Use the Finder to sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod with your computer

Use the Finder to sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod with your computer

Starting with macOS Catalina, the Finder replaces iTunes as one of the ways to sync your device with your Mac.

The Finder is a macOS feature for browsing and accessing content on your computer. If you update to macOS Catalina or later, you can use the Finder to sync content between your Mac and your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. The experience is similar to using iTunes.

Instead of the Finder, you can also use iCloud and Apple Music or similar services to keep content from your Mac or PC in the cloud. That way, you can you can access your music, photos, and more on your devices when you aren't near your Mac. If you do that, some of the Finder syncing features described below might turn off.

If you use iCloud or other services like Apple Music to keep your content up to date across all of your devices, some syncing features through the Finder might be turned off.

What you can sync with the Finder

  • Albums, songs, playlists, movies, TV shows, podcasts, books, and audiobooks.
  • Photos and videos.
  • Contacts and calendars.

Learn how to use iCloud to sync content from Messages, Mail, and Notes.

Sync or remove content using the Finder

  1. Open a Finder window and connect your device to your computer using a USB cable. Learn what to do if you don't see your device listed in Finder.
  2. After your device appears in the sidebar of the Finder window, click the device to select it.
  3. If prompted, trust your device. You might be asked to update to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS.
  4. Select the type of content that you want to sync or remove from the horizontal list. To turn syncing on for a content type, select the checkbox next to “Sync [content] onto [user’s] iPhone.” More syncing options will now be available.
  5. Select the checkbox next to each item that you want to sync.



  1. Click the Apply button in the lower-right corner of the window. If syncing doesn't start automatically, click the Sync button. You may also be prompted to authorize your computer to complete the sync.

* You can only sync your device with one Apple Music or Apple TV library at a time. If you see a message that your device is synced with another Apple Music or Apple TV library, your device was previously connected to another computer. If you click "Erase and Sync" in that message, all content of the selected type on your device will be erased and replaced with content from this computer.

Sync your content using Wi-Fi

After you set up syncing with the Finder using USB, you can set up the Finder to sync to your device with Wi-Fi instead of USB.

  1. Connect your device to your computer with a USB cable, then open a Finder window and select your device.
  2. Select “Show this [device] when on Wi-Fi."
  3. Click Apply.

When the computer and the device are on the same Wi-Fi network, the device appears in the Finder. The device syncs automatically whenever it's plugged in to power.

    • Related Articles

    • Backup methods for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

      A backup allows you to copy and save the information from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. If you replace your device, you can use a backup to transfer your information to a new device. Decide which method is best for you In case you ever need an ...

    • Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

      Learn how to update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS. You can update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS wirelessly. If you're using iOS or iPadOS 14.5 or later, you might see ...

    • If you need more space for an update on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

      If there isn't enough space for an update on your device, try this. Updating to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS software provides the latest features, security updates, and bug fixes. If a message says that there isn't enough space to download ...

    • If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch won't update

      If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch won't update You might be unable to update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch wirelessly—or over the air—for one of these reasons. Not enough available storage space on your device Downloading the update takes a long ...

    • Transfer photos and videos from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to your Mac or PC

      With the Photos app and a USB cable, you can transfer photos and videos to your computer. You can also make your photos available on all your devices with iCloud Photos. Use iCloud Photos iCloud Photos keeps your photos and videos safe, up to date, ...