Fix it: Cannot Sync iPhone with Any Computer

by Michael Sheehan on May 13, 2008

in Apple, Cellular, Gadgets, General, Hardware, iPhone

Today I received an email with a plea for help from Rav. The contents are as follows:

In desperation I am emailing to you for help or direction.
I cannot connect my iphone to any computer ( used different computers and cables). Was able to do so but I think I downloaded software through installer and since than iphone is @#$@$#. Currently can only charge iphone using AC power or in my car .
am happy to pay for some help as I have been googling for a week to get some help.

Well, first, I don’t have a solution (yet), but I do have some things that you can try to resolve. I decided to make this a blog post in case there are others who have the same problem and any who may have solved it. Second, I don’t charge for the solutions that I provide so hopefully the thanks can be people clicking on my banner ads (grin) or donating gadgets to me (super grin).

Anyway, we need to understand the environment. I have a list of questions that will need to be answered in order to troubleshoot this better.

What version is your iPhone?
Has it been unlocked?
Has it been Jailbroken? (I’m assuming in this case “Yes” because you say that you loaded some software)
What were the 3rd Party Apps that you recently added?
Have you tried both Macs and PCs with iTunes?
What version of iTunes are you using?
Have you tried different cables (You answered “Yes”)
Are you using USB cables only (iPhones won’t sync with Firewire)
When you plug in your iPhone to the computer, does it acknowledge that it is attached (through sound or visual)?
When plugged in to the computer, does your iPhone charge? (I’m assuming not)
Have you tried a Soft Reset? (Hold down the home button and the power button until it restarts and you see the Apple logo showing)
Do you have a full backup of your iPhone from a previous sync (and do you care if you lose anything…I hope not).
Have you tried to put your iPhone in recovery mode (Turn your phone off. Press and Hold the HOME button and plug in your iPhone into your Mac or PC. Continue holding the HOME button until you see a yellow triangle and the text “Please connect to iTunes”. Release the HOME button. Open iTunes, if it isn’t already open and see if it is recognized now. You might be prompted to restore or recover. This may take a bit of time.)

Just add your answers to the comment box of this post and we can go from there. If anyone else has recovered from a similar situation, please drop a comment by as well.

HTD says: Hang in there, we will work through this!

