Iphone no longer showing up in itunes after 17.3.1 update

Hello, I am in desperate need of some help here. After upgrading to IOS 17.3.1 on my iphone 13 pro it is no longer being recognized in Itunes. (I am using a macbook pro running El Capitan) I have tried just about everything known to man and it still wont work. I need an apple guru or someone that knows more than I do :| here are the trouble shooting steps I have tried and none have worked.



1) Tried various cords (and no usb hubs in between)

2) I called apple support and they recommended restoring the phone to default, which we did and that made it WORSE because now my phone is blank with no music/pictures/apps etc I lost everthing

3) my phone is backed up however it is backed up on the computer that stop reconizing the iphone in itunes

4) this seems to be an ITUNES ONLY problem, the phone shows up in the system details, it also shows up on photos, it also shows up when running the "image capture app" basically shows up EVERYWHERE except itunes.

5) I plugged the iphone into another mac and into a windows PC and it is found right away with no issues.

6) was going to downgrade phone to 17.2.X however apple won't sign those versions so that's not an option.

7) was going to try different versions of itunes but they are not supported and won't install because i am on El Capitan 10.11.6 (which is the lastest and last version of El Capitan)

8) upgrading my laptop to a newer version of the OS is not an option, I have thousands of dollers in music production software on this PC and all my plugins in Logic X that I use will all break and I would have to purchase them all over again...............

9) there is no firewall, no 3rd party security apps of any kind on this macbook pro.

10) I have another iphone 12 but it is also on 17.3.1 and it also wont show up

11) I have older iphones that are on 16.x.x and they do show up.

12) tried downgrading the iphone back to 17.2.x but apple wont sign that version anymore so downgrading the iphone is NOT an option (thanks apple for that)

13) I uninstalled itunes and reinstalled tried two different versions since those are the only ones that will work on El Capitan (made no difference same issue)

14) Tried recovery mode (volume up, volume down, hold power till apple logo) and no luck.

15) I even tried using time machine to revert back a couple days (when it did work) but that didn't help either problem still there.


TLDR:

Any phone that is on 17.3.1 will NOT work with my mac now all the sudden, issue just started once I went to 17.3.1, two different phones have the same issue, my older phones that are not on 17.3.1 DO work. apple support had me wipe the device thinking that would fix it however it did not. so now my phone is blank and the backup is on this laptop but I cannot restore it because itunes refuses to see it. Every app on my mac will see my iphone EXCEPT itunes. which is the most important part since that's how I sync and back it up.



So at this point I am in a very bad situation; with a blank phone, no pictures no music, no apps and no way to restore a back up even though there is one stored on my pc it requires itunes to load the backup.


I have tried everything possible as you can tell from allllllllll the steps above.


I'm super desperate at this point, if only apple would allow me to roll back the IOS on my phone I feel that would fix the issue since even my other phone has the same exact issue and they are both on 17.3.1.....



any recommendations or advice that I have not tried above would be amazing and TIA.


iPhone 13 Pro

Posted on Feb 29, 2024 9:43 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 14, 2024 11:58 AM

Solved Here:


Follow reply and Download Xcode 15:


DarinComments

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Jan 28, 2024 1:37 PM in response to AJHCPA

Did you try this? It seems to work.

Download Xcode 15 (any version or beta seems to work)

Uncompress

Right click on Xcode, Show Package Contents

In folder /Contents/Resources/Packages drag MobileDevice.pkg to desktop and install

No need to restart. Now your device should show up in iTunes.


Is iOS 17 compatible with itunes 12.8.2.3… - Apple Community


Similar questions

7 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 14, 2024 11:58 AM in response to omgthedonny

Solved Here:


Follow reply and Download Xcode 15:


DarinComments

User level:

Level 1

12 points

Jan 28, 2024 1:37 PM in response to AJHCPA

Did you try this? It seems to work.

Download Xcode 15 (any version or beta seems to work)

Uncompress

Right click on Xcode, Show Package Contents

In folder /Contents/Resources/Packages drag MobileDevice.pkg to desktop and install

No need to restart. Now your device should show up in iTunes.


Is iOS 17 compatible with itunes 12.8.2.3… - Apple Community


Feb 29, 2024 10:27 PM in response to omgthedonny

It seems like you've gone through quite a comprehensive list of troubleshooting steps.


  1. Reset iTunes Preferences:
    1. Quit iTunes.
    2. Navigate to Users/[Your Username]/Library/Preferences/ and move the com.apple.iTunes.plist file to the desktop.
    3. Restart iTunes and see if the issue persists.
  2. Check for Third-Party Software Conflicts:
    1. Some third-party software might interfere with iTunes. Try quitting or uninstalling any unnecessary software and see if iTunes recognizes your device.
  3. Check USB Ports: Try using a different USB port on your MacBook Pro. Sometimes, specific USB ports can cause issues.
  4. Review Console Logs:
    1. Open the Console application on your Mac (Applications > Utilities > Console) and check for any error messages related to iTunes or your iPhone when you connect it.
  5. Reset Location and Privacy Settings: On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Location & Privacy. This might help resolve any conflicts with connection permissions.
  6. It's possible that a VPN could be contributing to the issue of your iPhone not being recognized by iTunes after updating to iOS 17.3.1, but it's not guaranteed. Here's why:
    1. VPN interference: While uncommon, VPNs can sometimes interfere with device recognition due to the way they interact with network connections. If the VPN is actively running or even installed on your iPhone, it might be worth temporarily disabling it to see if iTunes detects the device.
    2. Security software and firewalls: Some VPNs install additional security software or firewalls on your device. These tools could potentially block the connection between your iPhone and iTunes. If disabling the VPN doesn't help, consider checking the settings of any additional security software associated with your VPN and see if there are options to allow connections to specific applications like iTunes.
  7. Contact Apple Support Again: If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it is recommended to reach out to Apple Support or visit an authorized service center for further assistance. They can provide specific guidance based on your device model and iOS version.


