How to Do If Music Cannot be Added to iPhone through iTunes?

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How to Do If Music Cannot be Added to iPhone through iTunes?

22 January 2020 John Weaver Senior Program Developer

Last update by Olivia Brown at 8 November 2026

Summary
When we cannot add music to iPhone through iTunes, we should figure out the causes and then adopt the correct solutions. In this essay, we list some issues and possible solutions for you.

Content

Why Music cannot be Added to iPhone through iTunes

How to Do If Music Cannot be Added to iPhone through iTunes

Method 1: Convert unavailable audio formats
Method 2: Update iTunes to the latest version
Method 3: Change a USB cable
Method 4: Authorise the computer
Method 5: Restart the computer and iPhone
Method 6: Sync music correctly

Why Music cannot be Added to iPhone through iTunes

The audio format is not available in iTunes.

iTunes is not the latest version.

The USB cable is damaged.

The network connection is abnormal.

Music is not be synced correctly from iTunes to iPhone.

How to Do If Music Cannot be Added to iPhone through iTunes

Method 1: Convert unavailable audio formats

iTunes supports MP3, AAC, WAV and M4R. But WAV is not available in iPhone. Before adding music from iTunes to iPhone, you should convert WAV to the other formats.

How to convert audio formats?

We suggest you convert WAV to AAC with Renee Audio Tools.

Renee Audio Tools, the free audio editing software is competent in recording sounds, cut and merge audio files, convert formats. Besides, it can burn audio files to CD and rip music from CD. This multifunctional, safe, easy software can fulfill all your needs in editing audio files.

Professional Audio Editor – Renee Audio Tools

CutterArbitrarily cut and clip audios in MP3, ACC, FLAC and APE formats. Many effects, such as fade in/out, speed adjustment, music mixing and volume adjustment, are available.

ConverterConvert music files between all audio formats, including MP3, M4A, ACC, OGG, AAC, FLAC and the others. It can also convert the video format into MP3.

RecorderRecord computer sounds from streaming media and microphone at the same time and output into multiple audio formats.

JoinerMerge music files into one regardless the original file formats. The output format and quality can be set, too.

CD BurnerBurn multiple music files into CD, DVD and also make APE or BIN image file.

Compatible with: Windows 11 / 10 / 8.1 / 8 / 7 / Vista / XP (32bit/64bit)

CutterArbitrarily cut and clip audios in diffrent formats. Many effects, such as fade in/out, speed adjustment, music mixing, are available.

ConverterConvert music files between all audio formats, including MP3, M4A, ACC, OGG, AAC, FLAC and the others. It can also convert the video format into MP3.

RecorderRecord computer sounds from streaming media and microphone at the same time and output into multiple audio formats.

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Steps to convert formats in Renee Audio Tools:

① Download and install Renee Audio Tools.

② Open the software and click [Converter].

③ Click [Add Files] to select the WAV file.

Wma vs mp3 click to select the target audio files in renee audio converter

③ Select AAC as the output format and set the output position. Finally, click [Start] to convert the format.

convert wav to aac with renee audio tools

Through the above three steps, we can convert WAV to AAC. After that, you try to add music to iPhone through iTunes.

Steps to convert format in iTunes:

iTunes can also be used to convert audio formats. Of course, the steps are more complicated than that in Renee Audio Tools.

How to convert WAV to AAC with iTunes?

① Download and install iTunes.

② Click [Edit] > [Preferences].

click to file and select preferences in itunes

③ In the tab [General], click [Import Settings].

how to add music to iphone through itunes

④ Select [AAC Encoder]. After this setting, all audio files added to iTunes can be converted to AAC.

④ Next, click [File] > [Add File to Library] > select the audio file.

how to add music files to from itunes library to iphone

select music files and add them to itunes

⑤ Then, in the library, highlight the target item and click [File] > [Convert] > [Create AAC version]. An AAC version will be listed under the original file.

create aac version for the ios ringtones

Method 2: Update iTunes to the latest version

① Run iTunes.

double click to open itunes to transfer music from iphone to computer

② Click [Help] > [Check for Updates].

③ If it is downloaded from Microsoft Store, it will be automatically updated.

Method 3: Change a USB cable

Change another USB cable for connection.

Method 4: Authorise the computer

If the computer is unauthorized, you cannot add music to iPhone with iTunes. Please follow these steps to authorise the computer.

① Open iTunes.

② Click [Account] > [Authorisations] > [Authorise This Computer].

authorise the computer when music cannot be aded to iphone through itunes

③ Enter your Apple ID and password.

enter apple id and password to authorise itunes

Method 5: Restart the computer and iPhone

Sometimes, the errors on the computer or iPhone will lead iTunes not to import music into iPhone. At this situation, we should remove the errors by restarting the computer and iPhone.

Method 6: Sync music correctly

Here is the correct course of syncing iPhone with iTunes.

① Open iTunes and use a cable to connect iPhone with the computer.

② Click the phone icon.

③ In the tab [Music], check [Sync Music] and select the target audio files. Finally, click [Sync] to sync iPhone with iTunes.

How to do if music cannot be added to iPhone through iTunes? It is believed that you can basically use the above methods to solve the problem that music cannot be added to iPhone without iTunes.