How to fix – iTunes could not connect to this iPhone –

Connecting your iPhone to a Windows machine to transfer data or a routine backup is a simple task that you should expect to just work every time. But sometimes you will come across an issue and you may see a message like “iTunes could not connect to this iPhone” error on your computer.

In general, the “iTunes could not connect to this iPhone” error occurs, is a simple error to resolve with some basic steps to try. The iTunes error will often occur simply if iTunes is unable to identify your iPhone. In this article, we will show you a few possible solutions to the issue.

Possible Solutions – iTunes could not connect to this iPhone

Solution 1 – Try a different USB port to solve iTunes could not connect to this iPhone

I’ll start with the most basic of the steps that some people neglect to try when they come across this issue. Simply it may be because your computer doesn’t recognise your iPhone. Try and plug your iPhone into a different USB port. We find sometimes that it could simply be a problem USB port that could be stopping the connection and using a different port could simply resolve the issue.

Solution 2 – Authorize the device in iTunes

The iTunes could not connect to this iPhone error can sometimes occur due to the computer not being authorized in iTunes.

How to Authorize the device in iTunes

1. Unplug iPhone from your computer and close iTunes.

2. Open iTunes on your computer > click on Account > Authorizations > Authorize this computer.

3. Restart iTunes and plug your iPhone to the computer.

Now, your iPhone should appear in iTunes, without generating any error message.

Possible Solution 3 – Trust Computer When prompted

When you first connect your iPhone to the computer, it always displays the message “Trust This Computer?” o the iPhone screen, prompting you to select either “Trust” or “Don’t Trust”.

If you do not see the pop-up, it is likely that you had selected the Don’t Trust option and this is preventing the iPhone from connecting to iTunes.

To fix this, remove the iPhone from the computer > go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset and select Reset Location and Privacy option in the pop-up

After this, reconnect iPhone to the computer and this time make sure you tap on the Trust option.

Possible Solution 4 – Restart iPhone and Computer to fix iTunes could not connect to this iPhone

Yeah, yeah, I know you have heard this one before but it can actually work a lot of the time. Restart your computer and also restart iPhone to clear stuck programs and processes, which might be preventing your iPhone from connecting to iTunes.

Possible Solution 5 – Update iTunes on computer

If you are using a Windows computer, iTunes is the program you will use to view your iPhone, transfer data and perform multiple other tasks. For compatibility and functionality reasons you will need to make sure the latest version of iTunes is installed on your computer.

How to update iTunes on your computer

1. Open iTunes on your Windows computer.

2. Click on the Help tab in the top menu bar and select the “Check for Updates” option in the drop-down menu.

Possible Solution 6 – Update iPhone

Not only does your iTunes on your computer needs to be up to date but you should also ensure that you update the IOS software on your iPhone.

You can update the software on your iPhone by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

On the next screen, allow iPhone to check for updates. If an update is available, tap on Download and Install.

Possible Solution 7 – Check USB Cable

Inspect the USB cable to see if it is broken or damaged. Even, if the cable does not show signs of damage it may have become faulty.

Hence, try a new or another USB cable and see if the iPhone can now connect to iTunes.

Wait for iPhone to completely shut down > Restart iPhone by pressing the Power button.

Possible Solution 9 – Repair iTunes App

If iPhone is still not being detected by iTunes, the problem could also be due to iTunes Software on your computer being damaged or corrupted.

Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features and click on iTunes > Modify option in the right-pane.

On the next screen, select the Repair option and click on Next.

Wait for Windows to Reinstall iTunes on your computer. Once this is done, Restart the computer > Open iTunes and see if your iPhone is now available in iTunes.

Possible Solution 10 – Disable the antivirus software

Some anti-virus software might affect the connection between iPhone and computer and cause “iPhone won’t connect to iTunes”. If you have such software working on your computer, temporarily disable the antivirus software to fix the problem.

Possible Solution 11 – Disable Restrictions

iTunes could not connect to the iPhone because an error occurred while reading from the device. Sometimes, this is caused by the restrictions that you applied to your iPhone. You can remove it by going to your iPhone Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Disable Restriction.

Possible Solution 12 – Delete the “Lockdown” Folder

Deleting the “Lockdown” folder may help remove corrupt files that may cause errors on iTunes.

To find the Lockdown folder and delete it, you can:

• Press and hold the Windows + R keys on the keyboard.
• In the Running window of your PC, type %ProgramData%.
• Click OK.
• Find the Apple folder and click it.
• Delete the Lockdown folder.