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.
Have real frustrations with this remote.
Have got it working on two computers (one XP one Vista) but not on a third (Vista). My laptop (vista) is on same network at home and as soon as itunes is opened the library is found.
I have the remote appear in devices – sometimes passcode is accepted and sometimes it is not and I am left with blank boxes. when it is accepted my ipod touch can’t find the library.
If have on two occasions got it to work but as soon as screensaver comes on it disappear and I am back to sqaure one.
I am getting so frustrated – assume firewall and network is ok as it does communicate initially.
HELP!!!!
Hi – like some, I have the following problem:
– my iphone appears as a device on iTunes when I try to add a library from Remote.
– I enter the passcode that appears on the iPhone
– iTunes tries to process the code but after 20secs (I timed it) the PC makes an error noise and returns to the 4 empty boxes
I’m running Win XP Pro, Windows firewall is disabled, Avira disabled (just in case).
I use a Draytek Vigor2820 series modem/router. PC is conencted via Cat5e. iPhone connects via wireless.
I have gone into NAT > Port redirection ad added entries for TCP port 3689 and UDP port 5353 specific to the ip address of the PC.
I released the IP address of PC and rebooted (had to change the TCP and UDP entries since the PC had reassigned itself a new IP address). No joy.
I set the PC to use a static IP but didnt work. I then set it back to dynamic. (The PC always seems to hold the same ip address even under dynamic)
Unfotunately I still cant get the Remote to work.
Is there anything I’ve missed ?
The one thing I’m nervous about is the router – the Vigor2820 is much more comlicated than the routers I’ve normally used ? Is there anythng specil I need to do re the ports ?
Do I need to do anything special re the router firewall (I tried disabling the Data and Call filters on the general setup page and it came up with a message “All functions related with firewall filter will be turned off” – but no joy)
Apols for the long post – have been pulling my hair out for 4 hours and guests arrive in 15mins
Thanks
Joe
A thought (and apols for typos in the previous mail)
The iPhone can happily access the internet via the wireless home network – but do I need to do anything to ensure the Remote app on the iPhone is talking properly to the Router ?
Thanks again
I have a first generation iPod touch. I let my friend put her music from her itunes on it. Every time i download the new version of itunes it says its not a valid Windows 32 application. Also when i plug in my iPod it shows up as a camera. What can i do to get this to stop?
Joe,
To me… and I am by no means an expert, your problem does not sound like a networking issue. You stated that your Iphone is seen as a device in Itunes and that you actually get through to the passcode entry. I guess that means that the networking is working fine. On my setup, I find it hard to stop the whole thing from working ok, whether firewall is enabled / disabled, ports are redirected etc, it always works.
If I were you, and if you havn’t allready (once again let me point out that I am NO expert), I would look more at reinstalling Itunes and especially the bonjour application, I would guess that your problem lies more on the bonjour side of things. Do you ever do a complete power down on the iphone? I found this makes a difference quite often.
More importantly… good luck.
Dave – thanks for suggestions – will have a play this weekend. Fingers crossed
I’ve tried every solution here nothing seems to work , remote app takes pass code fine on my wired PC but on my wireless HTPC, you end the code itunes thinks for a bit then pings back and doesn’t take code
WOOT The ip config and firewall port thing works!!
I really can’t seem to get my Remote app going. I gave iTunes Permission to bypass the Windows Firewall and my McAfee Virus Protection/Firewall. This still seems to be a problem because when i attach my iPod Touch to my Laptop i don’t even get the screen in my iTunes to input the four digit pass code. I don’t seem to know why this app isn’t working. Please someone help me I am really confused.
Hey there, i’ve been frustrated with remote for the past day or so. I couldn’t get my iPhone to appear in the devices list, even after trying many of the things above.
I eventually turned off my AVG firewall, restarted bonjour, then opened Remote/then iTunes and voila.
hope it helps anyone else with the same issue.
Wenn das Problem nach Öffnung der lokalen FW, nach Einstellung, dass Remote Geräte gesucht werden und nach komplettem Sharing der Mediathek immer noch auftritt, dann hilft den fritz.box WLAN Router Nutzern vielleicht folgendes:
In den Einstellungen > WLAN > Funkeinstellungen der Routerkonfiguration bitte folgende Optionen setzen:
“WLAN-Übertragung für IPTV-Anwendungen optimieren” sollte ausgewählt sein.
Auch die Optionen, dass sich WLAN Geräte unterhalten dürfen und “WLAN Autokanal inklusive Kanal 12/13″ sollten ausgewählt sein.
Da ich zwei Änderungen auf einmal gemacht habe und nachdem ich jetzt den ganzen Samstag geforscht habe, will ich nicht mehr genau wissen woran es lag, ich vermute an der “Optimierungsfunktion”.
Nun hoffe ich, dass es kein temporärer Erfolg ist, wie ich es bei manch anderen gelesen habe.
Hey m…
that actually worked..
finally could take a deep breath..
thnx a ton..
god bless u geeks out dre..
thanks!! i had the firewall disabled at all. you should not assign a second ip address to your network card!
removing the second address did it!