endless trust this computer loop

I have an iPhone 7 running the latest iOS software version 12.1.2. I am trying to sync it to iTunes on my Mac, running the latest version of Mojave, 10.14.2.


When I connect the phone, it goes into an endliess "Trust this computer?" loop, and I am unable to select the "Trust" button. The computer repeatedly asks if I want to allow the phone to access the computer. I can select that dialog, but it again loops with the same dialog displaying over and over. It then tells me that I need to download software to access the phone, with another dialog then telling me that there is no software available to download.


I have restarted both. I have deleted the trust settings on the phone in an effort to force a reset there. Nothing is working. Nothing.

iPhone 7

Posted on Jan 4, 2019 12:48 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 4, 2019 12:52 PM

Try Some Troubleshooting?


  1. Restart:  Press On/Off button until the Slide to Power Off slider appears, select Slide to Power Off and, after It shuts down, press the On/Off button until the Apple logo appears.
  2. Reset:  Press the Home and On/Off buttons at the same time and hold them until the Apple logo appears (about 10-15 seconds).
  3. Restore:  Connect your iPhone to iTunes on your computer, backup, and then select Restore to Factory.
  4. How to erase your iOS device & then set it up as a new device or restore it from backups.


If the above doesn’t work for you, then:


Follow these steps to place your iOS device into recovery mode. If your iOS device is already in recovery mode, you can proceed immediately to step 6.


  1. Disconnect the USB cable from the iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch and leave 

    one end of the cable connected to your computer's USB port.

  2. Turn off the device: Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button for a few seconds 

    until the red slider appears, then slide the slider. Wait for the device to turn off.


       * If you cannot turn off the device using the slider, press and hold the 

        Sleep/Wake and Home buttons at the same time. When the device turns off, 

        release the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons.


 3. While pressing and holding the Home button, reconnect the USB cable to the

    device. The device should turn on. Note: If you see the battery charge warning,

    let the device charge for at least ten minutes, and then start with step 2 again.

 4. Continue holding the Home button until you see the "Connect to iTunes" screen.

    When this screen appears you can release the Home button:

 5. If necessary, open iTunes. You should see the following "recovery mode" alert:

 6. Use iTunes to restore the device.


If you don't see the "Connect to iTunes" screen, try these steps again. If you see the "Connect to iTunes" screen but the device does not appear in iTunes, see this article and its related links. If all else fails then make an appointment at the Apple Genius Bar for service. If you need to find an Apple Store - Find a Store - Apple. If you did not purchase it from Apple then you will need to look to the vendor for service or How to find your nearest Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) or Distributor (AAD).


1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 4, 2019 12:52 PM in response to MgRasmussen

Try Some Troubleshooting?


  1. Restart:  Press On/Off button until the Slide to Power Off slider appears, select Slide to Power Off and, after It shuts down, press the On/Off button until the Apple logo appears.
  2. Reset:  Press the Home and On/Off buttons at the same time and hold them until the Apple logo appears (about 10-15 seconds).
  3. Restore:  Connect your iPhone to iTunes on your computer, backup, and then select Restore to Factory.
  4. How to erase your iOS device & then set it up as a new device or restore it from backups.


If the above doesn’t work for you, then:


Follow these steps to place your iOS device into recovery mode. If your iOS device is already in recovery mode, you can proceed immediately to step 6.


  1. Disconnect the USB cable from the iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch and leave 

    one end of the cable connected to your computer's USB port.

  2. Turn off the device: Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button for a few seconds 

    until the red slider appears, then slide the slider. Wait for the device to turn off.


       * If you cannot turn off the device using the slider, press and hold the 

        Sleep/Wake and Home buttons at the same time. When the device turns off, 

        release the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons.


 3. While pressing and holding the Home button, reconnect the USB cable to the

    device. The device should turn on. Note: If you see the battery charge warning,

    let the device charge for at least ten minutes, and then start with step 2 again.

 4. Continue holding the Home button until you see the "Connect to iTunes" screen.

    When this screen appears you can release the Home button:

 5. If necessary, open iTunes. You should see the following "recovery mode" alert:

 6. Use iTunes to restore the device.


If you don't see the "Connect to iTunes" screen, try these steps again. If you see the "Connect to iTunes" screen but the device does not appear in iTunes, see this article and its related links. If all else fails then make an appointment at the Apple Genius Bar for service. If you need to find an Apple Store - Find a Store - Apple. If you did not purchase it from Apple then you will need to look to the vendor for service or How to find your nearest Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) or Distributor (AAD).


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endless trust this computer loop

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