Connecting your iPhone to your MacBook makes transferring large office files and documents easier. Users can also wipe out unwanted data from their Mac devices by pairing it with an Apple phone. But, you must know how to connect iPhones to MacBooks for hassle-free data transmission.
You can sync an iPhone to your Mac laptop with iCloud. Apple also allows MacBook users to connect their devices to an iOS device via iTunes. Additionally, you can utilise the Continuity feature to pair these two high-end Apple devices.
However, you can’t link an old iPhone model like the iPhone 6s with a new MacBook Air. Hence, you must check the compatibility of these devices before connecting them. If you choose iTunes or iCloud to sync your iPhone to your MacBook, ensure to update them.
Try out these easy methods to connect your Apple phone to Mac laptops without an expert’s help:
How to Connect iPhone to MacBook via iCloud?
Using the built-in iCloud app, you can sync contacts and send other media files from an iPhone to a MacBook. However, you must sign in to these two Apple devices with the same Apple ID. Don’t forget to check if the Apple phone is compatible with the MacBook.
Additionally, you must check whether your iPhone and MacBook have the same sync settings. Otherwise, your iPhone will fail to recognise or connect to the Apple laptop. Here are steps to connect an iPhone to MacBook using the iCloud app:
Sign in to iCloud on your iPhone!
Open the iOS settings app from the App Library and tap on your Apple ID when the new screen appears. Select “iCloud” from the pre-installed iOS app list. You will see the list of apps and services you can enable for iCloud on the next screen.
Do you want the MacBook to remember the passwords, usernames or other sensitive data you saved on your iPhone? Enable the “iCloud Keychain” feature from the next screen. It will help pair your iPhone to your MacBook without re-entering the password.
Sign in to iCloud on your MacBook!
You must enable iCloud on the Mac device to ensure all your pictures get synced between your iPhone and MacBook. Access the Apple menu and select “System Preferences” when the drop-down menu appears.
Tap on “iCloud” and sign in with the Apple ID username and password you used for your iPhone. Wait until your Apple account page loads, and then you will see a list of Apple services or apps you can sync via iCloud. Tick the checkbox next to the app/service to sync them with your MacBook.
Types of Data You can Sync from iPhone to MacBook using iCloud
You can sync almost every data from your iPhone to your MacBook via the iCloud app. Users can sync iOS apps like Notes, Contacts, Apple News, Reminders and even Safari bookmarks. Here is other content that you can sync from an iPhone to your MacBook:
- Downloaded files
- Stocks
- HomeKit data
- Usernames
- Passwords
- Email attachments
However, you must ensure the same iCloud syncing options are enabled on your iPhone and MacBook. For instance, if you want to sync the email attachments, toggle on “Mail” on iPhone and MacBook from the iCloud page.
How to Connect iPhone to MacBook with Apple’s Continuity?
The Apple ecosystem lets you connect an iPhone to a Mac laptop using the advanced Continuity feature. You can answer iPhone calls from your Mac with this built-in feature. Additionally, you can compose an email on a MacBook and send it from your Apple phone.
Here is how you can pair your iPhone to a MacBook Air or Pro with Continuity:
- Sign into the same iCloud account on your iPhone and Mac laptop.
- Ensure these two devices are connected to the same wireless network.
- Enable the Bluetooth connection on your Apple phone and Mac device.
- Open the Apple menu on your MacBook and select “System Preferences”.
- Scroll down to “General” and put a checkmark next to “Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices”.
Unlock your iPhone and access its iOS settings window. Navigate to “General”, locate “Handoff”, and move the toggle from left to right to enable it. You can now hand off items like a webpage using this feature.
What else can you do with Apple’s Continuity feature?
You can start writing a message on your iPhone and complete that from your MacBook with continuity. Additionally, users can get directions in the Mac device’s Maps and easily share them with the iPhone.
Using this feature, you can copy text, images, videos or other data from an iPhone and paste it on your Mac’s Clipboard. However, if you want to make or receive phone calls from your MacBook, ensure to enable this option:
- Access your iPhone’s settings app and scroll down to “Phone”.
