Here is a snapshot - pretty vague wording but, strictly, it is not an iTunes update:
I’m not sure what this specific update refers to (the Big Sur version appeared for me on September 30), but I assume it’s installing updated drivers/data for macOS sync services to use in conjunction with iOS 15.
Normally, I see similar one-off driver update requests appear when connecting an IOS device to my Mac via USB, usually on the first connection after an iOS update. I think this update is something similar.
Not sure why they changed the name, but the contents appear to be the same as previous “Mobile Device” updates. Perhaps because it takes place without the need to plug an iDevice in first?
Yes, I applied that the other day during the update (along with Safari). But it had no effect on recognizing my iPhone SE. Thanks.
Reading through this thread again, a problem with some (not all) of the pins in the Lightning port on the phone does seem most likely to me. One more idea there: since Lightning cables are reversible (and therefore some of the pins are duplicated), it is worth systematically making sure you’ve tried plugging it in with a known-good cable, using both orientations.
Less likely, but I think still a possibility, is a software issue at the phone end. So: putting the phone into Recovery Mode might be worth a try. There’s also a DFU (device firmware update) mode, which is similar but not the same. From what I remember, when in those modes, it is possible to turn the phone off and on again, when it should then start up back into normal operation - but as Apple’s document doesn’t seem to describe that, I’d check for detailed instructions describing that part of the process before starting, just in case.
Thanks. Concerning the cables. I have tried three (or four), including a new one and in both orientations, that is, I flipped the connector over. But that didn’t change anything. Maybe one of the pins is worn? Oxidized? I haven’t tried alcohol yet. I haven’t found a sufficiently small plastic insert I can use with a cloth to clean the inside of the port. Since the USB ports on the Mac identify other devices (flash drives, CD/DVD player), I suspect it’s not the port itself on the Mac side. I’ll check out Recovery Mode. I’ve never used it before. Thanks for the feedback.
Just checked the link to Recovery Mode (thanks!). It sounds a bit risky and, unless I’m mistaken, I would have to set the phone up again (as if it were a new phone), which is a bit of work. Assuming the process goes well. Also, if I’m reading the directions correctly, Recovery Mode is done while connected to the computer (iTunes since I’m running Mojave) but the computer doesn’t recognize the phone.
Yes, I think Recovery Mode and the related DFU mode are primarily intended as a last resort, for when the phone software is so hosed that the phone won’t boot. So - certainly good to be cautious, as you mostly have a working phone at the moment.
Your computer doesn’t recognise the phone. One possible (although I think unlikely) cause of that is the software on the phone. My understanding is that Recovery Mode effectively boots the phone from an alternative operating system: a small, specialist one, with the sole aim of allowing “recovery” (yes, which perhaps effectively means reinstallation) of the primary iOS installation.
If your computer failed to recognise the phone whilst it is in Recovery Mode, then that’s more evidence that the issue is due to hardware: connectors etc. Alternatively, if it is recognised, it would seem likely that the cause is the software on the phone. Having decent evidence about whether an issue is due to hardware or software is always pretty helpful when deciding how to proceed.
I’m using an iPhone SE1 actually… I’ll try & see if I can get into Recovery Mode and out again. (Although no promises.)
Yes, I was wondering about that when I read the instructions. Seems like a risk unless you can successfully update the phone from iTunes and, in my case, that’s questionable. And reinstalling everything would be a bit of a pain unless I could update the phone from iCloud, which should have most of my data backed up. If you do it, let me know what you find (or how the process works in practice). Thanks.
Sorry - I’ve had a quick go (after backing up), but I can’t get mine to go into Recovery Mode. I connect to my Mac, power the phone off, hold in home and top button, see Apple logo… but then the phone boots normally. I don’t know why.
Thanks for trying. Does one do this with the phone connected to the Mac? I was unclear about that part. But I guess if you have to “Update,” you would need to be connected.
I just tested again, following this more detailed article: Everything about iOS DFU and Recovery Modes | ElcomSoft blog.
The instructions there aren’t the same as the Apple document I linked to before. The steps given here are:
- Turn off the device.
- Press and hold the home button.
- Connect the device to computer with iTunes.
- Wait until you see the iTunes logo and the cable on the iPhone.
This worked for me. Below are images of what I saw on the phone and in iTunes.
I didn’t go ahead with the update or restore. After seeing these screens, I pressed the “Eject iPhone” button in that iTunes screen. Then waited a little while and disconnected the phone. The phone remained in recovery mode. I powered it off (by holding down the power button at the top), waited a little while, then powered it on again - and it’s all back to normal and I don’t seem to have lost anything.
So perhaps this is worth a try - it would help determine if the issue is the phone hardware or software. But at your own risk of course - I’ve only tested this once!
For the record, my iPhone SE1 is running iOS 14.8, and I’m running iTunes 12.8.2.3 on macOS 10.13.6.
Thanks. I may try this. I wonder if the problem is my (newer) version of iTunes or the phone itself (which seems to be the case here).
You’ve mentioned that you’ve tried two Macs, and the phone doesn’t show in the list of USB devices in System Information.app on either. In my experience, that’s quite a reliable list - a working device does seem to show there, even if there are no drivers for it installed on the Mac. So I think that eliminates the iTunes end. You’ve also mentioned trying different cables. So it does sound like the issue is at the phone end.
I’m leaning toward that conclusion myself. I’d like to try a third Mac though, a newer model and not my own, just to be sure. But since I can update my iPod from iTunes, etc., I’m thinking it’s the phone (possibly a recent upgrade?).
So, I walked over to the Apple Store today and asked one of the floor reps if he would connect the phone to one of the Macs in the store to see if it mounted. He pulled out a laptop and connected the phone but it didn’t show up. I made an appointment with the support staff for tomorrow simply to satisfy my curiosity about the nature of the problem. The phone is working fine and it’s running a fairly recent version of iOS, so it’s still quite functional. It’s not worth investing in a repair though if that’s what’s required. I’m hoping it’s a software issue.
Keep in mind that Apple won’t actually fix this. If you pay them for a “repair”, they will charge you a lot (maybe more than half the price of a new phone) in order to exchange it for a refurbished unit - after which you’ll restore your data from an iCloud backup.
If it is a hardware issue and you care, contact a trustworthy repair shop that is capable of swapping out the Lightening connector for a new one.
Yeah, I have no intention of letting them repair the phone! It’s not worth it. And I wouldn’t want a refurb of the same model. I was hoping they could simply isolate the problem: software or hardware. If it’s a software issue, perhaps they can update the phone (since I can’t do it here because I don’t have enough free space on the phone for the next version of iOS and can’t connect it to iTunes for the update).
So, it’s definitely a hardware issue and, according to Apple, probably the physical port (or the portion on the interior of the phone) that is bad. They did not offer to repair it though, said they couldn’t. So, I may just sit on it and use it as is for a while until I’m ready to buy a new one.
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Kinda what I was thinking based on your experience. I don’t know as a third-party repair service would be able to acquire the necessary parts, unglue everything, and then desolder/solder the new piece together. Likely the day will come when the phone just. won’t. charge. I chose to replace my SE before that day arrived.