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iTunes Won't Sync with my iPhone 16

Got a new iPhone 16. Updated to iOS 18. While setting up my new phone, when trying to connect to my existing iTunes, my PC (Win 11) iTunes would not recognize the phone. It showed up in my computer files, so the issue was between the phone and iTunes.


A call to Apple support (spent 2 hours on the phone), had me delete my iTunes and re-install it. The new PC iTunes does not manage music, only podcasts and radio shows. Call support had me install Apple Music, said that would fix my problem.


My problem is - I don't want Apple Music, I only want a music manager that allows me to put my music on my new phone. The 11 bucks a month is my non starter. I am on fixed income, I saved, literally for years to get my new phone. What software is available to manage my music on my PC and talk to my iPhone.

iPhone 16 Pro Max, iOS 18

Posted on Oct 1, 2024 9:23 AM

Reply
7 replies

Oct 1, 2024 6:43 PM in response to NanInAZ

Did you install any of Apple Music (the program), Apple TV, or Apple Devices before iTunes went just to podcasts? That is the behavior iTunes has after installing any or all of those.


Uninstall any of the ones you have of those three, reboot, select music in iTunes and it should all be back. In regards to the sync issue I'll let others speak to that to help you out.


Apple Music for Windows *is* supposed to work like iTunes, outside of needing the separate Apple Devices program to sync. Right now it is missing so many features that it isn't remotely like iTunes. Apple Music on Mac has all the features but Windows for now 1.5 years hasn't gotten much of anything for reasons unexplained. You don't need a subscription to use it.

Oct 15, 2024 1:54 PM in response to jimbob5941

jimbob5941, I don't know given I thought they were supposed to be removing that access in iTunes.


I am uneasy about ANYTHING working right in the future given it seems Apple just wants everyone buying an Apple Music subscription, music from your own CDs/downloads be darned. Given how limited Apple Music for Windows is for people managing their own music collection, and the MS Store even erroneously stating you need a subscription to use the program, the care going into it seems like it be a lot better.

Oct 15, 2024 2:57 AM in response to NanInAZ

The first thing is do not wait until the free trial period ends, if you don't want it and it's hampering your efforts, cancel the trial now.


Once you stop the trial you will be able to manage your music in iTunes. In there you can create and alter playlists and then add them to your phone. I suggest that you use the Sync method to manage your phone, rather than manually manage. Sync (synchronisation) makes life so much easier.

Oct 15, 2024 7:12 AM in response to Z-Salem

Z-Salem:

Since "Apple Music" is supposed to work like iTunes, do you think / has it been announced

that in the future Apple Music will support sync-ing of Contacts and Calendar with Microsoft Outlook

(as iTunes does now)?


I currently run Win10 + iPhone 13 pro + iTunes + Outlook 2021, and everything works fine,

but I will soon be upgrading to a new laptop which will come with Win11 on it and.................

I'm a little uneasy about the whole thing.


THANKS for any insight!

Jim

iTunes Won't Sync with my iPhone 16

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