iPhone XR flashes “Trust this Computer?” repeatedly when USB connected to Mac

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iPhone XR flashes “Trust this Computer?” repeatedly when USB connected to Mac

iPhone XR running iOS 16.4 is USB connected over USB-C to slightly older MacBook Air running macOS Monterey latest 12.6.4. As soon as I plug iPhone in I get “Trust This Computer” popup which flashes about every 2 seconds and can’t be answered. On the Mac in Finder the iPhone device appears then disappears on same 2 second cadence…

I’m searching for low level debug tools I can run on Mac to see what the issue is here? Can anyone offer any help/guidance? I’m technical and don’t mind poking around Unix to see what the issue is…

TIA

BigDaddy__68

iPhone XR

Posted on Apr 1, 2023 11:48 AM

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Answer 1

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BigDaddy_68 Author

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Apr 1, 2023 4:14 PM in response to BigDaddy_68

OK so I decided to reboot my Mac normally (not in Safe Boot mode) now that the VPN SW is gone. I also did a normal shutdown of my iPhone XR and restarted it normally. It looks like the problem is gone!!!

When I plugged my iPhone into my Mac - the Mac asked me (1 time) "Do you want to trust this iPhone". I said Yes. and the Mac also told me that I'd get the same trust question on my iPhone. On my iPhone I was asked 1 time "Trust this Computer" I said Yes (no more flashing popup!!) and now all works fine. My iPhone properly shows up in Finder !!

I'm stoked!! And now I'm goign about Syncing and backing up my now old iPhone XR to I can restore it to my new iPhone14 Plus !!

Thank you very much Mr. Hoffman - for the expert advice here :)

BigDaddy__68

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Answer 2

Apr 1, 2023 1:08 PM in response to BigDaddy_68

Force Restart the iPhone, and boot the Mac into Safe Mode, and try again:

...Force restart iPhone - Apple Support

...How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support

If you have any first-few-hops VPN clients installed anywhere, remove them all, and restart.

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Answer 3

BigDaddy_68 Author

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Apr 1, 2023 3:35 PM in response to MrHoffman

OK deleted Juniper Pulse VPN and Aruba VIA VPN and have Mac in "Safe Boot".

When I plugged in iPhone XR I get 2 dings and the issue has gone away on the iPHone, however I can't see the iPhone in Finder. So I'm still sort of stuck here as I was really trying to

1) Sync Music

2) Backup my Mac over USB

(I should have said that upfront though - sorry)

Thanks any guidance or other words of wisdom. Is there a way to back track this debug info

Thanks as always

BigDaddy__68

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Answer 4

Apr 1, 2023 4:34 PM in response to BigDaddy_68

First-few-hops VPNs seek to solve a problem which hasn’t existed for a ~decade. Too often, badly.

Too much of the malware lately are intentionally-installed add-on security apps, too. One of the better known add-on security packages got caught selling personally identified web browsing data, including web purchasing data.

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Answer 5

Apr 1, 2023 11:54 AM in response to BigDaddy_68

Restart both, and try again.

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Answer 6

BigDaddy_68 Author

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Apr 1, 2023 12:52 PM in response to MrHoffman

Doesn't help ... thx though

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iPhone XR flashes “Trust this Computer?” repeatedly when USB connected to Mac

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