Stop iTunes from Automatically Opening When iPhone, iPad, or iPod is Connected
May 6, 2010 - 37 Comments
Updated 5/1/2012: By default, iTunes will automatically launch when any compatible device is connected, be it an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Nano, whatever. This can be helpful but it can also be annoying. You can easily turn off the automatic open feature within iTunes and here’s how to do it:
- Connect the iPhone, iPad, iPod device to the computer
- Inside iTunes, click on the device and then click on the ‘Summary’ tab
- Scroll to the bottom of the Summary tab selections until you see “Options”
- Click on the checkbox next to ‘Open iTunes when this iPhone is connected’ – wording will be slightly different if your device is an iPad or iPod or whatever
- Close iTunes
Now iTunes will not automatically open if you plug your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to your computer. This works the same on a Mac or a PC.
Note that disabling automatic syncing is a separate function which can be turned off elsewhere in iTunes preferences.
happens with the iPad too, it’s really obnoxious. turned that off immediately, as well as syncing.
Thanks, I once looked through itunes hoping that this function existed but never found it.
you didnt look hard enough
Wow, so Captain Obvious really does exist!
Or maybe Obvious Man! But wait he’s copyrighted isn’t he? What was his symbol again? I am pretty sure it’s a ‘taboo’ sign but what’s inside that?
This feature is not available. The Text and the checkbox is greyed out, both in itunes 9 and itunes 10. Any ideas from anyone on how to access this? i cannot stop the application from opening every time i connect my handset. really annoying.
It is – go to preferences and uncheck the box that ‘prevents iPods etc from syncing automatically’ on the devices tab. The required checkbox will then become available in the summary pane of your device.
Thank You Henry!!! this was driving me CRAZY!!! it worked! From itunes i went into edit-> Preferences-> devices and deselected the first box
Big Snoopy Dance 
Thanks a lot it worked!
ty, love your brain
You think having the first preference box ticked would be enough to stop itunes opening automatically… ahhh, the faulty Apple software that flings Apple back to reality.
Thank you, Henry. This just started happening since the last update (iOS5) last month.
Thanks Henry, worked great! ITunes is soooooo slow on my computer.
Henry, that’s good advice but I already/always had the “prevent ipods from syncing automatically” unchecked and yet my “open itunes when iphone is connected” option is and always has been greyed out.
I use my iPod with user A on the iMac. When I logon with user B (admin user) iTunes starts, and then pops up the message ‘the ipod is in use by another user’. The device doesn’t appear in iTunes. How can I get rid of iTunes starting automatically without connecting my iPod (and risking loss of all my music because it syncs with an empty iTunes installation) ?
Adam. I have had an issue identical to your own. I too had the proper selection checked under devices in the iTunes preferences. Out of sheer frustration I tried what Henry suggested and it worked.
Thanks Henry
Same problem here. I unchecked the option to automatically sync my iPod but the option to open iTunes when my ipod is connect is and always has been greyed out. Curiously, there is no check mark in the box, but iTunes still opens no matter what any time I connect my iPod, and I can’t find options anywhere else to prevent this from happening.
Ok I feel dumb now. For anyone who experiences the issue with the option being unchecked and greyed out, if you have the option within iTunes preferences to automatically sync your iPod unchecked, the other option in the summary tab will be greyed out. You need to check the box to automatically sync your iPod, then go into the summary tab. Viola! It is no longer greyed out and there is indeed a check mark in the box. Uncheck it! Then go back into preferences and uncheck the option to automatically sync. Problem solved.
Thanks Andrew
(Do not feel dumb, its not you, its them …)
Just wanted to say thanks to Andrew — it works!
Thank you! This was driving me crazy!! Now, i just need to figure out how to access my ipod’s folders on Windows 7.. It’s no where to be found! I even have my folders to “show all hidden folders” and I still can’t find the device to open the folders.. Any suggestions?
When I uncheck the box “Open iTunes when this iPhone is connected” and try to close itunes it asks to save the changes. The problem is it also says if I change this setting it will erase all my apps and music. How can I stop itunes from opening and not have all my apps and music erased?
I have the SAME problem, Cadurling! I assume it is a bug???? So now I am really not sure what to do. Wait until an update??
It may not be the solution you’re looking for (an automatic non-interactive solution) but I think if you hold down the Apple/Command key when you connect your device, that’ll stop iTunes from opening.
T H A N K Y O U.
Thank you Andrew! I’m not sure why it has been made so difficult to do, but you figured it out! Thanks again!
Thanks Andrew, this was driving me crazy as well! It seems a bit stupid that just because the option is disabled that it doesn’t show the correct setting.
thanks that worked.
Since Oct 2011, update ITunes kept automatically opening for me as well. It seems to have stopped since I unchecked the Wi-Fi option under Summary.
Jerry
This option is greyed out for me and I can’t toggle it – anyone know why? It appears to be unchecked but iTunes does still open every time I plug my iPad in.
Um there is no summary tab after I click on device. So what am I supposed to do now?
It looks like I’ve solved this on my machine. This may be of some help, check it out:
https://discussions.apple.com/message/18520213
Yeah, but what if f’n iTunes launches every time I pull my (iPhone) headphone jack OUT of my Macbook Pro?!?!
This no longer works in iTunes 11. There’s no way to “select the device”, or it’s hidden ridiculously well.
You can still select the devices in iTunes 11 the same way as before by showing the sidebar (check the View menu) or by selecting the device from the upper right corner if it’s connected to the computer. Here are some tips to make iTunes 11 look familiar again: http://osxdaily.com/2012/11/29/5-tips-make-itunes-look-normal/
[...] for iPhoto located in Image Capture? Who knows, and it’s fairly confusing considering that to stop iTunes from opening automatically you adjust a setting within iTunes, so most users would think to look in iPhoto to change the same type of setting. Nope, not so [...]
Hi
i m start the iphone then go to logo and not next feature start plz tell me how problem