Tagged as: Apple, connection, fixit, help, iPhone, jailbreak

http://www.computerkeepsrestarting.com Computer keeps restarting
Thank you for your good article for it to learn and understand more about my work in it. Hope you'll have great articles like this again
Jmconigpb
thank you so much for this post!
i tried EVERTHING to get my phone to synch, but nothing worked…and, itunes help is useless,
so, so, happy to stumble on your page because #13 worked!!!!
hooray for htd!
xo
Dezzydes92
Hey :) i connect my iphone to my pc. itunes pops up nomally it begins to sync and says its finished syncing yet nothing goes in. i use to be able to sync and all of a sudden this started to happen. i’ve already tried all of your tips. and nothing seems to work! :/
http://www.hightechdad.com hightechdad
Did you check under the info section of your iPhone in iTunes and make sure that the appropriate items are checked off? Are you using the latest version of iTunes? It now tells you which step of the syncing process you are on. Let me know.
Tale Gunner
Same here. I had problems with my laptop and had to send it in (just because its under warranty). I down loaded the latest software and my phone has been updated with the latest OS 4 and updates. My phone dings when connected showing that it is being charged. I have a pop up window that asks the camera is connected and wants me to select the program that I want to launch (but iTunes is not listed). I have uninstalled the iTunes software and reinstalled the latest just to make sure that it has all the latest updates. On the left of the program it never shows my iPhone as being a device that can be selected. So where do I go from here?
Taylor
1# What version is your iPhone? Iphone 3G
# Has it been unlocked? Yes.
# Has it been Jailbroken? No.
# What were the 3rd Party Apps that you recently added? none
# Have you tried both Macs and PCs with iTunes? No, just PC
# What version of iTunes are you using? iTunes 10
# Have you tried different cables? Yes
# Are you using USB cables only Yes
# When you plug in your iPhone to the computer, does it acknowledge that it is attached It only acknowledges it as a camera, and not an iPhone
# When plugged in to the computer, does your iPhone charge? Yes.
# Have you tried a Soft Reset? Yes.
# Do you have a full backup of your iPhone from a previous sync? Mostly.
# Have you tried to put your iPhone in recovery mode? Yes. Didn’t work.
I plug my iPhone in and iTunes doesn’t register it. It doesn’t pop up on the side of the iTunes bar. It pops up as my iPhone camera being recognized on my computer and says I can open with a few other things, none are iTunes. So iTunes isn’t recognizing mine or my mothers phone……
Erama
i have the same problem any answer yet???
Erama
hi hightechdad i have the same problem as Dezzydes92: So i connect normally to itunes and when sync it says synchronizing and immediately finishing synchronizing and it doesn’t transfer anything.
Really appreciate any help
supermansmrs
Total EMERGENCY! I have done #13 and it couldn’t restore my phone due to unknown error. Now my phone won’t leave the itunes screen. Seriously need my phone back ASAP. Please help a desperate woman in need.
Fkp
1.What version is your iPhone? 4.3
2.Has it been unlocked? yes by provider
3.Has it been Jailbroken? (I’m assuming in this case “Yes” because you say that you loaded some software) no
4.What were the 3rd Party Apps that you recently added? none
5.Have you tried both Macs and PCs with iTunes? just pcs
6.What version of iTunes are you using?10.2.1
7.Have you tried different cables (You answered “Yes”) yes
8.Are you using USB cables only (iPhones won’t sync with Firewire)only usb
9.When you plug in your iPhone to the computer, does it acknowledge that it is attached (through sound or visual)? no
10.When plugged in to the computer, does your iPhone charge? (I’m assuming not) no it does not charge
11.Have you tried a Soft Reset? (Hold down the home button and the power button until it restarts and you see the Apple logo showing) yes find in dfu mode but fail to sync
12.Do you have a full backup of your iPhone from a previous sync (and do you care if you lose anything…I hope not).no i dont i do care but willing to lose everthing
13.Have you tried to put your iPhone in recovery mode (Turn your phone off. Press and Hold the HOME button and plug in your iPhone into your Mac or PC. Continue holding the HOME button until you see a yellow triangle and the text “Please connect to iTunes”. Release the HOME button. Open iTunes, if it isn’t already open and see if it is recognized now. You might be prompted to restore or recover. This may take a bit of time.)
tried but failed several times
http://www.hightechdad.com hightechdad
Some more questions:
1) did you try multiple PCs?
2) What version(s) of Windows did you try?
3) Have you tried fully uninstalling iTunes and reinstalling it?
4) What type of iPhone do you have?
5) What state is the iPhone in currently? Recovery mode?
Thanks
Chrisprice93551
Hello , My ATT I Phone Version ONE will charge on my radio docking station as it seems to insert more of the plug but not through a data cable to my pc and I have tried two cables with no results . The cable does not recognize the phone or the sim card installed. Any ideas?
girllostwithouthercell
i have an iphone classic 2g. it 2wont go into recovery mode. ive tried synching it to three omputers, bought different cords, until i then restored it to factory mode, like meaning i erased everything and it still dont work. itunes dont recognize it, computer (windows) says usb device malfunctioned/recognized. i dont know what to do!
babyangeleah
