iPhone cannot connect to iTunes? Here is How to Fix!

Your iPhone can be difficult sometimes, for instance when it says, “iPhone is disabled” on iTunes. While connecting your iPhone or iPad to iTunes, different types of problems or errors can occur while you are trying to transfer data, update the firmware or syncing. The worst of all errors is when you get the “iPhone cannot connect to iTunes” error. If your iPhones says it is disabled, you must wait for 1 minute. But if not, you might have to try other methods.

There can be many reasons behind this error, why this happens, sometimes the problem is not internal at all like it could be a cord gone kaput. Sometimes it can also be due to the drivers that are not updated. But do not lose hope, we have built several possible solutions that can fix the issue. Here are some of them:

How to fix iPhone or iPad Cannot Connect to iTunes Error? 

Instance #1: You have connected your iPhone to the computer, iPhone can be detected by iTunes but cannot sync data.

This situation might arise due to restrictions set on your iPhone.

 Fix: 

• Go to Settings and open Screen Time.
• Tap on Content and Privacy Restrictions. If asked, enter the passcode.
• Turn off Content & Privacy Restrictions.

Instance #2: Your iPhone is undetected; iPhone doesn’t show you when it is connected to your computer on iTunes. 

Fix: 

Delete the files from the mobile using this pathway: /var/mobile/Media/iTunes_Control and restart iTunes.

Instances #3: Your computer/laptop cannot detect the iPhone on connecting, but other computers/laptops are detecting iPhone. 

Fix: 

You need to uninstall all the apple-related software. Some of the apple-related software is iTunes, QuickTime, Apple Application Support, Apple Mobile Device Support, Apple Software Update, and even Bonjour. Once the uninstall is finished, reinstall iTunes.

Related Article: How to Access iCloud on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and the Web

Instance #4: iTunes not detecting iPhone on your Windows 7 laptop/computer.

Fix No. 1:

1. To fix this issue, go to C:\Windows and search for USBAAPL.SYS file.
2. Now right-click the file and tap on “open file location,” then copy all the files to a new file folder.
3. Now open device manager search for Apple iPhone under portable devices. Right-click to choose Update Driver Software, and update it.

Fix No. 2: 

1. Quit iTunes and disconnect the iPhone from the computer.
2. Open C:\ Program Files\ Common Files\ Apple\ File Folder. If the file folder exists, delete it.
3.  Open C:\Username\User\AppData\Local\Apple and Apple Computer file folders. If the file folders exist, delete them.
4. Open C:\Username\User\MyMusic\iTunes\file folder. If the file exists, delete it.
5. Once you have completely removed these files from your computer, restart your computer. Launch iTunes and reinstall the application.
6. Once you have completed the iTunes installation, launch the app, try to connect the iPhone to your computer using the USB cable.
7. See if iTunes can detect your iPhone easily or not. All done.

Fix No. 3

1. Right Click on My Computer, click on Properties, and go to devise manager.
2. Right-Click in Apple Mobile Device USB Driver, right-click and click on Update Driver Software, browse to the path: C:\Program File\ Common Files\ Apple Mobile Device Support Drivers. Update the driver.
3. Restart the computer and connect your iPhone to your computer via USB cable, open iTunes to see if the iPhone is detected or not.

In general, the problems can be fixed with one of the above-mentioned ways, but if not, here are some common and general issues that restrict connecting your iPhone to iTunes.

1. There are high chances that the USB port is not supporting. Try connecting to a different USB port and see if now iTunes App recognizes your device.
2. Check all the connections to make sure the cable is fully plugged into your device and your computer.
3. Restart your device: Retry connecting.
4. Restarting your computer: Restart your Mac or Windows Computer and try connecting again. Your Device restart will cause USB ports to reset, and sometimes it solves the problem.
5. Make sure you are using the latest version of iTunes, sometimes and outdated version of iTunes can cause problems with devices using the current version of iOS.
6. Make sure the desktop computer is using a compatible OS. The Mac version you are using for iTunes requires OS 10.5.8. or newer versions. The windows version of iTunes requires Windows 7, Vista, or XP with Service Pack 2 or later.
7. Sometimes it can be due to faulty third-party cable. These third-party cables may charge the iPhone, but it prevents data transfer.

Wrapping up

Also, don’t forget, Apple will ditch iTunes soon. After a few months, you will only be able to sync and update iOS through the Finder App. But that will still take time. Just in case if you encounter any connection issues, you must try these solutions mentioned above, which might help you. Tells us which solutions from the list worked best for you, share it in the comments.