Why is Iphone Not Showing Up in Finder? How to Fix Iphone Not Showing Up in Finder?
by Indraprakash | Updated Aug 02, 2023
Why is Iphone Not Showing Up in Finder?
There are several potential reasons why your iPhone might not be showing up in Finder on your Mac, and addressing these issues can help resolve the problem. One common cause is that the iPhone needs to be unlocked and on the Home Screen for it to appear in Finder. If your iPhone is already connected but not showing up, try unplugging and replugging it while ensuring it remains unlocked.
Another possibility is that the Finder settings may have been configured not to display connected iOS devices. To fix this, navigate to Finder Preferences, click on the Sidebar, and make sure the box for "CDs, DVDs, and iOS Devices" is checked.
Conflicts with other apps on your Mac, such as Xcode, Music, or Image Capture, can also prevent the iPhone from being recognized in Finder. Quitting these apps might help resolve the issue.
Ensuring the cable and USB ports are in good condition and free of dust is crucial, as faulty connections can hinder the iPhone from showing up. Additionally, restarting both your iPhone and Mac can help resolve temporary glitches.
It's essential to ensure that you have allowed the computer to "Trust This Computer" on your iPhone when prompted. This permission is necessary for important actions like backing up or transferring files. If you don't recall seeing the prompt, you can reset the list of trusted computers on your iPhone in Settings > General > Reset > Reset Location & Privacy.
Checking if your Mac recognizes the iPhone is vital. Open System Information on your Mac while holding the option key, go to USB under the Hardware heading, and check if your iPhone is listed there. If it appears, the issue might be with the macOS version, and updating it could resolve the problem.
Other USB devices connected to your Mac may interfere with the iPhone's connection. Disconnecting all other devices except your iPhone might help it show up in Finder.
If none of the above solutions work, consider trying to delete the Finder's properties list file, as it could be corrupted. Finally, if all else fails, resetting all iPhone settings and reconnecting it to your Mac might solve the issue if it was caused by a software-related problem.
By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to address the issue of your iPhone not showing up in Finder and enable successful file transfers, backups, and other interactions between your devices. If the problem persists, seeking assistance from Apple Support or visiting an Apple Store for further assistance is advisable.
How to Fix iPhone Not Showing Up in Finder?
Fix iPhone not showing up in Finder on Mac:
Unlock your iPhone
Ensure that your iPhone is unlocked and on the Home Screen when connecting it to your Mac. If it's already plugged in, unplug and replug it while keeping the iPhone unlocked.
Set Finder to show your iPhone
Open Finder, go to Preferences, click on Sidebar, and make sure the box for "CDs, DVDs, and iOS Devices" is checked.
Relaunch Finder
Press Command + Option + esc keys, select Finder, and click Relaunch.
Quit other apps on Mac
Some apps might interfere with the connection. Quit apps like Xcode, Music, Image Capture, etc., or consider quitting all open apps.
Try reconnecting a few times
Unplug and plug your iPhone a few times as a basic troubleshooting step.
Check the cable and Mac's USB port
Ensure the cable is not broken and is an Apple-certified or reputable brand. Check the USB ports for dust and try using different ports if available.
Restart your iPhone
Turn off your iPhone and turn it back on, then connect it to your Mac.
Restart your Mac
Click on the Apple logo and choose Restart.
Did you allow "Trust This Computer?"
Make sure to tap "Trust" when prompted on your iPhone to trust the connected computer.
Reset your iPhone's remembered list of trusted computers
Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Location & Privacy to reset the trusted computers list.
Check if Mac is recognizing your iPhone
While holding the option key, click on Apple > System Information > USB under the Hardware heading to check if your iPhone is detected. Update macOS if necessary.
Update your iPhone
Go to Settings > General > Software Update to get the latest iOS version.
Unplug other USB devices connected to Mac
Disconnect all other devices except your iPhone to see if it shows up in Finder.
Delete the Finder's properties list file
Locate and delete the com.apple.finder.plist file, then restart your Mac.
Reset all iPhone settings
If nothing else works, reset all iPhone settings and reconnect it to your Mac.
Causes of Iphone Not Showing Up in Finder
The causes of iPhone not showing up in Finder on a Mac:
By addressing these causes, users can ensure that their iPhone appears in Finder on their Mac, allowing for seamless interactions and file transfers between the devices. If the problem persists, seeking assistance from Apple Support or visiting an Apple Store for further troubleshooting is recommended.
Iphone Not Showing Wirelessly in Mac’s Finder
Did you know that you can access your iPhone in Finder wirelessly without the need for a Lightning cable? To enable this feature, follow these steps:
If "Show this iPhone when on Wi-Fi" was already checked, you can uncheck it, then apply the changes, and recheck it before applying again.
Now, whenever your iPhone and Mac are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, your iPhone will appear in Finder. You can perform various tasks like syncing, backing up, and transferring files wirelessly using Wi-Fi syncing. However, it's important to note that restoring your iPhone still requires a physical connection via a Lightning cable.
Keep in mind that Wi-Fi syncing may be slower compared to syncing with a cable, but it offers the convenience of accessing your iPhone without the need for a physical connection.
Why is Iphone Not Showing Up in Finder:FAQs
There are several possible reasons for this issue, including the iPhone not being unlocked, Finder settings not configured to display iOS devices, conflicts with other apps, faulty cable or USB port, not trusting the computer, outdated macOS version, interference from other USB devices, or a corrupted Finder properties list file.
If you want to access your iPhone in Finder wirelessly, you need to enable Wi-Fi syncing. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a Lightning cable, then in Finder, select your iPhone under "Finder Locations." Check the box for "Show this iPhone when on Wi-Fi" under the General tab and click Apply. Now, whenever your iPhone and Mac are on the same Wi-Fi network, your iPhone will appear in Finder.
Yes, Wi-Fi syncing can be slower compared to syncing with a cable. While it offers convenience, transferring large files or performing backups might take longer over Wi-Fi.
No, restoring your iPhone still requires a physical connection via a Lightning cable. Wi-Fi syncing is primarily for tasks like syncing media, backing up, and transferring files.
If none of the troubleshooting steps resolve the issue, consider seeking assistance from Apple Support or visiting an Apple Store for further assistance.