- Head towards “Calls on Other Devices” when the next window appears.
- Toggle on the Allow Calls on Other Devices option and select the device from where you want to receive the calls.
How to Connect iPhone to MacBook via the iTunes app?
ITunes is the easiest way to connect a MacBook with macOS 10.14 Mojave or older with an iPhone. Syncing these two Apple devices using this app lets you transfer videos, files, and other important data.
Additionally, you can update your iPhone or restore its default settings by connecting it to a MacBook via iTunes. However, your Mac laptop must have a USB port to pair it with an iPhone using a wired connection.
Here are the easy steps to connect an iPhone to a MacBook with iTunes:
- Connect one end of the USB cable to your iPhone’s charging port and the other end to your Mac’s USB port.
- Go to the “Locations” section and choose your iPhone model from the list.
- Click “Trust the device” when the pop-up message appears on your Mac device’s screen.
- Once your laptop detects your phone, you will get the Restore iPhone, Check for Update and Backup Now options.
Go to the Finder tab once you restore, update or backup the iPhone data on your MacBook. Choose “Eject” from the Finder sidebar and safely unplug the USB cable from your Apple phone and laptop.
Alternative Ways to Connect iPhone to a MacBook:
You can sync your iPhone to your MacBook without using iTunes, iCloud or Continuity. These two Apple devices feature content-sharing services, which you can use to pair them. Here are the built-in features that you must use to connect your iPhone to your MacBook:
Personal Hotspot
Do you want to share your iPhone’s internet connection with your MacBook? Turn on the Personal Hotspot feature from the phone’s Control Center. Alternatively, you can open the Settings app, select “Cellular”, and toggle on Personal Hotspot to convert your iPhone into a Wi-Fi hotspot.
AirDrop
Use AirDrop to connect your iPhone to a MacBook only for sharing files. You can share pictures, videos, contacts, voice memos, documents and contacts between these Apple devices with AirDrop.
You must ensure that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled on iPhone and Mac devices. Additionally, users must check whether the iPhone’s Personal Hotspot feature is disabled. Keep the iPhone and Mac laptops within 30 feet of each other to avoid data transfer issues.
iCloud Music Library
You can sync your iPhone to your MacBook with the iCloud Music Library. Users can have the same music on their phone and laptop with an Apple Music or iTunes Match subscription. But, this feature is disabled on iPhones and MacBooks by default. So, you must enable it from iPhone’s Settings and Mac’s Apple menu.
Is your iPhone not Connecting to your MacBook? Try out these Easy Fixes
An iPhone can fail to connect to a Mac laptop for several reasons. You must check for dust or dirt buildup inside the charging port. Clear the MacBook’s USB and your phone’s charging ports to fix the problem.
Additionally, you must check for signs of wear and tear in the USB cable that is connected to your iPhone and MacBook. Always use a compatible and functioning USB cable to avoid problems when pairing the Apple devices.
Here are the other solutions to eliminate the iPhone not connecting to MacBook error:
Restart your iPhone and MacBook
Restarting your iPhone and MacBook can fix the issue if it occurs for a minor glitch. Thus, you must turn off the iPhone by pressing the control buttons and turn it on after 2-3 seconds.
Open your MacBook’s Apple menu, and select “Restart” from the drop-down menu. Now, try to connect the iPhone to your laptop via iTunes, iCloud or Personal Hotspot. If that doesn’t work, you might be using outdated software.
Update the iPhone and Mac software
Open your iPhone’s settings app and check if an update is available. Select “Download & Install” to install the latest update on your phone. Additionally, you must update your MacBook’s software to fix the problem.
Alternative Solutions to Fix iPhone isn’t connecting to MacBook
Uninstalling and reinstalling the app from the iPhone and MacBook to resolve the issue. Additionally, you must check whether you’re signed in to iCloud with the correct Apple ID.
Did you accidentally click “Don’t trust this device”? It can restrict your MacBook from connecting to the phone. Disconnect your laptop from the iPhone by removing the USB cable and reconnecting them after 2-3 minutes. Contact MacBook Repair India experts if the error persists for an instant fix.
