Wi-Fi for future syncs.

Preparation of Syncing iPhone with Wi-Fi:✎...

Before you sync your iPhone wirelessly, manually enable Wi-Fi syncing in iTunes.

Your iPhone and computer must be connected to the same stable Wi-Fi network.

Make sure you are using the latest version of iTunes, as older versions may cause wireless syncing issues.

Your iPhone must have enough battery to avoid any interruptions during the syncing process.

How to Perform iTunes Sync iPhone over Wi-Fi

When you're ready, follow the steps below to perform “iTunes sync iPhone over Wi-Fi”. Your devices will then be able to sync over the same Wi-Fi network to transfer data without a USB connection.

Step 1. Install and launch the latest iTunes > Connect the iPhone to the computer with a USB cable.

Step 2. In iTunes, click the device icon in the top-left corner > Go to the Summary tab.

Step 3. Scroll down to the Options section > Check the box that says Sync with this iPhone over Wi-Fi.

Step 4. With Wi-Fi sync enabled, you can safely disconnect the USB cable.

To sync your iPhone, open iTunes and select your device. Following below steps to learn how to enable Wi-Fi sync on iPhone.

Step 1. Connect your system and iPhone to the same Wi-Fi network.

Step 2. Open the Settings app on your iPhone > Go to General.

Step 3. Scroll down and look for the iTunes Wi-Fi Sync option.

Step 4. Then click on the Sync Now, you can connect iPhone to iTunes wirelessly.

A Stable Way to Transfer Data to iPhone without Erasing

Syncing with iTunes using Wi-Fi is convenient, but it also has limitations. For example, you may experience slow transfer speeds or connection issues, especially when syncing large files.

If you want a more stable way to transfer data from iTunes/computer to iPhone without syncing, we recommend using FoneTool - a powerful iTunes alternative tool.

You can download and install FoneTool on your computer, and follow the guide to transfer data from iTunes to iPhone without syncing and erasing.

Step 1. Use a USB cable to connect the iPhone to the computer > Open FoneTool.

Step 2. Navigate to Phone Transfer from the left panel > Choose PC to iPhone > Tap Get Started.

Step 3. Select the file icon you want to transfer > Open the folder that saves the iTunes files, like movies, songs, or images > Drag and drop files to the box directly.

Step 4. Then click Start Transfer to transfer data from iTunes to iPhone without connecting a Wi-Fi.

Of course, if you want to sync all the data on your iPhone to your computer, try to use FoneTool to full backup iPhone with 1-click.

Step 1. Run FoneTool on the PC > Go to Phone Backup > Choose Full Backup > Tap Get Started.

★Tip:

If you want to select specific files to back up, such as backup photos from iPhone, please go to Selective Backup. FoneTool allows you to backup images, music, messages, videos, contacts, etc., while iTunes only supports create an entire backup.

Step 2. Check Enable Backup Encryption if you needed > Decide a storage path to store the backup on the computer > Tap Start Backup to begin.

When you need to restore your backups, go to My Backup and tap Restore icon to recover data to your devices, even if they have different Apple IDs.

Related Question about Enabling Wi-Fi Sync on iPhone

When you start syncing data to iPhone using Wi-Fi, you may want to know the answers to some questions.

Will Wi-Fi syncing be slow?

Wi-Fi syncing is usually slower than using a USB cable. This is because Wi-Fi transfers rely on the bandwidth and signal strength of the wireless network, while USB connections generally provide faster transfer speeds.

Can I separately transfer files using Wi-Fi Sync with iTunes?

When you sync data using iTunes, you usually sync all the files in your media library or the entire photo album. If you require selective syncing, consider using a third-party tool such as FoneTool.

Why does my iPhone keep disconnecting from Wi-Fi sync?

If your iPhone keeps disconnecting, make sure your Wi-Fi connection is stable and your iTunes is up-to-date.

Conclusion

This article tells you how to sync iPhone over Wi-Fi without cable. Although iTunes provides a reliable wireless sync method, it has some limitations, such as slow transfer speed and sometimes connection problems. For more stable offline transfer, FoneTool is your best choice. Download it and have a try!