A new network interface has been detected.

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Level 1

47 points

A new network interface has been detected.

Every time I plug my phone (and a few other phones in the past) into my MBP, I get this error message: A new network interface has been detected. The "iPhone USB" network interface has not been set up. TO set up this interface, use Network Preferences.

This has been happening for over a year on my MBP (Sierra and High Sierra) and on my old Desktop computer (Yosemite and Sierra) and old iPod Touch (iOS 9, 10, 11), through many different USB cords (Apple-brand and third-party). In the past, I've used a workaround by creating a new network for my iPod Touch, but I cannot do the same with my iPhone. Keep in mind, I don't have Hot-Spot features in my plan and it's not specifically this phone, cord, or computer. There is a problem somewhere causing this very annoying popup, and I'd like to know if anyone has a solution.

Thanks, Joshua.

P.S. Let me know if you need more information! (I didn't know what category to post to)

MacBook Pro, macOS High Sierra (10.13.1), 2013, 16GB RAM

Posted on Mar 30, 2018 8:35 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

jmonaco

Level 1

27 points

Jul 23, 2018 12:27 PM in response to TACM Reviews

What worked for me was:

Logged out of standard user account on iMac
Logged in as admin account on iMac
Disconnected iPad USB from iMac, reconnected iPad via USB to iMac, no "new network" message popped up
Logged out of admin account on iMac
Logged in as standard user account on iMac
Disconnected iPad USB from iMac, reconnected iPad via USB to iMac, no "new network" message popped up.

Seems resolved with the above steps.

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Answer 2

jmoore24

Level 1

9 points

May 3, 2018 3:25 PM in response to TACM Reviews

I was having the same issue with the option not appearing. I was able to get it to appear by doing the following.

Enable the Personal Hotspot on my iPhone
Connect the iPhone to my Computer
Click the Plus Option again

The iPhone USB option should now be visible at which point you can disable it which will stop the popup message from appearing.

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Answer 3

TACM Reviews Author

Level 1

47 points

May 3, 2018 7:23 PM in response to TACM Reviews

Wow. I just discovered the SOLUTION. The answer is really obvious once you see it. All you have to do is reset your iMac network settings to the system default. I used these steps: http://mandarapte.com/apple/reset-rebuild-network-settings-preferences-including -ethernet-wifi-bluetooth-system-default-…

Basically, just create a new location, make sure you're still connected to the internet. Then, delete your old location. Congratulations, that's it. No more pop-ups. If that doesn't work try step 2 listed in the article. Hope this helps others!!

SOLVED

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Answer 4

John Galt

Level 10

155,420 points

Mar 31, 2018 8:03 AM in response to TACM Reviews

The easiest way to make that annoying message disappear for good is to configure your iPhone as a network interface using Network Preferences, as the message suggests.

I understand you have no intention to use it as such, but if you simply do that, the harassment will cease.

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Answer 5

surajrai

Level 1

24 points

Jun 3, 2018 1:10 AM in response to TACM Reviews

Yep. This absolutely solved it. Key thing is to Create a New Location and not just delete the old location (defaulting to Automatic).

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Answer 6

tygb

Level 9

65,010 points

Mar 30, 2018 9:44 PM in response to TACM Reviews

See the last paragraph of this article How to use network locations on your Mac - Apple Support

Read this article also macOS Sierra: Use Network Setup Assistant to help you enter your network and Internet settings

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Answer 7

TACM Reviews Author

Level 1

47 points

Mar 31, 2018 6:26 AM in response to tygb

Hi. Just wanted to let you know that nothing related to my issue is in these articles, nor is this a regular problem that would usually be in Apple information pages. I'm trying to make a popup that basically says "Your phone is an network" which it isn't, and "please set it up" which I can't. I just want to know what the problem is and normal troubleshooting articles don't seem to have the answer. Anyone have ideas?

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Answer 8

TACM Reviews Author

Level 1

47 points

Mar 31, 2018 1:04 PM in response to John Galt

Hey, this is a great workaround, but as I mentioned earlier, I have used this workaround in the past, but now there is no option for "iPhone USB" when creating a new network, so I can't make a network with the phone. Do you have any other workarounds/ideas or know why there's no "iPhone" network option when I plug my phone in?

Thanks, Joshua

(P.S. It is really odd that I get a popup saying my iPhone is a network and then not letting me make a new network with the device)

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Answer 9

TACM Reviews Author

Level 1

47 points

May 3, 2018 7:16 PM in response to jmoore24

Although this sounds like a great workaround and I'm sure it would work for others since it did for you, I don't have hotspot capabilities in my data plan. I wonder if there are any network settings i could reset to try to fix this

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