USB tethering lost after installing iphone configuration utility

YES! Thanks to depomnic and Hibernian56 I can now use my USB to tether!

My info: iPhone 4S on iOS 5.1, Macbook pro 10.6.8

After updating to iTunes 11 I couldn't tether through USB anymore. I tried restoring the AppleUSBEthernetHost.kext file from my Time Machine backup, but that didn't work. Then I tried copying the file from my boyfriend's mac (he didn't upgrade to iTunes 11) and replacing the file on my computer, then repairing permissions through disk utility. Still didn't work. For reference, the version of the file was 2.3.0, which was the file that worked on my computer previous to updating to iTunes 11.

Then I tried the above solution- downloading ktext utility and installing, then using the provided link to download the 2.2 version of the file, and dragged it to ktext utility. It did it's thing, then I restarted my computer and plugged in my phone. It took a minute but then the connection was made via USB and now it works! Success!

Thanks so much. But not to Apple.

Running 10.6.8 on my MBP and iOS6 on my iPhone. Could never tether. Followed steps 1 to 6 from DopeyDupe and now tethering flawlessly. Just one thing, in Step 4: Fab11's file is just "AppleUSBEthernetHost" not "AppleUSBEthernetHost.kext". So worry not and just follow the instructions and don't forget to repair permissions (took 22 minutes for me). Awesome solution. Nice to be tethering again.

Oh. forgot about that.

For those who play around with tweaks and file types like myself, you'll see the file as a .kext file. If you do, yes, that's the file.

For the others with extensions hidden away so your files look prim and proper, "AppleUSBEthernetHost" is what you're looking for as mentioned above, but as long as it's in that directory and you don't see another one of those files with such a similar name then yes, it's that file.

In the case you do have another file, just throw em' all (JUST THOSE WITH AppleUSBEthernetHost in it's name.) in a temporary folder and replace a new one there.

Thanks so much for the solutions on the first page of this thread ! I'm now sending this via USB tethering running Mac 10.6.8, iOS 5, iTunes 11.x. All I did was download AppleUSBEthernetHost from http://www.mediafire.com/?zo22n2u2eml78vc

Found /System/Library/Extensions/AppleUSBEthernetHost.kext

Clicked "Show package contents" - then found: Contents/MacOS/AppleUSBEthernetHost

I just replaced AppleUSBEthernetHost with the downloaded one. I then restarted, repaired permissions, restarted again, and it worked !

Before I repaired the permissions I got an error saying it was improperly installed.

Thanks again !

Really late and unrelated but I believe that's not the case since Apple has had the habit of compiling for multiple architectures for a darned long time now (I believe since leopard they were already ready to shift most of their kernel over to 64 bit)

BEWARE -

Cdhtnt's 'fix' of "RESET NETWORK SETTINGS on your iphone" actually 'works' by REMOVING the USB option completely and forcing you to use thw Wi-Fi option.. not the soution most people are looking for!

I'm really ready to try this solution but every time I try to download the file I get this message:

“AppleUSBEthernetHost” can’t be opened because it is from an unidentified developer.

Any suggestions on how I can get around this and proceed with the fix?

Really appreciate the help. Debugging my Mac has become a second career.

Hi M1HG. You have run into a a safety feature of OSX. If you go to System Preferences>Security and Privacy, then select the General tab, you can temporarily or permanently allow the program to be opened on your Mac. With Mavericks, if you do this immediately after attempting to run AppleUSBEthernetHost, then it will appear explicitly under the General tab, with a button containing available security options that you may use.

Having said this, it goes without saying that you should exercise appropriate caution in general, in regard to allowing "unidentified" programs to run, in general. Most wre, in my experience, legitimate but I am sure there are a few questionable programs out there...

Thanks, that's an interesting feature. You may also be aware that if one clicks on the ? in the error message it will provide you with a similar workaround (and warning). Alas, using the now accessable file I have tried DopeyDupe's fix several times and have not solved the problem.

Going to "Networks" still indicates the USB tether is not connected to the iphone. It is an odd problem since I still have limited use of the tether (bluetooth off) via iTunes including music, apps, etc. even while the system fails to recognize the device via USB. A notable exception is the calendar functions which are now completely isolated on the phone and Mac requiring the maintenance of two calendars (no way).

Thanks again jypsilantis. My quest goes on.

Nice!

Before could only USB Tether with iPhone 4S (4,1) iOS 6.1.3 but not with iPad Mini (2,7) iOS 7.0.4

Essentially did your fix.

Replaced AppleUSBEthernetHost.kext with The File Fab11 Posted.

Appended the .kext extension.

Repaired permissions.

Power off - restart.

Both USB Tether!

Cheers,

JCxH

MacBook Air 11" Mid 2011 with OS X 10.8.3 (12D78)

1. Delete iPhone configuration utility.
2. Do fab11's magic:

sudo rm -rf /private/var/db/receipts/com.apple.pkg.iPhoneConfigurationUtility.*

rm -rf ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.iPhoneConfigurationUtility.plist*

3. Delete the whole folder: /System/Library/Extensions/AppleUSBEthernetHost.kext

4. Reinstall iTunes (just over the previous one)

5. Restart

muellah and fab11, this worked for me! Thank you!

Oddly enough, the error message about this kext file came out of nowhere. I don't even have the iPhone Config Utility installed.

Hi Fab11,

I went to mediafire.com and the file I downloaded was a text document. Doesn't look right at all. There was a permission issue downloading it and it looks like the file was converted to text only. Anyway, as you can imagine I am not technical in my skill set. Could you email me the file and at least I can compare it with what I have and try fix this bloody tethering issue. Appreciate the help. By the way, is the file I have to delete /System/Library/Extensions/AppleUSBEthernetHost.kext/Contents/MacOS or the file://localhost/System/Library/Extensions/AppleUSBEthernetHost.kext/ or both?

Cheers

<Email Edited By Host>

I'd like to thank you fab11, FastGTR, and DopeyDupe for coming up with a fix for this issue. I'm amazed that after over 2 and half years Apple has not yet patched this error. I was forced to update my iTunes to 11.4 to tether my iPhone 5 via USB to my Macbook Pro using 10.6.8. This of course was a broken solution still as of 10/13/14. After following DopeyDupe's amended fix, I was able to connect my iPhone immediately to my Mac and incidentally was able to post this response via that connection! Once again, thank you.

UPDATE:

Just to let you know that every time you update iTunes you MUST do the above fix each time. I decide to bump my MacBook beyond 10.6.8 and after doing so iTunes 11.4 reappeared in software update. I hesitantly decide to reload it to see what would happen. What happened was I once again lost my ability to tether my iPhone! So a person either holds off on updating or they must be prepared to reinstall AppleUSBEthernetH each time they do so.

I have the same problem with iPhone Config Utility v 3.5

Any help?