Causes of USB connection problems between MacBook and iPhone, flash drive. What to do if the MacBook does not “see” the flash drive?

For downloading information stored on a MacBook iPhone phone, the iTunes application responds. If there are problems in his work operating system does not recognize the connected device, does not allow you to copy photos or videos, other data, make backups, etc.

Causes of malfunction

Why can't MacBook see iPhone? There may be several reasons for this.

Broken cable

All iPhone devices are designed to work only with original accessories, so when connecting an analog cord to the USB port made in China there is a high probability that

MacBook doesn't recognize iPhone. If the cable is not working, it is easy to check. It is enough to check its function by connecting another phone to a laptop or PC.

The problem is in the connectors

When a MacBook or iPhone has not been used for a long time, the likelihood of connectors becoming oxidized increases. Upon careful inspection, traces of oxidation can be seen and can be eliminated by cleaning the connectors.

USB port failure

Sometimes the cause of poor contact between the phone and MacBook is a dirty port. Cleaning off stuck dirt, dust or foreign small objects can lead to the resumption of iTunes operation and the visibility of the iPhone on the MacBook. To make sure that the port is broken, you need to connect different devices. In case of failure USB port You won't be able to fix it yourself. Exit - contact service center, where the socket will be quickly and efficiently replaced with a new one using original spare parts and a guarantee will be given for the service performed.

Inappropriate iTunes version

Sometimes the active version of iTunes may be incompatible with the application on the MacBook or the device is running an old one software, which needs updating.

Settings

Resetting iTunes preferences can fix the problem. This step can be taken if, when trying to connect an iPhone to a MacBook, a dialog box appears warning “Trust this computer”, provided that the iPhone has previously been constantly connected to the MacBook.

Data Trust

If you connect and synchronize for the first time or 6 months after the last connection, the message “Trust this computer” appears as protection against unauthorized access. If you click “Do not trust”, synchronization will not take place and, accordingly, it will be impossible to obtain data from the iPhone.

How can I fix the situation myself?


Method 2. If rebooting does not work, updating may help old version iOS along with installing the latest version of the iTunes application. If the system asks for an update on its own, do not neglect the recommendation.

Method 3: Driver update. For normal operation of the device, you need the Apple Mobile Device USB Driver. The problem with its functioning may be due to a conflict with software (usually third-party). To resolve the problem, it is important to install licensed software. Sometimes the driver may be disabled. To enable it you need to go to context menu"Task Manager" and click on the "Enable" button.

Method 4. If the MacBook does not see the iPhone due to a failure of the USB port, you can use the phone via another port. If the problem persists, the cause of the port failure can be ruled out.

What to do if iTunes doesn't see iPhone?

After connecting your iPhone, your Mac may not see the device due to a glitch in iTunes. You can restore your device’s ability to see your iPhone by following these steps:

1. Remove the connecting cord between the two devices from the USB port. You should close the iTunes application before removing the cable.

2. Activate work file manager“Finder” and delete the iTunes (entire folder) application shortcut created in the panel. You also need to delete two files: 1) AppleMobileDevice.kext (located in Library / Extension); 2) AppleMobileDeviceSupport.pkg (located in Library/Receipts).

3. After these manipulations, the MacBook needs to be rebooted.

4. After rebooting the device, you should empty the recycle bin and restart the system again.


In order not to lose important data, downloaded music and other information, you must make a backup copy before starting work. After this, there is no data about iTunes in the system and you can install the iTunes application from scratch. When choosing a program, you must choose latest version. Such simple steps allow you to get a fully working new application and easily download information and exchange data from Mac to iPhone and vice versa.

Several files, took an external drive, connected it and... as a result, the Mac does not “see” the flash drive. Is it really faulty? Or is the computer itself broken? There is no need to throw anything away or take it to a service center. It is better to understand why this problem occurs and how to solve it.

How to solve the problem of identifying a MacBook flash drive.

Causes of the problem and possible solutions

Your Mac may not recognize the media if:

  • The USB port is faulty. Check its functionality - try connecting other devices to it.
  • The flash drive itself is faulty. Therefore Mac OS does not see it. Insert it into another PC or laptop. If everything works and the files open, then this is not the problem.
  • There are no suitable drivers. Update your computer software and restart it. See if any driver or OS related errors occur during boot.
  • Malicious software has appeared. Scan your system with an antivirus.
  • There are some hardware problems. Check if the other ports and components of the laptop are working. Connect other gadgets to them. Perhaps the problem is not with a specific slot, but with the entire motherboard.
  • The file system (FS) of the USB drive is not suitable. Without special Mac programs will not be able to “see” the flash drive if it is formatted in NTFS.


It is better to take a broken computer to a service center. If you don't know how to fix your MacBook and USB socket, don't risk it. Same thing with a faulty drive. It contains information that no longer remains. backup copies? Give it to a specialist. Is the data not that important or is it easy to recover? Then transfer them to another medium. But if the MacBook does not “see” the flash drive due to the file system, you can change it yourself.

File system

An NTFS drive will not work on a MacOS laptop. There are two options here.



