If you’re having problems setting up the Remote software for the iPhone and/or iPod Touch, follow the steps outlined in this tutorial and you should be up and running in no time.
Remote allows you to control iTunes from your iPhone or iPod Touch. I’ve found quite a few folks have mentioned in the comments section of a previous tutorial on the subject that it doesn’t work for them. The following troubleshooting tips should get it working.
Network
Your iPhone/iPod Touch must be on the same network as the computer running iTunes. Remote does not work over Edge or 3G. The PC or Mac running iTunes doesn’t need to be connected via Wi-Fi, but your iPhone or iPod Touch must be connected to the same network.
iTunes Settings
Make certain that your iTunes is actually looking for the Remote. To do so, open the iTunes Preferences and select the Advanced tab. From there, make sure that the box labeled is checked.
Firewall
iTunes must be allowed through any software (or hardware) firewall that you may be using. I’ve provided the steps for the built-in firewalls included with Windows XP and Windows Vista, and some suggestions for other software and hardware firewalls.
- I use the Windows XP firewall
- I use the Windows Vista firewall
- I use another 3rd party firewall
- Hardware Router firewall
- Windows XP
- If you’re using the built-in Windows XP firewall, you’ll want to make sure that iTunes is an allowed exception. To do so, open the Control Panel and select the Security Center.
- In the Security Center, select the Windows Firewall link from the bottom of the page.
- On the General tab, make sure that Don’t allow exceptions is NOT selected.
- Now select the Exceptions tab. In the list, make sure that iTunes is listed, and DOES have a check in the box next to it. If it’s listed, but was unchecked (and now you’ve checked it off) - click OK, close out of the Security Center and give your Remote a try again.
If it is listed, and checked, and you’ve confirmed the previous troubleshooting steps, make sure that if you have a router and are utilizing its firewall, that the proper ports are being forwarded.
If iTunes is not listed, carry on with the next step.
- Click the Add Program… button, and see if iTunes is listed among the programs. If it is, select it and click OK Jump down to step h below. If it’s not listed, click the Browse button.
- Navigate to the C:\Program Files\iTunes\ folder. Select iTunes (might be listed as iTunes.exe and click Open.
- iTunes will now be listed in the Add a Program window. Make sure it’s selected, and then click OK.
- iTunes should now be listed in your Windows XP firewall exceptions list, with a check in the box next to it. Click OK, exit out of the Security Center and give your Remote a try again.
- Windows Vista
- If you’re using the built-in Windows Vista firewall, you’ll want to make sure that iTunes is an allowed exception. To do so, open the Control Panel and select the Allow a program through Windows Firewall link in the Security section.
- On the General tab, make sure that Block all incoming connections is NOT checked.
- Select the Exceptions tab. Make sure that iTunes is listed, and DOES have a check in the box next to it. If it’s listed, but was unchecked (and now you’ve checked it off) - click OK, close out of the Control Panel and give your Remote a try again.
If it is listed, and checked, and you’ve confirmed the previous troubleshooting steps, make sure that if you have a router and are utilizing its firewall, that the proper ports are being forwarded.
If iTunes is not listed, carry on with the next step.
- Click the Add program… button, and see if iTunes is listed. If it is, select it and click the OK button. Jump down to step g below. If it’s not listed, click the Browse… button.
- Navigate to the C:\Program Files\iTunes\ folder. Select iTunes (might be listed as iTunes.exe and click Open.
- iTunes will now be listed in the Add a Program window. Make sure it’s selected, and then click OK.
- iTunes should now be listed in your Windows Vista firewall exceptions list, with a check in the box next to it. Click OK, exit out of the Windows Firewall Settings and give your Remote a try again.
- Other 3rd Party firewall
- Hardware Router firewall
If you’re using a firewall provided by Norton, McAfee or any one of the dozens (hundreds?) of other firewall vendors, check with their online or built-in support on how to allow a program through the firewall. It’s iTunes.exe that you’ll want to allow. iTunes.exe is located in the C:\Program Files\iTunes\ folder. You may also/alternately need to allow TCP port 3689 and UDP port 5353 through - it depends on your firewall program.
If you have a router and utilize its firewall, you may need to configure it to allow Remote traffic. Remote uses TCP port 3689 and UDP port 5353 to communicate with your iTunes or Apple TV. See Port Forward for help with setting up your router to allow these ports.
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Thanks for that.
Unfortunally it does not work for me. I use BitDefender Internet Security 2008.
I added iTunes to my firewall exceptions, and allowed iTunes to use all ports, not just the onces you describe above.
