iTunes is a useful utility to iPhone users. You can purchase videos and music, back up iPhone, restore iPhone from iTunes backup and do troubleshooting.
However, if iPhone not connecting to iTunes, none of these features is available. Actually, it is not a new problem. But there are still many people ask what they could do to fix this problem on social media and forums.
There can be a log of factors why this issue happens. Sometimes, simply restarting iTunes can fix this problem. In other case, you have to perform complex troubleshooting.
Anyway, you can learn how to get rid of iPhone not connecting to iTunes problem in the tutorial below.
- Part 1: Common ways to solve iPhone not connecting to iTunes
- Part 2: How to Backup iPhone to Computer If iPhone doesn't connect to iTunes
- Part 3: Tips for iPhone not connecting to iTunes
Part 1: Common ways to solve iPhone not connecting to iTunes
Here are several common ways to help you fix the problem that iPhone not connecting to iTunes.
Way 1: Replace USB cable
When your iPhone not connecting to iTunes, the first thing you should do is to check the connection between your iPhone and the computer. If the USB cable is broken, try to replace another one.
Way 2: Restart iPhone and iTunes
In some cases, simply restarting iPhone and iTunes can fix the connection problems.
Step 1. Remove your device from your computer when iPhone not connecting to iTunes. Press the Side button until you see the power off screen. Move the slider to shut down your iPhone. Wait for a while, and then turn your device back on.
Step 2. Turn to your computer, quit the iTunes client, restart your computer and then run iTunes again.
Step 3. Hook up your iPhone to the computer again. When you prompt on iPhone screen, tap "Trust" to confirm the connection. Your iPhone should connect to iTunes successfully.
Different iPhone models get a slight different settings of restarting iPhone. Check the details here to restart iPhone.
Way 3: Update iTunes and iOS
If iPhone not connecting to iTunes after restarting, it is a good idea to perform update for iTunes and iOS.
1. Update iTunes:
Step 1. Open the "iTunes" menu in iTunes app on Mac and then select "Check for Updates". In iTunes for PC, the "Check for Updates" option is in the "Help" menu.
Step 2. If there is an update for your iTunes, click "Install" on the popup dialog. Read Apple's Terms and Conditions carefully and click "Agree" to continue.
Step 3. After installing, reboot your computer to complete the update.
2. Update iOS:
Step 1. Unlock your iPhone and go to "Settings" > "General" > "Software Update".
Step 2. If there is an update available, tap on "Download and Install" to get it to your iPhone. When prompting, enter your password to verify you are the owner.
Step 3. Wait for your iPhone to reboot and log in your password after startup. (iPhone gets stuck in update?)
Now, you can connect your iPhone and iTunes again, they should work as usual.
Way 4: Check and reinstall Apple's Drivers
iPhone not connecting to iTunes is more common on Windows PCs, partly because Apple's Windows Drivers do not work very well.
To check if Apple USB drivers runs fine, right-click on "My Computer", pick "Manage" to open "Computer Manager", unfold "Universal Serial Bus Controllers" and look at the "Apple Mobile Device USB Driver" entry. If there is a warning mark on it, right click the entry and hit "Enable" to correct it.
If the operations above are invalid, you have to reinstall Apple's Drivers.
Step 1. Locate to C: > "ProgramFiles" > "Common Files" > "Apple" > "Mobile Device Support" > "Drivers".
Step 2. Find the file named usbaapl64.inf or usbaapl.inf, right-click on it and select Install on menu list to reinstall Apple's Windows Drivers.
Step 3. Finally, reconnect your iPhone to iTunes and test whether the connection works.
Part 2: How to Backup iPhone to Computer If iPhone doesn't connect to iTunes
Actually, you can back up your iPhone to computer even though iPhone not connecting to iTunes. All you need is an excellent iPhone backup tool, such as Apeaksoft iOS Data Backup & Restore.
4,000,000+ Downloads
Back up entire or selective iPhone data to computer in one click.
Support encrypt backup to protect your privacy.
Backup photos, music, videos, contacts, SMS, etc. on iPhone.
Work for iPhone 14/13/12/11/XS/XR/8 or earlier, iPad Pro, etc.
In a word, it is the best way to back up your iPhone to Windows 11/10/8/8.1/7/XP and Mac OS.
Step 1. Get the best backup iPhone to computer tool
Download and install iOS Data Backup & Restore on your Windows PC. There is a dedicated version of Mac. Hook up your iPhone to the computer via the Lightning cable.
Step 2. Select data types for backup
Launch the iPhone backup tool and hit the "iOS Date Backup" button to open the next window. Here you will be presented two options, "Standard backup" and "Encrypted backup". Select one to move to the data type window. Now, you have to choose the data types you want to backup.
Tip: If select Encrypted backup, you will be prompted to drop your password to continue.
Step 3. Back up iPhone in one click
After selecting, click the "Next" button to trigger off the backup process. A few seconds later, your iPhone will be synced to computer. Here you can also backup iPhone to iTunes.
Part 3: Tips for iPhone not connecting to iTunes
Tips for iPhone not connecting to iTunes
- 1. Not use third party USB cable. The connection between iPhone and iTunes is depending on a Lightning cable. According to Apple, third party cables may produce unexpected results, such as data loss, or hardware damages.
- 2. Keep the ports clear. If there is dust in the Lightning port or USB port, communication may be failed.
- 3. Always using the latest version of iTunes.
- 4. When you transfer data, keep your iPhone connecting to iTunes. After data transferring, remove your iPhone to your computer.
Conclusion
You plug your iPhone into your computer and open iTunes, but your iPhone won't show up. It means you confront the problem that iPhone not connecting to iTunes. In this tutorial, we have shared several ways to fix this problem. More importantly, if you are tired on troubleshooting, we suggest you to backup iPhone to computer using Apeaksoft iOS Data Backup & Restore instead.