After updating my iPhone 16e from iOS18 to iOS26, my Mac mini no longer sees the iPhone. At least, the iPhone no longer appears in the Finder sidebar, where it used to, but it does appear in the Finder window for AirDrop when the iPhone is not locked. I have restarted both the iPhone and Mac mini. How do I fix this, please? Thanks.
iPhone 16e, iOS 26
1) On the Mac go to Finder > Finder Settings > Sidebar tab > make sure "CDs, DVDs and iOS Devices" is checked.
2) Disconnect the iPhone > Restart the Mac and the iPhone > Reconnect > expect and install the pop-up update.
see > If your Mac says that a software update is required to connect to iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
3) If that doesn't help, test a different USB Sync & Charge cable between the Mac mini and iPhone.
ref: > Use the Finder to sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with your Mac - Apple Support
1) On the Mac go to Finder > Finder Settings > Sidebar tab > make sure "CDs, DVDs and iOS Devices" is checked.
2) Disconnect the iPhone > Restart the Mac and the iPhone > Reconnect > expect and install the pop-up update.
see > If your Mac says that a software update is required to connect to iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
3) If that doesn't help, test a different USB Sync & Charge cable between the Mac mini and iPhone.
ref: > Use the Finder to sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with your Mac - Apple Support
Excellent! Thank you! The software update was required. What was unclear was that my iPhone had been connected to the Mac mini with a USB Sync & Charge cable, but it was connected via a charging port (thru which it had always been recognized), and I never received the software update notice until I plugged the cable into a standard, non-charge port. Many thanks again!
You're welcome.
After updating from iOS18 to iOS26, iPhone no longer appears in Mac mini Finder.
