How to connect iPhone to MacBook Air with cable

How to Connect Your iPhone to Mac?

• SYNCWIRE Team
• May 2, 2021

Connecting Apple devices like iPhone to Mac or iPhone to PC can serve you in different situations. You may think you just need a USB cable to connect your iPhone to Mac. Well, there are many different ways to do so – and they are more convenient and flexible!

In this article, we will discuss four different ways of connecting an iPhone to a Mac.

Method 1: Connect iPhone to Mac Using iTunes

iTunes is one of the most efficient ways of connecting an iPhone to a Mac. Syncing your phone with Mac over iTunes allows you to transfer files like music, videos, books, etc. You can connect iPhone to Mac with iTunes in two different ways:

● Connect iPhone to Mac with iTunes Using a Cable

Step 1 – Connect iPhone to Mac with USB Cable

Plug one end into your iPhone’s charging port and the other end into the USB port on your Mac. 

Note: The latest versions of Mac have thunderbolt 3 ports which are USB type C. You can use Syncwire USB C to lightning cables to connect your iPhone to Mac. 

Step 2 – Launch iTunes

iTunes will launch atomically. You can now use your Mac to transfer files to/from your iPhone through iTunes. 

Step 3 – Share, Sync, and Transfer Files

Click on the iPhone icon in iTunes Windows and choose the desired action like back up, restore, sync, etc. 

● Connect iPhone to Mac Using iTunes over WiFi

Make sure your Mac and iPhone are connected to the same Wi-fi network. Now follow the steps mentioned below:

Now, every time you connect your iPhone and Mac to the same WiFi your iPhone will automatically sync via iTunes.

Sometimes your iPhone gets disabled due to an incorrect password tries and won’t connect to iTunes. It seems difficult to fix it. Well, here is a complete guide to fix that issue and connect your iPhone to iTunes.

Also Read:
My Lightning Cable is not charging My iPhone! The Fix

Note: To connect iPhone to Mac via iTunes using a WiFi connection, make sure that iTunes is open on your Mac. 

Method 2: Using USB Cable

Connecting your iPhone to your Mac with a USB cable is super easy. Follow these steps:

Step 1 – Connect USB to iPhone

Plug the Lightning to the USB end of your USB cable in your iPhone’s charging port and insert the USB end into the USB port on your Mac. 

Step 2 – Open Finder

Your Mac will detect your iPhone and you will find the device folder under “connected iPhone or iPad” in Finder in the left sidebar under “Locations”. 

Step 3 – Sync Devices 

Now you can transfer files, sync data, and restore your iPhone from your Mac using Finder. 

Method 3: Using Bluetooth

Bluetooth is an old but very effective method to connect devices over a wireless connection. Simply turn on the Bluetooth feature available on both devices for the connection between both devices. It will allow you to share music, images, documents, and more. 

Follow these steps to connect iPhone to Mac via Bluetooth. 

Note: To use a Bluetooth connection, make sure your iPhone and Mac are present nearby.

Step 1 – Turn on Bluetooth on Mac

You can turn on Bluetooth on Mac by clicking on the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar or click on the Apple menu and go to System Preferences > Bluetooth. 

Step 2 – Enable Bluetooth on iPhone

Tap on the Settings app icon and then go to General > Bluetooth. 

Step 3 – Pair Devices 

To pair the iPhone with your Mac, select your Mac from the available Bluetooth devices on your iPhone. Once the devices are paired you can exchange files between your iPhone and Mac. 

Note: Your Mac and iPhone may ask for a confirmation code to pair with each other. 

Method 4: Using AirDrop

AirDrop is a very useful feature in iOS devices. It is a built-in protocol that allows you to transfer files directly to any Apple device. You can exchange photos, videos, audio, or more using the AirDrop feature.  

To connect your iPhone using AirDrop, enable the Airdrop feature in both devices. 

Follow these steps to connect iPhone to Mac with AirDrop: 

Step 1 – Enable Airdrop
●      On iPhone:

Go to the Settings menu by tapping on the Settings app on your iPhone’s home screen. Now go to General > AirDrop. Enable the Airdrop feature. 

●      On Mac:

Go to Finder > Go > AirDrop on your Mac. Turn on the AirDrop feature and adjust the setting according to your preferences. 

Step 2 – Share Data 

Once AirDrop is enabled on both Mac and iPhone, you can share files between them. Open the file you want to share from your iPhone to Mac and tap on Share. 

Step 3 – Send to Mac 

Select your Mac. Once the file is sent to your Mac, you will see a “Sent” prompt on your iPhone screen. You will find the shared file in the Downloads folder on your Mac. 

Note: Similarly, you can also send files from Mac to your iPhone using AirDrop. 

Conclusion

iPhone users are not well aware of connecting iPhone to other devices like PC or Mac. They generally depend on USB connections only. However, there are faster and more convenient ways to connect iPhone to Mac. Use AirDrop, Bluetooth, or iTunes to connect your iPhone to Mac and make file sharing easier. 

Also Read:
How to Connect Your iPhone to PC?

For more informative articles related to various iPhone features, check out our blog. 

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How do I fix my iPhone not connecting to my MacBook air?

If your computer doesn't recognize your iPhone or iPad.

Look in the Finder or iTunes. ... .

Update the software on all devices. ... .

Connect your device directly to your computer. ... .

Trust your computer, if asked. ... .

Allow the accessory to connect. ... .

Restart your devices. ... .

Try a different port, cable, or computer. ... .

Contact us..

How do I transfer information from my iPhone to my MacBook air?

On your Mac, go to the Apple menu and then System Preferences and find iCloud. Then select iCloud Drive. If your files are all synched up, then you'll be able to access the same files from both your phone and Mac using the iCloud Drive app on Mac and the Files app on your iPhone.

How do I connect my phone to my MacBook via USB?

Connect your phone to your computer's USB port via the charging cable. Open Mac Finder. Locate Android File Transfer on your list of drives. Double-click the Android drive icon.

How do I connect my iPhone to my MacBook Air m1?

Connect your iPhone and MacBook to the same Wi-Fi connection. Go to the Control Center on your iPhone and click on the Screen Mirroring option. A list of devices would appear on your iPhone screen. Find your MacBook from the list and tap its name.