iPhone/iPad Wi-Fi sync to Mac lost in Finder

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Level 1

75 points

iPhone/iPad Wi-Fi sync to Mac lost in Finder

iPhone and iPad to Mac connection lost on WiFi.

I no longer can keep my iPhone and iPad connected to my Mac Mini Pro M4. As soon as I unplug the USB connection, they both disappear from the Finder.

My Mac is on 15.7.9. My iPhone and iPad are on the latest iOS 26.6. Prior to the latest update, the iPad would stay connected but not the iPhone. After the update, the iPhone would stay connected but not the iPad. Now they are both gone.

All are on the same WiFi 5GHz connection in my home. Low data mode is turned off. Private WiFi address is Fixed. Limit IP Address Tracking is Off.

I have sync'ed both with the Mac via USB. I have sync'ed with WiFi connection selection turned off. Then re-synced with it turned back on. I have restarted all three.

Under the instructions from AI, I have run Terminal and input "dns-sd -B _apple-mobdev2._tcp". I watched the IP address for each added. Then they were removed. Regular add and remove seems to indicate an unstable WiFi. But all work well using WiFi. I can AirPlay and I can AirDrop without any issues. It is only sync'ing via WiFi to / from the Mac that is an issue.

No VPN is involved except that Apple provides with the iCloud.

I tried resetting all network connections in the iPad and the iPhone, then signed back in on WiFi. That had no effect.

Pairing record: valid ✓
Private Wi-Fi Address: Fixed ✓
Limit IP Address Tracking: off ✓
Forget/rejoin network ✓
Full Reset Network Settings ✓
Content & Privacy Restrictions: off, ruled out ✓
Finder + mDNSResponder cache cleared ✓
Local Network permission: not applicable/visible for Finder

AI wants me to do a full restore. I have done that before and it is a pain to get everything back the way I want it with credit cards, settings, etc.

Mac mini (M4 Pro, 2024)

Posted on Aug 10, 2026 8:28 AM

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Answer 1

Aug 12, 2026 5:15 AM in response to LexVAPin

To rule out a network issue, in Terminal enter the following command:

arp -i en0 -a

You should see a list of all the devices that your Mini can see on your network.

In your iPhone or iPad's WiFi settings, tap the "i" symbol, then on the next screen, scroll down to IPv4 Address. Verify that the listed IP address is one on the MacMini's list. This will verify that at least the Mini can access fundamental functions of the devices over the network.

If this does not work, then there can be very likely an issue with the WiFi router doing some blocking possibly due to some update pushed to it or simply a router hiccup. You may want to investigate the router settings or just reboot the router. Then do the same on the other devices if that did not work.

If the above test was okay, something you may try, starting with the Mini, is to sign out of your AppleID, wait a few moments and then sign back in.

Also, related to AppleID, check your Apple Account settings and make sure your devices are listed.

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Answer 2

den.thed

Level 10

96,740 points

Aug 12, 2026 7:21 AM in response to LexVAPin

Connect the iPhone/iPad to the Mac via the USB cable.

Select the iPhone/iPad in the Finder sidebar and select the General tab.

Look down at Options: section and make sure that "Show this iPhone when on Wi-Fi" is checked.

Then disconnect the USB cable and check to see if the iPhone/iPad stays showing on the Finder Locations section.

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Answer 3

LexVAPin Author

Level 1

75 points

Aug 12, 2026 8:09 AM in response to woodmeister50

"To rule out a network issue, in Terminal enter the following command:

arp -i en0 -a

You should see a list of all the devices that your Mini can see on your network."

Thanks for this!

I already did something similar with the Terminal command: dns-sd -B _apple-mobdev2._tcp Terminal command

Using your command I got

For the iPhone: ? (xxx.xxx.x.183) at 2e:bf:........ on en0 ifscope [deleted some info for privacy]

What is odd is the "?". My wife's iPhone shows up as her name.

For my iPad, I see: iPad (xxx.xxx.x.191) at 32:77:....... on en0 ifscope

It is an iPad Air, but I doubt that is important.

These are all correct with the right WiFi address and the IP address.

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Answer 4

Aug 11, 2026 4:58 AM in response to LexVAPin

Try this, plug either the iPad or the iPhone into a charger (not a port connected to any computer). Do they show up after doing this?

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Answer 5

LexVAPin Author

Level 1

75 points

Aug 11, 2026 6:38 AM in response to woodmeister50

"Try this, plug either the iPad or the iPhone into a charger (not a port connected to any computer). Do they show up after doing this?"

Thanks for the suggestion. No, they don't show up.

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Answer 6

Aug 11, 2026 5:53 AM in response to LexVAPin

Did you enable "Connect via Wi-Fi" via Finder when the iPhone was connected via USB to the Mac? If yes, does fiddling that option make any difference?

That said, I prefer to always sync Mac's Photos, Music etc via USB to Apple's mobile devices because it is more reliable than wireless.

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Answer 7

LexVAPin Author

Level 1

75 points

Aug 11, 2026 6:43 AM in response to Matti Haveri

"Did you enable "Connect via Wi-Fi" via Finder when the iPhone was connected via USB to the Mac?"

Yes, for both. When that did not work, I turned it off and sync'ed. Then turned it on and sync'ed. Restarted all three.

No luck.

"I prefer to always sync Mac's Photos, Music etc via USB to Apple's mobile devices because it is more reliable than wireless."

I always use USB for photos as that is the only way it shows up in Photos. Wired is much faster for music, but if I only have a few, it is darned convenient to do via WiFi.

Plus, this is supposed to work, used to work, and now it does not. It should be an option.

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Answer 8

LexVAPin Author

Level 1

75 points

Aug 12, 2026 7:55 AM in response to den.thed

"Connect the iPhone/iPad to the Mac via the USB cable.

Select the iPhone/iPad in the Finder sidebar and select the General tab.

Look down at Options: section and make sure that "Show this iPhone when on Wi-Fi" is checked.

Then disconnect the USB cable and check to see if the iPhone/iPad stays showing on the Finder Locations section. "

I have already done that. Please see the original post - sorry if it was not clear:

OP: I have sync'ed both with the Mac via USB. I have sync'ed with WiFi connection selection turned off. Then re-synced with it turned back on. I have restarted all three.

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