iPhone won't connect to MacBook Air. Please help!

Question

Level 1

20 points

iPhone won't connect to MacBook Air. Please help!

Hi all, first-time poster here. Here are my computer specs:

I have updated my Macbook Air and iPhone 6s+ with the latest software, but my iPhone won't connect to the Macbook via either of the USB ports.

I have no trouble with other devices being recognised (except for my GoPro on occasion) but whenever I try to connect the iPhone, it just continuously chimes like it's trying to connect, but won't STAY connected for syncing or updating.

I've tried the troubleshooting steps to reset the ports by holding down certain keys while rebooting the Mac, I've cleaned out the ports as best I could, but these never fix the issue. I somehow managed to connect and sync my phone the other day, but it hasn't worked since. I've tried new Apple sync cables, both USB ports, and I just can't figure out why this is happening. Any help would be much appreciated as this is really starting to annoy me and I don't think purchasing a new Mac is the answer.

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.

MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2014), macOS Sierra (10.12.1), iPhone 6s+

Posted on Dec 6, 2016 8:43 PM

Reply

Answer 1

rose_10

Community Specialist

Dec 8, 2016 9:07 AM in response to NYoung89

Hello NYoung89,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

I see that you are having issues with your iPhone not connecting or not being recognized by your computer or iTunes on your computer. Since you have tested other devices on the ports, other cables without success, let's have you take a look at the following support article and the troubleshooting steps there: If iTunes doesn‘t recognize your iPhone, iPad, or iPod

Best regards.

Reply

Answer 2

NYoung89 Author

Level 1

20 points

Dec 8, 2016 10:30 PM in response to rose_10

Hello, and thanks for your reply!

I tried everything in that article but still having the same issue. I did the Apple Diagnostic test thing as well, which came back with a "No hardware issues" result.

I take very good care of my Apple products and have never had an issue like this before, which is why I'm troubled about the cause of it, and also, why I really don't want to have to buy another MacBook...

Reply

Answer 3

jeffd55

Community Specialist

Dec 11, 2016 8:07 PM in response to NYoung89

Hi NYoung89,

What happened when you tried the steps under "If you use a Mac" section from that referenced article? Specifically:

Hold down the Option key, click the Apple menu, and choose System Information or System Report.

Select USB from the list on the left.

If you see your iPhone, iPad, or iPod under USB Device Tree, uninstall third-party security software. If not, contact Apple Support.

Cheers.

Reply

Answer 4

NYoung89 Author

Level 1

20 points

Dec 12, 2016 12:26 AM in response to jeffd55

When I do that, my iPhone doesn't show up under USB at all.

Reply

Answer 5

darren.s

Community Specialist

Dec 12, 2016 8:06 PM in response to NYoung89

Hello NYoung89,

If you are not seeing the iPhone under USB in the System Information list, then you will need to contact Apple Support as it says in step 3.

Regards.

Reply

Answer 6

NYoung89 Author

Level 1

20 points

Dec 13, 2016 3:17 AM in response to darren.s

Thanks, darren.s, it's looking that way. It's out of warranty, so I was trying to see if I could fix the problem myself with having Apple repair it.

Reply