Phone Icon Won't Appear on iTunes

Hello violetvoids,

Thanks for choosing the Apple Support Communities. If we understand correctly, your Mac isn't recognizing your iPhone when you plug it in. We can understand why you'd reach out for a solution.

Here is a resource that can help.

If your computer doesn't recognize your iPhone, iPad, or iPod

Cheers!

For iOS 14 you need iTunes 12.8.2.3 or better running on OS X 10.11.6 or better. See How to upgrade to OS X El Capitan - Apple Support if required.

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