Intro to syncing your Mac and your devices.

Do I have to sync?

If you have iPod classic, iPod nano or iPod shuffle: You have to sync your device with your Mac. There’s no other way to add content to it.

If you have an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch: You only need to sync with your Mac when you have new or updated content.

If you prefer not to sync your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, you don’t have to. You can download items from the iTunes Store, the App Store, Apple Books and other Apple services directly to your devices. You can also use iCloud to keep items up to date across your devices.

Should I choose to automatically sync all my content or only specific items?

• Automatically sync all content: This is the quickest and easiest option. Simply select the “Automatically sync when this [device] is connected” tick box in the General pane, then turn on syncing for each type of content you want to sync. Your Mac and iPhone, iPad or iPod touch update to matching content whenever you connect them.
• Sync specific items: You can also select specific items to sync. For example, you can sync just certain movies to your iPhone which can save storage space. You can still automatically sync all items for other types of content, such as podcasts, TV shows and books.

Do I have to connect my iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to my Mac to sync?

No. If you have an iPhone (with iOS 5 or later) or iPad, you can sync when your Mac and device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. To set up syncing via Wi-Fi, you must first connect your device with a cable, select your device in the sidebar, and turn on the syncing over Wi-Fi option. See Sync content between your Mac and iPhone, iPad or iPod touch over Wi-Fi.

What’s the difference between using iCloud and syncing?

• Use iCloud to transfer files: When you use iCloud, files transfer automatically and effortlessly between your Mac and iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. For example, when you use iCloud Photos and take a picture on your iPhone, the picture soon appears on your Mac and other devices. With iCloud turned on, your Mac and iPhone, iPad or iPod touch are continuously updated as content changes — and you don’t have to do a thing. For more information, see What is iCloud?
• Use syncing to manage the files on your device: Syncing allows you to update your device to the latest iOS or iPadOS software, back up your device data safely to your Mac or iCloud and, if you need to, use a backup to restore information on your device.Syncing also provides great control over what content is transferred to your device. You can sync all or only a selection of specific files. For example, when you go on a trip, you can sync a selection of audiobooks to your iPhone to listen to while travelling. With syncing, you can easily transfer just the files you want.