9 Ways to Fix iPhone Keep Connecting and Disconnecting from Mac

Are you trying to connect your iPhone to your MacBook to charge or sync data, but it keeps connecting and disconnecting? Well, this is a common problem many people have faced at one point or the other, and there are several reasons why your iPhone isn’t establishing a connection. The first diagnosis you should check out should be the lightning cable, perhaps it is defective.

In this post, we will enlighten you on the different issues that can cause your iPhone to play charging sound with haptic vibration continuously when plugged into a MacBook. We’d also show you a solution on how to fix each scenario. And at the end of this post, we will give you a bonus tip on how to repair iOS to get rid of various iPhone problems. So, let’s start by understanding what will cause your iPhone to keep connecting and disconnecting from Mac and how to fix it.

How to Fix When iPhone Keep Connecting and Disconnecting from Mac

We have organized 9 of the most related causes and solutions that will help you fix iPhone keeps charging and discharging when connected to Mac. So, if you are encountering this issue, use the steps below to resove the problem.

Way 1. Check the Lightning Cable

Firstly, check the basics like the lightning cable if it is properly connected to your iPhone and MacBook. If it is connected properly and the problem persists, connect the cable to the brick and see if your iPhone battery charges to know if the problem is from your MacBook port.

If your battery charges then the lightning cable is in good working condition. Now that you have ruled out the possibility that the lightning cable is faulty, it could be that the USB port on the Mac is faulty. So, try the lightning cable on another port on your MacBook, you might be lucky it may work. If it doesn’t work still, move down to other solutions.

Way 2. Reset Location and Privacy

Another trick you can try to fix this issue is to reset the Location and Privacy on your iPhone. But before you reset the location and privacy on your iPhone, ensure you disconnect it from your MacBook. To reset your iPhone location follow the steps below:

• Go to “Settings” on your iPhone.
• Under settings, choose “General”.
• Click “Reset”.
• Lastly, Click “Reset Location and Privacy” and you are done.

Resetting the location and privacy on iPhone will restore all the location and privacy settings to default. After doing this, all your apps will ask for location permission.

Way 3. Restart iPhone and Mac

If after resetting Location and Privacy the issue still persists, restart your iPhone and MacBook. Rebooting your iPhone and Mac will most likely fix the problem. To restart your iPhone and MacBook, follow the steps below.

To restart an iPhone

• Press and hold the Power button on your iPhone.
• A slider pops up on your iPhone, then you can drag it to turn off your iPhone.
• To turn on your iPhone back, press and hold the Power button.

To restart a MacBook

• At the top right corner, click on the Apple logo and select Restart.
• In the prompt that will appear on the screen click Restart.

Way 4: Restart the USBD Process

Another solution to iPhone keep connecting and disconnecting from Mac is to stop the USBD process. To do this follow the step below:

• Launch the Terminal app on your Mac from Spotlight (Command + Space).
• Enter the command sudo killall -STOP -c usbd.
• The common will restart the USBD process.

Note, it is important to pause the USBD process to reduce the power output of the USB ports. In other words, this will make your device charge slower than usual. But your iPhone wouldn’t keep connecting and disconnecting from the MacBook.

Way 5. Reset SMC and/or NVRAM

If after all the above fixes, the problem persists, it could be that there's an error with the SMC or NVRAM. The SMC is responsible for managing the behavior of components of your MacBook like the amount of power set to the USB port. While the NVRM or non-volatile random access memory stores the settings for quick access. As such, a quick reset might fix the error. Follow the steps below to reset the SMC and NVRAM:

• Unplug your iPhone from the MacBook.
• Shut down the MacBook.
• Turn on the MacBook, holding down the Option+Command+P+R keys for about 20 seconds. Release the buttons when you hear the MacBook startup.
• Wait for the MacBook to restart, and you are all done.

Way 6. Create a New Admin Account and Try Again

Creating a new admin account may also help to fix the issue of the iPhone’s connecting and disconnecting. Creating a new admin account will create a new directory where all the settings don't overwrite in the main account. To create a new admin account, following the steps below:

• At the top right corner, click the Apple logo, then click on Setting Preference.
• Click on the Users and Group option.
• Unlock the Lock icon, and then tap on Lock at the button on the left corner of the window. Enter your MacBook password to authorize it .
• Thereafter, click on the + icon to add a new user.
• Select Admin type and choose Administrator, then input an username and password for the new Admin account and you are all done.

Way 7. Reinstall MacOS That Repair Corrupted System

Reinstalling the MacOS on your MacBook can help repair corrupted system files including iPhone keeps connecting and disconnecting from Mac problem. Reinstalling macOS will not erase your saved data. Nevertheless, backup all your important files to Time Machine for security purposes. Ensure your MacOS is connected to a stable Wi-Fi connection and the battery is charged. Thereafter, follow the steps below to reinstall macOS:

• At the top right corner, click the Apple logo, then click on the Restart option.
• When your Mac is shut down, turn it on then quickly press and hold the Command+R keys until the macOS utility window opens.
• Alternatively, you can Reinstall macOS by getting a new copy of macOS, then follow the on-screen instruction.

Way 8. Update iPhone and Mac

Apple suggests that to use MacBook and iPhone seamlessly, both devices should run on the latest version. Before reinstalling macOS on your iPhone or MacBook, ensure your battery charge has 50% or more and is connected to a stable Wi-Fi connection.

On your iPhone

• Go to your iPhone’s Settings.
• Click General.
• Scroll down to Software Update, tap it and follow the prompts to update your device.

On your MacBook

macOS Mojave or later versions

• At the top right corner, click on the Apple logo then go to System Preferences.
• Tap on Software Update.
• Click on Update Now to start the updating process.

Earlier macOS versions

• For earlier versions of macOS, go to the App Store.
• Navigate to the Update tab and then choose the Update All option.

Note, this step will erase all location and privacy settings on your iOS device. So, anytime you open an app that requires access to your location, you will be asked to confirm the privacy settings once again.

Bonus Tip: How to Fix Various Issues on iOS Devices?

If after trying out all the troubleshooting we suggested above, your iPhone keeps connecting and disconnecting from the Mac, then you may be having issues with your phone’s system. You can easily repair it with a tool that can also be used to get rid of various iPhone problems. FoneGeek iOS System Recovery is an iOS repair tool that can help you fix issues with the operating system of your iOS device. Here’s how to use this software:

Step 1. Download, install and launch the software on your computer. Then choose ‘Standard Mode’ on the software.

Step 2. Connect your iPhone to your computer and click on 'Next'.

Step 3. On the next page, you will need to download the firmware for your iPhone by clicking on the Download

Step 4. Once the firmware is downloaded, the software will begin to repair your iPhone.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if your iPhone keeps connecting and disconnecting from Mac try any one of the above fixes to solve it. An unstable connection between your iPhone and Mac is not stable, the above method should detect the issue. And if it is a software error, the above troubleshooting should fix the problem. And ultimately, take advantage of the Tenorshare ReiBoot repair tool to get rid of all other issues on your device.