What is the difference between these formats? FAT32 has a limitation - you cannot write a file larger than 4 gigabytes to the media. Even if there is 64 GB of free memory left. You can upload several files of 3 GB or 2 GB. But not 5 or 6.

FS also has different cluster sizes. These are something like “cells” in which information is stored. Let's say one cluster is 2 GB (conditionally). And you copy a 3 GB video to the drive. It will occupy two “cells”. That is - 4 GB. It is no longer possible to write anything to an occupied cell. The NTFS format has smaller cluster sizes. Accordingly, more data will fit into it.

IMPORTANT. But if the MacBook does not “see” the flash drive, you will have to change file system. Or buy additional software. It all depends on what files you plan to transfer.

NTFS is a relatively new development. Although it was created a long time ago. It can work with large files. It makes optimal use of memory. It is superior to FAT32 in many ways. This is a prominent and advanced format.

FAT32 is an old but proven system. She doesn't have such opportunities. This drive cannot record a movie in HD quality or an archive with a TV series. But it goes with everything. FAT32 is read by almost all machines. Including Mac laptops. But for some reason they didn’t add support for NTFS.

Wireless network is the most in a convenient way connecting your computer to the Internet. Therefore, it is very unpleasant when we know for sure that Wi-Fi network works, but our MacBook cannot connect to it.

There may be several reasons for this problem:

1. Most often, the MacBook does not see Wi-Fi due to the fault of the module wireless communication the laptop itself. In this case, the wireless communication function is shown as inactive and no manipulations with Wi-Fi settings don't help. This problem is unlikely to be resolved on your own, so it is best to immediately take your MacBook to a service center. The wireless communication module cannot be repaired, so most likely, a service center specialist will immediately offer to replace it. The job of replacing a Wi-Fi module is not difficult and the repair will most likely be completed in less than an hour.

2. The second, no less common reason that the MacBook does not see Wi-Fi may be a problem with the device driver (when using Windows OS). Users usually download drivers online. Unfortunately, the people who post them there are not always competent enough and the driver itself does not always have the correct designation. It often happens that a program designed for a completely different device is downloaded and installed. Also, do not forget that the same MacBook model may well have different wireless modules installed.

To avoid such a problem, experts recommend downloading drivers exclusively on the device manufacturer’s website, first finding out exactly which module is installed in your MacBook. This information can be found in the technical documentation that comes with the device or on a sticker that may be located on the laptop case.

3. Also, this malfunction can be caused by damage to the cable, on models in which the Wi-Fi module is not located on motherboard, and is located in the display module.

Many users who have experience repairing laptops from other manufacturers boldly order a wireless communication module via the Internet and try to replace it themselves. Unfortunately, such amateur activities usually do not end well and a seriously damaged device still ends up on the service center technician’s desktop. After self-intervention, instead of simply replacing the Wi-Fi module, sometimes you have to make serious, expensive repairs that take a lot of time. Is it worth risking your favorite MacBook over trifles, if at any time you can contact a specialized service center for repairing Apple equipment, where real professionals work?

“iTunes does not see iPhone”, what should I do? In fact, this problem appeared with the first device. However, many still do not know how to decide similar problems. Often on the Internet you can see long articles with unclear and complex instructions. But there is no need to complicate the task.

Determining the functionality of gadgets

First, you should check all the elements for functionality: MacBook, iPhone, USB cable and software. The first three objects can be tested by trial and error by experimenting with other devices. If you have identified problems with the computer itself, and it is it that does not see other devices, you should check the Apple Mobile Device.

If the interaction cable is broken, you just need to replace it. And if there are problems with the software, you need to do the following - remove iTunes and install it on your computer again. If you are convinced that there are no breakdowns, you can consider several ways to establish a relationship.


First of all, let's consider a situation in which you have never connected these two devices to each other before. Unlock your iPhone and click the “Trust” button. Then we will learn more about the “Trust this computer” message.

Now let's look at methods for solving all other situations. First you need to make sure that your MacBook matches system requirements use of other devices. You can restart your devices. Oddly enough, this can help. Check if you can update your computer software to newer versions, especially iTunes. If there is any other device connected via USB ports on the computer, we advise you to temporarily disconnect them.

Can the MacBook see it now?


What to do if the MacBook does not see the flash drive? There can be many reasons. The first and saddest thing is that the flash drive needs to be replaced. If the flash drive cannot be opened on any of the computers, it is closed, alas. If she works for Microsoft Windows

, and with Mac OS X there are difficulties - it's all about the format. The question immediately arises: how to format a flash drive for Mac OS X?

Formatting for OS X You need to connect the flash drive to your computer and run " Disk Utility

" On the side panel, find the name of the external drive and double-click on it. Go to the second top tab of the “Erase” application, and in the format field select “Mac OS Extended (Journaled)”. Then you need to click on the “Erase” button. Now the flash drive can only be used with various types of MacBook.

But Windows simply won’t accept it. Does Windows see the flash drive? All the same, interaction is impossible.


Dividing a flash card into sections

Formats supported by Windows are MS-DOS (FAT) or ExFAT. The second one is recommended, which is more modern and is perfectly supported by more or less modern models.

The first format is processed by older models, but does not work well on new modifications.

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