How to Solve “Add to Device not Working iTunes” Issue on Windows PC?

You may meet “Add to Device” not working on iTunes. Read this passage to find solutions to fix iTunes Add to Device not working, you can also choose the iTunes alternative we recommend in this passage.

Demi

By Demi / Updated on June 7, 2023

Share this: instagram reddit

Add to device not working

When I’m in iTunes and right-clicking something I want to add to my iPhone, I only get the “Add to playlist” option and the “Add to Device” option is missing. At first I thought it was because I did not have any free space but I cleared plenty and it didn’t help.

- Question from Apple Community

iTunes is a convenient tool for Apple users to sync music, playlist etc. between computer and iPhone, iPad and iPod. However, people usually encounter kinds of problems when and during they are using iTunes. And Add to Device not working on iTunes on Windows 10/8/7 is one of them.

Part 1. Why Add to Device not working on iTunes?

When you manage to sync some files from Windows PC via iTunes, you may suddenly find there is no option about Add to Device. The reasons why you can’t find Add to Devices on iTunes may be as follows.

Outdated version of iTunes. Some minor software errors may lead to problems, not to mention an outdated version of iTunes.
Nonexistent files. The files you’d like to add to device may have been deleted or moved.
Limited storage space on your device. If you don’t have enough space, you cannot enable to add files to device.

Except the most common reasons shown above, if you enable options like iCloud Music Library or iTunes Match, you will find Add to Device not showing on iTunes as well.

Part 2. 5 solutions to fix iTunes Add to Device not working

In this part, I’d like to introduce you 5 effective ways to fix Add to Device greyed out on iTunes. Hopefully, your problem can be fixed by one of these solutions.

Solution 1. Update the latest version of iTunes
If you are using an outdated version of iTunes, you can encounter kinds of troubles, including an unavailable option of Add to Device on iTunes. Thus, the first thing you need to do is to check if your iTunes is the latest version. If it isn’t, you can follow the instructions below to update the latest version of iTunes.

If you downloaded iTunes from Apple’s website, go to iTunes app and click Help on the menu bar on Windows PC > Select Check for Updates to make it if there is a latest version.

Itunes Check For Updates

Note: You won’t see the option “Check for Updates” in Help if you download iTunes from the Microsoft Store, because iTunes will be updated automatically if there is a new version released.

Solution 2. Check on the available space on your device
Sometimes Add to Device not showing on iTunes may due to the lack of enough space. Once your space is full, you can no longer add music to your device. To check the free storage space on your device, open the Settings app > General > Select iPhone Storage or iPad Storage or iPod Storage. At the top of the screen, you can see the used space on your device.

Iphone Storage

If storage is the problem, then delete some files you don’t need any more to free up some space to store new files. If you are worried about that you may use the old files in the future, you can choose to backup iPhone to computer without iTunes.

Solution 3. Check the location of the data you want to add
iTunes Add to Device not working potentially due to iTunes not being able to locate the exact files you’d like to add since you may have moved or deleted them previously. It usually won’t show you the missing files unless you choose them.

To resolve this issue, check the data you want to transfer to your device to see if the data in your iTunes library are in the same folder as before.

Solution 4. Disable iCloud Music Library
When iCloud Music Library is turned on, it may corrupt your iTunes Library. Therefore, if you can’t use Add to Device on iTunes, you’d better check and disable iCloud Music Library on your device.

To disable iCloud Music Library on your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings app > Scroll down and select Music > Turn off Sync Library by switching the icon.

Solution 5. Disable iTunes Match
Just like what iCloud Music Library do to your device, an enabled iTunes Match can also stop you from transferring music to your device.

Tutorials about disabling iTunes Match are as follow.
Step 1. Go to Settings > iTunes & App Store.

Step 2. Tap your Apple ID > Choose View Apple ID.

Step 3. Tap Subscriptions > iTunes Match > Tap Cancel Subscription to make it.

 

Part 3. Transfer files with iTunes alternative - FoneTool

If your iTunes problem still remains or you cannot stand iTunes problems any more, there is an iTunes alternative to help you avoid iTunes issues once for all.

FoneTool is a professional backup and transfer tool for Apple users to protect your data from losing with a few clicks. And you won’t be bothered with any trouble at all.

In FoneTool, you can enjoy,
A preview and selective process. You don’t need to backup unnecessary files any longer with the help of FoneTool.
A faster transfer speed. It won’t take your much time to transfer files via FoneTool. For example, it can transfer 1000 songs in 9 mins 13 s.
More types of files can be transferred. Besides music, context, messages, photos can also be shared between computer and your Apple devices. You can also transfer videos from iPhone to computer, which iTunes cannot offer you.
Widely compatibility. You don’t need to worry about its compatibility because it can work well with iPhone 4, 6, 7, 8, SE, 12, 13,14, iPods Touch 5, 6, 7, 8, iPad, iPad pro, iPad mini. Besides, it is also compatible with the latest iOS, like iOS16.

Download FoneTool, and have a try now!

Download FreewareWin 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
Secure Download

Let’s take transferring music from iPhone to computer as an example.

Step 1. Launch FoneTool > Connect your iPhone to computer > Tap Trust this computer on your iPhone.

Step 2. On the Home screen, click Phone Transfer on the left window, and move iPhone to PC option. Click Start Transfer.

Transfer To Computer

Step 3. Click the “+” icon > Choose the music you want > Click OK to continue.

Choose Songs

Step 4. You can choose a storage path on transfer settings and click Start Transfer to start.

Transfer

Conclusion

Has your problem “Add to Device not working iTunes” been solved? Indeed, iTunes is a contradictory choice when it comes to backup your device to computer. Hence, you’d better choose the iTunes alternative - FoneTool to backup your iPhone, iPod and iPad to computer without iTunes as soon as possible.