This wikiHow teaches you how to connect an iPhone to a desktop computer so you can sync it with iTunes or back up your content. This way, you'll also have the ability to copy photos and other data from your device directly to your computer.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: USB connection
Step 1. Connect iPhone to computer
Use the USB data cable that came with the iOS device at the time of purchase.
Step 2. Launch iTunes
It features a multicolored music note icon.
iTunes may start automatically as soon as the iPhone is connected to the system
Step 3. Select the iPhone icon
It will appear in the upper left corner of the iTunes window as soon as the program detects the device.
Step 4. Press the Back Up Now button
Perform this step if you need to create a device backup file directly on your computer.
Step 5. Select the contents to synchronize
Click one of the data categories listed within the left sidebar of iTunes. At this point, select (or deselect, according to your needs) the check button Synchronize [Content_type] (for example "Synchronize Music") located at the top of the right pane of the program window.
Step 6. Press the Apply button
It is located in the lower right corner of the window. This way, changes to the sync options will be saved and applied.
Step 7. Press the Sync button
It is located in the lower right corner of the iTunes window. The synchronization process will begin.
Select the "Automatically sync when iPhone is connected" checkbox. It is listed within the "Options" section of the "Summary" tab. This way, the iPhone will be synced automatically as soon as it is connected to the computer
Method 2 of 3: Wi-Fi connection
Step 1. Connect iPhone to computer
Use the USB data cable that came with the iOS device at the time of purchase.
Step 2. Launch iTunes
It features a multicolored music note icon.
iTunes may start automatically as soon as the iPhone is connected to the system
Step 3. Select the iPhone icon
It will appear in the upper left corner of the iTunes window as soon as the program detects the device.
Step 4. Scroll down to the "Options" section
This is the last section of the "Summary" tab visible within the right pane of the iTunes window.
Step 5. Select the "Sync with iPhone via Wi-Fi" checkbox
It is listed within the "Options" section and should be the second item from the top.
Step 6. Press the Apply button
It is located in the lower right corner of the window. This way, changes to the sync options will be saved and applied.
Wait for the iPhone to finish syncing the new settings you just changed
Step 7. Disconnect the iPhone from the computer
Step 8. Launch the iPhone Settings app
It is characterized by a gray gear icon (⚙️) which is normally placed directly on the Home of the device.
Step 9. Choose the Wi-Fi option
It is one of the first items in the menu that appeared from the top.
Step 10. Select the Wi-Fi network to connect the iPhone to
Remember that the iOS device and the computer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network otherwise it will not be possible to synchronize.
Step 11. Select the Settings item
It is located in the upper left corner of the iPhone screen.
Step 12. Scroll down the menu until you find the General option
It features a gray gear icon (⚙️) and is located at the top of the menu.
Step 13. Choose the iTunes Wi-Fi Sync option
It is located at the bottom of the newly appeared menu.
- If you see a list containing more than one computer, select the name of the one you want to sync the device with.
- Make sure iTunes is running on the computer you want to sync the iPhone with.
Step 14. Press the Sync Now button
The iPhone will be synchronized with the computer by using the Wi-Fi connection.
Method 3 of 3: Connect an iPhone to a Mac Using AirDrop
Step 1. Open a Finder window by clicking the icon
It is blue, in the shape of a stylized face, visible within the System Dock. A new window will appear directly on your computer desktop.
Bluetooth connectivity must be active on both the Mac and the iOS device in order to use the AirDrop feature
Step 2. Select the AirDrop entry
It is located within the "Favorites" section of the left sidebar of the Finder window.
AirDrop is a very efficient and simple feature that allows you to establish a wireless connection between Apple devices so that you can then share content such as images, videos, documents and files. However, the devices must be physically very close, less than ten meters away from each other
Step 3. Select the "Let me find me at" link
It is located at the bottom of the main pane of the Finder window. A small drop-down menu will appear.
Step 4. Choose the All option
Step 5. Swipe your finger across the iPhone screen starting from the bottom and moving up
The "Control Center" will be displayed.
Step 6. Tap the AirDrop icon:
. It is located on the right side of the "Control Center" and is followed by the current configuration setting for who can contact you via this feature, for example "Everyone", "Contacts only" or "Receive not active".
Step 7. Choose the All option
At this point the iPhone will be able to send and receive data to and from the Mac.
Step 8. Select a file to share
Do this step on your Mac or iPhone.
The files or documents created or stored within the applications produced by Apple, such as Photos, Notes, Contacts, Calendar and Safari, are almost always shareable via the AirDrop functionality. However, most third-party applications are also capable of using the AirDrop functionality
Step 9. Tap or click the "Share" icon
It is characterized by a square inside which there is an arrow pointing upwards.
Step 10. Tap or click the AirDrop icon
It is located at the top of the "Share" menu that appeared.
Step 11. Tap or click the name of the device that will receive the chosen content
This step must be performed on the device sending the file or document to be shared.
- If your Mac or iPhone isn't available for selection, make sure the devices are close enough (less than a few meters away) and that AirDrop is on.
- If required, also activate Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Step 12. Touch or click Save to receiving device
This way, the copy of the shared file or document will be saved on the device.
