HT201253: Sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iTunes on your computer using USB

Learn about Sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iTunes on your computer using USB
fasol

Q: can't sync iPhone6: iTunes could not back up the iPhone because the iPhone disconnected

I can't sync my iPhone6 with MacBookPro via iTunes via USB.

 

I get the following error message:

"can't sync iPhone6: iTunes could not back up the iPhone "iphonename" because the iPhone disconnected"

 

How can I get backups and sync to work again?

iPhone 6 Plus, iOS 8.1.2

Posted on Jan 28, 2015 10:20 PM

Close

Q: can't sync iPhone6: iTunes could not back up the iPhone because the iPhone disconnected

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by braden85,

    braden85 braden85 Jan 30, 2015 1:30 PM in response to fasol
    Community Specialists
    Jan 30, 2015 1:30 PM in response to fasol

    Hey fasol,

     

    I see that you are experiencing some issues with your ability to back up your iPhone on your computer. I have an article for you that will inform you on how to resolve this situation:

     

    If you can't back up or restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod using iTunes - Apple Support

    http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203271

     

    Take care, and thanks for visiting the Apple Support Communities.

     

     

    -Braden

  • by bak83,Helpful

    bak83 bak83 Jul 14, 2015 4:53 AM in response to fasol
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jul 14, 2015 4:53 AM in response to fasol

    Happened to me, too, many times.  Here is the fix:  Put your iPhone into Airplane Mode, then restart the iPhone.  Backup should work now.  Did this work for you?

  • by kitchengrl,

    kitchengrl kitchengrl Jan 11, 2016 8:41 AM in response to bak83
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 11, 2016 8:41 AM in response to bak83

    I just wanted to remark I hope the Apple development team is paying attention to these remarks because I called in to Apple Care twice  - and went to the Genius Bar once - about this issue and it was fixed, idiosyncratically, once back in the late winter.  Then it happened again today and I somehow stumbled on this recommended fix (to put in airplane mode and restart).  That actually worked and for the life of me I can't understand why.  I had already tried restarting my phone and laptop several times, but the airplane mode fix might have been the trick that worked.  What is that?  Why should that make any difference?

     

    Anyway, thank you for this fix.

     

    Running iOS 9.2 on an iPhone 6, iTunes 12.3.2, on a MacBook Air running El Capitan 10.11.2.

  • by mamanerd,

    mamanerd mamanerd Jan 15, 2016 10:57 PM in response to bak83
    Level 1 (20 points)
    Jan 15, 2016 10:57 PM in response to bak83

    I have been working on and off with apple tech since APRIL, without a backup, replaced phone twice, reloaded phone as new multiple times, removed all apps and added them back, never could find what was causing the "disconnect", especially since it would continue on to backup the apps, sync data and import photos after the "disconnect"

     

    YAY! the airplane mode and reboot worked!! I'd tried airplane before but not rebooting before the backup.

     

    THANK YOU THANK YOU!!

  • by AndreasKUO,

    AndreasKUO AndreasKUO Jan 17, 2016 11:33 AM in response to fasol
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 17, 2016 11:33 AM in response to fasol

    It works like a charm, Thanks !!!

  • by Michael_eh?,

    Michael_eh? Michael_eh? Jan 25, 2016 6:36 PM in response to bak83
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 25, 2016 6:36 PM in response to bak83

    After twice talking to Apple Support to no avail, your suggestion worked for me. Thank you! I wonder if this is a permanent fix, though. Can anyone chime in?

  • by Michael_eh?,

    Michael_eh? Michael_eh? Feb 3, 2016 5:26 PM in response to Michael_eh?
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 3, 2016 5:26 PM in response to Michael_eh?

    Update: This is NOT a permanent fix. The problem continues. Apple must know this is an issue and has been for years. Yet, nothing seems to be done. I am calling them tomorrow and demanding a new phone while I still have AppleCare.

  • by MacMom,

    MacMom MacMom Feb 14, 2016 5:32 PM in response to Michael_eh?
    Level 2 (255 points)
    Feb 14, 2016 5:32 PM in response to Michael_eh?

    I got an error -54 on my iPhone 6 with up-to-date software after I upgraded my MacBook Pro to El Capitan. I have no idea what that means.

     

    Going to airplane mode worked like a charm. However I had to re-set my preferences for syncing contacts, calendars, podcasts, and I think some other stuff. And it messed up my calendars and I had to re-sync them again after fixing duplicates/errors.

     

    I didn't get an error message when I tried to sync my very old iPad (first generation, can you believe it's still working?), but my syncing preferences, again, need to be re-set. And the sync is currently in the process of erasing and re-syncing all the photos that were already on my iPad. Go figure.

     

    I can't wait to see what happens when I try to sync my (antique!) iPod Nano 4th gen.

  • by karenvb,

    karenvb karenvb Aug 25, 2016 11:59 AM in response to bak83
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Apple Music
    Aug 25, 2016 11:59 AM in response to bak83

    Me, too! Thank you!