iPhone not appearing on itunes

For iOS 12 you need iTunes 12.8.0.150 or better running on OS X 10.11.4 or better. See How to upgrade to OS X El Capitan - Apple Support if required. iOS 13 & 14 require iTunes 12.8.2.3 or above.

Assuming a suitable version of iTunes is in place then in Finder use the menu item Go > Go to Folder..., copy the following text, paste it into the dialog box and press enter:

/System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/MobileDevice.framework/Versions/Current/Resources

Unlock your device and connect it to USB. Double click on MobileDeviceUpdater in the folder that has opened. It should notify you of a software update. Install it and iTunes should hopefully recognize your device.

tt2

Yes, this! I had to stumble through some Apple help instructions but eventually I found this - the easiest thing for me was simply to open the drop down menu on my window sidebar, where all my external/USB devices are listed. As soon as I clicked "TRUST", and did the same for my phone, it popped up in iTunes.

Kymmys21 wrote:

I have iPhone 12 but it won’t connect to itune. I already went on system information then USB and the phone is there. I have an iPhone 6s and iPhone 11 Pro Max and it works on itune both phone are also up to date so I don’t see why my 12 can’t connect to itune. I have a MacBook mid 2010 with MacOS Sierra. I can’t update to MacOS Catalina since my Mac is so old.

Try this:

1. Verify that your Mac is connected to WiFi (and connects to WiFi automatically on reboot.)
2. Connect your iPhone 12 to the Mac via the USB-lightning cable.
3. Launch iTunes.
4. Keeping iTunes open, Restart the Mac. At the prompt, select the option to "Reopen Windows when logging back in".
5. After the Mac restarts and iTunes relaunches, etc. it should detect the iPhone 12 and download drivers for the iPhone 12. If you get a prompt asking for permission to download and install the drivers, select a positive reply.
6. After this, your iTunes should detect your iPhone 12, like normal.

If it doesn't work. Repeat the above steps and then ... Restart your iPhone 12 while it is still connected to the Mac via the cable and iTunes is open. See if this helps the Mac download the drivers for the iPhone.

Connect your iPhone to the Mac via the cable.

Launch Image Capture

Launch Photos

Try a different USB port on your Mac

These are some the other things you can try. Also, keep repeating the steps above in my original reply.

It worked for me on the 4th or 5th attempt.

Did you try with the other apps I mentioned (Image Capture and/or Photos)?

Was your iPhone detected in those apps?

Kymmys21 wrote:

Ok I will do this tomorrow however I’m confuse about the drivers part? Do I download it on the iPhone app because I’m not seeing it?

No, you do not download it on the iPhone. Your Mac must install them, so that it connect to the iPhone!

Not sure if this will help since you're using the Mac Book - I have the iMac. I was so frustrated with this yesterday....I download the newer MaxOS and restarted both phone and iMac. I tried everything for hours! If this is the first time you're connecting to your computer to sync, the iPhone shows up in FINDER under Locations. Click the iPhone there and you'll have to trust the device. Then open the phone and you have to trust the computer. Wallaaa...iPhone 12 now in Music (the old iTunes)!

THIS worked. For those of you in this particular situation:

Migrating an iPhone X to a new un-setup 12 Pro. The computer based backup of the X worked as expected. The 12 pro was ignored by iTunes even tho the charging status was ok. (didn't bother checking the ports or system settings, this was the same cable that worked fine for the X's backup)

iPhone X running 13.7

Mac Mini running 10.13.6

iTunes 12.8.2.3

New 12 Pro unknown (at the time of migration)

Initially, as others, iTunes ignored the connection of the new 12 pro. Turingtest2's instructions worked exactly as described. iPhone 12 Pro "Restore in Progress".