# What version of iTunes are you using? iTunes 10
# Have you tried different cables? Yes
# Are you using USB cables only? Yes
# When you plug in your iPhone to the computer, does it acknowledge that it is attached It only acknowledges it as a camera, and not an iPhone? Nothing is happening
# When plugged in to the computer, does your iPhone charge? No
# Have you tried a Soft Reset? Yes couple of times already
# Do you have a full backup of your iPhone from a previous sync? No
# Have you tried to put your iPhone in recovery mode? Yes. Didn’t work
PLEASE HELP? THANKS…
babyangeleah
babyangeleah
1# What version is your iPhone? Iphone 3G# Has it been unlocked? Yes.# Has it been Jailbroken? Yes# What were the 3rd Party Apps that you recently added? Cydia and Rock# Have you tried both Macs and PCs with iTunes? Yes # What version of iTunes are you using? iTunes 10# Have you tried different cables? Yes# Are you using USB cables only? Yes# When you plug in your iPhone to the computer, does it acknowledge that it is attached It only acknowledges it as a camera, and not an iPhone? Nothing is happening# When plugged in to the computer, does your iPhone charge? No# Have you tried a Soft Reset? Yes couple of times already# Do you have a full backup of your iPhone from a previous sync? No# Have you tried to put your iPhone in recovery mode? Yes. Didn’t work.
http://www.hightechdad.com hightechdad
Well, I have always been able to get out of the different loops that I
have been stuck in. Did you ever manually replace the battery? Or any
other modifications to the iPhone?
So, try a different computer and a different cable. See if you can use
iRecovery (I think that’s the name) to kick your phone into recovery
mode (or out of it).
Are you plugging the iPhone into a USB hub? Sometimes the iPhone needs a
higher powered USB connection.
Hard to tell if I don’t have the device in hand. Sorry.
Msbizpro
Hello! found you through Bing.My laptop goes to bluescreen when I plug the iPhone cable into the USB port.Here’s my answers:What version is your iPhone? 3gsHas it been unlocked? don’t know???Has it been Jailbroken? don’t know??? – I have successfully loaded and updated many apps What were the 3rd Party Apps that you recently added? Talking Tom Cat, ourStage, Heart FitnessHave you tried both Macs and PCs with iTunes? Works fine on a Mac at the local apple storeWhat version of iTunes are you using? 10Have you tried different cables YesAre you using USB cables only Yes When you plug in your iPhone to the computer, does it acknowledge that it is attached (through sound or visual)? sound When plugged in to the computer, does your iPhone charge? (I’m assuming not) NotHave you tried a Soft Reset? (Hold down the home button and the power button until it restarts and you see the Apple logo showing) With just the power button, doesn’t help. Tried both power and home, doesn’t go back to the logo until I hold down power button again.Do you have a full backup of your iPhone from a previous sync (and do you care if you lose anything…I hope not). Not really – last sync was Feb. to my PC, now in storage; and yes I do care.Have you tried to put your iPhone in recovery mode (Turn your phone off. Press and Hold the HOME button and plug in your iPhone into your Mac or PC. Continue holding the HOME button until you see a yellow triangle and the text “Please connect to iTunes”. Release the HOME button. Open iTunes, if it isn’t already open and see if it is recognized now. You might be prompted to restore or recover. This may take a bit of time.) WILL THIS CAUSE LOSS OF STORED FILES AND DATA?
http://www.hightechdad.com hightechdad
If your windows machine is blue screening when you plug in your iPhone, you have some sort of a hardware or driver issue. I would recommend being sure that you have fully updated your Windows machine (what version are you on?) with the latest software updates from Microsoft. You can also uninstall iTunes and then re-download and install it. Then try connecting again.
Good luck!
Mysticarchives
My phone is doing the same thing. 3 cables, on 2 pcs and mac. The only way my phone charges right now is on a RCA clock ipod docking station or in the car.
Mysticarchives
My iPhone 4 does not charge through PC or Mac,
as such I’m unable to obtain the updates for my device. The only way I’m able
to obtain a charge on the phone is through non-Apple issued methods. I have 2
RCA clocks with iPod docking station that is able to charge my phone and 2 off
brand car chargers that are both able to charge it, but any connection to computer
is undetected. I have a ViewSonic monitor with a docking station, that I tried,
but it fails to connect through that port as well. 3 different cables across
multiple USB ports directly connected to the motherboard on 2 PC’s and an iMac.
I’ve also answered the questions presented above. Any assistance would be
greatly appreciated.

1.    What version is your iPhone? iPhone 4
2.    Has it been unlocked? I don’t understand the
question but it is a functioning cell phone serviced through At&t.
3.    Has it been Jailbroken? Never jail broke my phone
4.    What were the 3rd Party Apps that you
recently added? All apps installed are from the iTunes Software Store.
5.    Have you tried both Macs and PCs with
iTunes? Yes
6.    What version of iTunes are you using? 10.5
7.    Have you tried different cables – Yes, all
of them are Apple issued.
8.    Are you using USB cables only (iPhones won’t
sync with Firewire) – Yes, all cablces are USB
9.    When you plug in your iPhone to the computer, does it acknowledge
that it is attached (through sound or visual)? No, it is not detected
at all.
10. When plugged in to the computer, does your iPhone charge?
No it doesn’t, nor does it detect connection while in recovery mode.
11. Do you have a full backup of your iPhone
from a previous sync (and do you care if you lose anything…I hope not). –
Partial backup and I don’t mind
12.
Have you tried to put your iPhone in recovery
mode – Yes and DVU mode as well.