Feb 29, 2024 10:29 PM in response to omgthedonny

If you're experiencing difficulty connecting your iPhone to your Mac, there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue:


  1. Check the USB cable and ports: Ensure that you're using a certified Lightning to USB cable and try connecting it to different USB ports on your Mac. Also, check for any physical damage or debris in the ports that may be preventing a proper connection. Use genuine cable --> Identify counterfeit or uncertified Lightning connector accessories ...
  2. Disconnect all other USB devices from your computer, except for your keyboard and mouse. --> Resolve USB-related alerts in iTunes/Finder - Apple Support
  3. Restart your iPhone and Mac: Sometimes, restarting your devices can resolve temporary connection issues. Restart both your iPhone and your Mac, and then try connecting them again.
    1. Restart the device. That's it.
    2. Still not solved --> Force restart iPhone - Apple Support
  4. Update your software: Make sure that both your iPhone and Mac are running the latest software versions. On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update, and on your Mac, go to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update.
    1. Update Over-the-Air (OTA) —> Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support (IN)
    2. Update using iTunes/Finder —> Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support (IN)
  5. Trust the computer: When connecting your iPhone to your Mac for the first time, you may need to trust the computer on your iPhone. Unlock your iPhone and check for any prompts asking you to trust the connected computer. Confirm the trust request on your iPhone. About the “Trust This Computer” alert message on your ...
  6. Try a different port, cable, or computer. The issue could be related to your computer, its USB port, or the USB cable connecting it to your device. If possible, try a different computer, USB port, or USB cable. Also, check for any debris in the charging port on the bottom of your iPhone or iPad. --> If your computer doesn't recognize your iPhone, iPad, or iPod ...
  7. Reset your iPhone's settings: If the issue persists, you can try resetting your iPhone's settings. Go to Settings > General > Transfer & Reset > Reset > Reset All Settings. This will not erase your data but will reset your settings to their default values. After the reset, attempt to connect your iPhone to your Mac again. Return iPhone settings to their defaults - Apple Support (IN)
  8. Update iTunes or Finder (macOS Catalina or later): If you're using a Mac running macOS Mojave or earlier, make sure you have the latest version of iTunes installed. If you're using macOS Catalina or later, iTunes has been replaced with Finder for device management. Ensure that you have the latest macOS updates installed, which should include the latest version of Finder. Update macOS on Mac
  9. Check for conflicting software: Sometimes, third-party security software or firewalls can interfere with the connection between your iPhone and Mac. Temporarily disable any security software or firewalls and see if that resolves the issue.


If you are experiencing an issue not listed here, contact support as they can provide specific troubleshooting steps based on your situation.

Feb 29, 2024 10:05 PM in response to omgthedonny

iOS updates generally aim to enhance user experience, boost security, and fix bugs rather than disrupt core features. iTunes issues after updates might stem from underlying, unmentioned factors. Updates won't typically alter personal data but may refine settings or features. Backup before major updates for safety. Review Apple's update details and backup advice for a smooth process.


Kindly consider checking your settings and addressing any device issues before attributing the issue to external factors.



See what each update does: About iOS 17 Updates, About iOS 16 Updates, About iOS 15 Updates, About iOS 14 Updates, About iOS 13 Updates, About iOS 12 Updates, and so on...


Feb 29, 2024 10:08 PM in response to omgthedonny

omgthedonny wrote:

4) this seems to be an ITUNES ONLY problem, the phone shows up in the system details, it also shows up on photos, it also shows up when running the "image capture app" basically shows up EVERYWHERE except itunes.


While the title of the post mentions iOS 17.3.1, it's important to clarify that the issue you're describing seems to be specific to iTunes and not necessarily related to the latest iOS update. Refer Bullet point No. 4 of your post.

Feb 29, 2024 10:12 PM in response to omgthedonny

omgthedonny wrote:


5) I plugged the iphone into another mac and into a windows PC and it is found right away with no issues.

if an iPhone with iOS 17.3.1 can indeed connect and function with another Mac and a Windows PC, then the title of the post claiming incompatibility with iOS might be inaccurate or misleading. It would be helpful to clarify the specific issue the post is referring to so that someone can help.

Feb 29, 2024 10:23 PM in response to omgthedonny

omgthedonny wrote:


7) was going to try different versions of itunes but they are not supported and won't install because i am on El Capitan 10.11.6 (which is the lastest and last version of El Capitan)

It would be beneficial if you could provide information about the specific iTunes version installed on your Mac.


While you mentioned being limited by El Capitan, see if there are any available updates for iTunes within that version (iTunes - Apple).


This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Iphone no longer showing up in itunes after 17.3.1 update

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