Karly Wood
iPad and iPhone can’t show or Won’t connect to iTunes on Lightning Cable or Wi-Fi, giving an error in Windows and Mac systems. There are many types of mistakes and System troubleshooting errors when you want to connect your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch with the latest iOS updates. Through this article, you can solve your fault from the different cases below. You might be facing one of them.
Check and jump into the 5th Solution for Windows users: Troubleshoot all the problems related to your iPhone not recognizing or connecting to iTunes via cable or WiFi.
Periodically, we need to use iTunes on a Mac or PC for different types of use, like backing up or restoring an iPhone or Transferring Pictures, Videos, or Audio files between them (iPhone/ iPad and Mac/PC).
Alternatively, we can connect the iOS device to iTunes via a Lightning cable or WiFi. But we cannot bypass this process for performing Backup and restore operations.
Alternatives for solving the issue of iPhone not connecting to iTunes via cable or WiFi.
1st: Showing iPhone in iTunes but can’t sync data from your iPhone
Your phone is connected to your iTunes, and iTunes shows your mobile on your PC. But you can’t access it to update data, Export or import contacts, messages, and other data.
- Launch the Settings app on your iPhone > Scroll and tap on Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Disable the toggle “Content & Privacy Restrictions‘. That’s it.
Get Here how to turn on or turn off Restrictions on iOS device
Essential: The iPhone screen must be unlocked and enabled for the trusted device. “Trust This Computer” Tap on the Trust option, connecting via USB or Lightning cable.
2nd: Your iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch) can’t show in iTunes
iTunes Temp file can update when your iPhone and iPad are connecting with iTunes on your computer. To delete this file under this folder: /var/mobile/Media/iTunes_Control and then restart iTunes manually.
3rd: On your Computer, you can’t be able to connect iPhone,
Remove all Apple products installed already on your Mac or Windows System. Like iTunes, Safari, Apple Software Update, and Bonjour.
After uninstalling all app software from the Computer, reinstall iTunes on your computer.
4th: WiFi sync is grayed out or not working on iPhone, iPad
For security reasons, you need to set the trusted device first by connecting your device to iTunes via a lightning cable only.
Under the Device summary, find the Checkbox “Sync with this iPhone over Wi-Fi.” Once you enable it, save the Settings and Press “Done.” You don’t need to use Cable after that.
Next Time, Whenever You Start Sync iPhone to iTunes
Go to the iPhone/ iPad Settings > General > iTunes Wi-Fi Sync > Sync Now.
Prerequisite: Must be a turn on or Open iTunes on Mac or Windows Screen.
Or both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
4.1: Sync over Wi-Fi Not Working
- Both devices are connected to Wi-Fi (Ethernet connection not accepted)
- Restart both Mac and iOS
- Change Firewall Settings, TCP ports 123 and 3689, UDP Ports 123 and 5353.
5th: iTunes can’t connect or detect iDevice on windows 7 or Windows 8, Windows 10 OS
Solution 1: iPhone can’t showing or connect in iTunes
Use the Command prompt on Windows to open the device manager and find the Portable Device. After that, Update the Driver for that online. This is the #1 fix. For other issues, watch the video below, which will really help you!
Open Command Prompt (Windows + R). And type CMD to open it.
Type, devmgmt.msc and hit enter to open device manager.
Another Ways to Update Apple Device Driver is,
Find USBAAPL.SYS file inside C drive so open C: Windows and find USBAAPL.SYS from the search options panel at the top of the screen.
Open the device manager. Find Apple iPhone under the Portable Devices option. Right-click on Apple iPhone and Select the Update Driver option.
Solution 2: iPhone to iTunes connection error
Open Control Panel, Uninstall entirely from your computer, Check any files and data saved in C drive from the below paths.
- C : Program Files > Common Files > Apple
- C : computer name > User > App Data Local > Apple
- C : computer name > User > App Data Local Low > Apple
If any folders are exists under the above paths folder, then delete all files and folders.
Restart your system, install iTunes again, and check if your iPhone is connecting to iTunes. If you are getting an error, or the iPhone can’t show or join iTunes, you can use the alternate methods below.
Useful: How to take backup of Data from the iOS device on iTunes & iCloud.
Here are some common mistake done by most of the users, So recheck it and validate you are on right path to solve not an error but iPhone can’t showing or connect in iTunes.
- iPhone USB driver installed and Up-to-date. Check the Apple Mobile Device USB Driver on Windows. On Mac: Press “Option key” and “Click on Apple logo” > “System Information…” > “Find USB” > iPhone Showing in the list that means all are set and updated.
- Check USB port, or use an alternate USB port in your system.
- Check all the connection media on both sides.
- Boot both device Windows or Mac machine or your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch
- You have a latest updated version of iTunes ( Open iTunes, Go to top menu iTunes > Check for Updates…)
Your problem can’t be categorised from the above cases. Most of my friends and readers always ask how to solve these problems on an iPhone to iTunes connection and access it.
In case you still can’t find your solution on the iPhone, it can’t show or connect in iTunes.
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