As an iPhone owner, I was frustrated when my computer or Mac wouldn’t charge my iPhone. After trying multiple charging cables and outlets, I began to do some research on what could be the cause and how to fix it. In this blog post, I’m sharing the solutions I discovered, as well as other possible causes and fixes that may help other iPhone owners who are facing the same issue.
This issue likely stems from either your computer or your phone. It could be that the USB port isn’t transferring enough power for your iPhone to charge, or it can also be a setting that needs to be switched on in the iOS’ system.
Nevertheless, there is still the possibility that the culprit is neither of the two but the cable that’s connecting them.
This article will help you figure out the causes of why you can’t charge your iPhone on your computer and the easiest ways you can fix the problem.
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Not Running | Sleep mode, low battery | Charge your computer into a wall outlet |
| Restart Devices | General troubleshooting | Restart your iPhone and computer |
| USB Port | Inadequate power supply | Connect iPhone to a different USB port, ensure ports are clean |
| Authorize Charging | Trust settings not configured | Tap “Trust” when prompted, or reset location & privacy settings in iPhone |
| Faulty Charging Cable | Old, worn out, or damaged cable | Replace charging cable |
Table of Contents
The Usual Go-To Fixes for Mac not charging iPhone
Before proceeding with the common reasons, several fixes serve as first-instinct solutions when you find that your computer isn’t charging your iPhone.
Check if Your Computer is Running
This might be too logical to be considered as a solution, but with no activities detected, this can set your laptop to sleep mode.
Apart from that, they can also run out of battery leading the power to turn off automatically.
Once the computer isn’t running, the USB port wouldn’t be able to get the connection through from your laptop to your iPhone.
Charge your computer into a wall outlet so that you’ll be able to stop it from powering off. This will also let the connection continue from PC to iPhone.
Restart Your iPhone or Computer
Restarting your iPhone is often one of the go-to solutions when encountering any issues with your device. So it’s no surprise that you can also start with rebooting the phone once you notice charging problems between your iPhone and computer.
There are different methods of restarting your iPhone, and the ways often depend on which generation your device was made. If it’s the newest version (iPhone X, 11, 12, or 13), then you can:
- Press and hold both volume and side buttons until you see the power-off slider on the screen
- Drag your finger through the slider to turn off your iPhone
- Turn it back on by pressing and holding the side button, and wait until you can already see the Apple logo
If the charging issue persists, try rebooting your computer next.
Common Reasons Why Your Computer/Mac Won’t Charge Your iPhone
When your device is still not charging, we’ll delve into the most common reasons that may help you figure out why your computer won’t charge your iPhone and how you’ll be able to fix it.
USB Port
Your computer/MacBook contains many USB ports. But not all ports will supply your iPhone with the right amount of power that will be able to charge your device. This is also why it isn’t advisable for you to plug in your iPhone to an external keyboard if you’re using one.
If you think that this may be the problem, try connecting your iPhone to a different USB port on your computer. It will also help if the ports are clean and free from dust and dirt.
Authorize Charging Accessory
Once you connect your charging cable to your computer/mac, you will receive a phone notification asking you if you “Trust this Computer?” Tap the option “Trust” so that your iPhone will be able to give your laptop the authorization to access and connect to your device. This will also allow your iPhone to charge from your PC.
If you don’t see the “Trust this Computer?” alert, then you may have already selected “Trust” or “Don’t Trust” beforehand. If you haven’t, go to your Trust settings by doing the following:
- Go to settings
- Select and tap General
- Tap Reset
- Choose Reset Location & Privacy
Doing this will reset any computers that you’ve trusted before. Once this has been done, plug in your iPhone to your laptop once again, and you’ll be sure to receive a “Trust this Computer?” notification after.
Faulty Cable
If all of these still don’t work, consider replacing your iPhone’s charging cable.
You may have a faulty cable if it’s already old and worn out. You must also cease using it if it’s noticeably bent or the cable’s wires are already peeking out. Besides being the cause why you can’t charge your phone, this can also bring safety risks that you’ll have to avoid.
See if you have any reserved cords around, and try plugging them into your laptop’s USB port.
If one of the cables successfully charges your phone, then your problem is solved. But if none of the cables that you’ve tried worked, then you’ll have to buy a new cable from the nearest Apple Store.
Conclusion
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Checking what’s making your computer/mac refuse to charge your iPhone is fairly easy. However, if none of the following solutions work, there’s a possibility that there may be an underlying problem between the two.
If the outcome continues to be unbidden, it’s best to have a professional take a look at your devices.
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