Sync, Computer, or iTunes Issues

The last category of troubleshooting techniques in this chapter applies to issues that involve synchronization and computer–iPhone relations. If you’re having problems syncing or your computer doesn’t recognize your iPhone when you connect it (or your phone issue is not resolved by any of our previous suggestions), we have some more things you can try.

Once again, we suggest that you try these procedures in the order they’re presented here:

1. Recharge your iPhone.

If you didn’t try it previously, try it now. Go back to the “iPhone Issues” section, at the beginning of this chapter, and read what we say about recharging your iPhone. Every word there applies here.

2. Try a different USB port or a different cable if you have one available.

It doesn’t happen often, but occasionally USB ports and cables go bad. When they do, they invariably cause sync and connection problems. Make sure that a bad USB port or cable isn’t to blame. And check all plugs, connectors, cables, and adapters to ensure that they’re properly inserted and seated correctly.

If you don’t remember what we said about using USB ports on your computer rather than the ones on your keyboard, monitor, or hub, we suggest that you reread the “Recharge your iPhone” section, earlier in this chapter.

Apple has used the same USB cable for iPods and iPhones for many years and also uses that same cable for iPads, so if you happen to have one of those cables handy, give it a try. Unless . . .

Unless, that is, you’ve purchased your iDevice after September or October 2012, when the iPhone 5 and the 2012 models of the iPod touch and iPod Nano were introduced. These devices all sport the new Lightning connector instead of the same USB–to–dock–connector cable we’ve known and loved all these years. To use an old cable with these new devices requires a Lightning–to–30–pin adapter, which Apple sells for $29 or $39.

3. Restart your iPhone and try to sync again.

We describe restarting your iPhone in full and loving detail in the “Restart your iPhone” section, earlier in this chapter.

4. Restart your computer.

We have found that restarting your computer often fixes issues with syncing your iPhone.

Restarting your computer can fix non-iPhone issues as well. It’s a good idea to reboot your computer before you do any kind of troubleshooting, be it with your iPhone or your computer.

5. Reinstall iTunes.

Even if you have an iTunes installer handy, you probably should visit the Apple website and download the latest-and-greatest version, just in case. You’ll always find the latest version of iTunes at www.apple.com/itunes/download .