Top 8 Ways to Fix iPhone Cannot Connect to iTunes Issue

Failed to connect your iPhone or iPad to iTunes? Don’t worry, follow this guide to learn the reasons behind the iPhone cannot connect to iTunes and get to know how to fix this issue with 8 simple methods.

Author Avatar Joy Taylor Last Updated: Jul. 27, 2021

It really matters if your iPhone can’t connect to iTunes, because iTunes is such an important application for Apple users to manage the iOS devices, such as back up iPhone, update your device to new iOS and restore your device, etc. If you have encountered the iPad or iPhone cannot connect to iTunes as well, just keep reading this guide to know the in-depth reason why such a situation occurs and to get 8 efficient methods to address the iPhone can’t connect to iTunes issue.

Why iPhone Cannot Connect to iTunes on Computer

There are many reasons which may cause iPhone or iPad can’t connect to your iTunes. The most possible reasons for this are listed as follows.

  1. The loose connection of USB cables or there is debris in your iPhone port or PC USB port.
  2. You may forget to tap “Trust This Computer” alert when you connect your device to iTunes on PC.
  3. The iTunes is waiting to install iTunes driver for iPhone.
  4. If you are using the old generation of iTunes or iOS versions, it may also be a factor for iPhone can’t connect and recognize iTunes.

After knowing the possible reasons for this issue, in the next part, I will give you 8 simple methods to address this problem effectively.

Method 1- Check the USB cable, port and internet connection

From the above part, we know that the failed connection between iPhone and iTunes may be caused by the loose connection. Therefore, if you have encountered the iTunes and iPhone connection problem, checking your USB cable, iPhone port and its connection should be put at the top priority. You can clean the USB port of your computer and your iPhone port, and then use your USB/iPhone cable to reconnect your iPhone with PC carefully.

Congratulations if it works! However, if it fails, next, you should check the network connection of your computer and iPhone to solve this problem. If the problem still cannot be addressed after you have check all of these, don’t worry, try other ways mentioned below.

Method 2- Keep your iPhone unlocked and Stay on the Home page

Before connecting your iPhone or iPad to iTunes, please let it remain unlocked and keep it on the home screen. Because when your iPhone is locked, it may influence the connection between your device and iTunes.

Unlock iPhone and Keep it on the Home Screen

Unlock iPhone and Keep it on the Home Screen

Method 3- Remember to Tap “Trust this Computer”

When you connect your iPhone to iTunes on the computer, your phone will pop up an alert to ask for your permission to connect them. So, if you have seen such the “Trust this computer” alert, you should remember to tap “Trust” so as to smoothly connect your iPhone and iTunes.

Tap Trust This Computer to Connect iPhone to iTunes

Tap Trust This Computer to Connect iPhone to iTunes

Method 4- Update iTunes to the latest version

If the above three methods still can’t fix the iPhone cannot connect to the iTunes store issue, then we are wondering if there’s any wrong with your iTunes or iOS version. Then we need to go and check them if they are the old version, we’d better try to follow the method 4 and 5 to update iTunes and iOS to the latest version. Because the latest iTunes and iOS usually have the updated features which may fix some shortages of the applications before. Now, follow the below steps to update your iTunes.

The most direct way to update your iTunes is to go to Apple official website and then download and install the latest iTunes to your computer.

Update iTunes on Windows Computer

Step 1. Run iTunes on your PC > Click “Help” on the menu bar > Click “Check for Updates” option.

Step2. If there have the latest iTunes version, tap “install” to update your iTunes on Windows PC.

Update iTunes on Windows PC

Update iTunes on Windows PC

Update iTunes on Mac

Step 1. Launch iTunes on your Mac > Choose “iTunes” menu > Choose “Check for Updates”.

Step 2. If there’s a newly available iTunes. It will pop up a reminder, then download and install the latest iTunes.

Update iTunes on Mac

Update iTunes on Mac

Method 5 – Update to Latest iOS

To update your iPhone to the latest iOS, open your iPhone, next find and click “Settings”, then choose the “General” option, and finally click “Software Updates” to check if there’s the latest iOS available. If there is, download and install it to update to the latest one.

Update to Latest iOS

Update to Latest iOS

Method 6- Restart your iPhone/Computer

Restarting your iPhone or computer can also be tried to address the iPhone or iPad cannot connect to the iTunes issue. This method may be a little bit time-wasting because you have to wait for a moment to restart your devices. Anyway, if this way can fix the iPhone iTunes connection issue, why not give it a try.

To restart your computer, you just need to operate according to your computer modes. The below will only mention how to restart your iPhone with clear steps.

Restart your iPhone

Step 1. Long pressing the Sleep/Wake button of your iPhone until your iPhone pops up “Slide to Power Off” slider.

Step 2. Slide the option from the left to the end of the right to power off your device.

Step 3. Pressing the Sleep/Wake button for a while as well to restart your iPhone.

Method 7- Using Professional iTunes Issue Repair Assistant – AnyFix

If the above six methods still cannot help you fix the iTunes iPhone connection problem, then using a professional iTunes issue repair assistant would be preferred. AnyFix is a troubleshooter which is good at fix all kind of iOS system repair and iTunes related issues with ease, like fix iTunes can’t recognize iPhone, iPhone stuck on Apple logo as well as many other problems. Following the following detailed steps to fix the iPhone iTunes connection issue.

Step 1. Download AnyFix and launch it on your computer > Choose iTunes Repair on the right side of the software.

Free Download

Free Download

* 100% Clean & Safe

Free Download * 100% Clean & Safe

Tap on iTunes Repair from Homepage

Tap on iTunes Repair from Homepage

Step 2. Choose iTunes Connection/Backup/Restore Errors option > Click Fix Now.

Select the Error Type to Fix

Select the Error Type to Fix

Step 3. AnyFix will automatically start analyzing your iTunes problems. After that, the errors will be present on the interface. Then click Fix Now to start fixing iTunes issues.

iTunes Component Errors will be Detected

iTunes Component Errors will be Detected

Step 4. You just need to wait for a while to let AnyFix finish its iTunes repair journey.

iTunes Repair Completed

iTunes Repair Completed

Method 8 – Contact Apple Support

Contacting Apple support is the final choice to fix the iPhone can’t connect to the iTunes issue especially during this Covid-19 quarantine time. This way is a little bit risky for Covid-19 pandemic is still spreading all around the world. Therefore, instead of going to the Apple store to fix your problem, go to the official Apple website, and contact support at first would be a better choice.

Conclusion

In this article, there have mentioned the top 8 ways to fix iPhone can’t connect to the iTunes issue with ease. Personally speaking, I prefer to use a professional iTunes issue repair tool – AnyFix to fix the iPhone iTunes connection problem within simple clicks. If you have any more methods, you can share it with us as well.

Author Avatar
Joy Taylor Twitter Share Facebook Share

Member of iMobie team as well as an Apple fan, love to help more users solve various types of iOS & Android related issues.

Back to Top Icon