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My USB-C Thunderbolt port fails to recognise or charge my iPhone when plugged into the port

Normally I would expect a /dev/tty.usb* process to be active, but I cannot see this when I try to charge my iPhone plugged into the USB to USB-C (Thunderbolt) adaptor. This used to work as a terminal when previously using the screen /dev/tty.usbmodem14101 9600, however, this too now fails (no tty.usbmodem14101 process). Do I need to restart a process to wake up the thunderbolt ports ?

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Aug 17, 2020 12:04 PM

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Posted on Aug 17, 2020 1:33 PM

Thanks for the replies, not sure why I did not try this sooner, so I reset the SMC (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295) and this then resolved the issue with charging my iPhone, although the problem of using the screen to enter serial tty mode at 9600 still fails ie: when using the "screen /dev/usbmodem1401 9600" command

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Aug 17, 2020 1:33 PM in response to rdaviesgbr

Thanks for the replies, not sure why I did not try this sooner, so I reset the SMC (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295) and this then resolved the issue with charging my iPhone, although the problem of using the screen to enter serial tty mode at 9600 still fails ie: when using the "screen /dev/usbmodem1401 9600" command

Aug 17, 2020 12:34 PM in response to rdaviesgbr

Swap the cable for a known good one, and check the Lightning socket for debris.


If you see anything in the Lightning port, use a non-conductive and non-rigid tool—a toothpick, maybe—to try to remove it. Check for damage, while you’re looking.


Reboot both the Mac and the iPhone.


I’ve seen some occasions when some process gets stuck on a port, and a reboot usually clears that. Though I’m usually using that with a USB-to-serial connection and not with an iPhone.


Note there can be charging cables with USB-C connectors, and these are not communications cables, too.


My USB-C Thunderbolt port fails to recognise or charge my iPhone when plugged into the port

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