iPhone Not Showing Up in Finder - 6 Quick Fixes

Finder replaced iTunes on Mac devices starting with macOS Catalina, and it has been warmly received. While it is a great replacement, users have complained about their devices not appearing in the Finder. The iPhone not showing up in Finder is frustrating as it stops you from doing many important tasks like syncing your data, transferring files, etc.

This article will explore some of the most effective methods for troubleshooting the iPhone not showing up in the Finder issue. It will also look at different causes behind this problem.

How to Fix iPhone Not Showing Up in Finder

iPhone not showing up in Finder is not a complicated issue to resolve. Many simple and effective solutions for this problem are available. Read on and find out the most workable solution for you.

Solution 1. Check the USB Cable and Ensure iPhone is Unlocked

Since faulty USB cables are among the top culprits behind the iPhone not showing up in Finder issue, you should check if your cable is alright. The best way to do this is to connect another device using the same cable and see if it appears on Mac. Another way is to connect to another computer and check if the cable works there.

Similarly, your iPhone screen also needs to be unlocked if you want to connect it to a PC or Mac. If the screen is locked, Finder may have trouble recognizing your iPhone. That's why disconnect your iPhone from your Mac, unlock it, and reconnect it.

Solution 2. Check If Mac is Recognizing the iPhone

To fix iPhone not showing up on Mac finder, you should first check if your Mac is recognizing the iPhone. "Irrecognizable iPhone" can happen due to faulty USB ports or system bugs and glitches. You can check the USB menu in Mac's System Information to ensure that Mac recognizes your device. Use these steps to check if the Mac is recognizing your iPhone:

Step 1. Start by clicking the Apple logo from the upper left corner of your Mac's screen. In the dropdown menu, hover the pointer over "About This Mac" and press the "Option" key on the keyboard.

Step 2. It will change the option to "System Information," which you need to select. Here, click "USB" from the left side to see if your iPhone is showing under the USB menu.

Solution 3. Set Finder to Show the iPhone

If the Mac is recognizing the iPhone, then the settings to show the iPhone in Finder may be wrongly configured. There is also a chance that these settings have become corrupted. Luckily, you can check this out quickly through Finder's settings. Follow these steps to set Finder to show the iPhone to resolve iPhone not showing up in Finder:

Step 1. On your Mac, click "Finder" from the top left corner near the Apple logo and select "Settings." Here, navigate to the "Sidebar" tab.

Step 2. In this tab, scroll down and find the "CDs, DVDs and iOS Devices" check box under "Locations." If it isn't checked, select it; if it already is, then deselect and reselect it. Afterward, close the settings and check if the issue is resolved.

Solution 4. Update iOS and macOS

Not updating your device's operating system leads to many serious performance and system issues. Your iPhone not showing up in Finder is an example of such a problem. So, if the iOS of your iPhone or macOS of your Mac are outdated, you need to update them. You can update them by using the guides given below:

Update iOS on iPhone:

Step: You will need to select "General" in Settings on your iPhone and tap "Software Update." If an update is available, use the "Download and Install" button to update your iPhone's iOS.

Update macOS on Mac:

Step 1. Click the Apple logo from the top left corner of the screen and select "System Settings." Now, tap "General" from the left sidebar and press "Software Update."

Step 2. If an update is available, you can hit the "Restart Now" button to download and install the update. Ensure that the internet doesn't get disconnected during the update and Mac remains turned on.

Solution 5. Reset the iPhone's Trusted Devices List

You need to select "Trust" on the "Trust This Computer" prompt on your iPhone whenever you connect it to a new computer. However, this list of trusted devices on your iPhone can cause your iPhone not to show up in Finder. It happens due to bugs in the iPhone or due to conflicting settings. Here is how you can reset the iPhone's trusted devices list:

Step 1. Launch Settings on your iPhone and tap "General" to open the general iPhone settings. Here, navigate to and select "Transfer or Reset iPhone" to access reset options.

Step 2. Now, tap "Reset" and choose "Reset Location & Privacy." Afterward, hit "Reset Settings" to confirm your action and insert the iPhone passcode if required to reset the iPhone trusted devices list.

Solution 6. Reset the iPhone Settings

Conflicts in settings can also cause the iPhone not to show up in the Finder issue, so you will need to reset them. The reason is that it can be hard to pinpoint which settings conflict with each other. Resetting the iPhone settings to their default will remove all such issues. The steps required to reset the iPhone settings are given below:

Step 1. To reset the settings of your iPhone to their default, you will need to access the "General" tab in your device's Settings. Afterward, scroll down through the General settings and tap "Transfer or Reset iPhone."

Step 2. On the next screen, press "Reset" and select "Reset All Settings." Confirm your action by again tapping "Reset All Settings" and providing the iPhone passcode if it is asked to complete the process.

Why is iPhone Not Showing Up in Finder

Figuring out the reasons behind iPhone not showing up in Finder can be a hassle, as multiple issues can cause this problem. These issues can be related to both iPhone and Mac, with many overlapping between both devices. You can read some of the most frequent causes behind this issue below:

• Outdated Software: If the OS of your iPhone or Mac is outdated, it can easily result in your iPhone not showing up in Finder. The Outdated Operating Systems lead to compatibility and performance issues in the devices.
• Faulty USB Cable: You should always use the USB cable provided by Apple or a high-quality cable to connect your iPhone to the Mac. A damaged or faulty USB cable can also result in your device not showing up on the Finder.

• Conflicting Settings: There is a chance that the settings on your iPhone or Mac are not configured properly. In this case, Finder will not recognize the iPhone. It is also possible that settings between two devices are conflicting, resulting in this problem.

• USB Ports Issues: If your Mac's USB ports are faulty or damaged, it will not recognize the iPhone. As a result, you won't see your device appearing in the Find. Similarly, the issue can also occur if the charging port of the iPhone is damaged.

• Hardware Problems: Sometimes, hardware problems with your iPhone or Mac can prevent the devices from communicating properly. These problems can arise from heavy falls, liquid spillage, water damage, etc.

Conclusion

In summary, iPhone not showing up in Finder is not a big cause of concern unless the underlying reason is complex. Most of the causes behind this issue can be resolved quickly and easily. This article has provided the 6 easiest and most productive solutions for you to solve this issue. You can follow all the solutions in sequence to ensure you can tackle the leading cause behind this problem.

FAQs on iPhone Not Showing Up in Finder

You are not the only person who has faced the iPhone not showing up in Finder. The internet is full of queries regarding this issue. We have answered some of the FAQs below for your understanding:

1. Why isn't my iPhone showing up in Finder over Wi-Fi?

There are several reasons why your iPhone may not be showing up in Finder over Wi-Fi. It can happen due to an unstable Wi-Fi connection, conflicting settings, wrongly configured Finder settings, or system bugs in both devices. The outdated operating systems on both devices can also cause this issue.

2. Why doesn't my iPhone show up in Finder on Windows?

Finder only exists on Mac devices, and Windows users need to use iTunes to access iPhone data. If the iPhone doesn't show up in iTunes, multiple reasons can be responsible. These reasons can be an outdated iTunes, faulty USB cable, corrupt Apple device driver, etc.

3. What to do when I can't see the word iPhone in Finder?

If you are unable to see your iPhone in Finder, there are several things you can try to resolve the issue. You can ensure the iPhone is unlocked while connecting, the USB cable is not faulty, and the USB ports are also working. Other fixes include updating iOS and macOS and resetting the device settings to their default.