How to Fix iTunes Error 0xE8000015 - iPhone 8/iPhone 7

Applies To: iPhone XS/XS Max/XR, iPhone X, iPhone 8/8 Plus, iPhone 7/7 Plus, iPhone 6/6s

“iTunes could not connect to this iPhone because an unknown error occurred (0xE8000015)” is the complete notification of iTunes error 0xE8000015. According to Apple, an unknown error or a “0xE” error always indicates that your iPhone or other iOS device connected is not recognized by the computer. To solve the iTunes error 0xE8000015 happened when connecting your iPhone 8 or iPhone 7 to the computer and help your iPhone to be recognized by iTunes, this article introduces all the possible solutions you can try to solve the iTunes error. Read on to get the details.

Part 1: How to fix iTunes error 0xE8000015 

The fixes to the iTunes error can be divided into two categories; the simple ones and the relatively complex ones. You are recommended to try the easy solutions first. If these don’t work, go on to try the complex fixes. (There are other situations in which iTunes could not connect to this iPhone. Read the related article to get more information.)

If you don't like the data syncing that will be caused by using iTunes, you can use an iTunes alternative introduced in Part 2 to help you transfer data between two iOS devices or between an iOS device and the computer (Mac or PC).

9 simple fixes to the iTunes error 0xE8000015:

• Update iTunes to the latest version.
• Update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS.
• Update your computer to the latest version of macOS or Windows.
• Make sure your iPhone is turned on.
• When you see the Trust this Computer notification, unlock your iPhone and click Trust.
• Disconnect all peripheral devices except for your iPhone. Try a different USB port, and then try another Apple USB cable to see whether it works.
• Make sure the network connection works properly on your iPhone.
• Make sure you have enough space left on your iPhone.
• Restart your computer and iPhone.

4 relatively complex fixes to the iTunes error 0xE8000015:

Tip 1: Disable Restrictions on your iPhone

It’s possible that you have made your iPhone inaccessible to iTunes by enabling Restrictions on your iPhone, which may lead to the iTunes error 0xE8000015. Go to Settings > General > Restrictions to have a check, and click Disable Restrictions on your iPhone if it is enabled.

Tip 2: Reset the Lockdown Folder

By deleting the Lockdown Folder on your computer, iTunes will recreate the directory, which may help to fix the iTunes error 0xE8000015.

On PC:

Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the Run command.

Step 2: Enter %ProgramData% and click OK.

Step 3: Locate and double-click the folder named Apple.

Step 4: Delete the Lockdown folder from your computer.

On Mac:

Step 1: Go to Finder > Go > Go to Folder from your Mac.

Step 2: Enter /var/db/ lockdown and press the return button.

Step 3: Select all the items in the Lockdown folder and remove them from your computer.

Tip 3: Check your iPhone under the USB Device Tree on Mac

This solution is for Mac users who are facing the iTunes error 0xE8000015 while connecting their iPhone 8 or iPhone 7 to the Mac.

Step 1: Press and hold the Option key, and go to Apple > System Information or System Report.

Step 2: Under Hardware, choose USB.

Step 3: If you see your iPhone 8 or iPhone 7 under the USB Device Tree, remove third-party security software from your Mac will fix iTunes error. If your iPhone is not showing there, you may need to contact Apple for help (https://support.apple.com/contact).

Tip 4: Reinstall the Apple Mobile Device USB driver on PC

According to Apple, reinstalling the Apple Mobile Device USB driver helps iTunes to recognize your iPhone. The way to do it differs depending on where you have download downloaded iTunes from, the Microsoft Store or Apple.

If you downloaded iTunes from the Microsoft store:

Step 1: Disconnect your iPhone from your PC.

Step 2: Reconnect your iPhone to your computer. (Close iTunes if it opens automatically.)

Step 3: Right-click the Start button (the Windows icon), and then select Device Manager.

Step 4: Find and expand the Portable Devices option.

Step 5: When you see your iPhone 8 or iPhone 7, right-click your iPhone name and choose Update driver.

Step 6: Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.

Step 7: After the driver is updated, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and make sure there are no other available updates.

Step 8: Run iTunes and see whether the iTunes error 0xE8000015 still exist.

If you downloaded iTunes from Apple:

Step 1: Disconnect your iPhone from your PC.

Step 2: Reconnect your iPhone to your computer. (Close iTunes if it opens automatically.)

Step 3: Press the key combination (Windows + R) to open the Run command.

Step 4: Then enter the following string and click OK.

%ProgramFiles%\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\Drivers

Step 5: Right-click usbaapl64.inf or usbaapl.inf file and choose Install. (Make sure the filename extension is .inf.)

Step 6: Disconnect your iPhone from your PC and restart your computer.

Step 7: Reconnect your iPhone to your PC and run iTunes.

Part 2: How to back up or transfer iPhone data without using iTunes

As an iPhone user, you may need an iTunes alternative that enables you to transfer data to your iPhone without data syncing. That's why EaseUS MobiMover, the iTunes alternative, is introduced here. As you will know, EaseUS MobiMover is a reliable tool for iOS data transfer and file management, which means you can use it to transfer data between two iOS devices (iPhone/iPad in iOS 8 or later) or between an iOS device and computer (Mac or PC) and manage your iPhone content by deleting/editing/adding items from computer. The file types supported by MobiMover are:

What can MobiMover transfer or manage for you:

Photos: Camera Roll, Photo Library, Photo Stream, Photo Videos

Videos: Movies, TV shows, Music Videos

Audios: Music, Ringtones, Voice Memos, Audiobooks, Playlists

Others: Contacts, Notes, Messages, Voice Mails, Books, and Safari Bookmarks

Thus, no matter you want to transfer photos from iPhone to iPhone, put music to iPhone, or back up iPhone to computer, you can use EaseUS MobiMover to do it. Follow the steps below to back up your iPhone to computer within minutes.

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to your computer running Windows system with a USB cable > Select the "Backup Manager" from the left panel > Select "Backup" to proceed.

Step 2. Tick the box next to "Select All" to back up all files from iPhone to computer > Set the destination on computer > Click on "One-Click Backup" to start the backup process.

Step 3. MobiMover will start immediately to back up iPhone files to your computer without requiring iTunes. Wait patiently until it finishes.