iPhone keeps disconnecting from Mac

The solution is as follows:

1. (Make a backup)
2. Shutdown
3. Connect your macbook with power (otherwise this won't work)
4. SMC-reset (power management)
   1. Hold for 15 seconds: cmd + alt + shift + power
   2. If you have a MacBook with a magsafe adapter thats fully charged you will see the light change from green to orange for less than a second this means the reset has succeeded.
5. VRAM reset (also known as PRAM reset if I'am not mistaken)

   Power on and immediately pres and hold: cmd + alt + p + r. This wil restart the machine, hold these buttons until the machine has tried to bootup two or three times then let go.

The problem could comeback but just use this 2 minute trick and your good to go.

Please let me know of this worked for you!

My hardware: MacBook Pro 15 inch 2015 (fully spect). Had this problem with: iPad 2017, Iphone 7+, Ipad 4, Iphone 6. All works well after this reset.

Given that there's little in the way of official support here I'd recommend anyone who's still having this issue to head over here: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ipad-keeps-connecting-disconnecting-from-ma c.1851453/#post-25257291

Settings > General > Reset > Reset Location & Privacy. This will reset your location and privacy settings and require you to set up a trust relationship with the PC/laptop again.

This fixed it for me (the issue was still there after an upgrade)

I have a 2015 MBP. I have windows installed on my Macbook too, so I switched to Windows to see if the problem occurs there as well. But on windows the connection was fine, so i knew it wasn't a hardware problem - it had to be the fault of OSX. So I tried every single one of the advices i found on the internet and nothing worked for me.

Then I tried AndyAsb's idea - and it totally fixed for me too! (thanks so much Andy! 😀)

You can just plug in basically anything that gets power from usb to the other ports while your iphone is connected to one and this will fix your problem (hopefully).

It is a so simple solution that i have not thought about it, but the most infuriating thing is that apple made such a ridiculous mistake that they could probably fix in a small update.

I think the problem is that the os can not supply the right amount of power (too much/not enough(?)) via usb, and the consumption of more than one devices kinda "balances out" this inequality.

I had this problem connecting iPhone to Mac to any of the Mac ports. Charging sound would go on & off with a regular pattern. Was using an aftermarket charging cable. I switched to a new apple cable and it worked perfectly.

Clean both ends - lightning and usb with alcohol. I had 3 cables doing this, even a brand new one. After cleaning I have no problems. Thought the USB port was broken.

The only solution has worked for me was to connect iPhone (or iPad) throughout external USB hub. Mac immediately connected with my iPhone without a problem.

Thanks. Resetting Privacy and Location on iPhone seems to have fixed. Been dealing with this issue for months. About 75% of the time when I tried to charge my iPad or iPhone using my MacBook, it goes charging, not charging, charging not charging, every second back and forth. Seems like a bug to me. Tried different cables, USB ports.

Apple needs to address this, in my opinion, by at least displaying a popup to change whatever privacy/location setting is causing this.

I have found a very simple solution that works consistently (in my case...). Follow these steps.

0. Disconnect everything

1. Unlock iPhone

2. Connect cable to iPhone

3. Connect cable to Mac.

Done.

Hey there!

I had also this problem.. I tried everything whats written there.. nothing helped me.. I have 3 cables. 1 from Aliexpress, 1 from old iPhone 5 and 1 from iPhone 7. Right now I have MacBook Air and iPhone 7... I Had to use the cable right from the box of the iPhone 7.

sooo this is the way how to do it.

Use the cable, which you got with your phone you want to connect.

Just charge your phone till green which is about 20% or more, try again connect to your Mac. There's one guy suggesting this idea and I did so. It worked for both USB ports. Why does my iPad keeps connecting and disconnecting from the new late 2013 iMac

this helped me https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204095

I had the same problem, Apparently it got fixed when I tried with original lightning cable.

Unplugged all other devices before plugging in the iphone worked for me.

If you are using the Xcode or iOS Simulator, turn it off.

I blew as hard as I could for several times into the USB end of my iPad cable and it worked! I thought of this idea because of the amount of dust in my office. I thought it was causing a poor connection. It did it! Hope your case is the same