Connecting iPhone XS Max to Mac running OS11.7.2
When I plug in my iPhone to the Mac via USB, it connects and rapidly disconnects ad nauseum. I have tried all the solutions listed here and none have worked. This has been ongoing on and off for at least 2-3 years.
Would appreciate any guidance on how to fix.
Thanks.
iPhone XS Max, 16
Hello jrozlove,
Let's use the applicable set of steps below to boot your Mac into safe mode to see if that behavior still persist from there:
How to use safe mode
Determine whether you're using a Mac with Apple silicon, then follow the appropriate steps:
Apple silicon
1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Turn on your Mac and continue to press and hold the power button until you see the startup options window.
3. Select your startup disk, then press and hold the Shift key while clicking “Continue in Safe Mode.”
4. Log in to your Mac. You might be asked to log in again.
Intel processor
1. Turn on or restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold the Shift key as your Mac starts up.
2. Release the key when you see the login window, then log in to your Mac.
3. You might be asked to log in again. On either the first or second login window, you should see ”Safe Boot” in the upper-right corner of the window.
You can also find those steps in this resource: How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support
It can take a few extra minutes to boot into safe mode. Your screen may flash or flicker while in safe mode. Those behaviors are expected. Testing in safe mode runs a check on your disk, removes some cached files, and can help isolate conflicts with startup items. Once you've tested that behavior in safe mode, you can restart to leave safe mode.
Should that still persist, has this occurred with multiple cables?
Have you had the opportunity to test your iPhone with another computer, or test your Mac with another device?
Let us know, and we'll keep moving forward based on your results.
Hey jrozlove,
It's good you were able to resolve the issue with it disconnecting and reconnecting. For the issue you're having with importing the photos, do you ever see the photos to choose and the other available options? Also, how much available storage do you have on your Mac? Just in case, here's more information on importing photos and checking the storage:
Import photos from a camera or phone using Photos on Mac - Apple Support
Free up storage space on your Mac - Apple Support
Keep us posted.
Take care!
Hi jrozlove,
Thanks for following up with us. To double-check, is the external drive connected when you're trying to import photos? If not, try connecting it and see if that helps.
The alert you mentioned is shown in a screenshot in the following link, and based on the text below, we recommend making sure that the external drive is connected, and also verifying the location you have set as your System Photo Library: Designate a System Photo Library in Photos - Apple Support
"iCloud and the System Photo Library
You can use iCloud Photos, Shared Albums, and My Photo Stream only with the System Photo Library. If you choose a different library in Photos without designating it as the System Photo Library, the iCloud tab in Photos settings is disabled.
If you want to use a different library with iCloud, follow the instructions in the next section to change the System Photo Library."
You can double-check to make sure it's pointing to the library on the external hard drive by opening the Photos app and clicking Photos > Preferences > General to check the Library Location setting.
Keep us posted on what you find, and have a good day.
Thank you for this information. I was finally able to try it but unfortunately, it didn't work. I tried connecting my iPhone while in safe mode and after restarting in normal mode but the same issue occurred in both modes. I the zapped the pram and that stopped the constant recycling of connect/disconnect, but the message 'preparing to import from my iPhone' message appears in Photos but isn't doing anything.
My phone does connect to another newer iMac with the same cable i'm using for my iMac. i also tried to connect to multiple ports on my iMac
My iPad pro does connect without issue to my iMac
Regards
Jeff
Thanks Tammy,
Still no luck. I do have plenty of room on my drive - over a TB.
I wonder if it is an iCloud issue? My iPhone and iPad sync with each other without issue but neither sync with Photos on my desktop. When I go to Photos preferences > iCloud on my iMac to investigate there, I get a message saying "iCloud features for Photos are only available in the System Photo Library". Though that library is no longer in the Pictures folder but on an external drive, it's is the original and only systems Photo library I have.... Does this make any sense?
Ta Da! (at least for now :-)) this works. I have designated my Photos library as the System Library and it seems to be working. Thank you all for your help.
Regards,
iPhone connects and disconnects from Mac
