You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

My Mac continually drops the USB connection to my iPad 5th generation.

When I connect my 5th generation iPad to my Mac the connection is lost after several seconds, it vanishes from the Finder window and warning chimes sound. If I disconnect the cord then reconnect the same thing happens. What’s up?

iPad 2, iOS 9

Posted on Jan 30, 2021 4:06 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 8, 2021 9:45 AM

Thanks for your inquiry. Here are the steps that I follow that appear to resolve the issue of my Mac dropping connection with my iPad 5th generation.

  1. I leave the iPad locked while connecting the USB cable to both.
  2. I connect the iPad to the cable before I plug the cable into the Mac.
  3. I follow the instructions to unlock the iPad.
  4. The Finder window displays a connection between the iPad and the Mac that is not lost before I can open it.


So far, following the above steps has resulted in a solid connection between the iPad and the Mac for me. I hope this also works for you.


John

Similar questions

5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 8, 2021 9:45 AM in response to leehericks

Thanks for your inquiry. Here are the steps that I follow that appear to resolve the issue of my Mac dropping connection with my iPad 5th generation.

  1. I leave the iPad locked while connecting the USB cable to both.
  2. I connect the iPad to the cable before I plug the cable into the Mac.
  3. I follow the instructions to unlock the iPad.
  4. The Finder window displays a connection between the iPad and the Mac that is not lost before I can open it.


So far, following the above steps has resulted in a solid connection between the iPad and the Mac for me. I hope this also works for you.


John

Jan 31, 2021 4:15 PM in response to QuickTimeKirk

Here's what I do and what results. I connect my iPad 5th generation to my Mac via a USB cable. The Mac recognizes the iPad for a few seconds (less than 5). Then the connection terminates and the iPad vanishes from the Finder window. Instead of a single chime indicating that the two are talking to each other, a steady series of chimes starts ringing as though the Mac and the iPad are seeking each other. I DO NOT disconnect the USB cable.

My Mac continually drops the USB connection to my iPad 5th generation.

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.