Still no luck unfortunally.
I get my iPhone to show up via the WiFi. I type in the code listed on my iPhone into iTunes and it doesn’t work.
I checked firewalls and everything. Is there anything else?
Vista:
Firewall->Exceptions->Add Port->3689 TCP
Firewall->Exceptions->Add Port->5353 UDP
That should work. If it does not get your iPhone to show as a Device:
start->[command line:]cmd[enter]->ipconfig /release *[enter]->start iphone remote app, go to add a new library->back to windows and->ipconfig /renew *[enter]
It should now show up, sync it, and -> exit from the prompt.
The iPhone Remote broadcasts on 5353 to let the computers on the network know it is there. When you renew the network iTunes sends out a broadcast request on 5353 and receives it, syncing the devices. But if you do not open up 5353 and 3689, then it is unable to recreate the connection.
– Well, that is, that fixed it for me on all but one computer *sigh*
Additionally, verify that Windows Vista (or XP) is not using a HTTP proxy server. In Control Panel -> Internet Options -> Connections -> LAN Settings, do not have checkmark on “Use Proxy Server for your LAN”
I downloaded it but it doesnt open:S
it opens for 3 seconds without any options coming up, it just shuts down…
why is this
i have my computer and itouch on the same wireless network, i click on my ipod in the device section of itunes and i enter the code. itunes says “verifying remote passcode” for about 20 seconds then beeps and clears the code leaving the four boxes empty…and i am typing it in right.
anyone know what to do? or have any ideas?
I’m having a problem similar to a number of folks. I can get remote to connect to my iPhone and control my library for a short period of time. After I close Remote and lock the iphone Remote can not find my iTunes library and I have to re-pair the device. Remote will work for about 5 min, and then it looses connection.
Everything seems to be connected correctly, but when I look at my devices list under my device, I don’t see the REMOTE icon for my iphone, therefore I cannot put in a code… any suggestions?
os10.5.4
iphone 3g
Everything seems to be connected correctly, but when I look at my devices list under my device, I don’t see the REMOTE icon for my iphone, therefore I cannot put in a code… any suggestions?
Great post. I had to trouble shoot this for a while. I am on a Macbook Pro with an Airport Extreme wireless network.
1. Make sure that iTunes is allowed through your the firewall on your laptop as discussed in the post.
2. Make sure you are connected to the correct wireless network. Both the Macbook and the iPhone need to be connected to the same network. I was connected to my neighbors! Dumb mistake that cost me some time I will never get back
Everything seems to be connected correctly, but when I look at my devices list under my device, I don’t see the REMOTE icon for my iphone, therefore I cannot put in a code… any suggestions? This is my problem and ive already seen many others with the same thing, in addittion to this i must say I at first was able of using remote perfectly but for some reason this problem started, also I have connected a friend’s ipod touch to my computer whilst mine doesn’t work (so the problem’s the ipod….)
Great post M!!! Thanks a lot. That did it for me.
Vista:
Firewall->Exceptions->Add Port->3689 TCP
Firewall->Exceptions->Add Port->5353 UDP
That should work. If it does not get your iPhone to show as a Device:
start->[command line:]cmd[enter]->ipconfig /release *[enter]->start iphone remote app, go to add a new library->back to windows and->ipconfig /renew *[enter]
It should now show up, sync it, and -> exit from the prompt.
The iPhone Remote broadcasts on 5353 to let the computers on the network know it is there. When you renew the network iTunes sends out a broadcast request on 5353 and receives it, syncing the devices. But if you do not open up 5353 and 3689, then it is unable to recreate the connection.
– Well, that is, that fixed it for me on all but one computer *sigh*
Still having this problem: I can get remote to connect to my iPhone and control my library for a short period of time. After I close Remote and lock the iphone Remote can not find my iTunes library and I have to re-pair the device. Remote will work for about 5 min, and then it looses connection.
Like many of you it took me forever to get my iPod touch to work with vista.
I saw on another site that if you repair bonjor by going to computer then to change or uninstall a program and then right clicking on bonjor and selecting repair that it will get it to work with vista and it did.
i have tried so many differant ways. i get my ipod touch to show up as a remote in the itunes, and i enter my code and it says ‘verifying code’ for a while, then it just stops, and the boxes are blank again, and nothing happens. im using windows xp, the ports are unblocked on my OS and my router, it just wont ‘verify’ hmm. if anyone could hlep it’d be great! Cheers~
dude, it took me forever to get my iphone to connect to the remote. the cmd ipconfig totally worked. thanks guys!!!!
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